TDi Battery recommendation

gromand said:
Hi there all,

what is the opinion about that Varta F21 MGM Stop-Start battery?

From what I have read on the internet it should be better in that meaning that it is designed to
have more those charge-discharge cycles, which actually wear a normal battery down.

It is more expensive than F19, but the price apart, is it really better than the F19 because
it wears less?

Thanks!!!
Click to expand...
No idea, but what strikes my uniformed mind:

1. As the original Varta battery fitted by Audi lasted nigh on twenty years in some cases is it worth worrying about wear?
2. The price is 50% more for something our A2's simply do not need, albeit with some untested probably small gain in lifespan.

Andy
 
gromand said:
Hi there all,

what is the opinion about that Varta F21 MGM Stop-Start battery?

From what I have read on the internet it should be better in that meaning that it is designed to
have more those charge-discharge cycles, which actually wear a normal battery down.

It is more expensive than F19, but the price apart, is it really better than the F19 because
it wears less?

Thanks!!!
Click to expand...

Last summer I fitted a Varta F21 to my 2003 A2 1.4 TDI BHC. Because I bought it second hand and it cames with a cheap non branded battery with incorrect size and capacity.

In theory an AGM battery should last longer, because AGM batteries don't suffer from stratification problems. In the normal flooded batteries like F18, if you don't move the car so much the acid goes to the lower part of the battery and corroded the metal plates sooner. Also, the standby voltage is a little bit higher 0,1-0,2 Volts and have less internal resistance. There are also some disadvantages, AGMs batteries are heavier, expensive and more sensitives to overcharge during hot weather.

If you want to study more, here you can learn a lot about batteries:
https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/absorbent_glass_mat_agm

Anyway a Varta F18 or F19 is a very very good battery and should last a lot. For me, the key to extend the life of a battery is to charge it with a good charger prior to installed it in a car.

Anyway, only the time will tell if in a real application in a non Start-Stop car, an AGM battery could last longer than a normal flooded battery. Also, the weight difference between a F18 and a F21 is 2,7 kg. You will increase the weight of the car but it will improve the poor weight distribution of the A2 a little bit.
 
Last edited:
hi all. i just bought a varta e38 silver from eBay for £78 delivered next day which is a pretty good deal.

to those that have one, assuming the vent tube goes in the positive side and the negative transport bung stays in situ?

cheers
drew
 
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