Hello all,

Item one on the list for my new mini was a new battery - the old one wouldn't hold a charge.

I want an Optima - use them in my trucks and have been very happy with them. So I did some reading here on the forum and found references to the Optima R34 just slipping right in like it was made to go there even though Optima does not have a battery recommended for the Mini Cooper.

So I bought one and just slipped it into the battery box - er - I mean, sorta, almost managed to wedge it in there. It's "in", it went down into the box just far enough that I could fenegle the cables onto the posts - but it really is wedged in tight and it will not go all the way to the bottom without a good pounding, which leaves it too tall to put the battery cover back on.

Now, it's obvious tha if I were to remove the tie-down feet on the battery it would fit just fine, but then goodbye warranty, and I've seen no mention of such radical manoeuvres.

Am I missing something???

Thanks

 

I can't understand what your problem is. I have a Optima 34R & it fit fine. A friend just put one in his MINI with no problems. Are you sure you have a group 34 R?

Edit, fixxed a darn typo....

 

No - 34R, not 35R.

 

I just installed an R34 in Artoo yesterday. The one it replaced was getting weak after 4 winters and with the 20% off at Advance over the weekend, $140 was too hard to pass up for peace of mind.

It fits perfectly with the stock hold down on the bottom. NO problem at all on my 2003 Cooper S.

I can't imagine what your problem may be but I KNOW the 34R fits a first gen Cooper S perfectly.

Are you sure you don't have a group 35 battery there?

Rich

 

I wanted to make sure before I posted this so I double checked my battery. I have an Optima 34R as well and it fits perfectly with the mounting hardware and all. Maybe your battery was mis-marked. It should drop right in with the floor staying level on top of it.

 

Mine fits fine with the stock tie down.

 

searching OP's earlier posts appears he just bought a used "Justa"

and I do believe the battery box is different

34R is a great fit for the GEN1 S

. . .

good reason to provide basic car identification in your sig . . .

but I'm sure I'll be corrected if I erred

 

Ding ding ding.... We have a winner. The Optima Group 34R does not fit a justa. There is a thread somewhere on here giving battery details for a justa.

 

Well I've been back out and taken the 34R out and spent some time on the Optima website and I do believe that yes, this is a case of S vs. Justa and 34 vs. 35.

The 35 is just ablout 1/2" shorter in length than the 34. This is would allow the 35 to sit right down in the battery box. That and the quarter inch shorter height of the 35 will no doubt let the lid be put back on.

I'll exchange the 34 for a 35 tomorrow and report back.

Thanks all.

PS- "Justa"?!?!?!

 

Justa Cooper. No S.

 

OK, I got the 35 today and - waddya know - it did in fact just slip right into the battery box like it was made to go there. In fact, a little sloppy. The positive battery cable fits a little off kilter, but still well enough that the cover fits.

So - somewhere this should be recorded :

Cooper = 35

Cooper S = 34R

Thanks, everyone.

 

<smart alec> Why does this seem just a little classist and denigrating? "Just" a Cooper. Really!</smart alec>

 

don't tempt me to resurrect my rants about

MINI

vs Mini


we bi-Minual folks care about this stuff

 

Whats a good price for a optima 34R?

I have a 2005 MCS. Should be a simple drop in and go?

 

Editorial comments on OPTIMA

It is clear that many MINI folks are picking up these discussions and buying OPTIMA as their replacment battery. I'm not saying that's bad. I buy OPTIMA for some of my cars and I'll tell you why I do, and why I don't.

- OPTIMA costs more than most so don't buy it unless you 'need' to.

- I put OPTIMA in my classic, and many people with collector or show cars can be found to have OPTIMA (just look at car shows). I believe this happens for two reasons: a) OPTIMA in my experience does hold a charge very very well and for occasionally driven cars like my 79 they work well. b) being a 'dry' battery - they don't/can't leak. Folks with collector cars do not want to even IMAGINE leaking battery fluid on their baby.
(OPTIMA claims you could mount the battery up side down and it will not leak - ever; it is a gelcell battery composed of multiple seperate gelcells molded into one case)
- OPTIMA has their red top - a "standard battery" and the Yellow Top what's called a deep cycle battery. If you have accessories that can routinely run your battery WAY DOWN then you want a deep drain battery and maybe the yellow is for you. I'm sure other battery makers also have deep drain batteries but OPT' is what I'm familiar with. Folks with those booming sound systems want these cuz they can drain the battery annoying the neighborhood - I mean entertaining the 'hood - running sound with the engine off. A car battery generally does not like being drained 'way down' and the deep cycle battery adjusts for that.

I don't use OPTIMA in my daily drivers, my daily drivers meet none of the reasons mentioned above. I use a red top in my 79.

I'll add also, before some else does, that there are some out here that believe the OPTIMA line has been compromised and they are today total junk. It has been reported that OPTIMA is no longer making their battery in the US but has outsourced to Mexico and therefore the product must be considered no good anymore.

I make no judgement along those lines - but did buy a replacement red top for my 79 6 months ago . . .

************

P.S. a Justafication

I most certainly do not consider "Justa" to be a derogitory remark.

At car shows my 79 has a sign in front that says

 

I hear what you are saying & you make some good points. Living in FL cold staring is not as important to you as it is to us who have to crank a car over on a -1 morning. The 800 cca is a definite plus for me. All of our cars have Optima red top starting batteries in them. They have been wonderful, no battery worries ever.

 

That is true - the company that took over Optima uses many cheaper shortcuts now - and moved production south of the border. And is why I now buy my AGM batteries from Deka or Odyssey (Sears Platinum DieHard).

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ns-for-mc.html

I will say I have NEVER had to replace a USA made Optima battery. They have outlasted the vehicles! I have heard of them lasting 9 years. The one in the kid's Mazda 3 must be 7 years old.

Any chance the OEM batteries in a MINI are AGM? If so, I would stay OEM.

 

I baited the hook and had a personal bet as to how long it would take for someone to bite.

Yes I live in FL now - for the last 3 years. Before that I saw snow routinely. Chicago, Conneticut, Central Indiana, (Kodiak Alaska but I didn't take MY cars up there) even San Fran was hard on batteries - and don't discount the bad things heat does to batteries in Fl and Arizona and other places.

But you don't need an OPTIMA to get those cold cranking amps .... you just need to pay for a GOOD battery. OPTIMA is one, there are others. If you buy OPTIMA you also pay for the gelcell (or more) which may not be necessary.

I like 'em - I use 'em - but get your best price for a GOOD battery. IMHO OPTIMA does not crank better or in the short term hold a charge better, even cold. Their advantage in cranking is in long term (maybe) - which GOOD batteries can match, and leak resistance, which in my 79 is paramount.

Gotcha

 

It was $140 this week at Advance Auto Parts. Buy online and picked up locally was the way I got mine.

Rich

 

Thanks!

How are exide batteries?

 

Exide was the OEM Battery provided on my June 2002 S. Just tossed in the towel at close to 10 years and 80k miles. Still working but won't hold a charge more than 24 hours. Now using NAM to research the replacement.

 

The Optima 34R is still a great battery. Unfortunately the prices seem to have gone up considerably lately so I would look around for a good deal if I could.

But I see that your are dead in the water. That always limits choices.

Rich

PS-Around here Autozone for some reason stocks the 34r.
PSS-I also saw this link for a great deal if you have the time.

 

Optima batteries, unfortunately, are now being made in Mexico. They also aren't using virgin lead, they are using recycled lead. Unfortunately their quality went down. I have easily had 12 Optimas for both main batteries and auxiliary batteries for stereo and such. The current models made in Mexico fail much more quickly. I did find a good alternative though. The Sears AGM batteries are essentially Deka Intimidators. I put this battery in my 08 MCS and have been more than pleased.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...1&blockType=G1

 

Thanks for the link, Rich.
My OEM is still running strong, but after 8+ years, I'm waiting for it to go toes up. Might jump on that deal, as it's less than half what my local store wants for one.

 

I have looked at the Optima batteries but just can't get by the cost. I haven't had to deal with the battery in my MCS yet since the previous owner replaced it right before I bought it 2-1/2 years ago. BUT, in regards to past dealings with standard wet cell batteries I can't get myself to make the jump to the Optima batteries. My daily driver for years was a '98 Buick Regal that has now been passed down to my son in college. I replaced the OEM battery in it after 7 years and now have 7 years on the replacement which is showing no signs of failure yet and I live in upstate NY so it sees cold winters. As for occasionally driven vehicles, I just had to replace the battery in my '36 Chevy street rod this year. The battery that failed was almost 10 years old. With this kind of life from batteries that cost $90-$100 I can't justify paying $150-$200 for an Optima.