As the title says, my local stealership quoted me 550 dollars for a key, and then another 250 to program the key for my R53 MCS.

My understanding is that these keys ship pre-programmed already, so I'm 100% certain they are trying to take me for a ride.

Can anyone here point me in the proper direction?


the dealership in question is Checkered Flag Mini on Va Beach Blvd, BTW. Avoid those clowns.

 

My local mini dealer in Grand Rapids Michigan today said $88 for a key without remote. Comes pre-programmed to the car. They said $220 for a remote key plus $100 programming. My understanding is the programming is for the remote part.

This was for a r52 (2005 S convertible). I've seen posts say $40-50 for the non-remote key and $150 +programming for the remote key. I don't know where they are getting them from.

 

Yes... Run away as fast as you can!

 

These guys may be able to give you a better price.


http://shop.keylessshop.com/

Disclaimer: I have not personally done business with them but have heard they can do it at a much more reasonable price (I'm trying to get a replacement key for another type of european car). The shop in Hagerstown is the only one in the area that can do european cars.

 

The horror stories of Checkered Flag keep piling up. Are you a member of HR MINI? Those guys can tell you lots of scary tales about Checkered Flag

 

How much your key will cost depends on the year of your car.

If you need a second key, the only real place to do that is at the dealer. Don't be fooled by new or used keys on eBay or the like. Not sure what model you have so the prices from the dealer vary. I would be very suspicious of "The Keyless Shop"- MINI keys are almost impossible to properly duplicate. If you go there make them sign a guarantee that the key will be fully functional and that it has at least a year guarantee. I have heard second hand that keys made by places other than a MINI dealer work for a month or so and then inexplicably quit either opening the doors or starting the car (they are two different systems).

If you have a 2002-2004 model you can order either a remote key which will be expensive ($200?) and you will need to pay for some programming time (for your car) at the dealer to have the remote functions work, or you can order a "general, non-remote" key ($100?) which is cheaper and a good second option for most people. Both of these keys will arrive with the blade cut and the internal immobilizer chip programmed correctly so your car will start.

If you have a 2005-2006 hardtop or 2005-2007 convertible (any R52 model) you can get the remote key and do the pairing to allow the remote to work by yourself, or you can get a "general, non-remote" key for these models as well. Two sets of pairing instructions are in the link below.

If you have a newer, second generation model (with the round key) the only option is a remote key and I also believe that you need to have your car programmed at the dealer for these keys as well.

Hope this helps- if you have any more questions feel free to ask. Here's a good website with lots of information about these keys:

https://sites.google.com/site/minian...moving-forward

Most of the above is a message I sent earlier to a key inquiry on my "MINI Key Hospital" facebook page (I do key repair for MINI owners). I'm guessing on the above prices but I do know that the prices you were quoted are a complete ripoff- no way any other dealer charges that.

If you have an existing key that needs repair I may be able to help.

Bruce Hart
MINI Key Hospital

 

I was going to guess it was MINI of Sterling. Now that they do Rolls Royce there, too, they charge Rolls Royce prices...

 

Thanks Bruce.
It's a 2005, with the three button remote key. This is the only key, it came with the car when I picked it up used. The key starts the car, and the button locks the doors, but will not unlock, or operate the trunk. It's in what I can only call "dismal" shape, lol.
I'm thinking the circuit board inside is damaged or something. Only thing I can think of that would cause 2 of the three buttons to not function.

@BUGETER No, I'm not. Wasn't aware of their existence.

 

We recently just went through this. My son's '05 MCS only came with one key also. Went to Stevens Creek Mini (San Jose) and ordered a key. Total came to $228.

When we picked the key up, it was programmed and surprise surprise it also started the car.

$800 is nuts!

 

I learned how to use DIS just for this problem. Used it to code a new dealer remote key ($160) for my 2003. Don't know if it's needed for a 2005. Willing to help if you Are in the northern DC suburbs.

 

I bought two keys, one with remote and one without remote, for 186 at the dealership. Gave them my vin, keys came pre-cut the next morning. Did the lock unlock hold button deal to program and it worked just fine. Your dealership is trying to bend you over.


Edit: mine is an 06.

 

'05 & '06 keys can be secondary-programmed by the user (to work the door locks), but you'll still have to get the pre-programmed (for the ignition) key from the dealer in the first place - which should be well under $200. I think mine was around $140.

 

I can't get my remote to sync with the car to lock and unlock the doors. Starts car fine. Anyone got any tips to get this to work?

 

Not sure what year your car is, but this might help. It's a FL Cooper, so I don't know if it's the same for the earlier cars.

 

Congratulations on learning DIS or easyDIS- I understand it's very hard to do. DIS is only needed for key programming on the 2002-2004 cars with the two button remotes. 2005-2006 and all convertible R52 models with the three button keys allow the car to "learn" which remotes to respond to with a series of button pushes on the remotes. More on that in a moment.

What year is your car? This site has lots of great information about these keys including the "learning" procedures you can try. For the 2002-2004 keys the car must have already been programmed to accept any given remote, but there are re-pairing procedures listed on this site:

https://sites.google.com/site/minian...moving-forward

 

Regarding a rip off price from a dealership, don't hesitate to contact another dealership as my 2005 replacement key was about $200. A key is so small, I think any dealer would do it and mail it to you with little hassle.


Some dealerships sell OEM parts on line for a bargain rate. No one dealer has a strangle hold on the market unless we let them.

 

I just bought one from my dealer for my 2004. Key was $135 and the coding to the car was $100. I believe in 2005, you could code them to the car yourself.

 

Completely forgot to post the year, it's an 02 r53

 

good old Checkered Flag

bought from them in the very early days, 02-S

service department quickly established self as "creative" about 2 weeks after "pre-paid" maintenance ran out .... took car in for a warranty issue:

You need new pads and rotors right now, you are worn to the minimum ....

Really, I put new pads and rotors on myself about a month ago . . .

knew 3 other owners that had similar experience first visit after maintenance ran out ....

I guess they have not changed and I miss them NOT!

but I did make friends showing other 02 owners how to do oil changes and brakes and the like so they could stay away . . . .