The X350 as an enthusiasts' car?

[BjornV]

Hi there,

Member from Sweden here. I would like to hear your thoughts on the following.
I am thinking about to get a X350 as an enthusiast car. I have previously owned a couple of XJ40s and XJS's.

Now the thing is that since I do not drive my cars much, they are just standing there at lot of the time.
With the older designs of XJ40 and XJS, I have often disconnected the battery if I leave the car unused for a longer period (weeks).

Now to the X350. Would this be a problem on a more modern car as this? Are there specific things that needs to be taken care of if a car is left standing for a longer period?

Best regards

[davidr]

Hi Bjorn - I had an X350 that I didn't use very much. The issue is that these more modern cars are very sensitive to low battery voltage and so, as your question implies, long term storage can be an issue.
My answer was to install a top quality battery and to keep the car on a battery conditioner when parked up. That solution worked for me.

[J44EAG]

The X350 is not a problem car to own but vehicles on a limited use regime will need a good standard of lay up procedure.

I`d suggest you purchase a switch mode battery conditioner/charger. Take a look at the Ctec range of products. All modern cars need batteries that are kept in top condition. Do not expect an X350 which has an old or badly charged battery to perform well. Battery condition is everything to these cars. You may maintain charge level with a decent charger either with the battery in the car or placed on your work bench. Stored batteries should NEVER be stored on a cold concrete floor...doing so will kill a battery dead in a short space of time.

If you chose to take your car off the road during winter months, you must hold the electronic hand brake switch down before removing the ignition key from the steering lock. This will keep parking brake pads away from the rear discs and help stop pads and discs from corroding together. It is the same for other vehicles fitted with electronic park brake systems.

If you leave any make or type of vehicle standing for long periods, it is essential that you follow a recommended lay up plan. This will make recommissioning your vehicle an easier task than if you had just walked away from the car without doing a proper lay up plan.

Mike

[BjornV]

Thank you for your thoughts and tips.

[PaulGover]

Bjorn, what sort of enthusiast are you? Do you like getting your hands dirty servicing cars, do you like tuning or upgrading them, or do you just keep them "show ready" and enjoy driving them? The X350 is mostly electronic, and not at all easy to work on, so if you're the first type, you might find it frustrating. It's not like an XJS, where everything is easy to reach and totally reliable anyway (I jest!). The electronics can prevent you making too many changes, so that might frustrate you if you're the second type. But I've find mine very reliable, and the aluminium body combined with the build quality makes it ideal for the third type.

That's my view; other forum members enjoy a challenge and seem to have triumphed in the dirty-handed enthusiast categories; I save that for my XJS, when the garage is a bit warmer than now!