First, let me introduce myself--I purchased a 2012 low-mileage Countryman-S last weekend and just got the clean bill of health from my own mechanic yesterday. As I figure this car out I've run into a bit of a quandary (sorry for the long post--no other way to truncate and still convey the dilemma).

Since I purchased my car used, options were not my choice. One of the installed options is "comfort access"--where you just have to have the key fob in the vicinity of the car and you can open the doors and start the engine--don't have to insert the key at all. Many people like this option because they don't have to fumble with their keys. Those people may not be runners. So as a runner, when I used to have an old-school key that actually had to be inserted to lock/unlock/start I could lock the car and take the key with me and use a safety pin and clip it to my shorts (I stopped "hiding" the key on a tire when I read about people hanging out at parks and waiting for runners to do that, then stealing their belongings--or their cars). With my new car I don't want to run with the fob--for one thing I've only got one fob and if I lose it, sweat on it (short-circuit it), fall and crush it, etc. my car would be non-operational. It's also bulky--so putting it in a plastic bag and taking it with me is not really a palatable alternative. So I thought about using the old-school key that comes with the fob (it is embedded in there and removable for old-school locking/unlocking, but not ignition starts). That's a fine option, except that since I need the fob to start the car, I would have to leave it in the car (hidden) when I go run. But if I do that, since it's "near" the car (hidden inside), the comfort access system would allow anyone to come up to the car and open the doors, then push the start button and drive away, even though they might not even know where the fob was hidden. One thought was that I have to buy another fob anyway (at something like $350, plus two trips to the dealer), and maybe I could get the second fob so that it does not have comfort access programmed in. Then I'd leave the comfort-access fob at home, use the non-comfort access fob on a daily basis, and do what I initially contemplated and hide the fob in the car and go run with the valet/embedded key clipped to my shorts. I've gotten split opinions from various Mini dealers as to whether that is possible. The ones who said it can't be done say that comfort access is through the car, not the fob--so once you have it, you're stuck with it.

Any thoughts? Anyone a runner or know of any runners who own Minis that have this comfort access feature? Or even any other brand of car with a comfort access feature?

Many thanks for any advice/insights.

 

see if the front doors will unlock and the car will start with the fob in the rear hatch area.
(of course the hatch can maybe be opened)

 

I have it on my car. I can tell you this. If key fob is on shelf next to car it will not start, has to be inside.

Like op says, try hiding it in the boot. Will it start? Engine compartment? Will it start?

My car has those little rubber things on the door handles so even if Fob is hidden anyone could get inside the car - a huge risk.

You could remove the battery from the Fob which would make it worthless and use the key to enter and exist. Replace battery in Fob to start car.

Not sure I would order the comfort access option again. Nice, but do I really need it? No.

 

the comfort access fob doesn't have an ejectable key ?

 

I never tried but I read somewhere if you leave your key fob inside the boot and close it, comfort access will not work. You can then use the emergency key to unlock your doors after your run and just use the switch inside to unlock the boot, theoretically speaking. Good luck!

As for me, I would just put the key fob on a lanyard and run with it.

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If you have the fob in the car you cannot lock the car.

If youn have in jacket pocket and throw your jacket in the boot and close, the boot just pops open again if the car is locked. Same for the side doors.

 

Are you sure you can unlock the car by pushing the exterior button when the fob is inside? That doesn't sound right though I don't think I've ever tried it.

Supposedly the rear area will open back up if you shut the key in the boot but I think it's only supposed to do that once.

 

You can with the mechanical key.

 

I ran out and did a test real quick. 2012 All4 with comfort access. Unlocked the car, threw the fob on the driver's seat. Locked the door with the mechanical key--no issues. Pressed the rubber exterior button on the handle multiple times--nothing.

Just pull out the mechanical key and run with that. I guess if someone breaks into your car they can start it, but if someone breaks in your day is already ruined.

 

And there ya go. Nice bit of detective work!

 

find another past time............

 

My running shorts have a small pocket inside the waistband for a small item such as a key. I simply tuck my key in there (I have Comfort Access as well). it is neither "too bulky" nor "too heavy", as they key does not weigh much at all. I've never had a problem with they key being damaged from sweat. They're pretty durable.

 

Many interesting thoughts. I will have to experiment as well.

Mine is a 2013 S Coupe with Comfort Access, and I have the removable key for the door and pass through to the boot.

Always felt odd. Getting out and just pressing that little rubber part on the door handle and walking away. Is it really locked? Will it stay locked?

It does but I was new to it, made me nervous as all get out.

 

If all else fails, try wrapping the fob in tin foil which I believe will solve ur problem.

 

Many thanks to all for the replies. I've been paranoid to try to experiment since I only have the one fob and didn't want to have a bad result that I couldn't remedy. You've given me the confidence to do my own detective work as well. In the same vein as wrapping it in tin foil, I also found this:
http://www.ramayes.com/RF_Shielded_Pouch.htm#RF
Might be worth $30--although I suppose I could just keep a roll of tin foil in the car--might look odd to drive around with that.

 

Go to home depot and get some aluminum (or stainless or copper) screen cut to length--about 6 inches by 1 foot. fold it into the same shape as those pouches and fold over the sides and staple them closed. Fold over the open top edge and clip a binder clip on it and you're done.

You can also use those silver bags that electronics and toll tags come in.



If you're in the US, I can mail you one for nothing.

 

be sure to check whichever solution you go with that if you leave your mini for an hour or even 90 minute+ run that when you come back it's not ready to unlock with the push of a button.

I swear the car knows if I've been gone for 5 minutes vs. an extended time away.

 

I have been running with the fob for three years, no problem. I just put it in a zip pocket and off I go.

I have sweat on it plenty, not an issue at all.