Your NEW battery is only at 11.7 volts? Yes
What's it's mfg date? Not sure i cant find that
Is it fresh or was it sitting on the shelf for a long time? It was on a shelf when I got it. Can't say for how long.
Did the vendor charge the battery before installing it (especially if it has been sitting on the shelf for a while)? No, I grabbed it and left.

What battery class size did you get? Is it a 49, H8, 95, or H9 class size (and hopefully it's vented)? H8 and yes it's vented.

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2004 E46 M3 Silbergrau - Mein
2004 E53 3.0i TiAG - Wife's
2002 E46 330i TiAG - Sold
1999 E46 328i Schwarz - Sold
1961 VW Beetle GolfBlau Ragtop Sdn - Mein