I'm passsing this on to help the community in case you have this problem, which I'm sure many will not because our situation may be a different than yours.

During the winter, when below 20 degrees, I knew the battery was going. The dreaded buzz was occuring and after a lot of years, you just can tell when a battery has had it. But, it was a mild winter, no subzero temps so I waited until a year was up. Time for the first oil change (well actually second, no way was I waiting a year for an oil change).

Yup, sure enough the battery had about had it. Now here is the kicker ... MINI would not replace it under warranty or maintenaince ... the reason being that the car had been driven only 4500 miles in the year and they expect 10,000 miles. Yeah, I argued to no avail, they said MINI USA was quite specific and would not budge.

Yes, I know and have read that they expect this to happen ... too many electronics, too much drain without recharging. Yes, I know about battery tenders but its not like the car sits for months, its my wife daily driver and she only goes maybe 10 miles - 15 miles a day, and then not every day.

BTW it was $125 for new battery and $100 installation. When I argued that I got the "oh they have a huge checklist to go through ....". No biggie. I would rather have a new battery and not have to worry next winter.

Yeah, I know it needs to get out more but its her car (well ours) and so be it, better a happy wife than worry about a few bucks. She wants to keep it forever and so be it (Yes I can take it on weekends but that usually involves hauling stuff from Home Depot and requires the truck). Next one will be MINE ... ALL MINE!

Just passing this on in case it happens to you.

BTW, I was reading elsewhere that the new C6 vettes are having 60% battery problems ... just too many electronics draining them.

 

$100 to install the battery you've got to be kidding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And I've head that this is something typically not covered at all and stock batts, have a long history of dying after one year on the MINI. But $100 to install a battery thats more than an hour for 3 or 4 screws!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

There are electronics in the C6? I thought it was just metal and rubber.

Wow, I didn't know the batteries for the car were that expensive. Are they so special that I couldn't get one from Wal-Mart? Makes the lightweight batteries that much more attractive.

 

METAL? You mean balsa wood, fibreglass, plastic, and rubber?

 

I read posts here now and then that stated the equivalent sized MINI battery is available at COSTCO for around $50.

I know car batteries have "sizes" correct? Or some sorta code that denotes its size... does anyone know what that would be for an exact OEM replacement... and are the MINI and MINI Cooper S batteries the same (just in different locations)?

Thanks for the info, as I'd rather be prepared so when the battery does go...My MINI will be exactly 3 years "old" on June 5...car is driven about 40 miles per day, everyday...battery has been fine...knock on leatherette...MINI is garaged year-round, so maybe that has something to do with the longevity of the battery....and I've had a LOUD buzzing from the center speedo area from day one...when the key is in accessory position and the radio is off, it's very loud, just a constant, consistent "electric" hum.

rock on,

-boognish

 

my MCS sees max 7000miles a year...im at about 20k after 3 years.

during the winter i put the car on a charger at 2A for 6-8hours every
3 weeks. the battery drains pretty quickly vs my other car...my other
car which is driven maybe less than the MCS shows very little sign of
drain after 4 weeks.

You should invest in a Optima yellow top (deep cycle) battery from
Autozone. Installation is very easy to do...plus i think autozone does it
for free. You may or may not need a jumper wire, so check on the
position of the battery terminals and how long your battery cables are.

im expecting my factory battery to die within the next 15 months even
though it has been charged often. i have a battery already ready to go
in my garage for it.

 

I looked up sears ... No MINI battery. Also Optima had none in the right size. I have read ppl buying from Costo buy having to trim something in the battery compartment. Forget about it. I want Plug and Play. I really dont get it because EVERY time for many years I need a new battery, just go to serious get a new diehard, and yes unhook the old and plug in the new.

Cooper batteries are under the bonnet, MCS in the boot.

 

Do you know the exact model because Optima lists nothing for MINIs?

 

not sure off hand... but i usually make things fit so might not be for you.

 

I'm in Honolulu, I have optima red top from costco ($105 in Hawaii) in my MCS that fits perfectly believe optima # is 75-35 or 75-135. Its the only red top they sell in Honolulu and fits group 47 size. Prior to red top I had costco battery that also fit perfectly ($45)- which i returned when they got Optima. I posted the costco # previously on NAM so anyone interested in Coscto part # use search.