Where to Buy CSL/Mini Battery?

[Lip]

This Antigravity H5 battery is really tempting. 8.5lbs and 1000 cranking amps for the 24 Ah version but it costs $650 retail. Still priced very high (to me) but not as insane as $1k batteries I've heard about. Antigravity just had a covid-19 sale a few weeks ago, and I expect them to go on sale for black friday again at 15% off making it $552.

Any negatives other than the price? To compare, the Champion H5 is 33 lbs at $130 vs Antigravity at 8.5lbs at $650 ($552 at black friday discount). $520 for 24lbs (or ~$422 difference if you wait for a 15% off coupon from Antigravity)

https://antigravitybatteries.com/pro...tive/ag-h5-rs/

[Arith2]

It was $155 after tax last November. It might have cost more than aftermarket but I like having the BMW branded battery.

Read the list. Half the aftermarket batteries are about the same. It's like buying a Mahle oil filter or a BMW filter. I doubt BMW is engineering batteries. Just don't get the cheap ones. Get something like the Gold or Platinum level batteries.

At the end of the day AGM is the way to go because BMW batteries are lead acid which are heavier, have probably half the life, and crap out when they start dropping below 12.4V. AGMs can bounce back much better. Just don't use a normal jump box on them EVER. There are special ones for that.

[Carl Spackler]

Ooo nice, how much? My local mini dealer won’t pick up the phone!

It was $155 after tax last November. It might have cost more than aftermarket but I like having the BMW branded battery.

[Arith2]

Champion and BMW/Mini batteries are made by Clarios. Save money and look for the longest warranty. Bosch, Autocraft, Interstate, Orielly's, Autozone's, and a few other big ones. Just find a good AGM over lead, which should be much lighter. Also lasts longer.

This website is my main reference. It's a very long list but it seems accurate from what I could find.

[BMWahba]

I got mine from a Mini dealer. PN 61212353815. Fits perfectly.

Ooo nice, how much? My local mini dealer won’t pick up the phone!

[Carl Spackler]

I got mine from a Mini dealer. PN 61212353815. Fits perfectly.

[heinzboehmer]

Nice, gonna grab that champion as well.

This ended up being what they had in stock. Specs are exactly the same.

https://www.pepboys.com/champion-premium-battery-group-size-h5/product/2292762

There's 25% off if you order online and pick up in store. I didn't do this, but I asked the person who was helping me and they gave me the discount anyway. Came out to ~$130 after tax, discount, and core charge return.

[BMWahba]

Nice, gonna grab that champion as well.

[Tbonem3]

Perfect!

[heinzboehmer]

The Champion H5 (first row in the table) is rated at 650 CCA and weighs 32.9 lbs. It's also about $130 at Pep Boys, so it seems like a decent buy.



It has a three year warranty too, so if it dies prematurely I'l l just go grab another.

[Tbonem3]

Here's an H5, but it's got a whopping 680cca! It's 40lb tho. Bosch is 34 iirc which is why I wanted it (for the price).

https://m.autozone.com/batteries-starting-and-charging/battery/duralast-platinum-battery-h5-agm-group-size-h5-ln2-680-cca/338292_0

[r4dr]

Aren’t there only something like 2-3 manufacturers of auto batteries, and brands just slap their logos on and sell them? I never understood the appeal of buying OEM branded batteries.

[heinzboehmer]

It's just a run of the mil H5 battery, might as well get it from anywhere.

Yeah after some research it seems like it's not worth the effort to try and find the Mini one. I'll just head over to Pep Boys tomorrow and grab that Champion battery, similar CCA and weight to the Bosch battery.

[terra]

It's just a run of the mil H5 battery, might as well get it from anywhere.

[heinzboehmer]

Yeah...that's MINI for you. Once you're able to get ahold of them they should be able to help you out.

Just left a message with the receptionist, we'll see if they ever get back to me.