My mini wont start and I was wondering...Could my battery be bad? Its a 2005 MCS with 49,000 motoring miles.

Thanx.

 

It could very well be possible, since many people (including me) have been reporting battery life of about three years. If you can start the car via a jump start or by charging the battery for a while using a charger, then the fault is most likely with the battery. Some owners have had issues with fans or power steering pumps remaining 'on' after shutting off the car and draining the battery. If this is the case, you'd have to check for that condition after charging your existing battery.

 

heat and vibration are the enemies. 3-4 years is usually about normal. Since you live in FL, I'd say it's not unsual given the mileage.

I have a different issue on my '06....water in the battery box. I thought it might be from removing the lower shield to fit my exhaust, but there's water on top of things under the floor in the back. I use a pressure washer to hose things down....perhaps that's my issue

 

Yes, ours went dead in 18 months. Bad cell.

 

OK what kind to get? Does it matter?

 

Interstate or Optima are the best. Everything else is pretty much the same....private label Exide.

 

I'm a huge believer in Optima. Worth the extra expense, IMO... as soon as my OEM battery dies, you better believe I'll be sticking an Optima in its place... a yellow top Deep Cycle one if they make one that is compatible, otherwise a red top.

 

Mine was dead at the four year mark and the car could not be jump started or charged with a battery charger. Put a battery in it from our other MINI and it started right up. Replaced the battery and no problems since. Don't trust the gauge either - mine was bright bright green and the battery was still bad.

 

Mine died in our 05 MCS at 63,000 miles, and not in a place where i could find an Optima in the middle of the night, so went with an AutoZone replacement. Being in Florida, I'm guessing your battery life is similar to ours in Arizona. Basically once your over two years here, your on borrowed time. 2-3 years is very typical life, especially for the OEM Mini batteries, here in Phoenix.