Winter is coming on and my car will turn three in a few weeks.

1. Has anyone out there with a 3 year old car needed to change the battery due to age?

2. Anyone know how many years the stock battery is rated?

3. For the autocrossers:
a. do the rules require a like size battery?
b. any suggestions?

 

Ours was delivered summer '02 and the stock battery is still running strong. This is pretty surprising since the Florida heat really gets to batteries and we usually end up replacing them every few years. It probably helps that the battery on the MCS is in the back and not open to the heat of the engine bay. When you do need to replace it, make sure the CCA of the new battery is close to the stock one. There are several people who have changed over to some deep cycle Optima's or lightweight Braille.

 

just had my battery wind up dead last night, fortunately not on the drive to Merritt Island. i live in southern GA and drive around FL and AL. I'll give you a read on the EverStart replacement after I hook it up tonight and go back over to WalMart to have it checked tomorrow...

 

I could not start my MINI today. So I called the MINI roadside service for help (nice service from MINI).

The service technician told me that I may have bad battery. He had to use 2 batteries to jump start the car. I have my MINI since 2003. It was running fine last Sat.

Do you think I have bad battery? Anybody else have similar problem like me? At this moment, I could not start my MINI without jump-start from the other car. I am glad that MINI offer free roadside service that I may use it to tow my car to the dealer.


UltraMINI

 

I have an 03 just replaced the battey about 3 weeks ago.

 

Could be loose or dirty contact between the cables and battery terminals. My car still cranks quit well. I just do not want to worry about changing a battery in mid winter.

 

When did you pick up your car? Did you order the car or get it used. Thanks.

 

The battery in my mid-02 died recently. It cranked great for my drive home from work but when I went back out for a grocery run half an hour later the car wouldn't start. Long-story-short, it was dead for good, wouldn't even take a slow trickle charge.

 

Was looking to replace my 03 MCS battery at costco but no listing for MINI in their books.

 

I picked up my first MC in July of '02. At about 40K miles, I started noticing a buzzing sound from the dashboard when I first turned on the ignition. It turned out that the buzz was caused by low battery voltage. Dealer replaced the battery under warrantee and the buzzing stopped. The moral is ... if the dashboard buzzes, get your battery checked.

 

I have an 04, but I have read more and more posts about sudden battery death in the last few months. All were either 02 or early 03 MINIs, most were MC which has the battery in the engine compartment with more heat. And I am not talking about having trouble cranking one day, I mean, BAM! the car stops running in most cases.

 

In the SCCA Stock classes (HS and GS for Mini Coopers) a stock replacement battery is required. It doesn't have to be an OEM MINI battery, but it has to be the same type, size, and weight as stock.

In any other classes like Street Touring, Street Prepared, Street Modified, etc, you can use any battery you want. If I ever decide to race my MC in a non-stock class I'll throw a smaller and lighter (by about 20 lbs) gel cell battery in the car right away like I've used in other cars I've raced over the years.

-Keith

 

It's subtle but there is a warning indicator that the battery is heading out the door. Listening carefully, turn on the ignition and wait a few seconds before engaging the starter. When the voltage is low, you will hear a buzzing noise (like a prank hand buzzer or quiet rattlesnake) for two or three seconds.

 

Thanks everyone. Kieth, I expected that the battery had to be the same weight, I was hoping the size and type could be changed. I would love to go with a gel cell.

Before starting this thread I did a search and saw a costco part number for a battery. Most likely I will go that route when I hear a little buzzing from the bonnett.

 

The last couple of days I've noticed a slight buzz when starting/cranking that just lasts a second and seems to be coming from behind the center-mounted speedo. I guess I need to check the battery on my '02 Cooper. Has anyone priced replacements? Costco seems like a good start. The MINI dealer probably charges a premium for the OEM battery, although it's held up nicely.

 

Contact MINI Dealer to replace the battery if your car is till under warranty. I have same problem few weeks ago. I could not start the car and had it tow to the dealer. The dealer replaced a new battery for free because it cover under warranty. Since then, I do not have problem any more.

James

 

My free maintenance period is over, but I still have a year left of the regular warranty. I didn't think the battery would be covered.

 

I think the battery is cover under warranty. Give them a call... it may save you some $$$

 

I used a Costco battery sku#12850 $47.99 in my 02. You need to file a groove with a round file on the firewall side of the case for the ground and bend the positive terminal clamp a few degrees to make it fit correctly. Mods took about 10 minutes and are not noticable. Battery fits perfect.

 

Thank you for the advice. I called my dealer and they said it would be covered under warranty. I guess the Costco battery will be next--after my warranty runs out.

 

i've got an 02 MCS with origional battery still in it.

I have a feeling i will be needing a new one before the cold canadian winter hits...

Has anyone replaced the battery with an Optima Red or Yellow Top?

If so do you remember which model?

 

03 MCS picked up on may that year, battery change last april. I believe I still have the old one for an emergency .

 

Same thing has happened to me, 5 times!! Jumps starts usually fix the problem, but this time she was just dead. Battery reads fine on the meter, 12 volts. I called MINI and had it towed to the shop. Last time they told me it was a coroded batter terminal, I wonder what they'll say this time?

 

Ugh, mine is a late 2003 MCS with 26K miles. Battery is dead.

I'm curious--the AAA folks will actually sell and install a battery on site when they come see you. I wonder if MINI road service would do that. I am an hour from dealer, I would almost rather pay than miss a half day work Monday and drive all that way....

 

Dealer told me the MINI & MCS battery are same. The Costco battery item # 12850 is grp size 47, & as mentioned earlier in this post, fit in my 03 MCS perfectly with no mods, even included vent hose & fitting. To save 25 lbs look to buy the Braille battery shown on Helix13 site.