I need to change the battery on our R59 but I'm not sure what's reliable for our minis... Surprisingly I didn't find a lot of info on NAM

The current Varta has a 760cca 70ah
There doesn't seem to be a lot of batteries available with identical specs:

- I found a Bosch (not an AGM unlike the Varta) with same specs. Does anyone have experience with that battery?
- Interstate, I can't find an exact match on their website, only provides 730cca
- Duralast AGM seems to be poorly rated on Consumer Report.
- And Autocraft is a direct replacement (though it doesn't list the Ah), but is said to have a poor reliability in cold climate from the little I could read.

So I'm leaning towards the Bosch. Should I. I like the AGM technology?
Any other recommendation?

 

 

It begs the question why CR rated Interstate well in that battery group, and Duralast so poorly... not that I quite trust CR.

 

 

I did research when I bought my battery and found out some interesting stuff. Costco batteries use to be made by Interstate. They looked just like the regular Interstate battery but they were not the same. They were made with cheaper insides. I am sure you can do a search and find the article. This could explain why some batteries test lower and are made by a name brand company.

 

I put a red top Optima in my 05, S about two+ months back.
Not much time in, but no problems. I've used them in other cars, also without problems. Some say that since they moved to Mexico, they haven't been reliable. Three, 12 volt and one 6 volt...the oldest is about 4 years old, all is good.

Mike

 

Optima didn't seem to have group 48 batteries. What model did you put?


I've got to pick something... Battery specifications suck. It seems to be all over the place. And I can't tell if the differences would mean anything to the proper function of the car. I did find A Duracell (made by East Penn) that has the same spec. I did find a Bosch AGM group 48 sold at Pep Boys. But it rates CCA at 720 instead of 760 on the Varta. I don't know what 40 CCA lower might do? It's like 5% less... Autocraft and Duracell are the closest to specs so far (760 cca 70ah AGM technology).

 

You're a lucky man. After they moved and started using recycled lead in them the warranty rates went through the roof at my old job (very large aftermarket parts sales company). It got as high as 30%.

I use Odyssey, yeah they are a little more expensive but I have yet to have one die on me.

 

I ended-up getting the Duracell SLI48AGM which is made by East Penn.
4 yr warranty. Close specs to the original equipment.
The reviews are pretty promising. We'll see...

 

They say they use pure lead on their website.

 

+1 on East Penn. I got the Deka brand. I hope it lasts as long as the OEM, which was 7 years old & still starting when I changed it out.

 

I’m getting an Optima Yellowtop H6

 

Optima is AGM

 

I put an Odyssey 0752-2020 in my
R55 a couple years ago.