I am thinking that one of the Mods here does something with keys. Try sending bugeye1031 a PM

 

Otherwise, if bugeye can't help, you have to go thru a dealership. The key is coded to your VIN. They require the VIN number and proof of ownership. You can fax or email copies of those documents. I've been down this road. You have to think past the pocket book. Otherwise, anybody could obtain a key and drive off with yours.

 

and Welcome to the forum

 

Hi and welcome to NAM!

 

Welcome, yep coded to Vin and again make sure you take your proof of ownership. If you get some off ebay or other places watch as they state it works without anything, which it has to be coded and new.

 

Something is not quite right about that post from johnadver, could be spam.

 

spam for locksmith service

 

I googled the website his link shows and checked availability for my State. It says there is one a bit over 200 miles away. Handy as hell for a quick roadside rescue don'cha think? And how long would it take them to acquire a factory key set to the VIN?

 

Hey they tried but it does appear to be spam so I deleted the post. If the johnadver comes back and offers a good explanation can put it back up.

 

Maybe better eliminate my two and Minnie's post. Being as there is no longer context for them. Some newcomers to the page will be spending good beer time scratching their heads instead....can't have that.

 

I don't drink beer but my wife does and I know how wasting beer can be an issue . . . . .

 

Now beer mixed some pancake batter, peanut oil heated to about 325 degrees and vadalia onions will make great onion rings . . . . . .

 

I gave up drinking a few years ago, but do miss the taste of hops. I recently found a very hoppy NA IPA that taste just like the real thing. Very happy with it. I won't post the name as I don't want to be a spammer and I don't get a commission.

Anyone who is interested can always pm me for the website name.

 

Seems to me this thread has taken on a subject worthy of serious consideration. The popularity of beer has taken on an entirely new direction over the past 15 to 20 years. Was a time that beer meant lager or pilsner. It wasn't long ago that we could count maybe 1 to 2K the number of breweries across the country. Now I understand there are more than 5K. All I can say at this point, my beer fridge isn't big enough.

 

You are correct, there are over 5k. To REALLY put that into context: in 1978, there were 89.

 

I know there weren't many. To compare what they were brewing back then with what is available now is like..hmmmm..you could compare a lot of the old stuff to sex in a canoe. (if you need to know the comparison, PM me. The answer is not suitable for some public sensibilities.)

 

Back to the original topic- you can't just buy an eBay key and have a dealer "program" it, at least that's what I understand. Keys have to come from MINI so that they have the right EWS/Immobilizer chip in them so that your car will start.

I would see if you could get your money back for that eBay key.

Val

 

I had to get a new fob for my 07 pretty early on ... one failed in the first year

dealer told me I had to provide the registration and ID and then come in for programming. I faxed the info and a while later got a call that the new fob was ready for pickup. "can you mail it to me?"

"No, it must be programmed to the car."

So I drive an hour to the dealer, go to parts and they hand me the new FOB .... "So what do we need to do to program it?"

"Nothing, just go use it on the car?"

"I thought it needed to be programmed to the car? grrrrrrrrrr"

Seems a 'virgin FOD can connect to the first car it ever sees ...... but a reused fob needs to be reprogrammed.

Summary

I got a NEW FACTORY FOB

it worked the first time I used it

car never saw the service bay when the new FOB was picked up ....

If Ebay sells a virgin it could work

If ebay sells a 'recovered' forgetaboutit.

i would mention that my factory replacement came with a properly cut KEY .... not just the FOB ....

***************

MY EXPERIENCE .... not entering an argument ....

*************

update

reading between the lines from the post immediately below

MAYBE (and talking GEN2 here)

a FOB can not be reprogrammed at all .... so purchasing a used FOB is wasted $

a new factory 'basic' FOB is connected by VIN and will work without 'programming' UNLESS it is 'comfort access' where a car to FOB programming step IS required .... for the CA functions

but I'm guessing on these new ideas ....