Hey guys, I didn't know where to post this but I thought someone might be interested. I just bought an OEM remote uncut key from an ebay vendor. Shipped cost was $101.82. I placed the order at about 11:45 a.m. and I received a shipment confirmation and tracking number in about an hour. Crazy fast! I think they only have about 4 left.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=220405730491

I think the price is good. All I have to do now is get it programmed and cut. I think I'm still saving maybe $150.00.

Cheers,

mininuke

 

How much you think the total is going to come out to be? I'm missing one of my keys I could use a spare.

 

I really have no idea. I hope the stealership don't rape for the cutting and programming. Unless I can do that elsewhere.

 

yea i doubt that they will do it for less than $150

 

Mininuke,

The first MINI I had only had one key and I did everything to try to get a cheap key without going through the deakership. Finally I bought a key without a remote from Morristown MINI (about 40 bucks, no tax).

I kept some of the searches I did and never found anyone who was sucessful with a key they bought on eBay to both start and operate the car remotely. If you do figure it out, please post a "How To" on the forums.

Here is a good example. BTW, Frenchie, who posted on this one is probably one of the most knowledgeable guys around in terms of MINI workings.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...4-new-key.html

Good luck

 

Thanks for the info. It looks like I wasted $100. I wonder if I get the ebay key cut then have the dealer program the remote then I swap the transponder to the ebay key, will it work? After that I can order a spare no-remote key from the stealership.

 

I don't know how it is at your dealership, but we don't cut keys here at the dealership where I work. We order keys by the customers VIN, and they come cut overnight from BMW in NJ(my local PDC). I'm pretty sure that your dealer won't be able to send the key to their local PDC to be cut either.
To get the key programmed for your car, you will need the bar code that it originally came with.

EDIT: If your car is an early '04 with a replaceable battery, then that key you bought can be used for cosmetic purposes...swap everything from a known good key for your car to the black plastic case from the eBay key...
if your key does not have a replaceable battery...then your pretty much stuck, unless you get eBay involved.

 

Good points.

Mininuke, if you did not get the code for the key you could complain to eBay and file a claim for false advertising. If you used a PayPal card they may be able to retrieve the payment if you act fast. I had a problem witha seller and 4 or 5 days after the transaction they cancelled it.

 

Thank you all for the info. After all it ended up as a pretty bad deal. I already asked for a refund and I will return the key. Hopefuly the vendor will agree. If not I will file a claim. I really don't have any MINI dealers close to me. I call them stealerships because of past experience, not with MINI I must say, but with Mercedes Benz, Audi and BMW.

 

I had the same problem. I know the stealership won't cut keys for you since they come from nj per vin no. So, I bought one non-remote key and bought one used remote key from ebay. No problem programming. It functions now like my other key. Now the plan was to swap heads with the non remote but the thing is how to split open the head without damaging it. Nobody here on nam has posted any answer to my inquiry on how to open the key head without cutting and glueing afterwards. And by the way new remote keys are only about $138 in SoCal and you can program it yourself. I have an extra key that I plan to split open and see what's holding them together.

 

There is at least one thread here about opening the key. There is another thread about taking the key apart so that the key and the remote are separated. I'll look around.

The other Mini I had had a non-remote key and I opened it up as per the directions in the former thread.

 

Here is one https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-and-keys.html (took me all of 10 minutes or so to find it with search). Look at post #5 and post #9.

 

thanks cigarman,
unfortunately, my keys are the ones on the right side of the illustration.

 

Cool, thnks for the post... my one is the left side of the illustration. My remote button is broken, thinking to buy a used one from ebay and swap the cover (everything). Any tips to unscrew the roll pin? It seem very hard.

 

Sorry, my MCS is an '03 and I thought all '02-'06 were the same :-(


Vodka, a role pin is not a screw. Roll pins were literally a pin made by rolling a piece of metal into a hollow cylinder. The hole the pin is inserted in is tapered and the pin is pressed in from one side and the taper on the other side prevents it from going through. The pin is of softer metal than the metal it holds together, so it deforms slightly when pressed in place.

Now any pin that serves the same purpose is referred to as a roll pin. Roll pins are used in many applications from holding firearms parts together to the links of the watchband.

Get a pin or small nail that will fit in the slot and a small hammer. Find the wider side and push the pin back in the way it came by tapping on the pin while the key is over a piece of wood or opened pliars so that the key is supported and the pin is over an opening.

 

There is no way to push the roll pin out of the "pre-facelift" key, as there is no hole on the backside of the key in which to push.

I answered vodka's question in the "Of cannibals and keys" thread...you can use a small self-tapping screw, and screw it into the roll pin a little bit, then using pliers or Vice-Grips grab the head of the screw and pull out the pin.

 

Thanks for the correction, Partsman

 

You're welcome...glad I could help.

 

we dont cut keys at our dealership either and we program those keys for free its a simple process