I know it is not good form to dig up an old thread but..
The battery on my wife's 2004 MC died today. This is the original battery and has been in the car since she purchased it new.

I am just wondering if there is any more recent information on batteries that will fit in this car.
Thanks
Bruce

 

Just got another Deka 647MF a month or so ago which fits fine.
I've updated post 2 on the first page many times as the thread
has progressed, so it's still pretty much up to date.

 

Thank you. Since it has been a while I did not realize the page had been updated.
Appreciate your effort in this matter.
Bruce

 

Hi, Everyone,

I'm looking for the current version, or replacement for the OEM battery listed on page 1. It's discontinued:

OEM MINI Battery 61216920804

Alternately, I'm looking for the replacement for part number 61 21 7 591 081, also an OEM MINI battery, also discontinued.

It's for a 2006 R50.

Thanks!

UPDATE: I think this is the replacement P/N: 61-21-2-353-815. I'll measure it when I order it or can swing by the dealership.

 

Based on the previous posts, I just picked up the EverStart Maxx H5 from WalMart. It fits perfectly and is almost $50 less than AutoZone/Advanced in my area. Paid $119+tax w/core exchange

Thanks for the helpful advice, all!

 

I decided to buy the EverStart Maxx H5, too (see my post above) out of convenience. Getting an OEM was my preference, but the dealership is about an hour away and the price is up to ~$190, so I figured I'd try something new and save some time and money.

However, the point of the post is to say that the OEM might be a better buy overall.

I asked the cashier in the Auto Dept at Walmart how long these typically last and she said 2 years if parking outside and a little longer if kept in a garage. My OEM lasted almost 9 years. I'll be going back to the OEM even if the EverStart makes it to its 5 year warranty, which the cashier said most likely won't happen.

 

in other words

don't buy a cheap *** battery?

I just changed out the 36 month battery in my 79 ..... it was 7 years old! "GTY" for 36 months .......

if the sales person tells you the battery is crap ... IME .. believe them!

 

I addressed that in my post: so we agree. But choosing a battery is not like choosing a spouse: we can course correct.

 

GEN1 has none of the 'register the battery' nonsense of the later GEN

battery replacement is just a matter of getting correct GROUP size, correct 'terminal' type and alignment, as many cold crank amps as you are willing to pay for and ditto for months of warranty. More is better.

most places will have 3 battery in a given group: crappy, middle, and best

recently replaced an 36 month 'best' with same make and size ... it had lasted 7 years

when I bought my 79 it had a 'new battery' which I felt was weak .... took it to the part store and asked for a replacement. They asked if I'd gotten 10 starts out of the 'crap' model? YES ..... "that's more then I'd have guessed!"

nothing special about a battery from the dealer and NOT gonna be best price.

 

Hey folks, my 05 r53 needs a new battery. I'm at 93k and it's the original, so you might say I'm due. Since the original was good for 14 years (!), I would be thrilled if I can replace with the exact same. I got the $290 quote below from miniusaservice.com. The quote includes "all vehicle programing and/or diagnostics required as part of new battery installation" which I would like to ask if anyone knows what exactly this (the programming and diagnostics) entails. Thanks in advance for your insights!


$290Includes Parts and Labor.Price valid through 1/20/2020.

• 61212353815
• 61212353816

Battery Pricing only available at participating MINI Dealers. Offer valid only with printed offer. Price valid through 1/20/2020.

Offer has no cash value. Must be presented at write-up. Applies only to MINI vehicles. Pricing includes parts and labor of selected battery in its category. Pricing includes all vehicle programing and/or diagnostics required as part of new battery installation. Excludes sales tax, $18 core charge if applicable, and other Dealer fees. Depending on vehicle specifications, a battery from a specific tier may be required. Please see your authorized MINI Dealer for details.

 

some newer MINI have a battery monitor system that requires a new battery be 'registered' to tell the system the battery IS new, to reset to NEW settings ....

your 05 doesn't have this so you can save plenty of $ by going to a decent auto part store and getting a GOOD QUALITY battery .....

 

I just go to the junkyard, find something that fits and has a recent in service date sticker, hand the man $30 and I'm done. If I'm lucky I get 4 years out of it. (yes...I know... I'm terrible!)

 

Thanks Capt! I ordered online from Batteries Plus the Duracell Ultra Gold their battery finder tool listed as vehicle-specific for r50/r53. $150 less 20% off on car batteries bought online for store pickup thru 2/28/20 so my total with tax is $130.xx. Will pickup later this morning. Less than half the dealer price.

 

I have no idea what it entails. Just replaced the battery on mine at 55K. Car runs fine. Didn't have to reprogram anything except the dash clock. Even my radio presets were left intact.

 

Perfect fit before reinstalling hold-down bracket. Red terminal cover saved from original battery (no new cover provided).

Confirming the Batteries Plus "SLI47H5M Duracell Ultra Gold BCI Group 47 Car and Truck Battery 647MF" (identifiers listed on receipt) is a perfect fit in my 2005 R53.

The Duracell has two vent holes (left and right) and includes a new L connector for the vent hole to vent tube connection, as well as a plug for the second (unused) vent hole.

I wonder if Duracell took over and rebranded the Rayovac Ray Max on the compatibles list since both use the identifiers SLI47H5M and 647MF. Googling Rayovac turns up only household batteries, no automotive applications.