The Red October

I was considering going with the optima red top, but when I asked the dealer for a price on the stock battery, it was $25 less than what the optima would have costed. The stock battery has lasted 4 years and 75K miles, and is still going strong. I believe in proactive maintenace though, I do not want my battery dying on me this winter at some inconvienent time...

So, I spent $25 less, got an OEM part, and did not have to worry about fitment issues. I positive dealer experience :-)

QuattroFan02

aftermarket batteries, including the Optima.

The Red October

Our cars weight about 3600 lbs... If you buy a battery that weighs 20 lbs. less than the stock battery, in the whole scheme of things, its nothing. 20 lbs. is like half of one percent of the car's weight. Unless you are on a mission and have taken other approaches to reduce the weight of your car, its not going to make a difference.

Reducing weight on unsprung components is another issue... If you can reduce the weight of your wheels and rotors/calipers, It will allow the shocks to work more efficently, and may improve handling slightly.

QuattroFan02

I'd hate to have to put another one of those suckers back in there, I'm not a big guy.
But yes, our cars are heavy dogs no matter what.

aca

I will be replacing it with stock as they tend to last long. I don't track so weight is no issue.

A4AdMan

Just curious if the battery is the same for the 3.0 and the 1.8T.

modwad

You need to do search on AZ and AG; the OE batteries fail quite frequently, actually.

Merkin

every 100lb is ~10hp at a drag strip, 20lb is a big chunk on power and mpg

aca

Thanks for advice, I have done all the searching I need to do.