Car Battery - What is the difference other than 1000Baht?

[Formaleins]

I need a new battery for my pickup, I usually buy Toyota or Yuasa, this time I am looking at the new GS (Yuasa) MFX200 range. There is a big variance on prices ranging from about 3,000 Baht to 4,800 Baht. So I looked up on the Yuasa / GS site and this is what I found -(See pic)

I ordered the MFX200R - which is a model 130-D31 - the specs are all there in the photo. This battery is just over 4,500 Baht.

 

If you look directly below it there is an MFX200L, that appears to be identical except that it costs about 1000 Baht less, any ideas as to what the difference is and why the price difference?

[KhunBENQ]

Looks like it only refers to the position of the poles (L=left, R=right).

Compare picture of R:

https://m.jd.co.th/product/2315472.html

with picture of L:

https://www.cbcorp.co.th/product/แบตเตอรี่รถยนต์-gs-mfx-200l/

 

Price difference? Indeed hard to explain but maybe production volume?
A list of L vs. R for different vehicle models:

Quote

ขั้วR :

• CHEVROLET COLORADO (3000 cc.) ปี 2006 - 2011
• FORD EVEREST (2500 - 3000 cc.) ปี 2003 - 2013, RANGER (2500 cc.) ปี 2007 - 2012
• ISUZU DRAGON EYE-POWER (3000 cc.) ปี 1996 - 2002
• MAZDA BT50 (2500 cc.) ปี 2007 - 2012, FIGHTER (2500 cc.) ปี 2001 - 2006
• MITSUBISHI L2000 STRADA (2500 - 2800 cc.) ปี 1995 - 2005
• NISSAN BIG M FRONTIER (2500 - 3000 cc.) ปี 1999 - 2007, URVAN (3000 cc.) ปี 2007 - 2013
• SSANGYONG ACTYON (2,000 cc.) ปี 2007 - 2017, KYRON (2700 cc.) ปี 2012 - 2017, MUSSO (3000 - 3200 cc.) ปี 2007 - 2017, REXTON (2700 cc.) ปี 2012 - 2017, STAVIC (2700 cc.) ปี 2005 - 2017
• TOYOTA COMMUTER (3000 cc.) ปี 2001 - 2004, SPORT RIDER (2500 cc.) ปี 1998 - 2003, SPORT RIDER (3000 cc.) ปี 1998 - 2003, TIGER (2400 - 2500 cc.) ปี 1997 - 2003, TIGER (3000 cc.) ปี 1999 - 2003

ขั้วL :

• ISUZU D-MAX (3000 cc.) ปี 2003 - 2011, ALL NEW D-MAX (3000 cc.) ปี 2011 - 2017, MU-7 (3000 cc.) ปี 2005 - 2012, MU-X (3000 cc.) ปี 2013 - 2017
• KIA GRAND CARNIVAL (2900 cc.) ปี 2006 - 2015, JUMBO (2700 - 2900 cc.) ปี 2005 - 2009, PREGIO (2500 - 2700 cc.) ปี 2003 - 2008
• MITSUBISHI PAJERO (3000 - 3500 cc.) ปี 1992 - 2006, PAJERO SPORT (2400 - 3200 cc.) ปี 2008 - 2017, TRITON (2400 - 3200 cc.) ปี 2006 - 2014, NEW TRITON (2400 cc.) ปี 2015 - 2017
• NISSAN NAVARA NP300 (2500 cc.) ปี 2014 - 2017
• TOYOTA FORTUNER (3000 cc.) ปี 2005 - 2014, VIGO (3000 cc.) ปี 2004 - 2014

 

Edited August 29, 2019 by KhunBENQ

[KhunBENQ]

If you have the "wrong" position you might or might not be lucky that the cables are long/flexible enough to connect.

[tweedledee2]

You can buy either the 200 L or R from Lazada for 3510 baht including shipping cost. The L and R are specific to the vehicle application. 

[tweedledee2]

4 minutes ago, FredGallaher said:

Battery quality varies even within the same brand most are made but only a few manufactures. Car manufactures usually have the highest specs and higher prices. The big rip off in the US is cheap batteries giving a 5 year warranty that last 3 years. You then try to cash in the warranty and they prorate it. They call it a guarantee resell.  I've found that buying from the dealer ends up cheaper in the long run. 

Some years ago, I toured an independent battery manufacture assembly plant in the US. The final thing they did was put each retailers brand name stickers on them, depending on who they were going to be shipped to.  

[Formaleins]

21 minutes ago, tweedledee2 said:

You can buy either the 200 L or R from Lazada for 3510 baht including shipping cost. The L and R are specific to the vehicle application. 

I am buying from GS the genuine shop, but it is still via Lazada, too many fakes around to be honest and batteries are a prime target.

[Formaleins]

6 minutes ago, tweedledee2 said:

Some years ago, I toured an independent battery manufacture assembly plant in the US. The final thing they did was put each retailers brand name stickers on them, depending on who they were going to be shipped to.  

No grading system? Everyone gets the same eh? I guess if they meet the quality then there is no reason not to produce them like this, it is the fakes that worry me more, I don't mind a few hundred baht over or under as long as they are real. I bought some "Eneloop" batteries from Lazada, they were priced about 550 Baht, the ones from Panasonic (genuine were 850) The cheap ones were nothing more than bad copies. it wasn't as if they were 200 baht or something, so you need to be careful.

[transam]

The "L" & "R" refers to which side the "+" is on the battery...Just look at your old battery to see if it says L or R at the end of it's part number..

Boliden of Yuasa sealed no maintenance for me...

Edited August 29, 2019 by transam

[ThePioneer]

20 minutes ago, Formaleins said:

42 minutes ago, tweedledee2 said:

You can buy either the 200 L or R from Lazada for 3510 baht including shipping cost. The L and R are specific to the vehicle application. 

I am buying from GS the genuine shop, but it is still via Lazada, too many fakes around to be honest and batteries are a prime target.

I think you have been genuinely scammed then, because all search results for that battery give me a price of 3100 - 3200 Baht.

 

You mean there are only fakes on the market these days?

[terminatorchiangmai]

B Quick has some good batteries for the same price range.

Why not have a look there first?

[dotpoom]

I know some people seem to complicate matters out of all proportions...even life itself (as can be witnessed on here daily)... but really...a car battery.

   Me, if I need a new battery I just bring in the old one and buy a new one.

[transam]

8 minutes ago, dotpoom said:

I know some people seem to complicate matters out of all proportions...even life itself (as can be witnessed on here daily)... but really...a car battery.

   Me, if I need a new battery I just bring in the old one and buy a new one.

We like to chat here...????

[4MyEgo]

21 minutes ago, transam said:

We like to chat here...????

Yes, exchange opinions, right or wrong, and put up with keyboard warriors, newbies and the likes.

[4MyEgo]

31 minutes ago, dotpoom said:

I know some people seem to complicate matters out of all proportions...even life itself (as can be witnessed on here daily)... but really...a car battery.

   Me, if I need a new battery I just bring in the old one and buy a new one.

Not that simple, I went into a place that changed my tyres after 6 months as I had a reading on my screen that the battery was low, this place also sold batteries, hence the reason I went there, the same guy that sold me the tyres, did a reading on the battery, I caught the reading by the corner of my eye, he said need to change battery, car 3 years old, got a price, 3,000 if memory serves me right, didn't change the battery, drove home, searched Google on the reading, nothing wrong with the battery, as it charged itself up after the hour drive to get the battery checked.

 

I later found out that the wife was leaving the rear on the pick up, in the raised position overnight and for days on end which was drawing power from the battery, so pulled the fuse out and all good, been 4 months now and still fine, suffice to say, that bloke just lost my future business.

[AI5AASIA]

23 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

Not that simple, I went into a place that changed my tyres after 6 months as I had a reading on my screen that the battery was low, this place also sold batteries, hence the reason I went there, the same guy that sold me the tyres, did a reading on the battery, I caught the reading by the corner of my eye, he said need to change battery, car 3 years old, got a price, 3,000 if memory serves me right, didn't change the battery, drove home, searched Google on the reading, nothing wrong with the battery, as it charged itself up after the hour drive to get the battery checked.

 

I later found out that the wife was leaving the rear on the pick up, in the raised position overnight and for days on end which was drawing power from the battery, so pulled the fuse out and all good, been 4 months now and still fine, suffice to say, that bloke just lost my future business.

I'm not sure if I'd be too quick to dismiss this guy suggesting renewing at 3 years as he's thinking he's saving you a flat battery non start in the near future.  Sure I've had a battery last 5 years, but that's not the norm for here, I usually end up replacing batteries when they reach 3 years old, as that's pretty much their lifespan in Bangkok. In UK it's maybe 8-10 years. 

[AI5AASIA]

Always go for sealed no maintenance and I'd try your local roadside battery shop for best prices,  at least he/she will take a look at the existing battery and fit the new one for you, whilst still keeping power supply intact.

[4MyEgo]

6 minutes ago, AI5AASIA said:

I'm not sure if I'd be too quick to dismiss this guy suggesting renewing at 3 years as he's thinking he's saving you a flat battery non start in the near future.  Sure I've had a battery last 5 years, but that's not the norm for here, I usually end up replacing batteries when they reach 3 years old, as that's pretty much their lifespan in Bangkok. In UK it's maybe 8-10 years. 

I will wait till it dies, as we can get a my father-in-laws pick up to drive into the local town and get one there, suffice to say, worse case scenario, it doesn't start one day, kids can go to school in the father-in-laws pickup, we buy the battery while there and change it ourselves.

[AI5AASIA]

5 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

I will wait till it dies, as we can get a my father-in-laws pick up to drive into the local town and get one there, suffice to say, worse case scenario, it doesn't start one day, kids can go to school in the father-in-laws pickup, we buy the battery while there and change it ourselves.

Fair enough as long as there's a back up vehicle to give it a jump.

Coming from a cooler climate I'd been used to batteries that gradually failed, slow cranking of the engine.. basically giving warning signs that they were on the way out or about to die, here with the exception of a motorcycle battery, they have been perfect until the day they fail and are definitely not up to starting the vehicle.

[johng]

20 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Looks like it only refers to the position of the poles (L=left, R=right).

 

I was told by a shop selling 3K brand batteries that the actual battery case ( not the cardboard box)

are only marked with L for left   and if no marking at all then it must be a R   ???

[transam]

https://www.yuasabatteries.com/resources/faqs/

[Isaanbiker]

21 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

If you have the "wrong" position you might or might not be lucky that the cables are long/flexible enough to connect.

No worries! A Thai mechanic will make them longer that they fit, using  2.5 mm wires.......( kidding)

Edited August 30, 2019 by Isaanbiker

[Billthekiwi]

Hi.

Under no circumstances fit an L if an R is the correct battery. Unless stated a battery is assumed to be an R.

 

To get the wrong battery to fit usually means rotating the battery 180° and that puts the battery terminals nearer to the front of the car.

 

The car manufacturer did not allow for this in an accident so the bonnet may compress onto the posts if you're a little unlucky.

 

I have seen holes melted through bonnets. If you are very unlucky then you may get cremated at no extra charge at the accident scene.

 

Always use the post/s terminal cover too for the same reason.

 

We never usually charged a different price for L batteries except in American inspired cars. We had to import these batteries especially from the US as they were a specific size and height to fit correctly. I'm thinking Toyota Cavalier specifically but there were others as well.

 

They were still sold under our label but were not manufactured on our behalf. I really liked our batteries and the failure rate was really low under warranty.

 

They were so good in fact that we extended the warranty period from 30 months to 36 months. If you consider that the average life of a battery can be 2 to 3 years then this speaks quality.

 

I often suspected a user issue in a failure and was usually correct. I took into account battery age and usage.

 

Someone mentioned prorata warranty and that was me too. Lol sorry.

 

If I showed the owner why the battery had failed early was due to them they reluctantly expected to pay again.

 

Often if due to an honest error or mistake I would prorata the remaining warranty period. This made for happy members and the battery service still made a dollar as well. A true win/win.

 

Warranty batteries that charged up okay and tested fine had the label changed to a cheap product with 6 months warranty. No waste no harm. Used car dealers loved them.

 

European made batteries also had astonishing life spans I found. Mercedes OEMs were great.

 

Heat kills batteries early as does extreme cold. So batteries fitted in the boot were less effected by climate or engine bay temperatures.

 

I was a contractor to an Automobile Association and specialised in the battery service provided to members and others.

Edited August 30, 2019 by Billthekiwi
Extra detail.

[Cricky]

My last battery died without warning. couldn't start the car to get a new battery.

I rode my PCX to the battery shop on Sukhumvit where I usually buy my car batteries and bought s new battery.

The technician jumped on the back of my bike with a new battery and jumper leeds.

He connected the cars battery terminals to the new battery with the jumper leeds.

This allows the computer to maintain power once the old battery is removed.

 

Just a heads up for you guys, could save a lot of pain reconfiguring your car's computer after a power loss.

[DavisH]

9 hours ago, AI5AASIA said:

Fair enough as long as there's a back up vehicle to give it a jump.

Coming from a cooler climate I'd been used to batteries that gradually failed, slow cranking of the engine.. basically giving warning signs that they were on the way out or about to die, here with the exception of a motorcycle battery, they have been perfect until the day they fail and are definitely not up to starting the vehicle.

My civic would turn over slowly then start. Knew it was on its way out. Our Suzuki swift would give no warning and not even attempt to turn over. I don't think I've had a battery last more than three years here.

[brianthainess]

Got a new G S battery 4 yrs ago no probs even gave me 300 baht back for old battery. once my wife left the side lights on local mechanic told her need new battery. rang my mate bought some big jumper leads , started car and its been fine for at least the last 2 yrs. The price difference can be about the amp hour also.

[Billthekiwi]

On 8/30/2019 at 8:26 PM, DavisH said:

My civic would turn over slowly then start. Knew it was on its way out. Our Suzuki swift would give no warning and not even attempt to turn over. I don't think I've had a battery last more than three years here.

The average life of a battery is 2 to 3 years. That's why a lot of batteries have a 2 year warranty.

 

The batteries that I installed had a 30 month warranty but we found that our failure rate under warranty was less than 1.5% so we raised the warranty to 3 years. Great batteries they are. I still buy them if I can.

 

Batteries die faster in the heat. A cool battery has an extended life. So all the European cars with the battery in the boot also have good battery life as well. When I first saw it I thought what a dumb idea but experience changed my mind.

 

Because modern cars demand so much from a battery they usually only give a single warning before failing to start the car. Often easily missed.

 

I went to endless jobs where people were trapped at the shops by a failed battery.

 

I plan to replace the battery in my only electric start motor scooter after 2 years. Failed or not.

[transam]

3 minutes ago, Billthekiwi said:

The average life of a battery is 2 to 3 years. That's why a lot of batteries have a 2 year warranty.

 

The batteries that I installed had a 30 month warranty but we found that our failure rate under warranty was less than 1.5% so we raised the warranty to 3 years. Great batteries they are. I still buy them if I can.

 

Batteries die faster in the heat. A cool battery has an extended life. So all the European cars with the battery in the boot also have good battery life as well. When I first saw it I thought what a dumb idea but experience changed my mind.

 

Because modern cars demand so much from a battery they usually only give a single warning before failing to start the car. Often easily missed.

 

I went to endless jobs where people were trapped at the shops by a failed battery.

 

I plan to replace the battery in my only electric start motor scooter after 2 years. Failed or not.

Actually scooter batteries do quite well, they are sealed maintenance free. Our ten year old PCX, which has no kick start, is still on it's second battery...

[Billthekiwi]

3 minutes ago, transam said:

Actually scooter batteries do quite well, they are sealed maintenance free. Our ten year old PCX, which has no kick start, is still on it's second battery...

Lol. That's very good going.

 

Me I don't have the same faith...  ????

[Jessi]

My experience with car batteries in Thailand. First two were G.S. brand which lasted just over 1 year. I had a flat battery while in Korat, the shop sold me a G.F. Battery, it was 200B cheaper than the G.S battery's @1,600B... This G.F Battery is now 5 years old so Im looking for a new one.

No one seems to sell the G.F battery and keep trying to push the G.S. onto me saying "Same same".

This morning I found a BOSCH battery on LAZADA. I find BOSCH products to be very good but I have no knowledge about their car battery's.

Any members have info about BOSCH battery's....good or bad?

[JAS21]

I changed the battery on my 3.2 L Ford Everest after three and three-quarter years, it would’ve lasted a bit longer.

 

I let the Ford garrage do it, exactly the same battery as previous, cost me 2800 baht Inc fitting.