Okay we just had the ignition switch replaced in the car and finally had a spare (valet) key ordered. We'd been living dangerously with only one key to the car for the past three years and decided it was time to get the backup key. So rather than spend $150 on a fully functional key (i.e. buttons and remote functions) we decided to spend $50 on the valet key. It allows you to manually lock and unlock the doors and will start the car. However, apparently the function that automatically locks the doors after you drive a few moments does not work with the valet key. Not only that, you can't even manually lock the doors while you're driving with the valet key.

...

 

Seems reasonable to me. Typically the valet is only driving your car a short distance to a hopefully, secure parking lot. Why is the valet running around with your car? Just don't make sense to me. If you want fully functioning key pony up and spend the money to have the full version. Jeeeesh

Personally I think you're making a mountain out of a molehill.

 

I agree with the moleman above, but I'm pretty sure you can just push down the lock on the door. not the centre console, but the lock, just push it down old school style.

 

A mountain out of a molehill, well, the main key failed and I just didn't like the idea that my wife was unable to lock the doors of her car while driving through a very bad part of town. If you call that making a mountain out of a molehill well then I guess I am. And where did you come up with the brilliant idea that the valet is running around with the car? If I had known that the valet key didn't have that feature I would have purchased a fully functional key. But, live and learn I guess.

 

Thanks for your suggestion but, In my original post I said that you couldn't lock the door manually? Not only does the automatic lock feature not work but you weren't able to lock the doors at all.

 

Needing the valet key to lock the car inferred to me that the valet would be going somewhere where he should not go.

Back to the main point. If you want your wife to be safe spend the $150 and get the proper key for her. Seems like a small price to pay if you ask me. To expect the $50 key to have the same functionality of the $150 key does not make sense to me. Maybe some proper due diligence on your part would have saved you some money. Now your trying to make it a Mini problem when actually the problem is yours not Mini's. I'm just saying.......

 

I'm curious as to where you got your spare key from? The "valet" key for the 2nd gens is really just the metal key inside the fob and does nothing more than lock and unlock the doors and gives you the ability to raise lower the windows.

In normal operation, if the MINI thinks the key is inside the car but not in the ignition, it won't let you lock the doors. Maybe whatever signal does that is part of this spare key you bought and is being picked up by the MINI and triggering that feature.

 

Very interesting thought jcauseyfd. 2007 is a 2nd gen car right?

The plot thickens.

 

I'm not trying to make it a mini problem I'm just trying to see if anybody knows if the spare key should actually have the function of being able to lock the doors either manually or by pushing the buttons. But for some reason you insist on criticizing me and taking shots which is totally uncalled for. I'm just saying...... Oh, by the way, according to the dealer, the only difference was the remote control buttons. if I would've known that the spare key didn't have that function I would've definitely bought a fully functional key.


this is a 2007 convertible so it's a gen1. Anyway, I think I might be wrong calling it a "valet" key, in reality it's a spare key that just doesn't have the remote control buttons. There is another valet key that is plastic that allows you to lock and unlock the doors etc. and I'm sure it does not have any of the functions of the regular key. The key came from the dealer and they said it was the same as the regular key except for the remote functions. So, as far as me doing due diligence as one of the previous posters implied I didn't, doesn't really apply here.

All I wanted to find out in my OP was if that function was indeed not available in the spare key. Again, I may have been mistaken calling it a valet key and not a spare.

I thank everybody for their help. It looks like we're headed back to the dealer to order a fully functional key.

 

Sorry for being critical. I jumped to conclusions too quickly I guess. It's just that folks are quick to blame things on Mini, and we know they take enough heat, when in many instances it's not Mini's fault. Sorry.

 

05'-08' Cabrio (R52) are still gen1, Mini didn't make the gen2 (R57) convertible until 2009.

 

NP

 

You would think I might have noticed the 'vert in your sig.

Everything I'm finding says the spare key should be as you described - just like the regular key, but without the remote functions. I have found quite a few posts indicating that it does need dealer programming to get all the features working properly (e.g. autolock, etc.).

I'm not familiar with the locking systems on the Gen 1s to be able to guess as to why you would not be able to at least manually lock the doors using the switch. That does seem really odd.

 

according to the dealer they can't program the spare key. Which is kind of a bummer. They needed the Vin number and then they required a bill of sale and personal ID just to order the darn thing. So I guess it's just a generic key?? So then why do they need the Vin number I wonder?? Anyway, I would've thought it had all the features but, what do I know,

 

They absolutely need a VIN number to order a new key. The dealer just orders a key from BMW by VIN number and they receive it precut with the immobilizer smart chip coded for your car's ignition.

I'm very surprised about the door locks. I'll try the valet key for my 2006 when I get home tonight.

 

that would be great, looking forward to see if your key operates the same

 

For those of us who are key savvy, perhaps you can post a picture of your two keys so we can properly identify them- MINI's of that era came with a remote, spare and valet key and you only have two of those so maybe you have identified one incorrectly.

Your keys probably look like 6, 7 and 3 in the drawing below (1 & 2 are from the early first generation cars). 6 is the remote key, 7 is the spare key and 3 is the emergency key. I do not believe that you can start the car with #3.



I have two early R50's and have a #1 and #2 for both. Both cars operate identically with both keys except for the remote functions (of course). In other words, the auto door locks work on my wife's car regardless of which key is in there and I can manually lock my doors with the toggle regardless of which key is in my car. I can't imagine that the cars with the refreshed keys would work any differently. My thought is that the key isn't properly or fully programmed and they should make it right for free.

Getting the "Spare" key in no way should compromise your safety by not allowing the doors to be locked with the toggle switch. Buying the spare key made good economic sense- remember the car came with one and I doubt the missing functions were missing when the original "spare" key was in use.

IMHO MINI has sold you a defective key.

Val

 

Yes you can. #3 includes an immobilizer smart chip.

New cars are delivered with two remote keys and a #3 spare key. When people talk about the "valet key", they are usually referring to the #3 key.

 

Val, thank you for the diagram.. Our keys look like 6,7,3 and what you're saying is exactly how I thought the key should operate, the same except for the remote operation. So now the question is, how to go about getting the dealer to make it right. Since I've already talked to the service supervisor and he told me that the spare key does not have that function, how do I go about getting this problem solved? (Sorry, was just thinking out loud)

I'll call back tomorrow and see what they can do to help me out
.

 

Find another car with those type of keys on the lot. See what happens when you start the car with the key type in question. If that car functions normally yours should too.

Val

 

While using the #3 spare key, I can flip the lock toggle on the center console and the doors will lock/unlock. I have a 2006 convertible.

You said that you have keys 6,7,3 (presumably 7 is the one you just purchased). Do your locks work when you use your #3 spare key?