I have had my '05 MCS for a month over 3 yrs. Battery seems strong. Curious to know avg life span of the oem battery and what is a good one to replace it with. Thanks. Nick

 

I went cheap and bought the duralast battery after 4.5 years. I changed mine out after several of my friends with 03 MINI's all had their battery die over several months. When I changed it, the indicator showed that the battery was on the way out.

You should get at least 3 years out of the battery and may get another year or more like I did. I figured it was easier to change it early at my convenience than to do it when it might not be so convenient.

 

I'm about to hit 6 years on my OEM Audi batt. Pretty much just make sure that I top-off the water levels with distilled water 2x per year. Not sure how these new sealed batteries will do though.

 

If you have an Advance Auto Parts near by, I've found the Titanium 47-1 (both MC and MCS) battery to be a good fit. I manage one of these stores and have installed a few. However, I have been told by these customers that when the battery goes, it goes...no warning. Check your battery often as it ages (look at the 'indicator light' on the battery), our stores do free battery and alternator testing.

 

Climate has a lot to do with battery life. In the Phoenix, AZ area, most consider anything over 3 years to be on borrowed time. The stock Mini battery in our 05 MCS lasted just over two years with just over 60k miles. Died two days after we got home from Minis in the Mountains, but thankfully just down the street from a 24 hour AutoZone that had a Duralast in stock in the proper size with the vent hose, etc. I'd planned to go the Optima route, but time/convenience didn't allow for it in this case.

 

Is replacement of the battery a warranty item? A MA said it all depends...

 

my June 02 MCS just rolled 105K and I replaced the OEM battery only because here in the Northeast it gets pretty darn cold and I didn't want to have to do it come winter. The OEM battery seemed to be performing well, but ................
I replaced it with an Optima red top 35

 

2006 bought new........ after 19 mos, Feb 2008 needed new battery and this morning, 18 mos later..........another one bit the dust. They tell me these batteries should last 2 yrs but ofter less because of this FL heat...... any comments.......seems ridiculous to me never had a car with this issue before

 

My 05's died...or rather got too weak for me to trust it about 6 months ago...was a Dec 04 build. Make sure you get a battery with a vent kit or a ventless AGM battery, the new battery I put in was a Optima Red Top 34R. No venting needed.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-2002-mcs.html

It fits well, but does need a shimm to make the OEM bracket hold it firmly.

 

and found a good price on Amazon. I liked the deal so much I posted it on my Amazon aStore on my blog. I get a whole $6 if you buy it there! (Woo hoo, six pack here I come... Just not imports....)

You can pay a lot less, but I like Optima batteries. It's a bit shorter than the stockers, so you may need a bit of stiff foam to really clamp it down.

Matt

 

I'm using a 34R too and it is great. It fit perfectly without shimming in Artoo my MCS. It is a bit shorter but held in by the bracket firmly on the bottom. Been in there 30-40000 miles. I suppose I ought to check it sometime but it is not making a sound and if it were loose I would suspect a noise in the twisties to and from work.

Anyone. Get the Optima 34R. Well worth the money. Fits perfect and no vent needed.

Rich

 

Back when I got mine Amazon was the best price anywhere...had free shipping too...and now I have a spare battery in the garage to use as the core charge return in the future on others cars, a real win win if you know far enough in advance you need a replacement!!

 

Just looked on the Optima wesite and they do not list a red top replacement for my 2005 MCS ? Sent them an Email about why. Dont want to shell out 150$ if it is not the right part.

 

And like others have posted, it clamps firmly at the base of the battery, even if the case is a bit shorter. The R has reversed terminals so the posts are on the correct side for the S cable locations.

Matt

 

MINIs need to be driven regularly to keep the battery charged and for the battery to have a normal life span.

 

34r or just mount the 34 backwards.....almost the same I believe has much more power and reserve than the standard group for the MINI.

 

 

Optima Red Top 34R is direct fit. Have had one in my '04 MCS for well over a year.