I have been following Valvashon's DIY for the key FOBs.
I tried to send him a pm but his box is full. His suggestion to use aliexpress.com I see the FOBs ranging from $6.10 - $12.13. What's the difference and will I be okay with the $6.10 priced one?
Thanks

 

If you need a new key the dealer is going to be your only choice. There is no work around for the imobilizer programming on the 02-04 MINIs

 

I understand the price is between $200 - $300. Why not just swap out the circuit board to the new shell for less than $14?

 

Hi- my inbox is now cleared out. Most aliexpress sellers want to move quantities of key shells as they are wholesale sellers. There's just a range of prices as there are on any item. eBay is also a good place to look.

I recommend the type that have the back of the clamshell "complete" as opposed to having a "wheel well" shape at the bottom of it. In other words, one that looks like your current key. The clamshell shape has no bearing on the key, but I have found that the "wheel well" ones are of a somewhat inferior interior design, and the ones with the full clamshell are just a better copy of the original. eBay seller "artiway" used to sell good shells but I don't know what happened to him. If you find one you like send me the link and I can tell you if it is good to use or not.

The "wheel well" types do work (I have a supply right now) but it's tricky to get the button action to work correctly sometimes. The full clamshell ones are easier for a first timer to make work correctly.

If you want it done for you my prices are reasonable and I do guarantee my work.

Bruce

 

Thanks Bruce for the info and offer. I am the type that likes the challenge of doing it by my self, and then if I can't do it, then I call the professionals. It looked easy enough by your description. I just finished replacing my tie rod assemblies.
Will definitely send you a link to what I am looking at purchasing.
Oliver

 

Okay, Bruce, here are a couple of links:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/for-B...951043820.html

This one is only $6.10:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-...874156842.html

 

The first one would be a better choice as it seems to be the full "shell" type. Unless you have something against eBay, I recommend this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/02-05-MINI-R50-R53-REMOTE-KEY-HEAD-CASE-SHELL-REPLACEMENT-FOR-KEYLESS-ENTRY-FOB-/280808427606?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ACooper&hash=item41617c9056&vxp=mtr
It's from seller "artiway" and they arrive nicely finished and ready to go. With the wholesale ones you often have to assemble the buttons and wings and sometimes pull out the blade without wrecking the new shell.

The "artiway" ones have no blade and have the buttons and wings already fixed in place. Again, I recommend this one for you.

Dr. Bruce

 

Ordered, thanks

 

How difficult is it to remove the key blade for the switch to the new shell?

 

I am still considering a switchblade key as my original, 2003, is simply worn out. But it doesn’t seem like it’s going to be smaller or easier to use. Someone, convince me I will love it.

///Rich

 

I will assume you have gone through the tutorial on this.

I found the most difficult part to be removing/installing the roll pin that holds the key blade in place. I used a Dremel with a cutoff wheel to cut away at the old plastic case so I could get the roll pin out. After that, I epoxied the blade in the new case because the knockoff case was not quite a perfect fit for the blade. Driving the roll pin with a punch was fine but I could not get it to seat fully by driving it with the punch. I chose to file off a little of the roll pin.

 

Let me guess, your arm is made of rubber, right?

I can't speak to a switchblade key on the MINI as I also have a 2003 with original key style.

I can speak to the switchblade key from a 2000 VW GTI. Yes, it was a little bulky but not really all that much more than my 2003 remote key. In the 14 years I owned the car I almost never thought about the bulkiness. Offsetting the bulkiness was the convenience that the blade doesn't get in the way of anything. The "switchkey" feature is really nice to have because it makes a nice compact little package.

I would love to get a switchblade key working for my 2003 MCS.

 

I just did this for my 2003 when I converted from a non-remote FOB to a remote veriosn. The change was really simple. Natually you need to open the case first. Then I used my power drill with a bit that was slightly larger than the ID of the pin, but smaller that the hole that the pin in pressed into. I placed the tip of the drill on the pin and slowly started to "drill" the pin out. What I found was that the drill bit caught the split in the pin and caused it to rotate with the drill bit. By slowly pulling back on the drill, it extracted the pin quickly and easily wihtou damaging the case or pin. From there simply pull the blade out of the housing.

I did this on two keys, and it worked great for both.

 

I think your post about the drill technique is a good tip. In fact this is exactly how I initially thought to do it when I found that the pin was tight, but when I looked through my meager collection of drill bits, I did not have an appropriately sized one. Since I was doing the work at night, I made do with what I had.

Glad to hear the technique works!