Battery Install - Which one to use?

[Blue_00_Beetle]

I've got a 1.8T 2000 APH, the battery is weak as all heck, I block my airhorns and the lights dim on the car from the compressor. I turn on my A/C, the lights dim.. etc etc... What is a good direct fit replacement for this vehicle? Any thoughts?

[marvins_dad]

For my TDI I used the Euro Diehard Gold - perfect fit.

[paultakeda]

My Optima Red Top was a direct fit. This is on a 2001 AWV.

[marvins_dad]

http://www.newbeetle.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1059

Check out this thread - is has two installs and some links to other threads that discuss different batteries that fit.

[Blue_00_Beetle]

As always.. Thanks to Everyone for the wealth of info... The ORG rocks for a reason!

[r0nd3L]

What's the difference between Yellow Top and Red Top?

[paultakeda]

Red Top - starter battery
Yellow Top - deep cycle battery

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

Optima Yellow Top Part #8042-218 (D75/25YT) is the battery you want, over the years I've used all of the best batteries from Delco, Interstate and Sears etc. and they ALWAYS began leaking or failed prematurely.

I have been using Optima batteries for a long time and have had many discussions about this and other related subjects with Optima's West coast regional sales manager, although all Optima batteries are excellent, the Yellow top is the most rugged and probably the only or one of the few real "starting deep cycle battery" on the market.

I have a brand new red top in the box that was installed a and run for about a day, no comparison to it's Yellow Top counter part, the ignition/electrical systems on these and many of todays cars are very demanding especially if you're running a custom audio or audio video system.

After using Yellow Tops for so many years, I was able to tell the difference between the Yellow and Red Top batteries in my car, the Red Top works very well but the Yellow Top is superior in performance and will take far more abuse.

For anyone who is dead set on a Red Top, the one I have is about 3 months or so old and is still under manufactures warranty, $70 plus shipping and it's yours.