I have a '04 MC S...

Anyone know of a place (other than a dealership) in the San Francisco/East Bay area that can do the cutting of a new key? I don't need the electronics... fyi.

Thanks,

Matt

 

I've got a locksmith up here in West Seattle that can do it for $38. You can always get a "general key" for about $60 from the dealer; it will also start the car and unlock it with the lock as well. Any key you get cut from a locksmith will not start the car as it does not have the EWS chip in it (most probably).

Val

 

Hey Val,

Thanks for the info!

Two questions...

1) I just ordered this from eBay... will it work to start the car? http://www.ebay.com/itm/300993784105

2) Do you know if your locksmith would be open to me sending it to him?... and/or do you have any contact info for him (i.e. email, cell, website)??

Thanks again!

M

 

No....it WILL NOT START THE CAR.
The keys ews chip...the antitheft chip...will not be coded to the car...
If you just cut the key...you can open the door, and even turn the ignition... But no start.
I have never heard of a e-bay key getting successfully coded to the car, even with dealer help.
Only real use is spare parts to give a new body to your old key.....

 

Thanks for the feeback, Val...

What's the best (and least expensive) way to get a second key that WILL start my car?
Is that what you meant by "get a general key" from the dealer?... and then have you're locksmith cut it?

Thanks!

M

 

1- Go to the dealer
2- Bend over

AFAIK, the dealer is the only one who can get you a key that will start the car. And they will charge you a whole bunch of money for it.

 

+1
Dealer will have 3 different options $$ wise...
All will come precut...
1-plastic wallet key...only good for a couple uses...$
2- general key....has no keyless entry...works like a regular key..$$
3- regular key...has buttons for keyless entry use... $$$
You will need to show proof of ownership to the dealer to order...

 

The key without buttons for an 04' is $37.00 + tax.

If you opt for the one with the buttons they are $147.00 + tax and for years up to 05' requires 1 hr dealer programing....( $ whatever your MINI's dealers shop rate is )

 

That is for the plastic emergency key that isn't durable and shouldn't be used regularly. A standard key without remote lock is around $75.

 

Thanks all... MUCH!!

Just looking for an emergency key at this point.

btw... Slave to Felines... thanks for the laugh!! ;-)

Matt

 

the keys in a GEN1 changed in 2005.

The keys for 2002,3 & 4 CAN be programmed to the car by a sequence of button presses, provided in the owner's manual. (I just checked 2002, 2004 and 2005 manuals) The paragraph in the Keys section says the procedure is for, replacement or additional keys AND after a battery replacement.

You STILL need a key that has a chip of course, but no dealer programming fee should apply.

Check your owner's manual to be sure, but this is what I remember from my 2002 and what I find in on-line (pdf) owner's manuals
http://www.minimania.com/pdfile/2004...%20CooperS.pdf see page 22

{btw, never thought about it b4 but I guess the plastic emergncy key has a chip so it cab start the car . . .

btw #2 .... when I needed a new key for my 7 (failed while under warranty) I was told by the dealer/service mgr it had to be programmed to the car and I had to come in ... they could not mail it to me. So when parts told me it was there I drove an hour to the dealer. Parts guy handed me the key and said, have a nice day. What about programming I asked. He told me a 'virgin' key would simply associate itself with the first car the key was used on. Went to the car in the parking lot, took the key out of the plastic bag, put it in the slot and started right up . . . . car never saw the service bay, no service ticket written up. . }

 

Those instructions are only for programming the remote lock. Notice that pressing buttons on the key are part of the procedure. The remote for 2005+ keys can also be programmed by the owner (the procedure is different).

For 2002-2004, I believe that the chip for ignition requires dealer programming. Programming the chip was not necessary in our 2006 when my wife got her replacement key.

 

Capt and rkw... again... MUCH appreciate the info... big BIG help!!

THX!

Matt

 

We have a basic key for 42.06, the come cut and coded from Mini to your vehicle. It would be number 2 in the pic, part number 61317072781

-Sean

 

THANK you, TheMiniPartStore!
i'll be in touch most likely.
best,
Matt

 

Good price...cheaper than the 42.06....
Nice to see that prices on some parts are dropping!!