a friend of mine has a mini cooper and her battery went dead recently. she had the car brought to her dealership and they replaced the battery under warrantee, but told her it is typical that the battery dies because the car has so many electrical components.

i did a search in here for "dead battery" and got a whole lot of results (i'm just too lazy to go through them all). is this typical or is the service dept just full of it?

 

2002 'S w/ 36,000 & original batttery going strong

car lives outside summer and winter

 

My battery died a couple of weeks ago. Since the car had 48,000 miles on it and all batteries die at some point, I just assumed this was typical.

 

Not typical for any modern car. If everything's turned off when you exit the car, a good battery in a new MINI should stay charged for weeks.

Maybe she's got an electrical problemo???

 

My MCSC (delivered on 11-20-04 and currently w/ 6,000 miles) died a few weeks ago. There was no power at all. We got to the boot from inside because the was not enough juice to open it automatically.
We jump started with the other MINI and now is OK (need to reset the computer including the NAV that is missing major cities ).
A few mornings earlier had a funny start.. almost died but never did and then run OK.
On the 8th I will take her in and see what they find.

Never had a problem with my 2003 MCS.

I love my Cabrio but some how it seems to be more delicate than my first one.

MD STREGA2

 

lastrega, this is my first Mini, MCSC. We haven't yet received delivery but I've heard nothing but good things from other owners. Are there specific ways in which your Streghina is more delicate, or is it just a mood of hers? I'd appreciate any thoughts. Thanks for your time. See ya on the motorway! Racer X

 

I thought my battery was dying on my 03 when I tried charging it
from the front battery terminal and my charger gave an error
message. But a member here suggested I connect the charger
direct and it charged up fine. The battery was never that low
where it would affect starting the car...was just doing routine
maintenance in the winter while my cars is stored.

17.5k miles, 6/03 build, rarely driven during the week. no issues. :smile:

 

Just a tip for those of you who whose battery is getting old, try Costco.

Years ago, having observed that most if not all BMW products use an oddball battery size, avaliable only though, guess who, BMW, I vowed to find a substiute.

So, for the MC (I do not know about the MCS) I use Costco's sku #12850. The ground cable slot on the firewall side of the plastic battery box needs 5 minutes with a round file to elongate the slot. The positive terminal clamp neck needs to be bent. Besure not to use the battery terminal to support the clamp when you bend. The rubber bezel around the positive terminal clamp needs to be trimmed. This takes a total of 20 minutes.

The results. Perfect fit (you cannot tell without inspection), excellent product quality, wide availability, $47.99 and you put one over on the kraut marketing wizzards that purposely designed special battery that you can only buy from BMW/Mini at an inflated price.

 

Just how much does the BMW/MINI battery cost from the dealer?

 

Definitely! Costco is the best. And remember the two garuntees from costco.
1. At any time if you're unhappy with your membership, they'll give you a total refund.
2. If you are dissatisfied with any product for any reason, return it for a full refund.

 

My personal experience with all the new cars I've owned (4 since I began driving in 1986) is that at about the 36-month mark, the OEM battery dies... from "old" age I guess. Maybe it's just my luck. But I've also noticed that I've never had to install a third new battery in any of my cars... meaning the second "non-OEM" battery usually outlasts the life of the car... but I don't skimp with the replacement battery...usually I'll go for a 60 or 72-month warrantied battery... why not pay a little extra up front for the "luxury" of not having to ever replace the battery again?

Rock on,

-MB

PS- 31,000 miles on my 2003 MC (May 03 build) battery still going strong. I'm thinking next year at this time it will need replacing... we'll see.

 

First congratulations on your soon to be MINI.

The Cabrio is OK but I had already a few annoying problems that I didi not experienced during the 1 yr and half with my first Little One.

This Little One was the unfortunate one that had the rear window shattered (apparently a problem with the defroster), she squeaks badly (rear) they fixed the front noise,... top down and loud music helps but it's not the solution, the boot doesn't close tight unless I slam the door shut, the gas mileage is lower than the '03.

My husband, who has a convertible but MC, has no problems at all and is close to his first 10 K service.

I am a little annoyed but I love my MINI and you'll do the same...

Try to make to the Dragon next year, then you will see how nice the car is.
Be safe and Happy Motoring ..


MD STREGA2

 

I did not bother to check due to being shocked so many times before, but I will bet that it is over $100. My most recent prior experience was for a 99 528. The BMW price was $165 and Costco was $54.

Saving $50 or so is ok, but my thought is more of the principle. BMW wants you to have to go to them for everything, but your car does not know a BMW volt from a Costco volt, so when I buy something, I am voting for that product and like wise, when I do not buy, I am voting against. It is my way of telling BMW to cut out the bs

Let me get off the soap box here.

 

I have been having an issue where when I start the car it will almost die and then run okay. But, my service engine soon light has been coming on and going off. I have already taken it in once but I was told nothing was wrong. Do you think the battery could be the problem? I am taking it in again in a couple of weeks. The loght comes on and then will go off for a while and then come back on half way through a 30min trip. Has anybody had that problem with the 05 MCS? Thanks

 

2003 MC, build date 01/03, 57,000 miles, just passed Inspection II with no problems anywhere and OE battery. I turn everything off before exiting the MINI especially the radio/CD. When battery goes, I'll spend the money for one that will last ... Couldn't be happier w/ JoeGreen ... we're ready to go around Lake MI w/ a MOG from Chicago and then on to the Pacific NW/back in September. Motor ON!