Suggestions for what battery in 355 | FerrariChat

Suggestions for what battery in 355

Discussion in '348/355' started by ADSA95, Feb 12, 2016.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. ADSA95

    ADSA95 Karting

    Nov 28, 2010
    50
    Bedford, NH
    I am replacing my Interstate MT-34R. What other batteries are you guys using??
     
  2. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

    Dec 29, 2006
    18,221
    Twin Cities
    Full Name:
    Tim Keseluk
    The 34R has been discontinued but Interstate has choices that will work.
     
  3. WATSON

    WATSON Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 9, 2010
    23,451
    WI
    I had a Redtop 34R in mine...but pulled it due to some weird inconsistencies while parked for long periods. There are rumors the more recent production (Mexico) of the Redtop products are not as good as the old USA made ones.

    My last two years have been with a Diehard AGM. No issues, but I do have the AGM battery tender.
     
  4. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,025
    USA
    #4 f355spider, Feb 12, 2016
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2016
    Top rated Group 34 battery is the Sears Advanced Gold AGM (consumers reports 2015) $165. This is manufactured by East Penn and can be purchased through them, or under the Duracell AGM brand as well (sold at Sam's Club and Batteries Plus stores). You can also find Sears batteries at Kmart stores. (the other top rated AGM is the Interstate, but its $100 more)
    While the 355 requires a Group 34R, you can also use a standard Group 34, as the cables are long enough to reach the terminals fine.

    I would only get an AGM for a Ferrari, due to the difficulty reaching the battery to check the fluid level or top it off. AGM batteries are totally sealed, never need water, and typically will last a few years longer than a standard wet cell battery.

    Good luck.
     
  5. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,025
    USA
    I've heard the same several years ago...I used to buy Optima red tops...no more. Too many bad reports of early failures. I had a Sears Platinum AGM (they changed vendors recently, now selling Sears Advanced Gold AGM) and it worked wonderfully for the four years I had it, and sold the car with it.

    I discovered I have a red top in my 430 Scud, and I will be replacing it this summer with a Sears Advanced AGM or Duracell AGM.
     
  6. Rice-Racer

    Rice-Racer Formula Junior

    Jan 10, 2015
    252
    #6 Rice-Racer, Feb 12, 2016
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2016
    Optima Yellow top, over a year now and never an issue. Being the car has a constant drain from the security system, sits for days/weeks without running, its a better and true deep cycle battery for this application. The red top is thier basic battery.
    I stay away from 'Particular' store brands, as if you have an issue on the road,out of town, it's easier to find a dealer for an optima for a warranty issue then a certain store brand. Nothing worse then being stuck in a small town with limited choices.
    It's personal as well, depending where you live and drive mostly.
     
  7. Schatten

    Schatten F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Apr 3, 2001
    11,237
    Austin, TX
    Full Name:
    Randy
    For the 348, I bought this one: Deka ETX18L Power Sports AGM Battery.

    You'll also need to buy the posts from amazon.

    It might not be enough power for all the accessories in a 355.
     
  8. ///Mike

    ///Mike F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2003
    6,097
    Bugtussle
    That's a great price on a lightweight battery! I really like the Odyssey in my track car so if that one works anywhere close to as well, it was a steal!

    I chose a Bosch AGM for the 348 though. I agree with Mr. Rection's comments regarding AGM batteries, and Pep Boys was offering $30 off on the Bosch at the time, so discount + European brand ticked all of my boxes. I've heard good things about the Die Hard Gold though.

    Used to run only Interstates and I still have at least one, but they are not what they used to be so I'm tending toward Bosch again. Have Bosch lead/acid batteries in a few cars and they're working great, but none are more than 4 years old so no idea how they'll hold up in the end. Still, no failures with them, so better than recent Interstates, so for the time being I'm gonna stick with Bosch for full weight batteries.
     
  9. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2004
    7,744
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    Bruce Bogart
    Anti-gravity. Weighs 7lbs.
    If you don't play loud music in the parking lot it's all you need. Also if you don't have ignition off draw. Buy the charger as well.
    Your car will thank you for not making it carry around all that useless weight.
     
  10. cf355

    cf355 F1 Rookie

    Feb 28, 2005
    4,208
    Full Name:
    chris
    you don't have to use the 34r.......in the 355 the battery cables are long enough to use an interstate 34 battery.
     
  11. cf355

    cf355 F1 Rookie

    Feb 28, 2005
    4,208
    Full Name:
    chris
    the interstate 34 will fit in the 355 and there are several choices :

    Interstate Batteries | The Search For Batteries Ends Here ?

    click on automotive batteries
     
  12. cf355

    cf355 F1 Rookie

    Feb 28, 2005
    4,208
    Full Name:
    chris
    just noticed that the MT7 AGM still has a 34R

    "34R MT7-34R 800 1000 "
     
  13. cf355

    cf355 F1 Rookie

    Feb 28, 2005
    4,208
    Full Name:
    chris
    and in 34 you can get: MEGA-TRON PLUS®,MEGA-TRON II®,POWERFAST® SERIES.....depending on your needs.
     
  14. cf355

    cf355 F1 Rookie

    Feb 28, 2005
    4,208
    Full Name:
    chris
    and this interstate website also lists : Optima™ Batteries in 34 and 34r......lots of options
     
  15. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,025
    USA
    The Sears Advanced Gold AGM (manufactured by East Penn) and Interstate AGM batteries ranked identically on Consumers Reports, but the Sears wins out at only $165, versus $260 for the Interstate. You can also find the East Penn under their own "Deka" brand, as well as under the Duracell AGM brand. Group 34 or Group 34R fits the 355
     
  16. cf355

    cf355 F1 Rookie

    Feb 28, 2005
    4,208
    Full Name:
    chris
    currently I am using an interstate 34r but once its 6 years old ( I replace all my batteries at 6 years to be proactive) I will opt for the interstate 34 mega-tron plus .
     
  17. surfwolf

    surfwolf Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 14, 2012
    1,698
    Bethany, OR
    Full Name:
    Michael Wolfe
  18. 717

    717 Rookie

    Mar 22, 2014
    18
    York, PA
    Full Name:
    Joseph G.
    Any quality battery should be fine if you take care of it and keep it on a tender. I always keep mine on a tender and have never had any issues. I have the leads ran up into the trunk so hooking it up when not in use is simple...takes 10 seconds.
     
  19. ///Mike

    ///Mike F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2003
    6,097
    Bugtussle
    I've had bad luck with the Plus version, and that has been one factor driving me away from Interstate. According to my local rep, the Plus versions are designed for cold weather use, and may not last as well in hot weather as the standard versions.

    For whatever that's worth...
     
  20. GerryD

    GerryD Formula 3

    May 5, 2010
    2,438
    North of TO
    Full Name:
    Guido
    Exactly the same way I do it. It is always plugged in and my Interstate is now 7 years old and like new.
     
  21. ADSA95

    ADSA95 Karting

    Nov 28, 2010
    50
    Bedford, NH
    Thanks for all the replies in this.... As some have stated Interstate does not make the 34R anymore and I was apprehensive to by the regular 34 as I wasn't sure if the leads would reach the terminals. Thanks for all the advice, glad to hear that the leads will in fact reach he terminals on the regular 34. I like the lightweight battery suggestions but not looking to track day the car so the weight is not an issue for me. Thanks again
     

Share This Page