Hello, i bought a 2012 Mini Cooper s countryman. It had a lot of issues in almost every field imaginable but i absolutely love it. One of the things i don't like, is the the roof cargo rails, I notices that there were key slots, but they don't fit the key to the car, is there any way to get them off without the key, or a way to get the key?

 

the key just locks the little plastic cover.

under the cover is a hex drive bolt that tightens the clamp onto the roof rails.

In theory you could destroy the cover to get to the bolt or you could watch a few episodes of the lock picking lawyer on youtube and worry about a key later.

 

IIRC, there is a little number printed on the lock that corresponds with the key. I don't know how to get someone to make that key, though ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

 

If they are from someone like Thule (many OE's source from the same 2-3 suppliers) you can get the keys online if you have the number on the lock.

 

I looked at mine today (3rd gen), and the roof rack lock barrels look identical to the ones on my Thule ski holder. If the numbers on your lock barrels are in the format N123, chances are that they're made by Thule and you can get a key through them.