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Does anyone have a recommendation for the best battery for a '98 VDP? I checked my battery cell levels today and notice quit a bit of sulphation in between the plates. I don't know the age of the battery but I've had the car for 3 years so it's at least that old. The previous owner did not mark date the sticker on the battery. It's currently an "Interstate" battery. I know I've seen this topic on the forum before, but I find the "search this forum" not be very helpful. I'm in California U.S.
FYI, there are only three battery manufacturers left in the U.S.: Johnson Controls (now owned by a Canadian investment group), East Penn, and Exide. Between them, they make or import all of the major batteries sold in the U.S., including Interstate, Costco, Deka, Walmart EverStart, AutoZone Duralast, O'Reilly SuperStart, ACDelco, Motorcraft, DieHard, Duracell, NAPA Legend, Optima, Bosch, Champion, Mopar, Advance Autocraft, etc.
All that to say, these days brand hardly matters. Look for the highest Cold Cranking Amps (CCA), Reserve Capacity (RC) and amp-hour (A-H) ratings you can find in the H8/Group 49 size. AGM batteries will typically have lower CCA and A-H ratings than standard flooded lead acid batteries of the same size, but their RC rating will tend to be higher, which, along with a better deep-cycle capacity and charge retention may make them a good choice in many applications, especially if a car is not driven daily.
One caveat regarding AGM batteries: they typically require a charging strategy that differs from standard flooded/wet batteries, so if your original battery was not an AGM, your car's charging system may not optimally manage an AGM battery's charge. A specific Jaguar example is the X350, which was originally equipped with a Varta silver calcium technology battery that required higher-than-normal charging voltages, which AGM batteries do not tend to tolerate well over the long term.
I recently switched to a AGM battery (absorbed glass mat), it has more amps and recovers quicker on a charge. Be sure to check the compatibility with the seller....CYA. I believe it was the same cost as a standard lead acid one and I got it from Costco.
The Everstart Maxx-H8 from Walmart is probably the best value for money out there for our cars. Direct fit, 900 Cold Cranking Amps, with lifting handle, terminal covers and overflow vent for just $129 bucks.
I do agree with HighHorse that the AGM batteries are excellent batteries (I use them in my motorcycle and get twice the life out of them), but in my experience they are twice the price for our car application.
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Last edited by Carnival Kid; Nov 24, 2020 at 07:48 PM.
I just replaced an almost 7-year-old battery with the glass mat Interstate. That was based on a post seeking guidance about an alarm system triggering and reading a reply from HighHorse. It was about $240 plus tax. I did it because 1) I have to park on the street and thus can't keep a battery tender on the car and 2) I really don't drive it very much. A maybe 70 miles total in a series of short trips on the weekend, meaning little opportunity to replace the charge lost to parasitic drain. The car will sometimes sit for two weeks between drives.
Yes, there are conventional batteries that are cheaper. The non-glass mat one from Interstate was in the vicinity of, I think, $160.The one that was failing was something called Deca. I was stunned the Deca was manufactured and installed in Jan, 2014, meaning it was 2 months shy of 7 years old when not holding a charge well resulted in the alarm triggering. Pretty darn annoying!
The Everstart Maxx-H8 from Walmart is probably the best value for money out there for our cars. Direct fit, 900 Cold Cranking Amps, with lifting handle, terminal covers and overflow vent for just $129 bucks.
I do agree with HighHorse that the AGM batteries are excellent batteries (I use them in my motorcycle and get twice the life out of them), but in my experience they are twice the price for our car application.
Mine was $139, which was way cheaper than the Die Hard ($194) I had just replaced that I made last 12 yrs.
i'm happy with my AGM too, checked voltage other day and it keeps full charge since the purchase, totally unseen for me, standard battery would have to be charged several times already
FYI, there are only three battery manufacturers left in the U.S.: Johnson Controls (now owned by a Canadian investment group), East Penn, and Exide. Between them, they make or import all of the major batteries sold in the U.S., including Interstate, Costco, Deka, Walmart EverStart, AutoZone Duralast, O'Reilly SuperStart, ACDelco, Motorcraft, DieHard, Duracell, NAPA Legend, Optima, Bosch, Champion, Mopar, Advance Autocraft, etc.
All that to say, these days brand hardly matters. Look for the highest Cold Cranking Amps (CCA), Reserve Capacity (RC) and amp-hour (A-H) ratings you can find in the H8/Group 49 size. AGM batteries will typically have lower CCA and A-H ratings than standard flooded lead acid batteries of the same size, but their RC rating will tend to be higher, which, along with a better deep-cycle capacity and charge retention may make them a good choice in many applications, especially if a car is not driven daily.
One caveat regarding AGM batteries: they typically require a charging strategy that differs from standard flooded/wet batteries, so if your original battery was not an AGM, your car's charging system may not optimally manage an AGM battery's charge. A specific Jaguar example is the X350, which was originally equipped with a Varta silver calcium technology battery that required higher-than-normal charging voltages, which AGM batteries do not tend to tolerate well over the long term.
Thanks for that education on the consolidation in the battery industry. I didn't realize the M&A had been so complete in that sector. I guess I could have saved $100 for a variety other than the Interstate glass mat one ... but then I drive the car so infrequently and can't use a charger/tender that there's a bit of a peace-of-mind factor at play. Given my age, I'm not sure which will last longer, me or the battery!
Keep mine on a tender but this thread made me curious as to what type they installed about 5 years ago when I had the battery replaced hmm. I know I paid $170ish , time to check receipts lol.
Can't say enough about keeping the Interstate. I just this weekend swapped out the Interstate in my XJS. It was 8yrs old, for real. And consider I live in Phoenix (is it hot enough for you) AZ. Interstates have been in every Jag I've owned for 3 decades. They are competitively price and totally reliable.
For the record, Interstate is an excellent marketing and distribution company that does not manufacture batteries. Interstate-branded batteries are generally of high quality because they are manufactured by Johnson Controls and Exide. By the way, Johnson Controls also makes Walmart batteries.
Well, I hunted around by phone to several Costco outlets looking for a battery, I eventually found one in The City Of Industry, So Cal, Which is about a 30 minute freeway drive from my house. The total cost was $212 and then I'll get $15 back when I return the old one so $197 total.
However, upon my return to my house, I reversed into my driveway turned off the motor and opened the boot to unload the battery. When I went to start the car again to park it in my garage, the motor wouldn't start. It would crank over easily enough but wouldn't fire. Long story short, I called the tow truck and took it to my mechanic. The fuel pump quit. I suppose I should be grateful it happened in my driveway and not on the freeway.....cost $700.
Not trying to veer from the battery thread but when I got my then girlfriends (my wife now) 00’ XJ8 November 2013 with 21,430 miles from the proverbial little old lady (original owner), the car ran great but I had it towed to the shop (wasn’t registered in my gf’s name yet) I worked at and the very first thing I replaced was the fuel pump since mostly age kills them. I just replaced the original plastic thermostat housing last weekend. It has 56k miles now.
Back to the battery talk. I don’t know what happened but up to about 12 years ago, I was a complete interstate battery guy for years prior. Then like all of a sudden the quality of their batteries (to me) were terrible. On my cars and customers vehicles they just wouldn’t last. I had no choice but to change brands even though from what Don says they didn’t make them.
For years I bought the Bosch branded battery from PepBoys. At one time I had five cars with the same euro battery .... Both MB and Porsche use the same size and I know it goes into some BMW's. Knowing the X308 is touchy when it comes to battery life I went looking recently (4 years old) and discovered that Bosch is no more at PepBoys and they now use Champion. It's all marketing ... as noted above there are few battery makers and Bosch did not make the battery. The OE battery came from Spain when delivered -- It was the same battery as in a MB. Anyway -- as I always do the Jaguars battery got flipped into the one with the oldest battery in the fleet .... that happened to be my old W210 wagon ,,,, that got the last one from the Jaguar.
As to AGM: I found no difference in my 911 w/ one as far as sitting .... the AGM was as bad as the others. Sort of what others have discovered. For the Jaguar the one available was also an 850CCA vs 900 for the standard when I went looking recently. Paid around $150 w/ 3 year replacement for the Champion. Mine sits for weeks and never has a issue starting
I used to get Interstate MTP-93 Lead Acid 850 CCA & then a 3 years ago could not find it anywhere locally. I found the 'replacement which cost more $ & had less CCA, shorter warranty. I forgot the model #. I decided to switch to AGM.
Ordered online & picked up in store @ Pep Boys.
Bosch AGM on sale for $165. 49-850BAGM
4 year full replacement warranty. SKU: 838838
850cca/1020ca - reserve min = 160 - 90 ah - s6 high performance agm - oe cca: 680 group size H8/L5/49
I think Pep Boys no longer carries or can special order Bosch.
Bosch website does not seem to have it either. I see less CCA with only a 3 year warranty now.
Too bad.
Interstate MT5-49 H8 was my 2nd choice.
30 month free replacement warranty
900 Cold Cranking Amps (CCA)
Absorbed Glass-Mat (AGM
When I checked in 2017, was MSRP $ 281-312 & I found it for $275 @ Jaguar parts Dept. but ended up buying better, cheaper Bosch instead.
Iconoclast: Thats's what I discovered ... whoever is making them now is doing AGM at 850. My cost for conventional was actually $142 ... The AGM was in the $190's. Many years ago Jaguar started to use Interstate for the dealer sale battery and warranty work. Conventional battery.
I remember seeing the letter to the dealers explaining the change ...I'm not sure if it started due to a shortage or if it was simply a cost move away from producing the branded battery.
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