Lose your Key "Don't"
 

I read a few post on lost keys and the cost to replace them.. Made two calls today - EB Mini and LA Mini = Both in CA. Talked to parts and ask what it would cost to replace a lost key on an 07

EB = $250
LA = $329

Why the price difference - didn't ask - Just a warning to all - I was shocked... It has been years that I totally lost my keys - On this new key ring, I am going to have a 'dog tag' made with my Cell # and REWARD on it... I believe that most people that find a lost key ring would call and try to return. Having my cell will not allow them my address - I can only imagine the PIA this would be if you were out of town and lost them...
Ya know, As much as I like my Mini - BMW should be ashamed to charge this kind of money for a key fob - Ya, I know, it has a chip in it... but give me a break... Over $200 bucks?????? And they are the ONLY ones who can help.. better have a hide a key or AAAplus because you are screwed if you are out of town and loose it..

OK, I will shut up now....:roll:

Thanks for the warning. The first gen replacement is a bit cheaper , but not by much.

I think the first gen's are like $150 or so...which I don't think is totally bad. The bad thing is importing them from overseas and waiting like 2months. :lol:

-Cody

so, your on a trip out of state and loose your key - two months??????????

WOW - thanks for the warning, I'll definitely be all the more careful. Just out of curiosity, does your MINI have comfort access? I'm not sure but I'd assume that the replacement cost on keys without the system would be slightly cheaper opposed to those with it.

I ask that question - both the same:confused:

It's not to far from the cost of my 05 focus key if I lost it. However I do beleive the cost can also be cheaper if you have at least one key available. so keep the spare somewhere safe. Also you can spend the money for a third, and it will be cheaper. Part of the cost is not just the chip, but programming it to "know" the car. With at least one key it's less work to program, as they have the avialable signal. With 2 keys is a fairly quick process to program a new key. That is how it was explained by Ford when I picked up the Focus. It could be slightly different with the MINI, but I am sure the concept is about the same.

Can you hide-a-key with the comfort access? You can hide just the key without the fob but it will just get you in the car and you can't start it. If you hide the whole key fob somewhere on your car anyone can walk up to your car and push the button and the door will unlock.

that sucks, i actually just lost mine a few days ago

I had a problem with one of my 2005 keys (remote functions stopped working). MINI dealer gave me a free replacement 4 days later. The plastic key does have a single chip imbedded in it for the MINI to recognize it.

When I got my '05 it only had one key. The dealer had to order one and it only took a week or two not two months.

I have forgotten my keys and wallet EVERYWHERE only lost 1 wallet and never a set of keys. Quick, I must knock on some wood!!!

Hmmm, strange. Well I'm glad to hear that having at least one key somewhat simplifies the process (and hopefully the price as well). I always keep the second key in my safe so I can't imagine it getting lost. So I guess your best bet is to immediately buy a replacement even if you lose just one of the two.

I'm thinking that when we go out of town we need to be sure that both keys are with us,:nod: but in two different places. Mine is the main key. Extra key needs to be on the Hubby,:nod: not stored in the car.:sad:

Very good point - another reason NOT to buy "comfort access" I do plan to hide a key somewhere on the car - it has been years since I actully lost a set of keys... I also plan to get some of these made with "Reward and my cell number" for $5 its a cheap "plan B" https://www.armynavy.com/order/dogta...agstandard.php

I have the convenience package in my '07 MCSa. I "lost" (threw away) my key last Friday. A call to the parts dept at Flow Mini in Winston-Salem tells me that it's going to cost right at $250 to replace it..

.. damn..

I like comfort access though. Stepping into my car and pressing the start button with my keys in my pocket always gets a cool reaction from new passengers who haven't seen it yet.

My understanding is that next year BMW/MINI/Car manufacturers won't have an exclusive. Can't remember where I read this, but supposedly key shops will be able to order the fobs. Don't know if this will apply to all years, though. I think this is a monopoly of trade thing, or however it is termed.

What would it take to block the car from recognizing the keyfob? I know there are companies that sell shielded sleeves/pouches to block RFID-encoded credit cards/passports/etcetera. Perhaps you could experiment with one of those, or those lead-lined foil pouches you use to carry undeveloped film through airport x-ray machines.

That would let you hide the key outside the car, and hide a shielded spare fob inside the car, maybe tucked up under one of the front seats, or underneath the rear seat cushion.

Couldn't you just take the battery out of the key? Store it separately?

I *think* the car detects the presence of the keyfob using RFID technology, like the new passports, or those keyfob thingies that you hold up to gas pumps to pay automatically. The RFID chips don't require their own power source.

If that's the case, the battery in the keyfob is just to power the transmitter, for functions like opening the windows or sunroof with the remote.

I thought the cars with the comfort access key fob had batteries. No?

I'm sure they do have batteries - I just think that the car will still recognize the keyfob as being present, even if the battery is removed.

I think this is a good idea. one day i'll take the battery out of one and try it.

Maybe my story kind of falls into play here.

I have a 2006 MCSa. 6 months ago, my home was broken into and my spare set of keys were stolen. Obviously, the person or person's could come back at anytime to get my car. Dealer told me that they could unprogram the key, but that would only keep them from starting the car. It would still unlock it.

SO, my only other option as stated by the Dealer was to get the car re-keyed. Out the door, I paid $998 for two new keys and locks. I think I got a steal of a deal! :sly: :roll:

After reading and thinking about the RFID, decided to try out the comfort access key fob.
After removing the battery, the Mini system does not know if the fob is actually present or not. By removing
the key from the fob, that will unlock the car. Once inside, insert the fob in the slot, car starts and all systems
are normal.
So no concern about a battery going dead and not being able to use your Mini, and also for those that were
thinking of storing a key fob, just remove the battery. :wink: