Several members have posted that they replaced the battery in their MCS with an Interstate MT-47. This battery is the right size (9.625" x 6.875" x 7") but the connection point for the vent tube is on the front between the terminals rather than on the back right-hand side of the case. Supposedly there is a vent tube adapter.

Can anyone post a picture of this battery installed in their MCS?

Thanks

 

I took a trip to the Interstate Battery Distributor in Burlingame to see if I could get answers to my questions.

I ended up getting a VW/Audi OEM replacement battery which is a "perfect" match dimension-wise (242mm x 175mm x 190mm) to the stock battery and has the vent tube hole in the same place:

The battery is made by VARTA a European subsidiary of Johnson Controls Inc. The original battery labels were removed and replaced with a generic ones because the battery is really only meant to be sold to VW/Audi dealerships.

The battery is rated at 540 CCA and 61 Ah and you can see where it fits in the hierarchy of VARTA aftermarket batteries recommended for the MINI:

Warranty: 2 year free replacement / 75 month pro-rated thereafter

$111.44 installed

 

To get that Interstate to work, you need to get their vent tube adapter. Unfortunately, a lot of Interstate dealers don't know about it. I talked to a regional service guy who had no idea that they made a vent tube for BMW's. It should be a $2.00 part. I ended up getting an Optima.

 

The Interstate MT-47 is also a little (1/2") shorter than the stock battery, which apparently causes some fitment issues in the MC.

The Interstate distributor quoted me $1.50 for the vent tube adapter but the VARTA battery I bought didn't need it.

 

My MC is 4 so I thought it was time for a battery. I had one ordered through the shop that takes care of the car. They said they deal with Interstate. The battery they put in is an H5. I saw it before the cover was replaced and it looked and fit just like the original (except the top of the battery is a different color).
I went to the Interstate battery site and couldn't find an H5. I found the MT47, which is mentioned in numerous posts as being somewhat too short/not original. I see the Duralast H5-DLG mentioned as being a perfect fit.
So. I know I have an H5. I think maybe it's a Duralast (Autozone).
If it gives good service I'll be happy.
$165 installed in western Montana.

 

Seems like this is the thread with the best photo and other details regarding the MCS, so here is my story. I drove my MCS to the local Interstate warehouse and they had 3 choices in the exact battery size. The Interstate tech informed me that they have the national contract for all the Mini dealers. Makes sense since their parent company also owns Varta, the OEM supplier. Anyway I ponied up for the MTP-47 battery rated for 60Ah with 30 month full and 6 year prorated warranty because it was the longest they had available. (One alternative was the H5-52VW iirc rated at 52Ah with 5 year warranty.) There was no extra charge for installation, no adapters were required, and they even had an auxiliary battery unit to plug into the on-board diagnostics port that powers the 12V buss while the repair is underway. This has the much appreciated effect of saving all the settings of the radio, clock, etc. Well worth the $136. I am a happy camper.

 

I tried to purchase an Interstate MTP-47/H5 battery but the Distributor (Ventura CA) told me it was discontinued and the Interstate MT-47/H5 Mega-Tron II was now the replacement. I ended up buying one from the Firestone Auto Care Store in Oxnard because they were cheaper than the Distributor ($109.99 versus $131.95).

This battery was the same size as the battery (see above) I was replacing and had the vent tube connection in the correct location. Rated at 810 CA, 650 CCA and 53 aH capacity. Warranty of 2 year free replacement, 45% off SRP in year 3, 25% off SRP in year 4 and 10% off SRP in year 5.