Maybe it was all a cruel joke, and maybe the joke's on me, but when I bought my MINI, it only had one key, there was no spare, but I had heard something about a secret spare compartment, and I was hoping there was one, and maybe my spare was there. Can someone speak about this, or PM me on this? Thanks, and sorry for being an "Indi-ot." (You get it, Indi Blue, idiot...)

 

There is one, but the dealer charges $250 to show you where it is and another $50 to program the key.

 

I could buy another key for that....

 

I think that was the point...

MINI's don't have any secret key compartments...

 

The only "Secret Key" compartment I know of isnt really a compartment but a small ledge near the rear tire. Put your hand up around the wheel well and you will find it. Unfortunatly I dont think you will find your spare key there. Its just kind of a secret place to put your key if you are parked somewhere and dont want to take it with you

 

Well it's not so secret if you're posting it on a public internet forum . You'd have to be nuts to leave your keys on a "Ledge" in your tire well .

 

That's kinda the thing I was thinking I had heard about, but I was hoping it would hold a spare key.... The dealer charges so much for another key...

 

Did you buy your car from a MINI dealer? Mine also only had 1 key, (from Patrick MINI used) and they ordered the key when I got the car. One week later i had 2. If you did not buy from a MINI dealer then you may have to buy from the dealer.

 

I did not buy it from a MINI dealer, so I will be buying one from the dealer.

 

Just get the plastic key unless you need the remote.
I was quoted $15 for the plastic key. Just what I need as a spare. If I need another remote key then I can pay for the expensive one.

You will just about have to take a DNA test for any key, but the plastic is much less, and you can prob get from one of the dealers who give a discount on this site.

 

I will check into that! Thanks!

 

The 07 DOES!!!!!! Seriously...

 

I'm in the highest car-theft region in the country. I wouldn't even THINK of leaving my key anywhere NEAR my car and walking away. Heck, I set my alarm at the gas station if I'm going inside.

 

AFAIK, there's a transponder in the key which must be present (and functional) to start the car. That's why it's important to rotate the keys every few months so both of them are charged and the spare will work if needed -- a fully drained key won't work... At least, that's what a service advisor once told me.

Do you know for sure that the plastic key can start the car?

 

Although I have not tried it yet, the MA told me that the plastic key will start the car, which is pretty handy in an emergency.

1QukMini did you buy your car new? When I bought mine new, I was given 2 keys and a plastic one. Maybe your dealer is holding out!

 

If he brought it used, I'm guessing the previous owners kept the other 2 keys. Thankfully my cars previous owners gave up all the keys. I love them. It would freak me out knowing someone out there has a set of keys to my car.

 

[quote=911Fan;1536620]AFAIK, there's a transponder in the key which must be present (and functional) to start the car. That's why it's important to rotate the keys every few months so both of them are charged and the spare will work if needed -- a fully drained key won't work... At least, that's what a service advisor once told me.

Do you know for sure that the plastic key can start the car?[/quote

For my 04 the plastic key does start the car. I was under the impression it only opened the door, but I tried starting the car and it worked.
I would hope for $15 the plastic key has the chip needed.

 

I think we have you beat .

 

Yeah, I was including you in the general Central Valley/Hwy 99 area. IIRC, six or seven of the top ten are in CA, and four of those are Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto and Fresno. Something like that. Scary.

 

...having a car alarm...

now that's funny.

 

The plastic key will indeed start the car, and power is not necessary for the key to work (You don't have to keep them all charged). It IS a good idea to cycle the keys out though, otherwise the keyless entry on the key's won't work when you try to use it .

 

Its printed in just about every piece of promotional material about the MINI Ive seen. Its kind of a gimicky thing and I dont think they really expect you to use it . BUT, People have been keeping spare keys under their cars for eons. They sell those little metal boxes with magnets attached just for that reason. If someone is going to steal your car, they really arent going to risk getting caught searching around for your key. Most likely they will just smash your window and try to hotwire it, or in the MINI's case, pick it up and carry it away