>>To add to the VW key comments, both the VW key and the MINI key are made by Valeo, and I believe the metal shaft is identical between the two. I haven't seen them side by side to confim this though. The VW blank cut to a MINI key should work, if the plastic opening around the ignition will allow the VW key to fit.


The VW key has a locating grove on each edge that the MINI key doesn't have. The VW key might fit in a MINI but not the other way around.

 

early_apex:
As they say, "to each his own".
And of course no offense was intended.

In my case:
Two things go into my right pants pocket, the MINI key and a SOG folding knife.
The SOG is perhaps a half inch longer than the MINI's key, so I disagree with the assessment of the key's length being obnoxious.
Plus both have relatively smooth edges (of course, that assumes I don't put the knife in my pocket wth the blade open).
When I first bought my MINI, my workmates would make fun of the key, the favorite being that the key was bigger than the car.
That stopped when I asked them to compare the actual size, volume, and weight of my MINI's key versus their "tiny" vehicle's key, their remote, the rings to connect the two, and any other do-dads they may have had connected.
Of course, the brighter ones would retort that they had other keys attached as well, to which I asked that they remove those and compare the bulk that remained.
Haven't been bothered since.

While the length bothers you, from your comments it seems your solution has problems.
And Trippy's solution was to black tape, I repeat, black tape the microchip to the key ring.
And while there may indeed be an 85% reduction in mass and weight, when the chip goes bye-bye, hopefully someone will give Trippy a lift.
Do not these "solutions" strike you as tenuous?

Trippy:
My key does not "honk" either.
It's the extra crap people attach that makes things huge and honking.

My Grand Prix's ignition key is about 2.5 inches long, the MINI's key is 3.75 inches.
Now I know why I'm so tired these days.
I've been schelpping around a piece of metal and plastic 1.25 inches longer and maybe a quarter ounce heavier.
I need a rest.

Peace. :smile:

 

You went thru extraordinary lenghts to basically cut up the key, but you still kept the huge "S" keychain....what gives??


Take out the keychain and you'll notice the "big" key getting smaller...

 

I was always under the impression that the keys self charged while in the ignition ? If this is the case and I only say IF as I do not know for sure won't you have a problem down the road as the electronic function loses power? Inquiring minds want to yadda yadda yadda :smile: Randy

 

Trippy & Mike, you guys must have too much time on your hand!

I remember grafting the shaft of a toyota key onto a Porsche key fob w/light, which took a lot of cutting and trimming using dremmel. I guess I had too much time too.

 

>>I was always under the impression that the keys self charged while in the ignition ?

The remote-control portion of the key uses a Panasonic CR3032 non rechargable battery so it does not recharge when in the ignition.

The Philips PCF7930 RFID chip has no battery, and gets power from a coil surrounding the ignition switch when it is asked for it's ID, so it does not recharge either.

 

Good info trippy thank you for the clarification,Randy

 

I love this whole discussion!

I never put anything in my pants pockets, and don't
consider the key to be too big.

Dogspeed.

 

So I go out to my car this afternoon after doing the mod, and I find that it is almost impossible to turn this little thing. So I make a few adjustments, and finally get the key to turn. The car doesn't start though, luckily I had my spare key in my glovebox. I tried holding the remote right up near the key and it still wouldn't start. It was a good idea, but I will be going back to my old key...

 

I went out and bought pants with bigger pockets! Now I can carry small children as well!

 

>>I went out and bought pants with bigger pockets! Now I can carry small children as well!

 

I just discovered the other day that if you place the fob near the ingition slot on the column without inserting the actual key, the car will ding away if a door is ajar.

 

If the key shaft and chip must be present to start the car, the combo provides both an electrical and mechanical code that must both be used to start the car - making it more difficult to steal. If you're not in a high crime area, has anyone considered permanently mounting either the chip at, or the shaft in the key slot so that only the other is needed?

While I find the key a little clumsy, it might be cool just to carry the chip and fob - leave the shaft in the key slot!

Thoughts?

 

>>So I go out to my car this afternoon after doing the mod, and I find that it is almost impossible to turn this little thing. So I make a few adjustments, and finally get the key to turn. The car doesn't start though, luckily I had my spare key in my glovebox. I tried holding the remote right up near the key and it still wouldn't start. It was a good idea, but I will be going back to my old key...


I was wondering how you were going to turn it in the ignition, seemed a little too small to get a decent grip without pliers of some sort, and that would really take up a lot of room on the keychain.

 

2004 Volvos also now use flip-out keys similar to those from VW, and also by Valeo I think. The difference is that the Volvo key flips out in the same plane as the rest of the fob, instead of the other way around (the hing pin is driven through the flat of the Volvo key instead of the edge on VWs). This might work better in a Mini, or for someone who wants to pull the metal out of the Mini key and try to fit into something else...

 

>>My wife has the big VW flip out key. While neat and all, it sucks. It's huge, and doesn't connect to any kind of ring in a nice way. With that, my old VW key and my house key's it really sucks. From my test drives I like the Mini key on it's own. When I attach it to the ring with the VW key, it's going to suck. I'd rather VW had a smaller key option like Mini's, but this is not a VW site. I'll worry about that when I get my Mini :smile:

What do you mean you can't fit the VW fob in a key ring? It's got a big loop that you can attach rings, etc. on it. The whole fob is about the size of a regular aftermarket car alarm remote.


-BruinToo

 

I'd like to see a stilleto like key. One that doesn't just flip up but just comes straight out of the plastic. Someone work on that

 

>>If the key shaft and chip must be present to start the car, the combo provides both an electrical and mechanical code that must both be used to start the car - making it more difficult to steal. If you're not in a high crime area, has anyone considered permanently mounting either the chip at, or the shaft in the key slot so that only the other is needed?
>>
>>While I find the key a little clumsy, it might be cool just to carry the chip and fob - leave the shaft in the key slot!
>>
>>Thoughts?

START button mod?
One of the new Mercedes has something similar.. Keyless go I think its called.. Walk up to the car and it opens. Sit in the drivers seat and start the car. only the chip on your keychain is needed.

 

For me its not the key being too big it the hoop is too small to connect a key chain holder. T.heir key doesn't work with the free key chain they gave me I just put a dog tag chain through it to copnnect to the key chain. I think i mike take some steel leader and make a more secure loop.

For me, the biggest problem is finding the keys. I'm horrible with keys. Been trying to place them in one spot but my brain keeps sabotaging me.

Paul

 

All you guys are trying to figure out how to locate the transmitter closer to ignition why not simply insert it into the rubber boot surronding the igntion. Considering doing this for my car since I'm installing a remote start.

 

I'm thinking English.

 

My dealer said the spare key can only be used 15 times. Why?

 

I'm guessing the key will wear out, i.e., as it's just plastic and will perhaps bend or break or be more apt to do that after being used a few times. The plastic will rub down from use and maybe won't be the same shape, and won't be able to turn the ignition mechanism to start the car.

 

It was my understanding that the battery in the key charges when in the ignition. How is that aspect affected?

 

I was told that this is because the battery in the plastic key doesn't recharge like the one in the normal keys, so it will only last as long as the battery in it lasts. I was told that the key is good for ~7 uses