F55/F56 The New Key Fob for the F56
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 443
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
I was at a store once, and while checking out, placed my keyfob on the tray next to the register and the clerk commented... "That's so big for a MINI"
Absurd.
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 443
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Yep, the key fob is huge. It's like practical joke huge. Wait until you carry that monster around in your slacks all day. It feels looks like you're carrying a walnut in your pocket. I take the fob out of my pocket when driving 1.) because it's uncomfortable in my pocket and 2.) because you have to fish it out of your jeans pocket when you get out to lock the car since you can't lock the car without it. I lay it in the rounded storage in front of the shifter when driving where it slides around making scraping noises. I may get a lanyard and just carry it around my neck like Flavor Flav.
In other words, why would BMW make such an impractical, non-ergonomic, goofy sized key fob for a MINI. MINI=small!!
In other words, why would BMW make such an impractical, non-ergonomic, goofy sized key fob for a MINI. MINI=small!!
Exactly this. The FOBs for the i3 and i8 are huge, but they actually have display / readouts for car status, but I completely agree. I wonder if some of the vendors here aren't reading this thread... I bet they'll make a pretty penny producing plastic bits to replace the huge fobs we're all complaining out.
Come on you guys and gals, get on it!
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 677
Likes: 1
From: Surf City CA
They're BIG so you can adorn them with the Mini accessory attachments.
They're big so you pull them out and advertise MINI !
I have an MB Sprinter, that is BIG, the fob however is small and ergonomic.
They're big so you pull them out and advertise MINI !
I have an MB Sprinter, that is BIG, the fob however is small and ergonomic.
I've had to relocate my wallet to my phone pocket. My normal pocket can no longer handle my wallet plus keys. It's a sad day.
I would pay extremely good money for a minimalist CNCed aluminum housing. Like $100+
I would pay extremely good money for a minimalist CNCed aluminum housing. Like $100+
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 83
Likes: 1
From: N. Illinois
The mini fob is the biggest one that I've had to date, though. And it's really an awkward shape, IMO. But I have comfort access so it's always in my purse anyway.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio
I just got a 2014 MCS and there isn't any way to charge the key fob....no slot to plug it into and no key slot either. Don't know what would happen if the battery dies. I just might remove my battery and test what happens.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,602
Likes: 107
From: Arizona
Looks to me like the F56 fob is the same as all the other Mini fobs, with different button locations and the same physical key in case you battery dies (gets wet). The one thing I miss on my 2007 Mini is Comfort Access. I don't like putting the key in the slot and taking it out all the time.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 32
Likes: 2
I had a loaner 2014 Paceman a few weeks ago and was very jealous of its key. I agree that the new 2014 hardtop key is ridiculously large. I would also pay a decent amount for either a new key all together or a very small housing for the existing one. As it is, I always pawn off my key to anyone I'm with who has a bag since the key doesn't fit comfortably in my pockets.
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 837
Likes: 22
It might be alright for those carry purses, but not for guys. It's so damned bulky!
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Yeah, really, I can't even tell the front of the remote from the back in my pocket. So, I have to dig it out, then push the button, then find a place for it in the car since it digs into my leg in the sport seats, and I'm skinny!
My '06 key was way better!
My '06 key was way better!
I hate the current key. I don't even like the buttons. The First-Gen MINI had a raised central lock button. This one is just so cheap all around. Not only that, it's huge. If it could've been made slimmer, which obviously it could've been, then I hope they put out a different version one day.
It might be alright for those carry purses, but not for guys. It's so damned bulky!
It might be alright for those carry purses, but not for guys. It's so damned bulky!
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 443
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
As far as I know, if you have the standard key fob that came with your car, the black round portion contains nothing in it. There are those JCW decorative ones which contain an NFC, but the black stock ones are merely for design.
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Western Canada
The battery is in the round part, and the shaft of the emergency "metal key".
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 443
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Western Canada
You are correct, obviously. I did not take mine apart to check it out, but I can see the round part is just excess plastic.
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 328
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
The "key" has to be on your person or the car won't start.
If you don't lock your car and leave the immediate vicinity the car will lock itself.
The dealer programmed it this way at my request. Although I haven't tried, I believe that you can change this in the radio settings.
The new F56 key fob IS about 10% (or more) larger than the R5x/R6x key fob. It does seem silly and a bit of a nuisance/unnecessary.
And I don't mean to be picking on this post, but it is a HUGE pet peeve when dealers give out incorrect or misleading information and I am just trying to clarify and be helpful. Congrats on your new F56 and yes, they are AWESOME little buggers!
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 443
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Here's what I was thinking... (and I can't tell if you were being facetious or not)... I am going to use the key fob without the excess round bit, but cover the outside with some masking tape for a while just to protect the sliding grooves and what not... see how that works.
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 443
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
