My OE battery will be 4 years old in November and I'm thinking of replacing it before the snow flies. No problems so far, but I don't want to find out that it is past its prime when its 10F outside.

 

Mine lasted about 3 years. Snow wasn't much of an issue. When the battery died, there was no warning. It started the car, then 10 mins later, when I turned the key, nothing happened at all.

 

I got less than three and a half years on mine before I began having problems with the batery dying if the car sat for about a week. Upon replacing the battery with an Optima Yellow Top, I fully charged the OEM battery and let it sit in the garage for about a week. It had self-discharged to less than 11 volts, so the battery itself was shot. The OEM battery is far from a robust piece, replacing it with any aftermarket battery is an improvement, replacing it with an Optima or similar style AGM battery is best IMO.

 

My very first car, a 1974 Pontiac Astre, was still on the original Delco battery when I sold it with 121,000 miles on it in 1985 . My 1985 Pontiac is currently on its third battery. I seem to have to replace it every 10 years. My 1999 Buick's battery gets replaced every 3 years. They must be programmed to kill their batteries every three years. My MINI is still on it's original battery and it works fine. So it's a tough call, but if I read this trend correctly, the newer cars with all they electronics in them, ensures a shorter lifespan for the batteries.

Your battery lasting four years is pretty good. I'm hoping mine lasts 5 but if I can get past the warranty period (batteries are considered wear and tear items so are not generally covered) it would be considered a pretty decent battery.

 

I replaced the stock battery in my 2000 Stratus earlier this year (with an Optima Red). The original battery was still going strong after more than 7 years. Not wanting to push my luck, I replaced it. Thing is, that battery is sitting in the garage alongside the dead MINI OEM battery. It's still holding a charge after more than 5 months.

 

My stock battery was replaced under warranty at a little over 3 years, no questions asked.

 

Me too, my '03 MC was 3 years old when I got a letter from MINI saying the battery would be replaced under warranty next time I came to the dealer.

I said, "thanks".

 

do optimas actually fit in the battery location? they look huge, and the oem battery looks so tiny..

 

My 1997 Honda CR-V lasted 10 years (Panasonic) but replaced it this year with OEM Honda (Interstate). My 330 & MCS are still OK but still too early to tell how long will they last. I use the MCS 6 months / year but I use trickle charge during storge and start it every 3 weeks for about 15 minutes or until the water coming out from exhaust is dry just to make sure that my exhaust system will not rust due to combustion by-product = water.

 

Mine just went yesterday. '04, so the battery was about 4 yrs. old. ( maybe I got an '03 battery? No letter though.) It did the implode thing. Turned the key and the lights and guages put on an interesting display. New battery is $144 from dealer. Don't know aftermarket prices, but if you have really cold winters ( hard starting) it may be cheap insurance. Well not really cheap, but piece of mind. I've had batteries last longer then 4 yrs. and less then 4 yrs.

 

I still have the original 2002 battery and will be replacing it before winter.

 

60,000 miles. Died with no warning whatsoever.

Replace with tiny Braille battery from Helix. 50,000 miles on it so far.

 

5 years & 50,000 miles & still cranking.

 

3.5 years

 

$144 for a battery from the dealer is a total rip-off. You would be paying a more-than-premium price for a really mediocre battery.

You can get a Sears Diehard for $115, and get considerably more capacity, with warrantee coverage for (pro-rated) eight years.

 

4 years on mine, with 54k miles. Still running strong!

-Cody

 

Original battery in my 02 with 67,000 miles. Stopped by the battery store the other day to look at the Optima batteries. They offered to test the one in the car, tested strong. The guy told me not to worry about it yet.

 

4 1/2 years and still going strong.

When it goes, however, it'll be a little bit of a search to find one locally
that actually fits the MC (many group 47's fit the MCS, but only a few
fit the MC without modifying the bracket, shimming the compartment, etc.)

If you've replaced your MC battery, take a peak at this thread and share your knowledge:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105283

 

Agreed. Talked with the parts guy a while though. Club discount and such.
$111 including the nearly 10% sales tax.

 

Mine lasted about 4 years. I replaced it with a Optima Red Top.

 

Mine lasted 3 years. Died with no warning of any kind. Replaced under warranty.

Minzila

 

 

Just about 4 years, to be exact I'd have to look at the replacement date I wrote on the battery.

 

Mine lasted 3 3/4 years. It was replace free under warranty.

retroom

 

Since mine is 4 1/2 years old already, I'm thinking it's time to look for
one that will fit my MC before this winter hits.