The primary driver of our 2008 MCS has been sitting in the car and listening to the stereo with the engine off (20-30min).

Yesterday when they came out the battery was dead. They got a jump and drove home. I took the car into the local garage to get the battery checked and they said it was dead and needed replacement (stock ~480 CCA now ~180 CCA).

I took the car into my MINI Dealer this morning and was presented with a $400 bill for diagnostics and the battery replacement. The dealer said that since the battery damage was caused by leaving the key in the ignition, it was a non-warranty repair.

Question: Has anyone heard that leaving the key in the ignition will damage the battery? Drain, yes. Kill, No.
Question: Is this warning printed anywhere in the owner's manual? If it is, I certainly can't find it.

 

Yes and yes. But of course it is not quite that simple. Draining a battery is HARD on it. Doesn't kill a good battery, but a weaker battery draining it can potentially kill it.

My 08's battery just died in the same fashion as yours. I would have had no trouble listening to the radio for an hour, but it ran 10 minutes after shutting the car off and it couldn't start the car. Most of the computer modules in the car stay running even when only the radio is on.

The energy diagnosis they ran has all of the radio run times after the engine is turned off, and other extended run times (that information is stored in the computer and the FOB).

The BMW battery warranty is specified by miles per month and a bunch of other exclusions. I believe it is in the warranty booklet (and on the website).

For anyone else having trouble with their batteries getting weak, you can run down to your local auto parts store and get a replacement for under $150.

 

Many thanks for the quick reply. Cheers

 

Question: Was the dealer holding a gun to your head when he told you this?
I am not a MINI expert - my 2009 is my only MINI experience - but this is one of the most ridiculous things I have read on this forum and you do read a lot of ridiculous stuff on auto forums.

Question: Didn't you get an estimate before the work was done?

 

This isn't the most ridiculous thing on this forum, that goes to the dealer that told someone the bluetooth mic is in the passenger door and the volume of the turn signal can be changed!

Anyway, the dealer should have explained the diagnostic fee up front.

Seems like a group of people are having the stock Exide battery failing on them recently.

The limited battery warranty is in effect for the 4 year 50k mile US warranty.

Also, battery changes are *supposed* to be registered with the computer system as it does measure the battery voltage and draw rates to prevent discharges (as experienced by the OP, and myself it doesn't work when the battery fails quickly). But it really isn't necessary for replacing with the same capacity battery.

 

+1

 

So what is the Group # or size battery that is a direct replacement for the R56? It does not look like a standard battery. Are they readily available? Thanks in advance.

 

I changed mine and got it at a local auto parts store... Duralast Gold H5-DLG less than $150

 

Anyone try Braille batteries yet?

 

I've got an odyssey PC680 in the stock location and it has been working well for more than a year now. I've got the metal jacket version and the car sits for just over 2 weeks at the airport several times a year. It cranks slightly slower, but starts right up. We do NOT have harsh winters where I live (lows of maybe 28F) so I can't comment on that. Mine is wrapped with a thermal insulator and held in place with very large (AC duct) zip ties.

-JL

 

Just did mine on my 2009 Mini Cooper S, 56k miles. Came out Monday morning to a dead battery, just a couple dash lights and nada on the start button.

Thanks for all the various tips in threads on the replacement model from Autozone and how-to on removing the plastic cover, mine came off and went back on pretty easily. Nice that you only need the 10mm if your not removing the windshield wiper arm like some suggested, though i didnt find it necessary. I could see how it would give you more room if that cover is being stubborn though.

As for the battery "registration" issue, I have a buddy that owns an independent BMW shop with all the software for Minis that has done work on my Minis for a few years now, so I'll have him do that when I have it in on the next oil change just to say it was done, heh.

Funny enough, the OEM battery on my 2005 MCS also lasted nearly the same time, just over two years and 60k miles. Having lived in Arizona for 20+ years now though, I can tell you that my experience is that anything beyond 3 years here on a battery and your on borrowed time. Environment has a HUGE impact on the lifespan of batteries, especially the heat.

 

http://www.braillebattery.com/index....tteries/b2317/

this is what I just got. I have not put it in yet. Once I get back from Talisbaistanisikstan I will tell you my thoughts of what kind of battery it is.

 

I got an exide replacement with core return for about $108, local national auto-parts stores (regional)... IT is EXACTLY the same battery but in black (went at exactly 5 years, and 60k miles)...

Seems your dealership is out of line for the diagnostic service (that takes 2 minutes to test the battery but then not sure what all they tested for you- I know National Auto did it for me free). I wish I could say my experience was better with my dealer.. it hasn't been, so far I got 2 wrong diagnoses, that I fixed both times myself (and I am no great mechanic).