I bought my car and only got one key with it. I go to the stealer and order another key $160 later. I pick the key up and then they tell me i have to pay $114 to have it coded and i have to drop the car there for an hour... If i had an 05' or better it wouldnt have to be coded...

has this happened to anyone? Did it cost you this much??

 

I know people have been quoted upwards of $275-300 for a new key when theirs got lost. Not much consolation, but at least you aren't alone...

 

Yea i figured haha

 

yikes! and, it's not just MINI. I haven't seen a "normal" key on a new car in the past few years. I haven't touched my second key since I took delivery on my '06. Maybe I had better take both in for "service" while the car's still under warranty.

 

I would call Mini USA and ask if they are comfortable with BMW/ MINI asking you to pay $160 for a key and then over an hours labor to code it.

 

And since when doesn't a person get two keys with their car???? I bought my MC from the dealer, and they bent over backwards to get that second key from the previous owner - if they hadn't received it within the week, they were prepared to order it for me. Because they come with two keys. Don't they?

 

My mother has a new Jeep and that key is 250 also. its not just bmw/mini. As dimini said above, no such thing as a normal key anymore.

 

I got my used 04 this past summer, and the dealer only had 1 remote key. When I turned in my GTO to them, I said, "How about I only give you one key, and I'll keep this one?", half jokingly. They realized my point, and got me a standard spare (but without the remote) for no charge.

 

That is a lot for a key. Why did it not come with 2?

 

my mini had an after market alarm that would unlock the doors so i did not need the remote key nor programing. i just got the key that would start the car. $35.00 Rasmussen BMW Mini, portland Or.

the $35.00 included fast shipping from NJ. or NY somewhere on the east coast.

 

I purchased my '06 slightly used from the MINI dealer and they ordered a second key for me as part of the deal...so I'm not sure about the cost of the actual key. As for programming it, though...you can do that yourself. They had the key mailed directly to my house and it would not work. I found a post here on NAM that gave directions to program new keys and it worked like a charm. Do a search and it should turn up. If I can find it, I will post it for you.

You definitely shouldn't have to pay the dealership that much to program the key for you, though. it literally took me 30 seconds to do myself.

Edit: Sorry, just re-read your post and realize you have an '02. The instruction for pairing new keys is in this link. It's worth a try. Like I said, it worked on my '06.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rogramming+key

 

The in-car programming won't work with an '02. Gotta go to a dealer and have it done thru their PC enabled key reader. '02's came with one remote key, one non-remote key, and a plastic valet/emergency key (been in my wallet since day one: Feb. 28th, 2002 and never used)

 

Coding Keys is a dealers cash cow. When I bought a new Honda CR-V in 99, I bought a base model that didn't come with key remotes just keys. They wanted $500 for dealer installed remote keys. I passed. A year or so later I found a place that sold them on line and low and behold they said all the hardware you need is already in the car, they just code the remote. I bought two remotes for $49. The instructions for coding where easy, it was about as difficult as coding a new garage door opener remote and took all of 3 minutes.

 

just so people cant start your car with a screwdriver

 

Until some sketchy character figures out how to program an electric screwdriver...

 

my key for my 05 non s was like $ 150 At midwest auto group in columbus

he said he gave me a discount.. looks like he did..

i thought that was high.. wow

 

Back in 2003 I paid $118.72 for a replacement key and $100.00 to have it programmed . I found the 'misplaced' key about 2 days later .

 

AHAHA

 

How about this (note: I have an '06 MCSa):

My home was broken into 6 months ago. My SPARE set of keys were stolen. I called the dealership immediately and they said that even if they were to deactivate the key, it still allows for someone to get into the car by unlocking the door. MY ONE AND ONLY OPTION was to get the car re-keyed and reprogrammed. This means chaning out ALL locking mechanisms in the car. Total cost out the door was $997 to get everything taken care of.

Pretty crappy situation!

 

Would your homeowners insurance cover that? I would think it would be something you could get covered and have all the cars rekeyed.

 

That depends on your deductible. Often it's not worth the claim, as many deductibles are at least 1000 dollars anyway.

 

They covered the key but not the reprogramming or putting in new locks.