The battery I had in the car was the correct size, Interstate MTP-H7 rated 640 CCA and it is the same the local Jaguar Dealer recommended at the time. Also, size-wise, the battery fitted perfectly in the plastic battery enclosure. The problem was that it was old (6 years) and had small crack that allowed gases and electrolyte to seep up and created all the crud on the negative post.

The very nicely priced replacement battery at O'Reilly was rated at 700 CCA but was at least 1 inch smaller in all dimensions and I was not comfortable with that. The one I ended up buying at Wal-Mart, MAXX-H7 is rated 790 CCA, fits in the battery enclosure perfectly, has a much higher CCA rating, has good reviews and more importantly, I have never had an issue with my local Wal-Mart, returning/exchanging merchandise or honoring warranties.

Also, I found out that most batteries anymore only carry a limited time replacement warranty varying from 1 to 3 years; the one I got has 3 years plus 24 months prorated. As a comparison, the old one had a 3 year replacement and 85 month prorated, but even with the remaining prorated discount, it was more expensive than the one I ended up buying.

All in all, getting 6 years from a battery is not too bad; hopefully the new one will last as long.

 

I was able to find a Bosch Battery from PepBoys..Identical in physical size to the original, but around 810CAA..It was pricey too...but it had an 84 month pro-rated warranty with the first 3 years free replacement.

 

Easy with hindsight, but as is so often the case with our cars (and other modern brands), when electrical problems come to call, a top line battery must be the first thing to be sure of! The fuzzy battery terminal should have set us all on the battery line - good batteries just don't do that anymore.

Three years for a battery guarantee is a bit mean isn't it? In UK any decent battery gets a five year, no quibble, replacement deal.

 

WOW, that is a good deal...course, I wonder what you pay for one like that plus your VAT ... Here we pay about equivalent to €110 Euro + 7% tax average, for the one I mentioned above.

 

This is the current offer from a national chain of accessory stores. Better prices are available by searching online, but for convenience, when you need the battery today, Halfords do deliver, albeit at a price

Bosch or Yuasa Silver Car Battery HSB 110

• Starting Power (CCA):800amps
• AH Value: 85aH
• Weight: 19.6kg
• Dimensions (LxDxH): 31.5 x 17.5 x 17.5
• Guarantee: 5 years

Battery applications are for UK supplied vehicles only. Imported vehicles may require a different battery. Please visit your local Halfords Superstore for further details.

All that for £140, yet strangely, the larger HSB019 for my XK8 with this spec

• Startup Power: 900amps
• AH Value: 100ah
• Bench Charge: 6 Amps
• Weight: 23.17kg
• Dimensions (LxDxH): 353 x 175 x 168mm
• Guarantee: 5 years

is only £130! Prices are all Vat inclusive.