I have Mini Cooper S 2009 R56.

I need to replace the battery. I want to install the battery by myself since I can buy an OEM battery for $150 instead of $500 (battery + labor) in the dealer. Do I have to do something special before I install a new one, or I just remove the old one and insert the new one? I mean, do I have to add something into the battery or something like this?

In addition, I'd appreciate if someone could write the instruction of how to replace it. Do I just disconnect the positive and negative?

Thanks

 

Here is a great DIY for the battery replacement. Just double check to make sure your R56 has the IBS battery system. If it doesn't you wont need to register it, but if it does you will need to register it. (The registration process is the last figure portion of that DIY). Let me know if you have any questions.

 

I actually called MINI, just before I saw your answer, and they told me that I need to register it within a few seconds. Otherwise, it won't be charged correctly.
1 - Is it true that I have a window of a few seconds?
2 - They also told me that I need to configure the voltage/amp charging, output of the alternator. How do I do it? In DIY site it shows that I just choose 70Ah and that's all.
3 - They told me in dealership that it takes 2 hours to replace the battery and configure it. Is it true? To replace the battery takes 15min. How long it takes to configure the computer?

 

I'm not sure if the window of a few seconds is true, as I believe the battery can be registered at any time, but the sooner the better as I recommend doing it after you install it. The registration that is needed is the AMP rating and you don't need to reset or configure anything. Shouldn't take 2 hours. The DIY says it'll be about an hour total. The registration doesn't take too long. Just follow that DIY and you should be good to go.

 

Thanks for the info PelicanParts. Does the registration only apply to aftermarket batteries? If I replace it with a genuine mini factory battery, will I still need to register it?

 

If registration is necessary, it applies to any battery that you install.
To determine if registration is indeed necessary, check to see if you have the IBM system.
To determine if you have IBM, this thread may help:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...y-monitor.html

 

Not sure how much different the Gen 1 battery swap is from the Gen 2 but I've replace it once 2.5 years ago. Took it to O'reilly's, the guy looked it up on his crystal ball, got one from the stock room, carried it out and swapped out the old one, we reset the clock and I was home within about 20 minutes....for the price of the battery!
Here's a real good step by step:
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/o/a...ry-replacement

 

I have a 2009 and didn't have to do anything other than replace the battery. I checked all that other stuff (charging rate and what not), but I couldn't change anything.

The biggest PITA is that plastic cowling you have to remove. BMW gets a big "FAIL" on that one. They can't make anything fit on any car they make.

 

You're welcome. If your MINI requires registration, whatever battery you put in there (genuine or aftermarket) will require you to register it. Let me know if you need any further assistance.

 

I checked prices with 4 different dealers. 3 of them charge ~$220 for the battery + $200-$290 for the labor and registration, so in total it's around ~$500. The 4th dealership, which I thought would charge more since it's in downtown, charge only $330. I asked 3 times if this is the price since it's in ~$200 cheaper than all other dealers, but they told me that this is the price.

What do you think? Should I trust the one for $330?

P.S. the battery that I had is 220 CCA, the new one that they want to use is 570CCA.

 

If you trust yourself, this is a fairly easy DIY job that will save you lots of money when going to the dealership. Maybe ask a friend to help you out? Charging that much for registration, to me, is steep. Or you could even install the battery yourself and drive to a dealership to have them do the registration. Another good option would be doing a Google search and find an Indy MINI specialist in your area and see how much they'd charge you for everything. I'm sure it'll be less than any dealership and would probably provide just as good of a warranty on the job done.

 

I trust myself. I replaced batteries on a few cars, but have never had to deal with registration. I know that you wrote that this is very easy and a straightforward registration, but like I said, I called a few dealers and they all told me that it's not easy: I need to configure the AMP and check that everything works well (alternator and other electrical parts). That's why I want to double check. I don't want someone to register it wrong and than it will screw my alternator or something else.

 

I got a new OEM battery last year from a MINI dealer and installed it myself. Haven't had any issues. Cost $190 out the door.

 

I just had my battery replaced at the local Mini dealer on my '12 MCS. I believe I was charged $265 out the door..

 

Pelican, I found an bmw independent shop that provide Bosch battery 690cca/65amp and 680cca/70amp for ~$300. Which one I should take 65amp or 70amp? In dealership they told that they will install 570cca/70 amp. Please advise.

 

Pardon the 'butt in' here but you can go direct to pelicanparts.com and communicate one on one with them. I'm sure they'd love for you to pay the website a visit and browse thru their catalog. Also, after a quick internet search I don't fine any $300 batteries. What else are they including for that? Their flat rate should around $80 to $90 and it sure doesn't take an hour to swap one out.

 

FlyBrick, first of all I did check their website and they don't ship batteries. Since they are competent in this matter I thought they would be glad to answer. Secondly, the $300 includes the battery ($190) + labor (installation + registration).

So, since the battery itself cost $160-$180 and registration itself cost $60-$80, I'm sure $300 is not bad at all(!).

The big question for me is the battery that the independent shop suggests is as good as dealer recommends?

 

Has anyone used the "CARLY" app to register their own battery? Seems like for the money you'd save doing it yourself you could buy the whole app setup and still be ahead.

(If it works)

 

Not too long ago I had to replace the battery on my 2012 MC non-s, I just took it to advanced swapped the battery in the parking lot and was on my way? I didn't have to really do anything else.

 

Also: I think it was roughly around $150ish

 

I know they don't ship batteries. The point was that instead of waiting for them to wake up and check NAM for any traffic you can communicate directly with them on their website for all sorts of answers. Problem solving 101. And that charge for installing a battery still seems pretty steep but then I remember the days of swapping 'em out on a '54 Buick. Almost as complicated as putting the empties out on the porch for the milk man.

 

This is a tactic to get you to come in an take your wallet from the half fold position to fully open position, I'm sorry but the statement, "within a few seconds" is hilarious because if it takes much more than a few seconds to perform the programming even if needed. My 2007 MCS doesn't even have the IBS battery system, that didn't stop the dealer from trying to get me to come in and have it registered. Also if you buy a battery larger in capacity or amperage it will never get fully charged because the system is programmed for a certain size, capacity and amperage battery.

 

Sorry for the late response, just speaking with our MINI specialist about the battery type. Recommendation would be to stay with the 570cca/70amp battery. If you need more information on this you can always call and speak with our specialist.

 

so which brand of battery (part No.) and price did you get?

I'm in need of a new battery as I speak. I have 2009 Mini Cooper S Hardtop (40,000 miles, original battery)

 

Just replaced my 10yo OEM Varta Battery. It was still working but tested borderline. So time to change it out.

I went for an Exide Global Extreme L2/47/H5 battery I got at Home Depot. 40mo free replacement warranty. 650CCA. $109+ tax. Plus $12 additional core charge which was refunded when I turned in the old battery.

Easy change out. Had to move the vent swivel on the battery to the other side (easy). This one is considerably more powerful the the OEM battery (480CCA > 650CCA). So I’m happy - for now at least.

My car doesn’t have the IBS battery connector cable so I won’t bother with registering / coding the new battery. I cheated and (very carefully) used a small (1.5A) trickle charger to maintain just a bit of power to the electrical system. So I didn’t even have to reset the clock when I was done.

This was a very useful thread on accessing and removing the battery before I started:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-pictures.html