I received 2 (two) regular keys and 1 (one) "plastic" key when I bought my 2003 MINI.

Thing is, I think I have lost one of the regular keys! Yes, I know, I still have the one, but now I *definitely* don't have a spare.

How much does it cost to get a new key from MINI? Is the process a pain in the a**? Do they have to keep my MINI for days and days? I know that sounds crazy but anything's possible when it comes to MINI service, even for a replacement key, since I know they are specially coded to work for each car.

Thanks for your help,

-MB

 

Hey, I'm replying to myself... does that mean I'm crazy?

Anyway, I got the answer. I called the dealer...very helpful.

Service advisor said it's a very lengthy process to get a new key for your MINI. Meaning, it takes many weeks from the time you order your new key to the time you receive it...

It involves sending a lot of "documentation" to GERMANY (no, not the plant in Oxford, England). Stuff like your driver's license, registration (I guess they want to "prove" it's you and will only send it to the rightful owner), Vehicle Identification Number, possibly even a copy of the bill of sale/lease. And I think that's it.

All that documentation gets sent to some place in Germany, where a new key is made that will work with your car. Then they mail you (or the dealer) your new key.

I didn't ask the price (still hoping I can find my key!) but if memory serves, I coulda sworn my motoring advisor told me it costs around $100 for a new one. YIKES! Don't lose your key(s)!!

Rock On,

-MB

 

My girlfriend lost one of my keys about a week after we got the car. I think that a new key will cost about $150, I think there was a thread about this a while back. I have been putting off buying a new one, because I would rather spend the money on fun stuff like mods. Eventually I will probably need to get a new one too though :???:

 

dont you guys hate that FCC sticker that peels off and
becomes irritably sticky on the back of the key? i used
some googone and took it off.

They should've etched that into the tool.

 

My wife lost my non-remote key about a week after I got the car (threw it away with the trash...the key, not the car ). Anyway, I've been putting off getting a replacement too, but think I will need to eventually. My question is whether it's possible to get a second remote-enabled key. I seem to recall discussions on the board about a year ago talking about "spare" keys and indeed the price was around $100 -$150...but I think that was for the remote-enabled key. I mean, I don't care if it takes a long time as long as I don't need it for daily use. And I always thought that the non-remote key was kind of stupid...might as well get a full function one.

 

When I picked up my MC, the remote key didn't work, so my MA ordered another one for me- it didn't take that long, but the dealership did accidently order it twice so now I have two remote keys, two non-remote keys and one valet key. I should never have to order another one! another funny thing, they ordered my replacement keys as MCS keys so it has the silver mini emblem on the front where as the MC keys don't. I would have thought the VIN would haven prevented that from happening. not complaining though, I think it looks better with the silver.

 

I've seen keys being sold on ebay. I wonder then if it's possible to get them recoded or something. Otherwise how would buying a key off of ebay be any good? Got any clues? Ans where did they get those keys anyway? Curious.

 

Non remote key?! I think that I only got two remote keys that were identical, and then a little wallet key that was in case I locked myself out.

 

I bought my car used and only got 1 key.......I lost it. (stupid....I know) Is there a way to get in and drive etc with some kind of temp key?

 

There is a plastic spare that comes with all Minis. It's molded into a credit card sized piece, and might be hiding inside your owner's manual packet. I'd look there.

 

Thanks,


The car is locked.....I'll call the locksmith. The "stuff" is in the glovebox

 

The emergency plastic wallet key not only opens the doors but it is also capable of turning the engine on. Did you left it inside the glovebox?

A brand new replacement remote key is $160 at my dealer plus re-programming, so be careful with it in the future.

 

The replacement process is very similar for a BMW and equally expensive. But it could be worse..... My wife lost a Lexus key a while back - dealer quoted me just over $300 for a replacement!

 

This thread has gone around in circles for a while...

But to answer the latest posts, I'm pretty sure that you can get a replacement "non remote" key for about $35. That's what it cost me at my dealer (MINI of Peabody) about 3 months ago. I was replacing the key, received with my 2002 MCS, that does not have the remote functions. I understand that it would be considerably more expensive to replace the one WITH the remote...but that's not what I needed.

My guess is that even if you have a 2003 + which (I believe, although could be wrong) came with TWO "remote" keys, you could still get one of the cheaper ones made. For emergency backup, this would be a good thing and may be more reassuring than the plastic wallet key (which all of us also have).

 

July 2002 picked up my MCS which came with one remote key, one non remote key, and the plastic emergency key.My wife said she wanted a remote key for herself, so I asked my MA about the cost and was quoted $75 .I hemmed and hawed for a minute ,but reluctantly agreed to buy one at the $75 price.Some weeks later got a call that the spare was in,went to the parts dept. and the guy told me it was $125! Freaked out .told him I was quoted the lower price by my salesman, who was then called, and he totally lied about the lower price, saying he'ld never said that. I calmly informed them I would be glad to purchase the key for the quoted price of $75 , but that if I had been quoted the higher price, we would not even be having this conversation,cause I would NEVER have ordered the key in the first place.They agreed to the lower price,and it is my understanding that the salesman had to make up the difference out of his commission on my car.I didn't (and still don't) have any pity for the dude.but meanwhile to answer the question posed by mighty_boognish: 2 years ago they wanted $125 ,and yes, there is a chip inside the key which must be programmed to work with your car.Peace

 

I bought my Mini used and only got 1 key. I lost it this week. the paperwork that the dealer/BMW requires to make a new key is in the glove box. I have to get an entry only key $36 and 3-4 days, get in my car and provide the paperwork and wait 2-3 days for my new key $160. Ihave another car but what a lesson. This is stupid. I showed them my proof of insurance a month ago to get a spare key and they would not accept it. I see a lot of dealer bashing but my dealer (Global Imports, Atlanta) has been great this is a BMW policy.

 

So what keys are you supposed to get? Two remote keys and a plastic key? Or one remote, one non-remote, and a plastic key?

 

Two remote keys and a plastic key

 

On the 05's, it's just printed right on the back, no sticker here. Guess they figured that one out.

-mike

 

I am not exactly sure, but I think that there should be a way to "add" keys with a remote to the ones that currently work the car. On most cars this involves having the "Master" key in the ignition, and activating the new key in the locked car - this way you can add extra drivers in a big family. This is probably how those keys on E-bay can be made to work with an existing car. You need the original Master key to work it though, so if you have lost that one, you are up the creek.