I'm probably on borrowed time here, 06 S that lives in Texas, heat is not kind to batteries. I want to be proactive and make a change very soon and I've looked at options, just not sure what fits correctly besides the OEM from MINI. Far be it from me to go OEM if there is a better alternative. I've thought about going with a Braille B14115 and in fact purchased the Carbon Fiber version a few years ago but never installed it. Ended up giving it to a friend. My concern is that it will not last. am I off base here? Other options look to be an Optima Red or Yellow Top 34R. I don't have a larger than normal electrical load on the car so the Yellow Top is pretty much overkill for my needs, not that overkill has stopped me before. So what does the collective brain trust think? What would you use and why? Keep in mind there is like no winter here, the car is garaged and it gets HOT in the summer.
My car is an 05 and I put a battery charger on it once a year to top off the charge. Climate here in Vancouver varies a bit more than in Texas. We had 2 weeks of record breaking hot temps this summer and record cold temps last winter. I am rather pleased with the original battery so far. I may just go to my MINI dealer and get another one. One thing about being in a car club is you can ask your MINI dealer for discounts and they usually oblige with a 10 to 20% discount on parts. I have heard good things about Optima batteries. However, getting one that fits exactly right might be an issue. I tried to put one that claimed to fit in one of my other cars and it turned out to be taller than stock and I wasn't able to close the hood. So that is my only experience with them in the past. This may not be an issue with MINIs.
No experience yet as it's an 06, but guess I'd better start thinking too. I tend to go the route of beken on this on though.
Hey Nathan, thanks for starting my thread. So yeah, what is the consensus on the available battery options?
My '05 MCS just started to sound a little tasked at start-up so I went with the Optima Red Top. Fit fine in the factory spot and being AGS no vent tube needed. I did have to stretch the Positive cable a bit due to the larger size but nothing to worry about. Nice to know I've got more CCA's for the season changes even here in the moderate bay area.
Never buy Braille it's just a rebadged Dekka with a higher price point. And yes the little SLAs don't last as long as a standard battery. 2 years +, maybe... the 34R is available from my blog, Dr Obnxs' Musings, via Amazon. The aStore makes about 4% on the sale... I've had a Red Top in the car for quite a while. It's a good battery. If you have to save money, standard designs are cheaper. The Optimas take vibration better. Small SLAs are the lightest way to go. Matt
Optima Nathan...... That's what my Ford Expedition will get when the battery goes. They are supposed to handle vibrations better with their coiled technology than regular plate technology batteries. I hope they come out with one that fits the R56, but with MINI volumes they probably won't.
Generally you shop for a battery by how it is going to be used. The total amp draw how many times you are going to start it and under what condition etc. The charts by suppliers clearly give you something to guide your decision. I always recommend to buy a inexpensive solar panel and mount it on the roof of your house or garage and when ever you park the battery carrier i.e. MINI plug it in. It will help maintain the charge as well as discourage corrosion on vital area's like ignition coils. Good battery maintenance will preserve a battery. My 7+ year old factory battery was good the day I changed to the tiny one last year.
The HOA would have 3 cows and fine me till those same 3 came home if I dared to place a solar panel anyplace on the property.
Now I see why your MINI is always parked in the garage. :lol: The panel can be placed anywhere accessed to sunlight. And I think even in your state and under HOA guidelines SPs are acceptable something having to do with energy conservation? Maybe not? There are small one that plug into the accessory outlet but are rated very small. I have one i the Explorer when I park I toss up on the dash.
34R here for 2 yrs and no issues. No need for a battery tender as I actually drive my car around every once in while......
I had my OEM battery for 7 years, and almost 110K miles. This is in a Cooper, so battery options are more limited, unless you want to butcher/mod the battery box. I got an almost identical fitting battery from O'reily's for about $90, and then they knocked off another $12 for the old one. Dealer wants over $200:rolleyes5:. I have a tender hooked up to it, as back in the north of 49 days the car lived in -40F winters. Mark
I went to my local battery company (not a national brand like Interstate) and got one that fit perfectly, had the vent pipe and was 50% higher in CCA for $65 for my '03 JCW. I'm not cheap, I just like a good value.... Since my car gets driven 40 miles on the highway every day, I don't worry about a battery tender for it. I think it comes down to what you want out of it. You don't have cold to deal with but you do have heat - I think I'd opt for a gel battery so you never have to worry about it getting low on water, since they're such a pain to get to in an R53, and aren't they also lighter? Optima Red Top is expensive, but will probably be the last battery you buy for your car unless you intend to keep it forever.....