Looks like my car needs a new battery so i took it to the dealer and got a quote for $410!! i never knew the battery and "labor" costed so much!!

Just wondering if the price makes sense??

Also, would you recommend getting the battery replaced by a local mechanic/store?

 

The stealership wanted 300 to replace mine. Everyone on this site doesn't recommend the OEM battery as you can get a better battery at a cheaper price. I just put a new interstate battery in my car this past April. Picked up the battery and did it myself. Took 10 mins to install. Here a few threads that has great info.

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...w-battery.html
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...battery-3.html

I've heard that Interstate MTP-H7 is a direct fit for non-turbo 996. Even vent tube connector is a direct fit.

 

DO NOT GET THE OEM battery!!!! Interstate is a good one...and yes direct fit. Better warranty and more CCA (a bit lighter too).

Heck my dealer even told me not to get OEM, they replace with other brands.

 

Thanks! Let me see where i can get that interstate battery...

Also, will the stereo get locked when the battery is disconnected? if so, do i need a special code to unlock it?

 

Yes you will need to re-enter the radio code after changing the battery. So, make sure you have that. You can use a 9v battery device thru cig lighter if you want to maintain all the settings/radio code when changing battery.

Besides interstate, Walmart is another good and cheap source of aftermarket battery. Pretty much all aftermarket batteries are made by the same factory and Walmart/Costco have the lowest prices. I've heard anywhere from $55-79 for one. Walmart even installs it free if you have the patience to wait around.

 

Yes do not go factory as you know already...and yes your radio will need to be unlocked. The code should be in your manual. Do disconnect the battery until you have the code!

 

I bought the OEM battery at the dealer for $189, put it in myself and the radio didn't need any attention.
That was after I returned one to the local auto parts store that didn't fit.

 

Thanks guys! i looked at the operational manual for CDR 23 and also the owners manual and failed to see any "code". does any one know on what page/section i could find the radio security code?

also, my car is still under the porsche CPO warranty, do you think i put a battery from a place other than a dealer ...can that void the warranty?

 

If your car is newer than 02, you DO NOT need any codes, they are stored in the DME. The only time you need codes is when you change the dme or the stereo. No changing the battery will have no effect on the warranty (as long as you use the appropriate size)

 

He's got a CDR23 so it's a 2003+ 996. The code is on a credit card sized card. Not in the manual. If you don't have it, you can get it from dealer for free.

Is your battery original? If it was OEM and replaced less than 2 yrs ago, it's still under warranty. Dealer can replace it free.

 

I bought mine from CostCo for about $49. There are only a handful of companies in the world that make batteries. Then they are "rebadged". There are many thread in renntech on compatible batteriers. BTW the OEM battery is very weak, and only lasts a couple of years.

 

Don't go with OEM, too much money for the same exact battery.

 

with my luck it lasted 4.5 years

 

COSTCO.....
Optima is a really good battery

 

Thanks guys! i went for the "dieHard International" batteries from sears. It was a perfect fit with no mods. So total 129 for the battery and 12.99 for installation!

As some of you have already pointed it out there were no issues with the radio/security codes as its a 03 model.