Another Porsche-Moll Battery Failure

[BartyB]

I went to start the Boxster the day before yesterday and experienced what all of us dread, the hateful sound of the starter motor clicking and the instrument lights dimming, immediately followed by the wailing of the alarm. I checked the battery electrolyte level, in case the cells were low (but they weren't) so put the battery (Porsche / Moll) on charge (with a proper charger not a conditioner). After 24 hours the voltage was barely 10 volts suggesting the battery was now an ex-battery.

This afternoon, I jump started the car and once it was running, checked the charging voltage across the terminals. This was a healthy 14.2 volts which suggested the alternator was doing its job. After taking it out for a 20 mile round trip, I again measured the charging voltage whilst it was idling and got 13.9 volts, again suggesting the alternator was charging. After switching off, I checked voltage and it was still reading 10 volts.

A rummage through the car's service history file shows the battery was fitted on 25 May 2011 - 3 years and 2 months - which is exactly the same life as the previous one!!! This makes it the third Porsche / Moll battery that has failed in the Boxster in 8 years. As the car is now out of warranty I don't have to fit one of these awful Moll-made batteries (with their pathetic 2-year warranty) required to maintain the extended warranty so have ordered a replacement Varta. What astonished me was that the price of a more reliable equivalent Varta replacement is only £87 from our local motor factors, as opposed to the £159.23 I paid Porsche in 2011.

Based on my experience and the experience of others, I really do wonder why Porsche don't change their battery suppliers. On the other hand, these rubbish Moll batteries are so obviously a money spinner for Porsche.

FYI, in case anyone needs to replace their Boxster's battery, the codes for the direct equivalent Vartas (which are covered by a decent 5 year warranty) for both 3.2 and 2.7 986s are: Varta Silver Dynamic 585 400 080 (85 Ah) : Article nr. 5854000803162

 

[Tracy_Wilkins]

Hi Alan
I had 3 batteries on my 987 over 3 years. Two were under warranty but after the second Porsche battery failed at just over two years i bought a Bosch for £80 which is still going strong for the guy who bought the car from me.
Interestingly my 981 has a Banner battery. Whilst in my local Porsche dealership on Fri i asked about this and have been told that this is the brand that Porsche & VW now use.

Regards
Tracy

 

[BartyB]

Hi Tracy,

Interesting. Maybe the message has finally have got through to Stuttgart's procurement team. I suspect however, it is more likely that VAG group policy has prevailed and Porsche's deal with Moll has been ended.

I did get a call back from the Porsche Centre first thing this morning who, in the nicest possible way, confirmed that the warranty on the Moll batteries was 2 years and they wouldn't be able to do anything other than take the car in and check it for excess current drain or a faulty alternator. In any case, they also said that they could only re-fit the specified Porsche/Moll battery in a 986.

Having tested the battery post-mortem, it won't charge above 10.3 volts (after 48 hours with a pukka 11 Amp charger) and an electrolyte check suggests a dead cell, exactly the same as the two previous dead Porsche/Moll batteries.

Alan.

 

[36270k]

Banner brand batteries are now listed on the gsf website for the boxster.

 

[majorporsche]

Banner is regarded here in Ireland with mixed feelings, some say they are good and cheap too, others say poor. Looking forward to hearing more comments now they appear to have Porsche Approval.

 

[CLIFFWILKINS]

Only time will tell on the banner battery.
Still dont think you can beat a Bosch for the money.

Cliff

 

[MJB]

It may not be the case here, but just because a component carries the same name it is not necessarily of the same quality. My experience of Banner has been good, however.

 

[BartyB]

Having made comparisons between Varta Silver Dynamic, Banner Power Bull PROfessional, Bosch S5, Moll Kamina Classic and Exide Excell, the Varta wins as it appears to have a slightly higher specification (higher CCA and 85 Ah capacity), not to mention a decent 5 year warranty, all at an acceptable price.

I've had Vartas in several BMWs in the past and, so far, never had one let me down.

 

[Chris_in_the_UK]

Bosch - no brainer TBH.

 

[MJB]

ORIGINAL: MJB


It may not be the case here, but just because a component carries the same name it is not necessarily of the same quality. My experience of Banner has been good, however.

...as has Exide. Bosch has certainly been variable!

 

[kevinnunn]

Hi

I had the same problem on my Cayman S and the battery failed after it was replaced under warranty back in 2013.

The dealer was excellent they come and picked up my Cayman from my home and even offered a loan Boxster when
they had my car.

After they had done there test which took about 24 hours it was confirmed the Porsche Battery had failed but it may
have failed due also to the low mileage my Cayman does each year even when in storage the car has a Porsche approved
trickle charger on the car at all times.

I was offered a replacement Porsche Battery which I was not happy to accept due to some comments I had read on the
Porsche Club Forum around the Porsche Battery.

So I asked if they can put on the Bosch vision on my Cayman instead and was happy to do so no problem which I thought
was excellent service so I would say ask the same question of your dealership you never know what they will say till you
have asked.

My Dealership are even giving me 2 years warranty on the Bosch Battery which I'm very happy with. Yours truly Kevin. []

 

[Hoopster]

Funny old world isn't it ... just to balance the discussions here ....

I have the original (2006) Moll battery still going strong in my Boxster S. If leaving it un-driven for more than a week, then I will plug it into the conditioner (Porsche Approved CTEK ;-) but otherwise it just sits out on the drive in all weathers.
After reading various forum posts on the topic over the years, I do keep expecting it to fail, and I do always get it checked out anytime it's in for a service or work... but so far so good, and after 8 years I figure it is probably due for replacement anyway.

Sod's law dictates that by writing this I may have brought about its untimely demise []

 

[BartyB]

ORIGINAL: kevinnunn

My Dealership are even giving me 2 years warranty on the Bosch Battery which I'm very happy with. Yours truly Kevin. []

As well as the slightly higher performance (85 Ah v 80 Ah), the Varta comes with a 5 year warranty []. I'm pleased to report that the new battery has been installed and the problem has been resolved.

 

[BrianJ]

My year-old 981 has a Banner battery fitted as OE so they have been using them for a while.