Electronic Cars

[david.spence47431]

I have an X350 3 litre V6 which is a wonderful - car - ticks all the boxes except one - it has too many electronics. The battery was constantly going flat if the car was left for any time (now replaced)- warning lights constantly appearing in cold/wet weather and reading the forums here it seems that is not untypical. So I was thinking of trading/selling it and going for something older and non electronic. I once had a series 1 XJ6 which was beautiful and would love one again but too expensive. I thought of a series 3 and as I want to stick with carbs and not FI, would need to be a 4.2, but are they cursed with the BL build quality? Do they have much or anything in the way of electronics, are they reliable? Prices seem reasonable too - any thoughts please

[davidr]

I would stick with the X350! It is much better built and more reliable than anything else on your list and having an alloy body won't crumble before your eyes.
In my opinion, the way forward is to put a really good quality battery on the car (don't be tempted to go cheap as its a false economy) and if you can plug the car into a trickle charger when not in use for extended periods of time and it will give you years of trouble free motoring

[Brakebuster]

and remember not to blame the car......
the batteries are not manufactured the same these days , and especially ' aftermarket ' batteries will last no more than 5 years, and even an original battery provided from when the car was new will not be expected to last beyond seven or eight years

i have decided to treat the battery like any other consumable , such as fuel, or tyres , they all need replacing so rather than struggle on , buy a new battery and be done with the electrical issues

BB

[J44EAG]

I agree fully with David and BB.

Batteries are a consumable item on any vehicle and BB is absolutely correct.

Almost all cars of the same time line require a premium grade battery to be reliable. A 12.8v terminal voltage (Fully charged) will stop almost all battery related electronic gremlins from coming out to play. Short journeys with frequent stop starting, use of headlights, heated screen and seats etc rapidly cause voltage to drop if the car is given an insufficient running time to replenish the battery. Most problems of this type usually manifest themselves in depressed cold winter temperatures which further lower terminal voltage. It is down to an owner to ensure he is aware of this scenario and take appropriate remedial action. ie use the car for longer periods or install and use a switch mode mains powered battery conditioner charger. Regular use of such a charger will help keep the battery at 12.8v and stop those low voltage issues.

If we are realistic,replacement of a five or seven year old battery is to be expected on any vehicle. A premium Varta, Bosch or Yuasa battery suitable for an X350 costs around £120. Divide that £120 by six years and the annual cost of a battery is about £20 a year. Budgeted on that basis, its hardly a Kings Ransom to have to spend or budget for is it? A new battery equals happy motoring.

Mike K

[3.8etypephil]

As above, keep the X350, fit a decent battery, and use the car. The X350 is one of the most reliable and long lasting cars ever made; survival rates of fifteen + year old examples exceed 90%, which is significantly better than those of BMW, MB, Audi and Lexus.

If you really must get a Series 3 XJ, and insist on carburettors, then you are limited to 3.4s; 4.2s & 5.3s had electronic fuel injection. They were all pretty reliable by the standards of the day, but the X350 is far better in every respect.

[david.spence47431]

Thanks very much for that - I have put in a premium battery so hopefully my electrical woes are over. Come the better weather (hopefully) the car will be used more, however I will keep a check on voltage

[PaulGover]

I have an X350 3 litre V6 which is a wonderful - car - ticks all the boxes except one - it has too many electronics. The battery was constantly going flat if the car was left for any time

If you're leaving it alone for more than a few days, it may be worth considering a trickle charger or solar panel charger.

I thought of a series 3 and as I want to stick with carbs and not FI, would need to be a 4.2, but are they cursed with the BL build quality? Do they have much or anything in the way of electronics, are they reliable? Prices seem reasonable too - any thoughts please

Series III 4.2 has decent FI - far better than the automatic choke gubbins on earlier cars. Pretty reliable, too, apart from the rear handbrake. You want as late as possible - the John Egan era; before that, Red Robbo and his pals were causing major problems which affected build. MPG is dire, in modern terms - I found 20mpg, dropping to 14 around town. And they rust like there's no tomorrow. Not so much XJ6 as XJ6O2. If you want carbs, consider a Series II, though the fuel consumption's even worse.