TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ E430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPLODED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE, WHICH CAUSED ACID TO SPILL ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND CAUSE THE EXPLOSION. HE STATED THAT THIS WAS THE VEHICLE'S ORIGINAL BATTERY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 179,000.