Quick update. Debated to go to Greenville to buy the BMW Mine replacement battery or to go to Autozone instead. Since the battery is over 10 years old, the train of thought was the new one will also last ten years. After thinking about it, that may not be the case. Could be different supplier to BMW or the battery surely has changed design over that period of time. Also, reading some notes about warranty problems with the MINI battery, I bought the Duralast at Autozone. It is a little stronger battery but the weight is 29 lbs the same as the MINI battery I replaced. It was a PERFECT fit even with the vent. It has a three year over the counter no charge exchange and a 8 yr prorate so the warranty is much better. We will see what happens over the next ten years. By the way the price was exactly the same.

 

My 02 R53 is still going strong - only issue is when my wife left on the rally lights overnight. But jumped perfectly and no issues since.

 

MCS with build date of July02 original battery still going strong.

 

Original battery from 5/2002 build date still tests good on our battery machine at work

 

My MINI's OE battery gave me 7 years before it decided it didn't want to take a charge. My sister got 7 years out of the battery in her '06 R53 before it crapped out too.

Definitely didn't get the service life some of you have gotten, but I really can't complain about 7 years being that I live in a place with a climate unfriendly to batteries.

On that note - the longest I've ever seen on a OE battery was on a 1992 Chevy K1500 pickup. It lasted 14 years...and we replaced it with another OE battery.

 

How's that 11+ year-old battery doing? Any special maintenance tips to keep it alive for so long? Saw recent activity on this thread, read back over it and, if your battery is still alive, it looks like you win!