I have a 2004 R50 Mini Cooper with only one remote key. I am wondering where the cheapest place is to get additional keys (both the remote access and the non-remote keys). The local dealer wants a mini-fortune (no pun intended). Any suggestions?

The least expensive place I have seen so far is from www.thebmwminipartsstore.com. Has anyone purchased products from this web site before? Would you recommend them? Is there a better place to purchase spare keys from?

 

I think you are stuck with MINI or the one you found. Very specialized

 

DO NOT buy a key from some website. You have to get one thru the dealership. The key has to be programmed per the car's VIN and that is only done thru the company. You will find many posts where folk have gotten theirs thru ebay and such and now wish the keys were heavier because they make lousy boat anchors.

 

The dealership is your best avenue for keys.

 

Use one of the vendors on the site. I got a good price that beat my local dealers

 

First- you program the car to accept the key (at least the remote part) but it is true, you need the vin to program the EWS (immobilizer) chip inside the key. This is the thing that prevents your car from being started by having the ignition cracked. For all intents and purposes only the dealer can tap into the car's computer and tell it to accept your remote. Some of this can be done at home or specialized shops but it is expensive and very complicated. Here's more than you would ever want to know about your first generation, pre-facelift clamshell style keys:

https://sites.google.com/site/minian...moving-forward

ggrimm01- I believe later models can be programmed to accept keys with a series of button pushes, unlike the early models. Curious how you got your EWS chip programmed, however. Maybe they don't use that type of system anymore.

Also- thebmwminipartsstore website doesn't resolve. Your best bet is the dealer. Sorry.

Val