1st Gen R50 Cooper Most liked posts in thread: Need a new battery

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  1. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    #2 goaljnky, Jan 8, 2010
    I had the same issue. Ones that were supposed to fit, didn't without having to hack the battery box. I think the problem is that the manufacturers don't differentiate between the S and Non-S models. A little more room in the boot hole (oh no I didn't say that). Anyway, a friend was able to hook me up with an OEM one for $100. Thanks, Danny.
     
  2. lotsie

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    #3 lotsie, Jan 8, 2010
    Yeah, you go to a site, plug in all the data, year/make/model, and it says it goes in the trunk. Poco don't have no trunk, he gots a boot, and there ain't no battery in his boot:mad2:

    Sears says theirs fits. Optima says theirs fit, but in the trunk:rolleyes5:

    7 years with the old one makes me think that OEM may be the way to go.

    Mark
     
  3. Ernesto

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    #4 Ernesto, Jan 8, 2010
    I've got a 2002 Cooper.
    I bought my battery from the dealer 1 year ago after mine died at work (blocked the security exit gate when it went, but they had a portable jumper handy).

    I know there are fitment problems for the non-S, so the dealership was easiest for me..

    It was about $130 with a club discount. They wanted to charge $50 or so to install it, so I brought it home and did it in about 10 minutes. Not difficult, only requires fingertips of steel to lift it out of the battery box due to close fitment (and it is really easy to break the plastic tabs holding the box top).

    Be sure to properly re-attach the drain hose.
     
  4. Ofioliti

    Ofioliti New Member

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    #5 Ofioliti, Jan 8, 2010
    Pardon my ignorance ... what's the drain hose for? :eek:
     
  5. Ernesto

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    #6 Ernesto, Jan 8, 2010
  6. Ofioliti

    Ofioliti New Member

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    #7 Ofioliti, Jan 8, 2010
    Ah, OK! Thanks for the tips.
     
  7. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #8 Steve, Jan 9, 2010
    The battery in my '02 died after about a year and a half. It was DEAD; wouldn't take any charge at all, so I couldn't drive the car to the dealer. I didn't feel like having the car towed 50 miles because of the battery -- the dealer's requirement -- and I used that "lively" conversation (argument) as my justification (excuse) to give up early on the warranty so I could start more extensive modding.

    I brought home a battery from AutoZone that was supposed to fit...it didn't. Tried one from Walmart...same problem. At that point I did some research and learned that finding a battery to fit properly in an MC is not a small challenge. I eventually tired of the search and settled on a Bosch battery I found at Pep Boys. It's too short (needs a spacer under it), the bracket doesn't fit (had to modify a universal...very ugly), and the vent tube location is wrong (requires careful routing), but at least it fits in the stock battery box with the lid on properly...unlike the other "perfect fit" batteries I tried. It's also still cranks hard in cold weather something like five years later.

    Don't buy anything you can't return if it doesn't fit. I think most sellers just go by the battery type group number to find you a fit. FWIW, I think the group type for the MC is 47. Unfortunately that's not worth much since not all batteries that qualify for a particular group are exactly the same. They allow for a certain amount of variability in size, post location, etc, but the configuration required to fit properly into the MC box is pretty precise and they won't all fit. If I needed a battery today I would probably try Batteries Plus. They've bent over backwards to find replacement batteries for phones and other devices over the years and they sell automotive batteries. I'd call first to see if they have one that they think will fit and then drive there and let them figure it out.
     
  8. lotsie

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    #9 lotsie, Jan 9, 2010
    Thanks Steve.

    I called Batteries Plus, and the fellow there was helpful. Told me they have a 47 series in stock, but there was a note on it saying it needs some modding to work right, spacer underneath. He said a 90 series should fit better, but would take a week to get one in. Price was right on both, $95 for the 47, $105 for the 90.

    I'm going to just keep the battery tender plugged in till the temps get above freezing here, should be later next week. Then I'm going to take off my front strut bar, I can leave the tower mounts on with mine, then go to Sears and see if the Die Hard fits, they only charge $12 bucks to install it. No charge if it does not work right:Thumbsup:.

    The OEM is made by Excide, but so far I can't find one locally, so I'd have to order one, and if it does not fit, that could just turn into a PIA.

    Even with our club discount, I refuse to give the stealer $180 for one:prrr:

    Mark
     
  9. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #10 Crashton, Jan 9, 2010
    Batteries Plus is a good place & the one here in town has knowledgeable helpful folks.

    FWIW there was a thread on the sewing site that had some good info that will help you on battery fitment. Good luck with the search function there. :yikes:
     
  10. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

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    #11 lotsie, Jan 9, 2010
    I found it, was of some help.

    Mark
     
  11. Ernesto

    Ernesto Club Coordinator

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    #12 Ernesto, Jan 9, 2010
    I agree.. The price I got last year from my dealer was much closer to the non-OEM batteries price so I was OK with it and I was glad to have an exact fit (but I didn't pay for the install).

    My car started fine after an overnight charge on a battery tender (and an increase in temperatures from a little below 0 to near freezing)
     
  12. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #13 Dave.0, Jan 12, 2010
    I went with Optima red top in the boot 2+ years and it works perfectly.
     
  13. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #14 Steve, Jan 12, 2010
    I think Optima is one of the brands that doesn't make a good fit for the under-hood box on the Cooper.
     
  14. lotsie

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    #15 lotsie, Jan 12, 2010
    The issue here is finder a battery for a non S. The battery goes up front, in the engine bay, inside a box, and proper fitment is harder to find.

    I have heard good things about the Optima red tops, just not sure they have one that will fit without modding the battery box.

    Mark
     
  15. RonsMinnie

    RonsMinnie New Member
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    #16 RonsMinnie, Jan 12, 2010
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2010
    I think the Optima might fit:

    MINI* dim: Optima dim:
    8 Length 9.38inches
    7.5 Height 7.69inches
    6.75 Width 6.75inches

    *Measured dim.

    There looks to be that 1.38" on the drivers side of battery -- I would make a template and check.
     
  16. lotsie

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    #17 lotsie, Jan 12, 2010
    It's the "might fit" that is the issue. Can't find them locally, so having to ship it back if it does not fit would be a pain.

    Mark
     
  17. RonsMinnie

    RonsMinnie New Member
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    #18 RonsMinnie, Jan 12, 2010
    I think it would be reasonably safe if checked with a template.

    Sam's sells them in my area.
     
  18. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    #19 goaljnky, Jan 12, 2010
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2010
    The problem is that the batteries do fit in the box. And you can even close the lid. But the battery posts end up being too short to connect the negative lead due to it's awkward design without hacking the battery box to pieces.
     
  19. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

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    #20 lotsie, Jan 12, 2010
    Optima battery finder says it fits in the trunk.

    Mark
     
  20. Themajickman

    Themajickman New Member

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    #21 Themajickman, Jan 12, 2010
    Which model Optima red top did you go with?
     
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