I'm looking to buy a spare key fob on Ebay for an R57 and wondering if there is a procedure someone could share to program it for my car. I found several online guides, but they are all for Minis with traditional keys. I'm also assuming that I could buy a blank key from a dealership (or online) and they have it laser cut for my car.

 

The short answer from everything I've read is you can't do it. MINI has a monopoly on the keys and the programming.

Your best bet is to shop around to dealers and find one who gives you the best deal... and bring a copy of your car's vehicle registration. I've seen prices quoted from $250 (key and programming) to $400.

 

OK......any idea what portion of that is the programming? I can buy a used key fob for around $50 on Ebay and take it to the dealership if I can't do it myself.

 

No go. They can't be "reprogrammed" (AFAIK). Everyone I've read about buying a used one off eBay simply threw their money away.

The off-lease R55 I bought only came with one key. Attempts to contact the previous owner were futile (I found his phone number in the Bluetooth settings). I have really debated what to do about this, and have decided to just bite the bullet and order the remote.

Good luck.

 

Agree - Mine came with one key, I determined that the ebay route wouldn't work, got dealer to order a fob/key (the key portion came pre-cut to the car) - parts=$300 programing=$120. Probably can shop around and find dealers to get a better deal BUT you have to show up with the can to get the programing - can't be mail ordered.

Had I known about the expense when I learned at the point of sale that the car only had one key, I'd have used this as an item in determining the $$ that I was willing to pay for the car - that is, 'gimme $400 off for a new key.'

The reason that I wanted one was - one day at the gym a guy had gotten into the hot tub with the key for his car, a Mazda as I recall. Poor guy, he was feeling bad having just gotten over some hip surgery. His car wouldn't open, the alarm deployed, a bad experience was unfolding... we took the fob into the dressing room and in about an hour with, toilet paper, gentle tapping, and a hair dryer - got it to work. It was at that moment I decided to get a spare, damn the cost.