How do you remove the battery in a mini countryman?

Answer 1

Removing the battery from a 2012 Mini Cooper is so bad, it may either dissuade you from buying the car or cause you to sell the car. It is hidden under a cheap plastic cowl in the rear of the passenger side of the engine compartment that extends to the windshield. You also have to remove the rubber/plastic gasket that sticks up vertically on the cowl in the engine compartment. There are two pieces to the cowl and is separated near the passenger wiper bolt. There's a removable cover that shows where the battery is hidden. There are three plastic screw nuts on the passenger side that hold the cowl/cover and need to be removed. To separate the plastic cowl, there are hidden tabs sticking down in the lower half of the plastic that need to be pried apart. Be careful though, the plastic is very cheap and becomes brittle at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also challenged by the windshield wiper, and curved deep wrapping around just below the windshield. It is very difficult to pry (I broke mine). It might be best to remove the passenger wiper (I did not figure out how to remove the wiper). Another pathetic design incorporated in this car causing me to replace the battery after two years, is that if you do not lock the vehicle when not in use, the vehicle will eventually draw down the battery and ruin it.