You get 3 years free replacement with the Sam's battery. I would have put in a 94R instead (bigger) as I did in both our B5.5's and now my Jetta. But the 96R will be OK.Well my 2005 Passat TDI failed to start last night. So today I went to Sam's Club and got a 96R battery http://www.samsclub.com/sams/durace...p-size-96r/prod3590236.ip?sprodId=prod3590236
Hope this one lasts similar to the factory battery of 7 years.
Got the Varta OEM 80 AH battery and hold down bracket from Impex for $145.00 .Does VW offer the 80ah battery? If so, that would be a wise choice, although the 72ah oem seems adequate unless you live in the frozen North.