hey all,

we will be taking delivery of our MCSa DS/W this evening. i think we have all the details done by i am curious about - of all things - how many keys you all received when you took delivery?

when i picked up my volvo i received 2 sets of keys with the keyless entry fob as well as a valet key...

i am hearing reports that you only receive 1 key with a new MINI... is this correct?

thanks!

sbp

 

We got two plus a valet plastic key. We were warned that replacements are very expensive and must come from Germany.

 

Two keys plus the valet. Just remember to use each key once in a while so the batter recharges on the key fob.

 

just checked w/ mo'town. they made a boo boo.
you get 2 fulls, one wallet.

 

Very good point minibot, must add that to my routine.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think the 'wallet' key can really be described as the 'valet' key since it cannot be used to start the car. The all plastic wallet key can only be used to open the door and is intended for those situations (e.g. wet environments) when you might want to lock your keys in your car and take the wallet key with you.

 

I believe you are correct, well thats what I use my plastic wallet key for anyways.

 

Actually, the "wallet" key does everything the other 2 keys do, other than your keyless entry. Have you ever tried starting you car with the wallet key?? It works!! There is a chip in the wallet key that allows you to do everything needed to be done with it!!

 

Yes, the wallet key does do it all! I just picked up my MINI yesterday and they said the reason they don't call it a valet key is because not only does it start the car, but it will also unlock everything, including the glove box!

BTW - cfm 2 keys, 1 wallet key

 

Per the manual you should use the 2nd key once every 6 months or so to keep it charged. AFAIK that charge is only for the remote functions (locking/unlocking/comfort opening/etc) so even if you don't charge the spare key you can still use it to start the car and it will recharge while you drive.

The plastic wallet key will absolutely start the car - I believe the only thing it won't do (aside from remote functions) is unlock the glove box.

 

Thats what our MA told us - does everything but unlock the glovebox. I have not tried it. I'd rather die than let some punkass kid valet my car.

 

Let me clear up some myths here...Up to 2004(not sure on 05'+), the MINI key does NOT get recharged through the ignition. Lots of people think this is the case as the BMW keys gets recharged. The thing is BMW keys (the triangle shaped type, and modern square ones w/o comfort access) does not have a battery, it has a capacitor to store the charge while it's in the ign. MINI keys has a battery, therefore does not get recharged. I don't know about the 05's but if it has a battery, it doesn't get recharged.

 

the thing the wallet key won't do is last for many repeated uses.

the "key" is plastic and the lock is metal. there are a limited # of uses before the plastic starts to deform and no longer is grooved correctly.

 

Dude, I am SO WITH YOU on that one. My g/f sometimes gives me an odd stare when we have to park 4 blocks away (I try and drop her off if possible), cuz I refuse to let a valet drive my car. Once, I even tipped a guy and paid the fee, so I could park in their lot, but I did the parking my self

S'alright, though, dude probably dinged my MINI with another car anyhow
...jusss kiddin'.....