The 260 CCA battery was new in Adelaide and we had South Australia to Melbourne, the Victoria coast, to Canberra & inland through New South Wales to go before getting back to Queensland in 2011.  Then took the 2 months to head south to Tasmania before prepping the Mini to be shipped to Canada in 2013.

I think it was the cold north Pacific Ocean crossing in December 2013/January 2014 that did it in.  All the private vehicles & misc. pcs. of equipment are loaded last by the doors (so first off).  Likely a chilly location on board.

There was a DEFECTIVE VEHICLE notice inside the Mini re dead battery.  They had jumped it and the Mini fired right up.  Affixed same day/one-time ICBC permit, got a full tank of fuel and drove the Mini 40 odd miles to Abbotsford for certification.

mini mike. the Interstate  model 26 is the best..  1000 cranking amps for mere $119..  I have used them for years.. and NEVER  die in cold or hot weather.  later bc

To be fair Rick, what would Australians know about "cold" cranking amps. Might they have put it in partially charged and the car was not run long enough before shipping to fully charge it?

"Suitable for antique cars" also suggest it might be 6 volt?? Some north American cars were 6v up until the early 50's.

I had Mini Sport in Adelaide 'sell' me a 260 CCA battery without any consultation (heck they didn't want me anywhere near my own vehicle)...battery says "Suitable for Antique Vehicles".

It was flat when the Vehicle Carrier arrived here from Australia via Yokohama.  1st thing I did was replace it.

Now on the shelf in the garage.  Nice & clean...one might say pretty.  It's yours Spank!

3 Optima red tops; 3, 7 and 12 yrs. old. All going strong. 

I recently had to purchase a battery for a unique application.  I talked with my mechanic and he stated that all batteries in the US pretty much come out of 3 different manufacture houses and just branded differently.  

He actually moved away from Interstate, over the past couple of years, the manufacturer of their batteries moved production down to Mexico and he noticed a drastic reduction in performance.  

He recommended batteries from EastPenn Manufacturing.  It sounds like the are still US made.  He currently carries the DEKA batteries from EastPenn and has had much better luck than the current Interstate.  

I think one of the best points on this post is to get one with a Handle.  I am not sure where Wal-Mart has their batteries produced, my guess would be from multiple suppliers based upon location.

I to have heard a lot of good things about the Wally World batteries.  

My Optima red is 20 years old and going strong still

buy a good one, and keep a battery tender on it, i buy only Interstate batteries and they will last 10 - 13 years, the Interstate has a nice built in handle, you need a group 24F, buy the 72 month battery, you can find cheap batteries for $30.00 dollars less, but you will replace it within 5 years, you are NOT saving money, it cost you more for the cheap battery when you have to replace it sooner. just my 2 cents!!!!

+1 for WalMart batteries. Even the non-lawn mower and non power sports battery.

But $19.87 is a pretty damned good price.

Yes it gets down into the 70's here in Florida Mike lol.

Seriously in New York you need some cranking amps and the 24 F should do it.
I have been told but never looked at them myself that Walmart batteries are decent and of course available everywhere if there is a warranty problem. Also i was told they are a lot cheaper than the auto parts store batteries which around here seem to run between $125 and $150 for an average 2 year run of the mill battery.

do you have winters Mal?

My battery guy before he called it quits and moved back North didn't have a Mini battery in stock when i went to buy one which i needed there and then. He convinced me to buy a "re conditioned" wheel chair battery and said if you don't like it bring it back. Two years later it is still going strong.

and here I was thinking Spank put a mower deck on his mini.

To be fair, it was nice of Spank to remind us of how he lives in such a gentle climate.

You want to get one with a handle. 

I think 24 F is the one i used last.

Don't forget to measure for the height as well. Best to keep the battery terminals down low and protected. I found a battery with a built in cover over the positive terminal. I think the one I have in there now is a Duracell AGM type battery. I just looked it up and actually have the Mini in their database. They call it a Group 24.

I've resigned myself to paying the $1oo bucks plus or minus so I"m not gonna put in a lawn mower battery. What are  you saving?  $30 bucks?  and when it lets you down, do it again?

Older and wiser. but thanks Spank.

I have run a lawn and garden battery, $29.99 regular price, for like 5 years in beancar. 998, standard old lucas starter. I think it's like 260CCA

Thanks Hank.  I'm gonna make a cardboard template of the battery box bottom and take it with me
to buy the battery.