I got a new battery charger to keep the OEM battery in our '06 S alive for a little longer, and the unit will charge either lead acid or AGM/Gel cell batteries. Which type is the OEM battery for the R53??? The manual was no help. The charger has a cigarette lighter adapter, which I got to avoid having to actually GET to the battery to hook it up.

Anyone know? Thanks!!!

 

you gots a plain old lead acid battery and it is done . . .

buy a new battery

5 years out of a battery today is a VERY good return.

 

Thanks much, Cap'n! At least the new charger will take care of the NEW battery. Now I just have to choose one. Decisions, decisions.

 

The cigarette lighter is disconnected from the battery when the ignition is in the off position. To charge through the cigarette lighter, you'll have to turn the key at least to the first click.

 

The oem is a flooded acid lead battery....
Many battery tenders have a simple lead/plug system that you can leave connected to the battery...and just connect it when parked. Much better than attempting to backfeed power...

 

PS
Getting to the mini's battery is simple....much simpler than some cars that require a tire be removed...just lift up the trunk liner...and it is right there...actually cleaner than an underhood install...less grime.

 

Yeah, but then you have to either run a cord through a window to the back, or leave the boot open. When trickle charging mine, I use the + terminal under the bonnet.

To the OP - why does it matter? I have a 2amp trickle charger and have used in on both my Miata (AGM) and regular lead/acid batteries. Does your charger have an a/b switch depending on type?

 

So much for the cigarette lighter adapter idea. Wouldn't you know that BMW would engineer the thing to preclude using it when the car is off.

The battery charger that I got is Griot's Garage Battery Manager IV. [not sure who actually makes it, but it does resemble the Granite Digital unit.] It does have a switch to go from AGM to lead acid. AGM/Gel is the default setting. I have one of their earlier units that I use for the '87 Mercedes 560SL that I keep in the garage and I've been really happy with it.

The whole thing with our Mini S is that now that my wife is not working, the car will often sit for over a week at a time...maybe two if I get busy and can't take it out for a run.

It is time for a new battery. I'll have to to a search on here to see what the best options are for the R53.

Thanks for all of the feedback....especially the part about how the cigarette lighter receptical is unsuitable for battery charging. THAT alone saved me a lot of grief.

 

One more question: I did a search, but found no DIY on battery replacement. Any tricks to it other than disconnect the old and reconnect the new battery? Thx.

 

Nope. It is just that easy.

 

Battery - Walmart - H6 - $131 - you probably won't beat that!
Take out the old battery & while it's out, clean the cable terminals.
Install the new battery, connect the positive lead first & tighten it, then connect the ground terminal quickly & firmly - once - it's the sparking that fries electronics.

For trickle charging, there might be a lighter plug in the trunk, on the left, high up. I haven't checked, but this might not be switched off with the ignition. Plug something into it & see if it goes off after a few minutes, just like the courtesy light.

 

I have a Gen2, original battery, it sat for weeks at a time last winter, never had a problem starting it.

Just get a good quality battery & it should be fine. The clock doesn't take very much power.