1st Gen R50 Cooper Recs Needed: Aftermarket Car Battery

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by SNEEEZY - Erika, Oct 6, 2011.

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  1. SNEEEZY - Erika

    SNEEEZY - Erika M/A Wrenchin' Babe!
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    #1 SNEEEZY - Erika, Oct 6, 2011
    Thank you SO MUCH to Metalman for helping me via long-distance, especially via PM this evening when Schultze wouldn't start.

    Schultze has a build date of 10/20/06 and has 86K on the clock, so it's probably time to replace the OEM battery.

    I'm looking for recommendations and feedback...ESPECIALLY if you have an aftermarket battery.

    Thanks in advance...time for a hot shower & some hot chocolate with marshmallows!
     
  2. Ernesto

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    #2 Ernesto, Oct 6, 2011
    Probably not much help, but I went with the stock battery from the dealer because aftermarket fitment on some batteries is a bit tricky with the regular Cooper due to the shape of the battery box. It was about $140 or so 3 years ago

    Our MINI club gets a 10% or so discount, and I changed it myself saving a $60 labor charge..
     
  3. lotsie

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    #3 lotsie, Oct 7, 2011
    O'Riely's has one. Fittment is real close, will post more later today, with pictures.

    Mark
     
  4. SNEEEZY - Erika

    SNEEEZY - Erika M/A Wrenchin' Babe!
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    #4 SNEEEZY - Erika, Oct 7, 2011
    Thanks in advance for everyone's input.

    Since I have an R50, are the location of the terminals different from non-R50s?

    I've only seen an R53 battery once and it seemed so much smaller than mine.
     
  5. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    #5 Firebro17, Oct 7, 2011
    Buy an Interstate battery. IMHO it's the biggest bang for your hard-earned-buck. They have exact match batteries for everything on wheels. Take your old battery with you to get the exact match. You'll have ta trade it for the new one anyway for the core, so you might as well save yourself a second trip to the parts store.
     
  6. SNEEEZY - Erika

    SNEEEZY - Erika M/A Wrenchin' Babe!
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    #6 SNEEEZY - Erika, Oct 7, 2011
    Thanks!
     
  7. SNEEEZY - Erika

    SNEEEZY - Erika M/A Wrenchin' Babe!
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    #7 SNEEEZY - Erika, Oct 8, 2011
    Update: So it's been two days since the battery fiasco...ever since that initial jump, I haven't had any problems. Schultze is parked just outside my office window for 9+ hours each day and I haven't had any issue getting the car started.

    Thinking back to Wednesday when I was doing the horn install, I'm pretty sure the issue was caused by me leaving the ignition in the 2nd position for an extended amount of time (doh!), which may have drained the battery just a bit.

    Should I still get a new battery or have it tested?

    I have no problem buying & installing a new battery if I need it, but I'd hate to replace a battery that still has quite a bit of life left in it.
     
  8. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    #8 Metalman, Oct 8, 2011
    You've had a good run with the original battery. It'l have a harder time this winter (if you are in the snow belt). If you don't mind getting stranded some dark night in a lonely parking lot in the middle of a blizzard with roaming gangs of biker trolls searching for disabled MINI's......

    Nah, just get a new one. My $0.02
     
  9. Crashton

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    #9 Crashton, Oct 8, 2011
    ^ Listen to the Metalchuck. He offers good advice. :yesnod:

    I have always done preemptive battery replacements. Yours is due for one too. :yesnod: Since I have arthritis it is easier than me doing this.... :fingerscrossed:
     
  10. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    #10 Firebro17, Oct 8, 2011
    Agreed with the above advice. Better safe than sorry.
     
  11. SNEEEZY - Erika

    SNEEEZY - Erika M/A Wrenchin' Babe!
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    #11 SNEEEZY - Erika, Oct 8, 2011
    $110.00 including tax and I now have a new Interstate MT-47 battery installed.

    Question though...

    The new battery doesn't have a place for me to attach the tubing which was originally attached to the OEM battery; is this going to be a problem? There appears to be an oval vent on the new battery, but the tubing won't reach/fit.
     
  12. Crashton

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    #12 Crashton, Oct 8, 2011
    I've never looked at a justabattery & it's mounting. I'd think that since it is under hood the vent may not be absolutely necessary. I'm not positive about that.
     

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