Battery replacement - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Nystanlycup · 07-16-2018, 10:34 PM

Hi all,
I have a 2001 base and my battery is dead. I've jumped it a few times but I think it's a goner, (sticker says it's from 2010). My question is; what is the best battery to buy? I can't seem to find the same answer anywhere online and I'd hate to have the wrong battery shipped. Any help would be great, thanks!

Mig · 07-16-2018, 11:27 PM

Walmart. Not kidding. Excellent batteries. Perfect fit. I put one in my 2007 Cayman S.

I wouldn’t have considered Walmart batteries. I always like using OEM, but in this case the information I read online suggested it was the way to go.

Cunningr · 07-17-2018, 12:31 AM

Several good replacements, you want stock or something lighter? Lighter there is a Optima battery but you need a bracket from rennline as its a smaller size.

Deserion · 07-17-2018, 04:34 AM

Second the Walmart batteries. They're made by Johnson Controls (pretty much the biggest player in the country), and since Walmart is everywhere it makes replacement a cinch.

mikesz · 07-17-2018, 05:13 AM

I went with an Optima. I was concerned about the venting under the hood. I have a 99 Base.

husker boxster · 07-17-2018, 05:30 AM

I have good luck with Interstate batteries. They last a long time and stay charged when my LE sits during the winter w/o a tender. I'm in yr 6 with the battery in my LE. Just replaced the battery in my CSS.

kk2002s · 07-17-2018, 06:42 AM

I went with interstate. Interstate was there when I bought so I just continued

Nystanlycup · 07-17-2018, 06:48 AM

Thanks guys!

lcsdoug · 07-17-2018, 10:01 AM

Walmart battery fit perfect. When I changed the battery I plugged my small charger into the cigarette lighter to keep all my settings. I had an empty pill container that fit over the plus lead of the battery to keep it from shorting out while I changed the battery. Worked great, didn't even have to reset my radio stations.

Ciao · 07-17-2018, 01:03 PM

I went with Porche Dealer battery; 6 year warranty--no prorate full replacement if it dies before 6 years.

Blackcloud · 07-17-2018, 02:09 PM

Generally speaking, replace the battery every 4 or 5 years.

rp17 · 07-17-2018, 05:55 PM

+1again on walmart batteries. I just had a dead battery on my beater. Walmart was out of stock so bought one from auto place. I had to wait for autoxxxx to check and charge before they would replace it while my transport was waiting for me outside 30 mins. Walmart is no questions asked and they are open 24 7... That makes it worth it!!

Lew · 07-17-2018, 08:30 PM

https://wm6.walmart.com/Battery-Finder.aspx

For the Boxster's. Plenty of CCA's

morgal48 · 07-18-2018, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cunningr

Several good replacements, you want stock or something lighter? Lighter there is a Optima battery but you need a bracket from rennline as its a smaller size.

Which Optima? Couldn't find any for any engine, any year through 2004. Is it a special? I have 2 red tops in my GMC and would like to find one for my car. Good stuff.

tightbox · 07-18-2018, 01:59 PM

Did you fix your IMS problem?

BYprodriver · 07-18-2018, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cunningr

Several good replacements, you want stock or something lighter? Lighter there is a Optima battery but you need a bracket from rennline as its a smaller size.

I have a bracket for a Odessy 625 thats $40.

Geof3 · 07-19-2018, 10:33 PM

Interstate, Die Hard, pretty much any top end battery that fits the amperage etc. I’m partial to Interstate.

Cunningr · 07-20-2018, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morgal48

Which Optima? Couldn't find any for any engine, any year through 2004. Is it a special? I have 2 red tops in my GMC and would like to find one for my car. Good stuff.

The diy i found at rentec by geof said he used a Optima 34R. He has some fabrication info on diy mount plate or you can by one.

Burg Boxster · 07-20-2018, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cunningr

The diy i found at rentec by geof said he used a Optima 34R. He has some fabrication info on diy mount plate or you can by one.

Correct, 34R is accurate re: CCA and post orientation.

Yes, an Optima requires tie down adapter plate... either pre-fab or custom made using HDPE cutting boards from Target (middle size IIRC), BBB, etc. and a couple screws, washers, and nylon lock nuts.

NO - Optima's are not worth their price premium. Haven't been since they cut down from 84months to 24 & 36 month warranties. Still a good AGM battery but not worth $50-$100+ premium for equal / less warranty than other brands...

Good luck

mgfranz · 07-20-2018, 03:12 PM

When mine died, I went with a Bosch replacement from PepBoys, mostly because of the replacement warranty. Since I don't drive my 986 very often, it sat for a month or two before trying to restart it, battery was dead. Took it back to PepBoys they gave me a new one. Now I disconnect it when I know it will be sitting for a while...

As a side note, I use Bosch in all my cars, except the truck, OEM on all of them.