Well first problem since owning my mini. Bought it used and it an 03.

I go out to the ol mini and push the unlock button on the key and nothing. GREAT im thinking. Manually unlock the door and hit the interior unlock button and nothing. GREAT im thinking. I put the key in the ignition and give her a turn and nothing. GREAT im thinking.

Baffled since I drove it last night with no problems and this morning ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

So it is new battery time, Any suggestions

 

The guy at AutoZone who's been there a long, long time said you can buy their $39 battery or their $89 baterry and they both, on average, will last about four years.

From experience the best battery I ever had was a Motorcraft one on my wife's 96 Lincoln. It lasted over eight years and I recently replaced it with another Motocraft battery....for $69.95.

Your battery, (if that's the problem), should still be under some kind of warranty. You need to check that out along with insuring it's the battery and not a charging system failure or something as simple as a loose battery connection before you buy a new battery.

 

the little sight glass on the top of the battery is black.

And according to the bentley manual when I fire up the mini with a new battery if there is a battery light and the ecm light lets you know that the alternator is going south but we will see when i get a new battery in there.

 

Black is discharged; doesn't tell you why. Try charging it up first. If the warranty is prorated I wouldn't bother with another factory battery. I have a half dozen Optima batteries, some over 10 years old. Might fit: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=51115

Or you could go lightweight with the Braille: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=43603

 

Optima yellow tops are the best, period. :smile:

 

The one on the left

 

OK, I admit they aren't always correct IMO, but I read a Consumer Reports test that said the Optima was middle of the pack performance wise but top of the list price wise.

How did you conclude that it's the best.....period.?

 

mine runs on AAA's.


im still on factory 03 battery. the last time I checked (during my subwoofer
install) the indicator was a nice GREEN and voltage was very good.

 

Well the reason my battery went bad is because the coolant fan ran all night long and I didnt know it. SO I now have to go to the dealer to get the fan issue fixed which luckily I have 6000 miles left on my warrenty. I ll call them on monday and see how this goes.

Does anyone know how to prevent this problem in the future I have read other people who have had the fan stay on as well.

I replaced it with a die hard battery have had them in everycar I ever had and never had a problem so go with what you know right.

International battery group 47(made for euro cars)exactly same dimensions except it is alittle short folded a rag to help hold it down, although the base is the same so there is direct contact between the clamp and the battery.

I know the warrenty covered the battery but I was in a tight spot and wanted a battery right away.

 

The thing that makes the Optima batteries so good is the construction. Totally sealed, and takes a beating like no others. If you have a high compression motor without a gear reduction starter, you need some serious CCAs. If it's a V8 with solid motor mounts, you need some serious vibration immunity. So there goes almost all conventional lead-acid batteries.
When I'm not hacking on my car, I run the Braille, as it's only 13.5 lbs or so, but it doesn't have the capacity to keep the car on in the driveway if you're tinkering. When I'm in tinkering mode, I put the stock back in, but boy is it heavy! I run the optima in my Mustang.

Matt

 

Are you saying you installed a DIehard? It fits perfect or not? Where is it "a little short". You got a rag holding it down? I'm just trying to picture this. Sears says it has a battery for 2003s but not for any other year???

 

Yes I installed a diehard battery. In my 2003 mini S. When I called them they said they had NO battery for it and have never had a battery for a mini cooper s. So I proved them wrong. Group 47 of the international series line up, this battery has 590 cca and the book says it needs to have 460 cca to works.

The battery base and length dimensions are fine the post placement is good the only difference is that it is not as tall.

So picture the battery bracket that holds the battery in place being to tall to touch the top of the battery, but the base of the battery is the same as the base of the the stock battery so the base of the battery is held in by the battery bracket. But I did not feel comfortable with only the base being tightened down(the factory battery bracket holds the battery down in 2 points, a lip on the base of the battery and accross the top of the battry). So I folded a rag a few times and placed it on top of the battery where the bracket goes over the battery. Now the bracket holds the battery in nice and snug by the lip on the bottom of the battery and accross the top.

I wish I had a digital camera to take a pic.....

 

Does the Optima fit in the battery box?

I've used them since they came out for my Land Rover and they are awesome.

 

Because of several reasons:

1) They can handle large loads. I had all sorts of power problems with the custom stereo in my Mustang before I switched to an Optima. Problem solved.
2) They are extremely durable. You can install them upside down if you want! The fact they use an acidic gel instead of a liquid makes a huge difference in their durability.
3) The damn things last forever. OK, not forever, but much longer than most other batteries.

Yes, they are expensive, but I wouldn't go with less. The yellow top is the best overall, because it can take a beating electrically. You can drain it ALL the way down, charge it up again, and keep using it. Not many batteries can handle that (it's called a "deep cycle"). The red top has a little higher amperage, but can't handle the same abuse.

The problem with Consumer Reports is just that - "Consumer". They are reviewing and target at average consumer use. Maybe you consider yourself in that category, but I tend to demand better than most people ask for, and I'm willing to pay extra for it. Let's just say that I rarely agree 100% with CR's reviews... although I will pay attention to a really BAD review from them. :smile:

 

--Hey Edge, what model optima battery do you use for your Mini? When I went to the optima web site they let you select Mini but didn't have anything newer than 2004 and for the Cooper only. If you happen to have the part number or model number of the battery you're using for your Mini I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

--pyratio

 

Pyratio,

I don't yet use an Optima in my MINI, I haven't needed to replace the battery yet. But when I do, you can be darn sure it will be an Optima. :smile: I believe others have already done it though, hopefully they will shed more light on the question. My experience with Optimas is only in my Mustang so far, and as you can see, it was very positive!