My '04 MCS battery is on its way out. It barely got the engine fired up during our last cold snap. Now to start looking for a new battery...

 

When I bought my Cooper back in '03, the battery went out in '05. My current '05, I didn't give it a chance a replaced it with an Optima red top.

 

I have an '04 S built in 10/03.Original battery just died in August.Replaced with an Optima Red Top.Original battery worked fine until the one day it was dead and wouldn't take a jump.Got 7 years out of the OEM battery.

 

The battery in my '02 Cooper S just went a couple months ago.

 

My original battery still going after 61k miles. (knock on wood)

 

Kazlot,

Got the Interstate MT75 (no vent, $85 at Wheelworks). Dimensions are smaller though than OEM.

Main problem was that the OEM hold down bracket does not fit at all. Had to raise the height 1/2 inch for battery poles then make two new hold downs by bending in my vise something I had about.

Vehicle in sig is an Ace Cycle Car, made in Seattle. Uses Harley drivetrain. Ran into a fellow whom bought one several years back for $35k (photo). They now price 'em at $50k. "Most fun you can have on three wheels" he told me. Reminds me of the 2002(?) Road and Track MCS roadtest "Most fun you can have on four wheels".

 

Still the original! Green light on top!

 

Just replaced the original battery in my '03 with 64k. The light was still glowing green, but car wouldn't start, and the interior/dash light did the funky chicken.

Replaced it with a Motormaster Eliminator.

Regards

Dibz

 

I have an 02 MCS (build 08/02) and still on the original OEM battery She has just turned over 78,000kms. The only issue I've had is if I don't drive her for a few weeks it seems to discharge itself completely, but is easy to jump start. Has only happened a couple of times. But since it is coming up to 9 years now, am thinking I might need to prepare to buy a replacement

 

We have an 06/2004 MC - with ~65,000kms - an no issues so far with the first OEM Battery.

For reliability reasons i'll go for a new one just before winter.

Cheers,

Tim

 

Tristan's battery died while sitting in a line with the engine off and the fan on for 45 min. That was a week after his 4th birthday.

 

Battery in my 06 R50 is still going, I have about 44000KM on the clock. I'll probably get a new one soon just to be on the safe side, before I take any more long trips anyhow.

 

10/04 build on my '05, still OEM, 173,000 miles.

 

08/03 Build....still on the OEM battery at 44,000 miles.

 

02 S 169K miles still got the OEM and there has not been a little green light on it for 2yrs starts everyday. I actually am seeing how long it will last before replacing it.

 

04 MCS JCW - OEM battery now at 7 yrs and 3 months. I drive short distances daily, need to trickle charge about every 2 months but it always goes to green. Not wanting to chance it any longer, will replace today with another Varta. No one can complain about 7 years +! Just have the sneaky suspicion that the replacement will not last this long. Anycase most I got out of a batt on other cars I owned had been 5, many not lasting more than 2

 

UPDATE:

Just went bad 2 weeks ago. 175,187 miles.

 

good to hear how long some are lasting, guess my isn't so special, 06 built 11/05 40k miles, original battery cranks the same as the day i picked it up.

 

Almost 6 years, still going strong!

 

Checking up on an old thread: Battery still going strong. 6/02 build, 84k miles.

 

I bought my 2004 MCS about 1 month ago, and this is my battery. Obviously it is OEM, but I am not sure if it is the original from the build (Nov 2003). Can I determine the battery's date from the codes on it? Do I need to look under the bracket? I have 64k miles, and it never hesitated during startup even with some colder weather in the last few weeks. I do think the severe cold is behind us here in VA, but I wonder if I am starting to get on borrowed time with this battery?

Reid

 

Update: 85,000 miles now still on the original battery. (Sep '03 build MCS.)

 

Yes -- the stamp on the post at lower left of your photo indicates the week and year the battery was made.

I can't quite read it from the photo. If you post another pic zoomed in on the positive post, we can figure it out.

 

The stamp on the negative post in the lower left reads 16 / 06 as you are looking at it. If there is a stamp on the positive post I will have to look for that when I get home tonight. So that would mean this battery was manufactured in April/May of 2006? If so, maybe this is the 2nd battery for the Mini. That would make sense, as 8+ years on an original battery seems a bit long!

Reid

 

my original battery is now 7 years old with 73k miles, and still going strong.