Sorry if this has already been answered. I've been digging through the posts for two days and haven't seen a definitive answer.

Is there an Optima Red Cap model that fits a 2002 MC?

Some posts seem to say a 35 works, but only on 2003+ models. I called Optima and they said it might, but there was a height warning that might apply to the MINI or it might apply to the other similarly-sized other makes of car. They could not say whether the warning applied to the MINI or the other makes using the same size battery .

What they did say is 1) their website isn't up to date 2) the 75/25 is the replacement for the 35 and 3) it might or might not work. I'm going to go out tomorrow and see if I can get one in the box, but before that I thought I'd ask if anyone has tried installing one of these in an 02 MC?

 

Is there anything that is keeping you from taking a ride to a store that sells the Optima batteries and measuring your current battery and comparing its measurements to the Optimas?

 

I already did. Napa didn't have one in stock nor did Sears. So, I had just returned empty handed, had called Optima without success, and decided to see if anyone online might know.

 

do you have an autozone or pepboys, kragen in your area? i believe
they carry optima's too.

if there is one where you have the same size but the posts are located
on the other, just use a 6" jumper and connect. works great.

personally, on a daily driven car, i would just get a diehard battery.
readily available, and does the work. cheaper too.

 

That's what I ended up doing, but I had to convince Sears to put it in as they don't show any Die Hard as being suitable for the 2002 MC! As far as their documentation goes there is no battery they sell for that year/model. At first they were going to send me to MINI. But they tried and it took nearly an hour for them to get it in cause the securing strap wouldn't fit on to it. They finally figured out that the first step is to attach the cables, then secure it.

The BMW battery, while also a Group 47 size, has its posts nearly 1/2" higher than the Die Hard. That resulted in trying all manner of shims to raise the Die Hard before it was determined that wasn't the issue. At least now all the electrical gremlins have left the car.

 

I've measured a red top next to a factory size battery and the Optima is slighlt smaller except it is about 1/6 in. longer or taller, I forget which. But, the problem I forsee is that the terminals are reversed. If I decide to go the red top route, I'll post it to let ya know.

 

flea- yah, i usually just put in a tray (like a plastic spacer) under the
battery to raise it up a little to make it work if the battery is too short.

it works just fine.