Hi Guys, my battery just went south. Any recomendations as to what brand to buy?

 

My only recommendation is to get an AGM battery, these are better than the wet cell type. More expensive but worth the extra.
The original Varta was by the same maker as the Interstate battery maker, so maybe an Interstate battery is a good choice. Walmart is a good choice for battery prices I hear, not sure if Interstate is sold by them though.
In Canada Crappy Tire sells good batteries with a good warranty period.

 

Dave's right on the AGM, and a lot about of forum members have Interstate. I'm going on year 6 with the Advance Autocraft Gold. Fits perfectly and can be had with AA discount codes.
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...000%7CL3*15597

 

Try the walmart battery the MAXX (not sure of the total name). $95.00 and a trade in and I'm on my way. Was a couple years ago, no problems since. Good luck!

.

 

There are quite a few choices when it comes to a battery for the XFire. Not sure I fully agree with 180 on getting an AGM style; when they first came out there were lots of issues with reliability. Many of these have been addressed since and the AGM-style gets better reviews now. It is more expensive than the typical wet cell version.

The standard wet cell battery with a 3-yr replacement warranty is probably going to last 4-5 years, depending on number of starts over time. I've got a Duracell in my 2007 Coupe that I bought from Batteries Plus when they ran a sale. Otherwise probably would have bought a battery somewhere else based on price.

I've used the Walmart MAXX batteries on several of my cars and always got good results. And the battery is usually fairly inexpensive at Walmart and they typically keep the Group 48 or H6 battery (that's the battery size for the XFire) in stock. Be sure to check the date on the battery which tells when it was filled with electrolyte. You don't want to purchase one that's been sitting on the shelf longer than a few months (2-3). Sam's Club also has good prices on batteries (a different brand than Walmart), but may not have the XFire battery in stock. Nearly every generic parts store (i.e., AutoZone, Advance Auto, O'Reilly's, Pep Boys) will have a battery that fits the XFire.

And one thing you'll find out is that the overall case differs across the gambit of car batteries for the XFire. The issue we deal with is whether the height is the same (or at least close) to the OEM Varta so the hold down clamp works as before. In the case of my Duracell, it was slightly taller than the Varta so I had to bend the hold down clamp some to get a proper fitment. Some batteries are shorter (Interstate is, I think) and folks have used a rubber spacer under the hold down clamp to get a proper fitment.

And as many of us will tell you, searching this forum will turn up all kinds of knowledge from others on batteries selected for the Crossfire. Oh, and make sure you keep the small plastic vent pot that's mounted on your Varta (assuming you're placing the OEM Varta). You'll need to move this over to your new battery to catch small amount of vapor that escapes. Most shops will discard that vent pot & you want to make sure they transfer it. Nearly all new batteries will not come with that vent pot (at least I've never seen one that did).

 

COSTCO
Use their batteries in my boats.
Just put one in my Xfire.
Googled and rated in the best

 

I got an AGM battery two years ago when my two year old wet cell battery died two weeks after the 100% free replacement warranty ran out. AGM batteries are the way to go these days I have read.

 

Thanks for all the info guys...I was not familiar with the AGM type but liked the info and recommendations from you guys. I ended up with Bosch AGM Platinum 48 month free replace from Pep Boys $149.00. I could have went to the cheaper Bosch for $129.00 but figured what the heck...it was only $20.00 cheaper. Thanks again for all the help.

 

I'm just too cheap to invest in the AGM battery!

 

That's actually a fairly good price for an AGM.