Hi,

My E430 would not start today morning.  The whole of last week, because of
the holidays andschool being closed, I drove the car for very short trips of
less than 0.5 mile.    I got  a jump-start which started the car so the
battery did not have enough juice to start the car.    After I drove it
around for some 20 minutes, the car started again.

The car is a 98 E430 and has been running on the original battery for some 7
years, I presume the battery must be reaching end of life. Because of the
holiday weekend all repair shops are closed and it looks like I will need to
change the battery myself.

I need some recommendations on a quality battery, the local MBZ parts dealer
told me that the replacement battery from MBZ is not the same part# as the
original,  MBZ now just has  4 different batteries or  part# for all their
cars.  Also its costs $125 for battery and $75 to install it.

I plan to get the battery load tested at AutoZone or Kraegen after the
holidays, in the meanwhile I would like advice from the group on what other
possibilities the car starting problem could be related to.   I would like
to mention the weather could also be a contributing factor since it has been
wet and cold throughout the week.

Also advice is solicited, on a replacement battery and tips to install the
battery  so that the car settings/codes are not lost.

Thanks in advance,

John