I'm sure it was a cost saving measure. Varta batteries from Spain cost money to ship to North America and using batteries already here makes more sense for warranty replacement.

 

The Varta silver calcium batteries that were original equipment in the Jaguar X350 were truly excellent, often lasting 8 years or more. Unfortunately, they are apparently no longer available even in Europe, and as far as I know were never available on the aftermarket in the U.S.

Another tidbit is that for many years, Varta made the Bosch-branded batteries, but when the agreement expired, Johnson Controls took over the manufacture of Bosch-branded batteries (Johnson Controls acquired Varta in 2002).

Very sad that PepBoys no longer carries the Bosch batteries and has switched to Champion. The Champions are made by Johnson Controls, so they're not bad batteries, just not in the same league as the old Varta-made Bosch batteries (which typically had cases made of white plastic).

Cheers,

Don

 

I concur to what Don is saying about Varta. Back about 5 years ago I remember an X308 car coming in the shop and having some sort of electrical (imagine that) issue. The first thing I checked was the battery and to my eyes wide open surprise was the original white Varta battery! Those were the best batteries and I’ve changed many of them since I had been with the shop since 2012. Darn shame you can’t get them anymore.

 

I will certainly miss the Bosch 49-850BAGM!
I have 1 more year remaining on my 4 year full replacement warranty.
If it fails...what would they replace it with? Surely something worse.

My Jag is not a daily driver anymore. That is hard on batteries. So is AZ heat.

 

Wow -- I did not think it was that long ago !!

Forget when my dealer stopped stocking them .... it was later than 02. Think they were $225. MB had a strange thing going on ..... If you called MB roadside w/ dead battery they had a fixed price to replace the battery --- that was cheaper VS going to any of the dealers. It was inline with an aftermarket price. The MB was identical to the Jaguar battery (except branding) -- white plastic from Spain.

 

JLR made an agreement with interstate as (at least one of the reasons was) it was simpler from a logistics standpoint. Storing wet batteries in the distribution network was a huge PITA and a liability for shipping etc - all for little benefit. Much easier to Outsource.

 

Odd question but,
Are there any deep cycle batteries that fit our cars?
Specifically for a 2002 XJ8

thank you in advance for any info

 

I recently replaced my Bosch 49-850BAGM @ Pep Boys, under warranty a week b4 the 4 yr. warranty expired.
My cost was $0, Price $219.99
Champion AGM Battery, Group Size H8
SKU 2071679
Part # H8-900CHAGM
Size H8/49
900 CCA, 95 Ah (I had to call Champion for Ah rating)

 

Good to hear from you WaterDragon, ...Q? Are you having continuous discharges with your batteries, ..is this the reason for this?

Here's a quote from an article that may give you second thought on this approach...

Can You Use A Deep Cycle Battery In A Car?

Yes, you can.

Deep cycle batteries are commonly used in RVs, boats, and other vehicles. These batteries can be charged using solar panels or generators to power the vehicle engine or other devices on board.

However, it is not recommended that you use a deep cycle battery for powering your car directly as it will drain quickly! This means that you will be reducing the lifespan of the deep cycle battery significantly.

You should use a car battery to power your vehicle’s motor instead of a deep cycle battery, as it will drain the latter much more quickly! Car batteries are designed for short-term usage and high energy output, while you can use the deep cycle ones repeatedly without being drained too significantly.

For example, you could charge your boat batteries with a solar generator and use them to power your boat. However, if you were using these batteries in a car, they would drain much more quickly than usual.

 

Hi, :0)
I am alive and well. I still have 3 x308s of my own, and this one for my mother which this is about.
This specific situation is for my mother... She was always saying I should buy here one of these X308 Jags, so a few years ago I surprised her out of the blue with a 2002 Mystral Blue XJ8. I sent her a pic of her new car and she thought I was joking, but when I revealed it really was for her, she cried happy tears. But...she just keeps it in her garage and does not drive it. I've told her she ought to drive it around the block each week and a good 30+ minute drive each month but it has not happened. The battery has gone dead dead a few times requiring a replacement. I have ordered a battery tender and will install it on the car as soon as I get a replacement battery. She has agreed to leave the battery tender plugged in, so I suspect that this will functionally solve her problem, and then I can use a regular battery from here out.

I don't know much about batteries and did not know the deep cycle is not as well suited for a car.

So would you agree the battery tender is the easy solution?

 

Definitely, I was going to recommend it as a matter of fact and I use mine on my AGM battery. The particular brand, Battery Tender (for which I have), told me their units are for AGM's.

Sorry for the dirty trunk, but here's my setup....

 

Yes, I will copy that set-up exactly :0)
Thanks again!

 

The biggest thing to remember is its hooked up and not back over it. After all, you did say its sits quite awhile. Me, I put it by my rear drive side wheel so I see it before getting in, its a decently long cord. Barring where its plugged in, I've also thought of using one of those orange flag posts that would stick up above the trunk height. Guess its all in the imagination...

 

Yes I've already destroyed 3 extension cords backing out still attached lol.

 

Backing out or doing a burn out?....LOL

 

Well current battery's toast, my new G5 has more testing/repair options & it's not passing or repairing. I mean it's 6+ years old so there's that ?! Going to hit NAPA in the morn & snag me a nice AGM H8/49. This time of year is my prime Jag gallivanting season lol.

 

Yes, I can just imagine the Duchess tooling down the road with a charger unit bouncing on the street.
Not a particularly good picture.

 

Ridiculous, NAPA,O'Reilys,AutoZone,Car Quest,Walmart etc. zero H8/49's ?! But the BMW dealership has one,,,$523 lol good luck w/ that.

 

All,

A very low tech, shade-tree 'Battery Tender Memory Booster' is a simple orange microfiber cloth on top of steering wheel. Lays on top of wheel when booster plugged in,
lays on booster when unplugged.

Yes, I too went down driveway a time or two with something behind twitching & flailing in my right-hand mirror. (I always back in).

Even I notice a large orange cloth on my steering wheel. So far!

 

My local NAPA has five AGM 49s and three conventional ones in stock, so yours should be able to get you one within a day or two.