Paddy,

I would go for tjhe largest that will fit ( given cost constraints ). Places like Costco etc. seem to do pretty good deals. After all electrons are electrons so as long as you pick one with good cold start capacity you should be fine.

I've not made up my mind about the Calcium batteries yet. Standard battery guarantee in Halfords - 2 years. Calcium battery - 3 years. Paul @ Kippen - last about 8 years.

Paul @ Kippen.

 

Not sure what capacity it should be, but I'd pretty much agree with Paul about getting the largest (capacity) battery possible. Don't go for a lightweight battery. They are lightweight for a reason, there's very little in them as far as plates and they don't last very long.

In my experience, car batteries are a bit like humans, they don't last very long when you just keep feeding them, they need exercise too. So turn your lightswitch to 'on', leave it there and let the car do the work (love the Saab automatic lights ), enjoy the fact that people can see you better and that your battery will thank you by lasting longer too. My 9-5 battery lasted well over eight years. I got hold of a Yuasa battery (from my local friendly motor factors) which looks almost identical to the original one fitted.

BTW, I take it that you've checked the electrolyte level. If they discharge very quickly it could be that it's low. If it's very low then the chances are that it's a bit late to rescue it though.

 

Now that Bosch and Varta have merged, the best battery is probably the Bosch S5, 77Ah, 780 A cold start which I think will fit. If you find a catalogue, look for the battery for the 9000 with the 3 litre V6 engine, as it was one size bigger than the turbo spec. The Bosch S6 range only lists a 70 Ah, 760 A cold start, which may be difficult to find and expensive.

See here:- http://aa.bosch.de/aa-batterien/en/pkw/med...re_S3-S4-S5.pdf and here http://aa.bosch.de/aa-batterien/en/pkw/media/brochure_S6.pdf

 

I can heartily recommend the Moura Silver range, I think the range number is 075 to fit the 9000. Battery footprint was slightly smaller than expected, but my car can sit for six weeks at a time without being started, so I need a battery that is going to stand up to long periods of not being used. Even with six weeks standing, it always cranks the engine without problems, and shows no less than 10V on the voltmeter - my old 'heavy duty' battery showed 7V before the irregular use killed a cell, and that was only 15 months old and had been brand new from Kwak Fut. So, my money is on Moura.

 

So turn your lightswitch to 'on', leave it there and let the car do the work (love the Saab automatic lights ), enjoy the fact that people can see you better and that your battery will thank you by lasting longer too.[/b]

Thanks for the replies.
My DRLs are working. That's why I can't understand why he turned on the parking lights
The recharge is holding for now, but I have been pricing and they ain't cheap.
I have been told that VARTA aren't as good as they used to be.
I will be getting a good one though, because its not always just the SAAB that has to be started!

 

I can heartily recommend the Moura Silver range, I think the range number is 075 to fit the 9000. Battery footprint was slightly smaller than expected, but my car can sit for six weeks at a time without being started, so I need a battery that is going to stand up to long periods of not being used. Even with six weeks standing, it always cranks the engine without problems, and shows no less than 10V on the voltmeter - my old 'heavy duty' battery showed 7V before the irregular use killed a cell, and that was only 15 months old and had been brand new from Kwak Fut. So, my money is on Moura.[/b]

Doive, you bought the same Moura as me ... I think this is a 096.Now you've got me thinking!!!! I'll have to have a look tomorrow.Anyroad, mines about 6months older than Doive's and the longest the car has been standing is just over 3months....and yes, it started first time.I like to think I only use the car once a month for a 15 - 30mile run, but sometimes it's much longer.The Moura hasn't let me down yet.Or is it 096i?

 

You're possibly right - 075 may have been Varta or some other manufacturer. Any good battery place will be able to tell you. I went round to my local one and specifically asked for the Moura replacement for the 9000. First one they gave me I bought on a lunchtime, and carried two miles home as the car was knackered - and so was I after that. To my horror the terminals were the wrong way round, and there was simply no way it was fitting. So, jump started the car and headed back down (no way was I carrying it back), where they gave me the correct battery. It appears that there were several different batteries to fit the 9000 at various stages of it's life, or so the book says anyway - make sure you get the right one!