I want to have an extra fob for my Clubbie and I was wondering if anyone knew if a pre-owned fob could be reprogrammed? I have a standard key fob, no comfort access.

I keep seeing key fobs for sale with BLANK UNCUT BLADES but with PRE-OWNED FOBS. I don't care if they are pre-owned or not, I just want to make sure that it can be re-programmed.

I am waiting to hear back from a local guy I know who programs keys for BMWs exclusively using one his machines. I think its the Autologic.

I'd appreciate any help

 

NO.
Several posts in the last few months....and gen2 mini fobs are a one car deal.
One explanaion is the mini uses a rolling code, and once it is synced with one car, it cannot be reprogramed to match the code of another car.....

 

^ Thank you Zippy!

I knew it was too good to be true lol. Tomorrow I'll be off to the dealer for a colonoscopy.

Any idea if I buy a new fob if it needs to be programmed by that same dealer or does it auto-program when left in the ignition slot like some other cars?

 

99% sure from what I have read that the dealer must program it... outside chance a specialist MIGHT be able to do it with some specialized tools, but with the chance of bricking a $$ fob, IMO why chance it to save the programming charge.

 

I'm 99% sure the dealer doesn't program a replacement key fob - they order it pre-programmed for a particular car.

 

Exactly, the same reason they can't reprogram a fob applies here.
It is quite the money maker for them, after all you can by after market fobs for many cars.

 

Just for the record... After speaking to 2 independent programmers a used key fob cannot be re-programmed. Any used/pre-owned fob becomes just a paperweight.

I went to the dealer parts department today and ordered the new fob remote and slide-in key. According to this parts guy, I will not need any additional programming from their service department. He says that since its a standard key that this new key should be inserted into the tray for a few seconds and it will be recognized by the car and the process is complete. (The comfort access keys are a different process and requires the car with whatever key(s) you already use). Let's hope that's true. Would be really nice if a new standard key is under $200 all in.

 

And speaking of the record I will fess up to buying two used fobs on eBay, thinking it would be as simple as it was for my 2010 Subaru to reprogram them myself. Needless to say, it was US $45.00 down the drain.
I sent a notice to eBay about it, never got a reply back, so spread the word, if you belong to any MINI org let the members know, maybe they'll save themselves the $$ and the frustration.

 

I'm eager to hear what exactly was their explanation(s).

 

in my experience when you order a new fob from MINI you get a 'virgin' one that has never been associated with a car. If that IS the case, you just put it in the slot and it them marries to your car and all is well. This was my experience WAY BACK in 2007 when one of my original fob went fubar soon after purchase. Since the GEN2 was brand new there was a learning curve for the dealer who insisted I had to come (an hour) to the dealer for them to program the new key. When I got there the parts guy handed it to me and said you should be good to go! At that time they THOUGHT they could reprogram a key associated with another car and had me come in on the assumption MINI would send a 'used' key . . . . I WAS good to go and a little pissed about a wasted trip - they could have mailed me the new fob.

And of course only by ordering from MINI are you going to get the physical backup door key cut properly - but I find many owners don't even know they have those!

 

Damn man. You learned this lesson the hard way unfortunately. I almost bought one. I thought to myself that worse case scenario is a I would have another black housing and I could send it to the body shop to have it painted Hot Chocolate . Have you thought about making a custom key?
One was pretty short with me and said no that's impossible... similar to the dealer. The only one who did give me an answer said that the boards were designed with security (or one-time programming) so that MINI could control keys and hackers/thieves cannot use used keys with their equipment to start up cars with different VINs.

 

Not very convincing. Usually, remote have a certain rolling code/encryption logic, and all is needed is to add the remote XYZ into immobilizer memory. Besides, most likely MINI remotes use the same technology as BMW cars, and we all know how easy remotes can be added there. I've heard an argument that thieves use new/blank remotes, but w/o explaining what exactly is the difference b/w blank and used remote.

 

You can ask Adam from North East Auto Clinic yourself. This guy is one of the best and usually when I'm told something can't be done he's the one with the right answer. He's done multiple things that I was told by the dealer couldn't be done. The only reason why I believe him is because he wouldn't benefit by me ordering a new remote or just buying a used one.

............................................

So I received my new Remote and Slide-In Key from Westchester BMW today. When I picked it up Kevin reminded me that I should be able to pop the remote in the ignition and it would sync up (standard, no comfort-access) since the key remote and slide-in were ordered specifically for my VIN. He said to insert all the way, let the remote sit in the tray for 10 seconds and then press the start button. Car turned on right away. I closed the door after and all the buttons worked perfect. Thankfully because no programming was necessary I got a brand new key for under $200. I'm very happy. And the turnaround time, ridiculously fast (ordered 1/4, received 1/7).