Hi I'm new to the Mini world, I had to get my car battery replaced just want to know why the Dealer got me for 400+ they claim it has to be program to the car,I've replaced my own before it's easy to do I need help understanding their reasoning

 

They simply stuck it to you.
I just had my battery replaced, it was under warranty so no charge but
they didn't reprogram everything because my gate/garage opener still worked.

 

I'm still sick about it

 

I just replaced my battery with a Durlast gold battery from Autozone. $165. No reprogramming needed as all works fine. They tell you it needs a reprogram for $110, but only a money scheme.

 

that will be the First and Last time, they didn't even offer a discount

 

I changed the battery on my R57 myself. The programming part might be "turn the car on and make sure it starts"...

 

Some MINI's have what is called an INTELLIGENT BATTERY SENSOR. MINI claims that such cars need to be reprogrammed when a new battery is put in. Find out if you have such a setup in your car. My guess is that you do. I do not understand the reason for the reprogramming.
I have been fortunate in that none of my MINI' s have ever had IBS. My battery changes have been very simple.

 

According to this post "If your car has one it is part of the negative cable on the battery. It will be a box inline to the negative cable right next to the neg terminal post mount."

 

Yes I still can't Believe,my car came with the intelligent battery sensor they claim if you install a regular battery and you do not reprogram it it will shorten the life of a battery, and may cause other component damage I pick the car up today a complaint to the dealer they gave me a break discount made me a little happier

 

I'm enjoying my Mini ...but the dealer/service tends to sell sell sell and they are not money shy. My battery is due for replacing and I considered the dealer. I see that the battery cover is not hard to remove so I might DIY. What are the best batteries to use. I can buy a Mini OEM or an InterState or Optima. I'll take suggestions. I also want to replace the battery cover as the flap broke on the hinge portion. Where can I get that. As far as reprograming...I disconnected the battery each season when it was stored. The biggest PITA was resetting the clock. Otherwise no big deal. Dealer not needed to restore anything. Thanks. Frank

 

Hey Frank. Go online, and research which group battery your MINI requires. When you know, go to Walmart and find the correct one. Check the manufacture date, so as not to get one that has been sitting on the shelf for too long. Buy it, and put it in. Very easy.

 

If you are replacing your battery with a new one having all the same properties (i.e. CCA, etc) then no "registering" of the battery to the car's computer is required. If, however, you are replacing your battery with one having different characteristics, you need to have the dealer register the new battery. I am replacing my 2010 r57 battery with an Interstate AGM battery with significantly different (higher CCA) and I will have the dealer register this battery. The dealer wanted $349 for the same replacement including registering. They charge $60 for just the registration.

 

Please explain registering. And what happens if registering is omitted. Thanks again. Frank

 

It seems we really live in a computer controlled world: Registration Explained

 

Thanks Gary for the Info, I'll try that next time....