Have a '09S Clubman; coming up on 4 years of ownership, 28K mi, garage kept.

What is the expected battery life in MINIs? Can they be replaced at places like AutoZone?
TIA

 

Some factory batteries have lasted 7+ years. Yes you can get it at almost any parts stores. Just shop around. I would IMO not replace it until you start noticing issues with it.

 

Check this out
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...tery-last.html

 

I got 3+ years out of mine then it started acting funny, slow turning over and other oddball voltage related things. Replaced it with an Optima, all the problems are gone. I called the dealer when it started acting up and they stated "they could replace it under warranty unless it "tested" bad. Battery tested "ok" at local parts store but was definitely on it's way out. So I shelled out of pocket to replace it and saved the hassle of driving 1.5 hours to the dealer to be told it's testing fine and sorry we can't replace it under the "prorated" warranty.

 

Thanks all.

I took Fubbsy in late last week for an oil change and mentioned that the battery is approaching four years old. Without my asking, the SA had them check the battery CCA - down about one third; they charged it. He told me to keep an eye out for oddball electrical signs and bring it back for a replacement as soon as I saw them. After I bought the car, I negotiated very reasonable extended warranties with Crown MINI which take effect early next month on Fubbsy's 4th birthday.

KUDOs to Crown MINI of Richmond, VA. I've received absolutely outstanding, high quality service department since I first took the car there.

 

The second battery on my 25k mile '09 clubby has been giving me problems so I bought a battery tender to keep the battery charged. SA says I do not drive the car enough and they recommended I get a charger. The battery itself is nothing special, it is a standard size and available at any parts store. Replacement involves removing the windshield wipers and then removing the large plastic cover at the base of the windshield just so you can access the thing

 

just one data point:

I'm still on the original battery in my 07-S altho typically I've replaced battery at 5 years as a rule. I'm kinda in the 'Seinfeld episode' mode of seeing just how long I can push this . . . (keeping AAA card and jumper cables handy)

{battery in wife's FIT died 5 years to the month from when we bought the car!}

I seldom drive more than 60 miles in a week; all my driving is short trips, typically under 10 miles a day (retired), with maybe once a month trips of an hour out and an hour back. My 07 is still under 50,000 miles SOOOOO I throw the b.s. flag to dealers who say the battery needs longer drives to stay healthy. When I've bought a GOOD 60 month battery and it died in 36 months they've never asked me how far I drive each day . . . My 79 will sit for 2 or 3 weeks at a pop and start well every time, but this IS a case where I replace the battery at 5 years and use GOOD ones.

 

4 winters and 5 summers so far, and no problems yet with my battery. Starts up like a champ.

 

I typically have batteries last around 4 years before they go bad. The mini battery can be replaced by a "generic" battery at autozone/pep boys/sears/etc provided you get the battery correctly sized for the car. They'll have a fitment guide they can check for you.

Oh... and you don't have to remove the windshield wipers to change the battery

 

My 08 still has the original battery and it is working fine. I'm hoping to get another year out of it. I'm only at 28k miles and it goes into a heated garage for storage each winter. I do put a battery tender on it about once a month in the winter to keep it topped off.