Stupidly expensive Verna CRDi Battery

[Sam Kapasi]

As I've explained on another thread, the battery in my Verna gave way in the 15th month of the car (The OE battery warranty was 12 months)

Before I asked for a new battery, I wanted to make sure that the charging system was working fine. I popped the hood and checked the battery conections. When I saw the battery - it looked huge and quite unique, I had a bad feeling.
In any case, the battery showed 11.9V with car car switched off and 13.4V with the car started. I surmised that my charging system was indeed ok and asked my regular guy to change the battery.

He did not have that type. It was later found out that this particular 75A(!) battery was used only in the Hyundai Sonata and the Verna. Amaron pro had it on the price list at Rs. 8000/- (!!!) and the regular amaron was Rs. 6500/-. WIth discounts it came to Rs. 6100/-

I left with a heavy heart, because I had assumed it would be Rs. 4000/- like all other batteries. later the garage guy called to say that Amaron had no stock and that the only battery in that size available was Exide.

Not only did I have the suffer the insult of putting the brand of battery that I believe is least reliable, I had to pay Rs. 7700/- for it and have an 18month warranty followed by another 18 month pro-rata warranty.

I even considered retro fitting another kind of battery but the fit and shape of this battery is a bit unique.

I am very annoyed.

[iraghava]

You & the Verna haven't gotten along too well have you?

[flipsyde]

thats really sad!! couldn't you like wait for a day or two and get an amaron battery. they are wayy better than competition in my opinion.

what is pro-rata warranty??? is it some ridiculous warranty which only covers the outer plastic casing or something??

[low_bass_makker]

Sam Bhai any pics of the battery ?

[whatcanthisbe]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

18month warranty followed by another 18 month pro-rata warranty.

Wow that's a first, can you shed some more light on this "PRO-RATA WARRANTY"

[s0uljah]

The battery for the Palio 1.9D also ended up costing around that much from Amaron.

[Sam Kapasi]

I was given to understand that in the first 18 months, the battery is under express warranty - this means free replacement.

Later, the warranty entitles you to replacement, but you have to pay the company decided depreciated value difference of your battery and a brand new one. I believe this is eyewash.

[amit_mechengg]

@ SAM sir, i have dealth with EXIDE a lot in depth. i remember what not i had to do to get the battery replaced in 13th month. i had to speak to the various depts DGM and put so much pressure on them from the contacts i had. in 12th month the battery had been replaced in warranty because of some XYZ reason and the same thing happened with the new battery in 13th month. their service engineers agreed that it was a faulty battery but said that now its our of warranty since they calculate the warranty since the day car was purchased.

believe me EXIDE batteries are the worst third class quality and after sales service.

now i am very happy with amaron.the plastic quality and the reliability is better in amaron

[Steeroid]

Like ishaan mentioned, you and this vehicle havent really gotten along very well. Cant think of an explanation for this, but it happens sometimes and there is really no plausible explanation for it - like me and my Chevy (Lumina) always seemed to have issues though I thoroughly enjoyed driving it around.

I think you should have waited for the Amaron rather than rushing for the available Exide. That said, perhaps you should consider getting rid of this car? I know it sounds stupid, but if you keep having issues for no reason whatsoever its probably better to get yourself another car.

[srishiva]

I thought 100 A was the bigger one used in cars. Is the ampere-hour more in this to warrant such a hefty price.

Got a free eye wash though !!

[esteem_lover]

Overall car battery prices have gone up considerably in the last 8 months. I heard that it is something to do with the disposal of old batteries vis-a-vis pollution, which has been strictly enforced & hence the extra charges.

[nitrous]

Did you check with Tata Green?
The "100,000 km warranty" one.

[tsk1979]

So after the axle problem this is just the second problem in 14 months.
I have seen people having 14 problems in 14 months and not selling their cars.
2 problems in 14 months is no big deal.

[esteem_lover]

Originally Posted by nitrous

Did you check with Tata Green?
The "100,000 km warranty" one.

mahendra, i dont think they give you a 100k km warranty. Warranty is 50 months. No top up required (like we do it all the time in our batteries, it is a sealed battery right ?) for 100k KMs.

[jesal]

uh i just paid 3800 for my battery. it is bosch brand. my honda oe battery too conked off and 8000 is a lotta money for battery for sure.