Hi All,

I bought new a 2004 COOPER 'S'. It now has about 48K. So how long does a Factory battery last??? I would like to be proactive and purchase a new one, but after (8) years, this battery seems just fine. Never had a problem? What say you? Thanks. MinisRcheeky

 

My '06 R53 has about 63k miles and my battery had performed flawlessly until last month. It was only an issue during a cold spell and after sitting in the garage for 3 days. Haven't had any problems starting since hitting it with the charger but the indicator on the battery is black which, IIRC, means it's time for a replacement. Since it's warming up, I figure I've got until Fall to buy a new one

HTH

 

8 years is a world record in my book. Depending on your driving habits (where and when you may get stuck) replacing is not a crazy idea.

 

Thanks to both of you. I really appreciate the input. MinisRcheeky

 

A little OT since I've had a new Mini for almost three months.

I got in the habit of changing batteries in my vehicles (Chevy Tahoe and Silverado) every three years. I had a couple (oddly all from Sam's Club) that went dead at three years so I got in the habit of replacing them every three years. Since I've been in the three year change out mode, I haven't had a problem in the last seven years.

I've had a couple of co-workers who milk the life out of the battery and had to borrow the jumper battery I use to carry that I have never used myself.
The record was seven years with an original battery in a Hyundai.

I think I'll probably keep up the three year change out on the Mini.

 

My battery just died this weekend and I have a 2005 R53 with 100000 km !

Dont mean to hijack but those anyone know of a good lightweight battery capable of surviving canadian winters ???

 

I have a 2004 with 40K and just replaced the battery. It had no adverse symptoms, but I did it for the off chance it would correct a minor electrical problem (it didn't) and just to be safe. If your car is used regularly, doesn't sit for long periods (frequent periods of sitting outside for long periods at airports is a huge battery killer), is garaged, and isn't subject to adverse climatic conditions, I think they can often go out to 10 years or even longer, but you're probably taking some risk beyond 5 or so.

One huge variable is how the battery spent its initial days. My car was ordered from the factory and was in my hot little hands a few days after getting to the dealership, but some cars might sit on the dealer's lot for several months. This sort of disuse is hell on batteries and the useful life of the battery may have been halved before the car was sold.

These sorts of variables are why some get a couple years from a battery and others get 10+. No hard/fast rules.

- Mark

 

I think Mark is right, and that you should go ahead and replace it before you have a problem.

You might find that you've gotten used to the way it sounds when it cranks over, and that witha new battery it suddenly cranks a lot faster and starts more easily. Had that happen with a Lexus, seemed a little slow one day so I replaced the 6 year old battery - huge difference!

 

How long ? 6yrs 1 month left work and nothing,click,click got a jump and made it home did a little forum search and picked the Duralast Gold,
H5-DLG battery, seems to be a direct fit for the factory battery,even
has a access for the vent tube cost was 129.99 with core
Battery is a Autozone product

 

I changed my battery on my Mc40 yesterday. 112000 miles, almost 7 years. I have the battery from my mk1 GTI in there right now as a band-aid, but will be getting one from Mini by the winter. I am in the Northeast for reference.

 

I also had lots of funky codes in the IKE, and siezures of the speedo needle upon start up. so far, all is well and nothing unusual to report, as I had suspected the old battery. It was cranking real slow, but did start up.

 

112000 miles, 7 years. Just swapped it yesterday.

 

I have about 40,000KM (26000 miles?) on my 06, seems to crank over fine. However, I am going on a 5000km roadtrip on Sunday. Is this the kind of thing that fails immediately and catastrophically, or is it likely to be alright until I get back home in a few weeks?

Any recommendations on replacement batteries?