Since we've been tossing around battery info and the like it occurred to me I had not put a meter on my own battery for quite some time. I did and the DVM read 11.97VDC. With the generator working I was getting 14.45VDC, but DVM showed slow drain of battery when in resting state. And the battery was an Advance Auto Gold AGM, installed 6/13. Whoa, not bad end of life cycle. Called Advance Auto and the Gold AGM have been re-branded as the Platinum AGM. Specs are exactly as the old Gold AGM:

Amp Hour: 95.0 AH
Cold Cranking Amperage: 900 A
Cranking Amperage: 1000 A
Negative Terminal Location: Top Left
Positive Terminal Location: Top Right
Reserve Capacity: 160 min
Terminal Type: Top Mount
Voltage: 12.0 VDC

After I found a 20% discount on the home Advance Auto Parts web site I ordered and installed the Platinum. BTW, the 'new' Gold design is grid technology and about $30 less than the Platinum.

"new Gold Specs"

Cold Cranking Amperage:900 A
Cranking Amperage:1000 A
Negative Terminal Location: Top Left
Positive Terminal Location: Top Right
Reserve Capacity:150 min
Terminal Type: Top Mount
Voltage:12.0 VDC

I'm very pleased with the AGM Gold lasting 6 years. I've never had an electrical problem that I could trace to the battery. Bad grounds, yes. Asinine bulb replacements, yes. Overhead garage door transmitter (just one) yes. So I don't know what to make of an AGM that served me for 6 years or so. I suppose all good fortune is based on the odds but I thought I'd share this with your good folks.

Happy motoring!

 

Have had great service from A G M motorcycle battery's for years.
From 8 to 10+ years on average for me.
Not yet in an automobile, i was advised not to spend the extra money yet.
Not as much difference for their use in cars, as there is in motorcycles.

 

Might bi in need of battery in near future. Found this on Ebay. Battery-MaxStart 42 Delphi BU7049. Unknown brand to me. Wonder if is any good. Please advice.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Battery-Max...69d7%7Ciid%3A1

 

Looks like the Deka's put into both my Jaguars.
They make the battery's for many brand names.
Made in Pa, one of the largest mfg's in the world.
Used them in all my bikes, & cars for decades, with great results.
Delphi is an old name brand of quality parts.
Part of Packard if memory serves.

 

2 days ago I thought I might be in need of new battery. Today I do need new one. My original battery exploded with big bang and splashed acid allover whole trunk. Took me hours to clean it. Amazing that it lasted so long anyway. Original battery made by Varta in Germany, of 2004 xj8, I think, and work well until few days ago. At that point I was very surprised that battery tray did not have anydrainage in case of the acid spill from the battery. Would not expect this from Jugo but Jaguar for close to $100k should have it. Plan to make modification and fabricate drainage from the plastic battery compartment to the outside, through the trunk floor, in case there is any leak from the battery. There is always room for improvement and Jaguar needs a lot of them!

 

What a bizarre thing - never heard of it before on these cars so I'd be hunting for why and not blaming the car or battery so much as looking for the cause.

 

OMG I have the same battery Varta 2004 vintage now in the Mercedes.

 

It's a vented battery, isn't it?

If so, as mine is, make sure it's correctly hooked up

 

I ran across this thread when my battery needed a jump to start the car and I noticed it was a Varta which I had never heard of. Looks to be the original battery from 2005. This is one amazing battery to last 14 years! I have been keeping it on a trickle charger in the cold weather but now looking to replace it. Thinking about a Bosch.

 

Congrats - only a rare few have an OE battery that lasted so long (yes, Varta).