I ordered an extra remote key for my husband. It cost $125 and the guy we ordered it from said it would come programmed and he would send it directly to our house. He told us that if it was for some reason not programmed to bring it in with the car and they would program it, and it only took a few minutes. We brought it in today and they told us there was a charge to program it!!!!?!?!?!?!? The service tech said it took about an hour and was billed at $95.00 per hour!! I told him we ordered a remote key and since it didn't work as a remote, we didn't get what we ordered. We spoke with the manager and he said he would split the charge with us! I said I wouldn't pay a penny more because we already spent $125 on the key and I was certainly not going to spend another $100! Finally after arguing my point they did it free of charge. Just a word of caution, if you are planning to order a spare key from Motorwerks MINI in Bloomington, MN be prepared to spend $225 for your key!! WHAT A RIP OFF!!!! :evil: :evil: :evil: I may re-evaluate my good review of them after this!

 

>> I may re-evaluate my good review of them after this! >>>>>>


I would think so!!!

 

Does the MINI ship only with 1 key? I've never purchased a new car before, but I thought that remote keys were dealt out in pairs.

Cheers

 

Thank you for that tid-bit. I have been thinking about ordering another remote key as a backup but did not know how much it would cost me. I am going to call my dealer and see what they say and share your horror story with them. I did receive 2 back-up keys, one that looks like the remote, but no remote attached, and the single wallet key. Again, thanks.

The Woodman

 

This may be too late for you, but new orders might be happy. I just placed a call into my dealer about ordering the MINI with an extra from the factory. I'll let ya'll know when I find out.

Cheers :smile:

 

Just got off the phone with my factory direct MINI dealer. He said that you can only get a spare key as an after production accessory. You cant have it come with your MINI from the factory.

Cheers :smile:

 

Shaskan, if your MINI isn't built yet, I think you are in luck. The 2003 MINIs come with 2 remote keys. Mine was one of the last 2002s to roll out of the plant, so I didn't luck out with keys. Mine did come with one remote key, one key that looks just like it, but doesn't have the remote, and one cheesey little plastic wallet key in case you get locked out. The only problem is if you lock the car with the non remote key it does not activate the alarm. I worry too much about her to leave her unalarmed.(she is so little and helpless I would hate to have some unsavory character hurt her while we are away) :smile:

 

I think the important thing is to copy the numbers that are on the back of the remote key, I belive you need one or both of these to program a new key.

Did they ask for these numbers when you got your new key Minigirl?

Pebble.
:smile:

 

Minigirl,
Thanks for the info. That's exactly what I was looking for. Great info.

Cheers

_________________
Frank L Shaskan
www.shaskan.com

 

I have a 2002, and thus have only the one remote. I've never understood this... giving you only one fully functional key has always seemed like a very weird way of cutting cost corners. Kinda like charging you for air in the tires or for a jack (hey! I didn't get a jack either...and understand I can pay extra for one...hummmmmm).

Anyway, the extra remote on 2003s is supposedly the reason for the $100 base price increase from 2002. So, it looks like either way, BMW wants you to pay extra for keys. Must be some kind of weird German thing...

 

Our August 2002 build Cooper only came with 1 remote key. The other 2 keys are 1 plastic wallet key and the other looks like the remote key (Same plastic fob) but devoid of any remote transmitters.

For 2003, all MINIs will include a second remote key.

My American cars equipped with Keyless Entry have always come with 2 sets of remote keyfobs. I think this is just plain cost cutting. I would have gladly paid the extra $125 in the final price for the second key. It is interesting to note that that $125 price increase in the 2003 MINIs is mainly to cover the costs for the second remote key.

If need be I'll get a new second remote key from our dealer, but I'll make sure for it to be fully programmed before accepting it.

 

>>I think the important thing is to copy the numbers that are on the back of the remote key, I belive you need one or both of these to program a new key.
>>
>>Did they ask for these numbers when you got your new key Minigirl?
>>
>>Pebble.
>>
>>
Actually the numbers they use are the little paper strip that came attached to your keys when you first got your car, not the ones on the back of the keys. If you still have it KEEP IT SAFE! You will need them if you ever need to reprogram.

 

>>If need be I'll get a new second remote key from our dealer, but I'll make sure for it to be fully programmed before accepting it.
Yeah, unfortunately we thought they were doing us a favor by mailing it directly to us. That way we were not there to complian right away! Also that way we were not aware of the additional $95.00 to program it. Sneaky huh?

 

Thanks for the info. Still planning on ordering an extra remote key. Question, on the MCS the remote key 'wings' are silver. On my friends MC the remote key is all blk. On the extra remote key are the MINI wings silver or blk?

 

>>Thanks for the info. Still planning on ordering an extra remote key. Question, on the MCS the remote key 'wings' are silver. On my friends MC the remote key is all blk. On the extra remote key are the MINI wings silver or blk?


Very cool fact. I haven't seen a MCS keyfob yet...hmm should I go and test drive one?

 

I picked up my MCS almost a month ago; I STILL don't have my remote key. The dealer lost the key, ordered one and it was the WRONG key, and so now I'm waiting to receive the second ordered remote key. When I told the dealer I wanted a second remote key for all my trouble, they tried to tell me that a second remote key might not work - what?! :evil: Can I tell you how much it SUCKS not having remote entry? And guess what? Now I have to drive to the dealer, pay them the fees for programming, and then wait to get reimbursed...hopefully that doesn't take a month either. Argghhhh! I think I'm getting a free T-shirt out of it, though. Yeah, I know...hardly good enough...but these days, I'm tired of fighting. It seems you have to do it so much with the dealers...

 

>>I have a 2002, and thus have only the one remote. I've never understood this... giving you only one fully functional key has always seemed like a very weird way of cutting cost corners. Kinda like charging you for air in the tires or for a jack (hey! I didn't get a jack either...and understand I can pay extra for one...hummmmmm).
>>


Look at it from the brighter side... if you DO buy that jack, at least you'll save $95 by not having to "program" it

(the jack/key thing does seem kind of silly... BMW may rethink it yet!)

 

Regarding "programming" the remote key...

This may be a silly question, but isn't this "programming" simply the process they describe on pp22 of the owner's manual? Look under "Keys", "Initializing the master key with remote control". They have two very simple processes.

This process is supposed to be used "when you activate a master key with remote control (replacement, ADDITIONAL KEY, or after a battery change), it must be initialized." (my CAPS)

They give you two options:

1. "press button 1 or button 2, see pp 24, four times in succession, OR

2. if the vehicle is unlocked:
(a) switch the ignition on briefly (position 2) and then off
(b) within 10 seconds, press button 1 and button 2, see pp 24, in succession.

(ps: all pp24 shows is a figure of the key, and which button is "1", and which is "2&quot

Now; if the steps above ARE what the dealer is doing... $95 for 4 clicks beats the HELL out of $6000 over MSRP for "Rip-off of the Year"!

So, is the process above what the dealer is doing for $95, or is this charge for programming all of the "personallized" features (lights, windows, tailgate...) into the car/key unit?

Enquiring minds want to KNOW!

 

I believe the programming refers to the extra functions like opening the windows and boot.

Thanks, Minigirl for this post.....it's really helpful.
I was going to order a second key so now I know of stuff to look out for!

 

No, it is not what the owners manual describes. The dealership has to put it into a computer with the other two original keys and type in the numbers on the slip of paper that comes with it, then the computer asks the programmer to retype in the numbers and delete certain digitie the 14th the 3rd etc if you screw up you have to start over at the beginning, I am not sure what else they have to do because I was a bit irritated at this point.

 

>>I believe the programming refers to the extra functions like opening the windows and boot.
>>
No, my programming only was to get the key to act as a remote to lock and unlock the doors, nothing fancy. If I were asking them to do an upgrade to open windows etc I wouldn't complain about the charge. I just get a bit testy when I order a remote key and it doesn't work as a remote then they try to charge me to make it work. Sorry, GRRRR! I am still a little chapped.

 

>>>>I believe the programming refers to the extra functions like opening the windows and boot.
>>>>
>>No, my programming only was to get the key to act as a remote to lock and unlock the doors, nothing fancy.




Very strange.... If this was JUST to get the key to act as a remote, then WHAT is the routine in the owner's manual for? It SAYS that it is to "...activate a master key.... replacement , additional key or after a battery change...". There's something rotten in the state of Denmark...

 

>>>>>>I believe the programming refers to the extra functions like opening the windows and boot.
>>>>>>
>>>>No, my programming only was to get the key to act as a remote to lock and unlock the doors, nothing fancy.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Very strange.... If this was JUST to get the key to act as a remote, then WHAT is the routine in the owner's manual for? It SAYS that it is to "...activate a master key.... replacement , additional key or after a battery change...". There's something rotten in the state of Denmark...
>>
And something really rotten in the state of Minnesota!!

 

Hello, I got a 2002 Mini from my husband for Christmas because I commute to work. I fortunately get 2 keys, 1 remote the other not. However the remote one doesn't work, I have to manually open the door.( no biggy), but am I to understand that the numbers on the back of the key have no link to programming the key so I can remotely open it? I have to say it's been a KICK to drive!
Thanks for any info:-):

 

Does the battery need to be changed or charged?