After leaving my mini sit for about 3 weeks the battery is dead. I will start after being on the charger for about 15 mins, but after turn off and sitting for 10 mins it will not crank. I will get a new battery and was wondering about just a simple off-the-shelf battery from local auto parts store.
Can't I get the same cranking amp and cca for a replacement?
I do see some talking here about the computer needs to be 'reset' or calibrated for the new battery.

Can someone please explain why a more economical battery will not or will work? Seems a battery with the same specks will work.

Thanks

 

 

the 'tell the computer about the new battery' does not apply to GEN1

just get the same 'group' (which relates to the physical size of the battery) and as many CCA (cold cranking amps) as you can afford ... note group size is what matters to ensure it FITS and CCA matters so that it has enuf umph. Don't get less CCA but more tends to just mean a better battery! For most, if the group is correct the pole placement should be also but SOMETIMES it is not and some battery will offer Group X and Group XR meaning same size but poles reversed. Optima used to be like this.

 

Yep just get the right size and pop it in. Older MINIs did not have that.

R50/R52 Cooper : https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ns-for-mc.html

R53/R52 Cooper S https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...s-for-mcs.html

 

Thanks everybody!

 

10 or 15 minutes isn't enough to get a decent charge into a battery, although it shouldn't go dead in three weeks either.
I'd get it well charged on a long run & then tested - it may not be beyond help.

 

 

Welcome and agree I have my r52 on a trickle charger right now but when I tried to save batteries in the past i got the big charger and slowly charged it for like half a day. If it still does not work the battery is gone.