I went to get a replacement key at Denver's dealer; they want $180!!!
They said that could fax them my title, paypal the cash, and they'd send me a key (I'm in South Dakota).
I'll bet other dealers would do the same. Then I could just get the fob parts programmed the next time I drive to Denver (for ANOTHER $30!)
So... where's the cheapest dealer to get a new key? I want a regular key, AND a key fob.
Thanks!
C

 

I paid $72 for the regular key from the Mini Dealer in Pleasanton, CA. They mailed it to me as well. I don't know their pricing for the fob key.
It sure would be nice to have a dealer step up and sell the keys at a "humane" price online.

 

Unfortunately that's the literal price you pay for having a key with an embedded chip that talks to the ECU. Nobody will steal your car, but the dealer will steal you blind if you need a new key.

 

In case anyone wants to try a replacement fob from China, forget it unless you are in the mood to perform microsurgery. The keyfob looks the same on the top and bottom. It even has soft buttons in the right places. However, if you manage to pry the original key and electronics out of the Mini key, you won't get them into the replacement. The key slot itself is blocked off and the hinge is right where the key needs to pass through. In addition, there are plastic ridges in the inside of the clamshell which seem intentionally placed to prevent the electronics from resting properly inside. Maybe this was done to prevent BMW from suing?

 

I bought as replacement cover, removed the chip & battery and put it in the new cover. Now will not start the car. And it's my only key. Screwed and tattooed now.

 

Look in the old key...
There will be a chip...looks like a grain of rice...usually glued in the old key...move it...that is the ews chip....
The big circuit board and battery was just for keyless entry....and that is assuming you already moved the keyblade (metal part).

 

I'm using the old key. I just moved the battery and circuit board into a new plastic housing bout on Fleabay. Battery was removed so needs programming?

 

Maybe that's the problem... there is NO grain of rice chip glued to the key.

 

The ews is passive..basicly a RFID chip....and paired with the car....no battery. Programming is for keyless entry...nothing to do with start.
Look at the old key...and area where you worked...see if you can find it.
If in doubt...put the new key in the ignition...and hold the old case next to the new key...see if you hear a ding....ding means chip has been read....
Have you looked at the thread with pics on the key rebuild? On a phone now so can't link...but pretty in depth...lots of pics of the parts....

 

I've had a bad quad heart bypass... 17 stents in my heart... bad hips & back can't have surgery because of heart so (4) 10/325 hydrocodone + muscle relaxers per day make me a walking zombie. Grain of rice chip was probably mistaken for paint by my neighbor who swapped the key housing for me... on his dirt floor garage. I couldn't find a football. Time for me to go to BMW Dealership and bend over.
Thanks for the info

 

Programmed replacement key $335 at MINI of Plano, by the way! I had hail damage on my 2004 Mini S (r53) hood so I got a quote from Mini of Plano & a body shop, then flew to Memphis (from DFW), bought a pristine Blue Metallic Hood AND a 1988 Silverado SWB Step Side, bought new tires at Falken tires @ WallyWorld and drove home with $ left over from State Farm. Damned good thing, as I'll need the truck to drive to / get raped at Mini of Plano.

 

For those of you in this thread or who stumble upon it later, here is the how to I put together for repairing the early style clamshell key:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rbishment.html

The "grain of rice" that is referred to is what I call the "EWS" chip in my how to and yes, the quality of replacement shells from China varies widely as I have learned the hard way. Do it yourselfers really should stick to the key shells sold by "artiway" on eBay.

Val

 

After searching all over L for a 'white chip / grain of rice' my neighbor pointed out a rectangular chip (looks like a refrigerator magnet) glued into a 1/4" x 1/2" open plastic enclosure on the back side of the original key fob. I replaced my new fob case back with that one and started my car. Problem solver for $20 Chinese casing from Fleabay.

 

ONLY my fob casing was bad, key was ok and so were the circuit board and chip. So I bought a FOB casing on Fleabay from Artiway for $18. (see pic), removed the battery, circuit board & chip. Chip goes in that small rectangular opening in the back of the case. It's black or dark gray & looks like a small magnet. Key is removed with use of small nail to remove / reinsert a small 'brad / pin', snap it together and you've got a working (unlocking / locking) key fob for 02-05 MINI R50 R53. I did NOT replace the key itself. I bought a backup key from Mini of Dallas and they require either Title or registration slip.


See FatherG's post above for cheap key replacement. "I paid $72 for the regular key from the Mini Dealer in Pleasanton, CA. They mailed it to me as well. I don't know their pricing for the fob key. It sure would be nice to have a dealer step up and sell the keys at a "humane" price online. ".


The $72 bucks from his Mini Dealer and the Artiway 'FOB' casing for $18 should give you a working key and fob (provided that you have salvaged both the chip and circuit board) for less than $100 bucks. Most dealers will want over $300 for a programmed replacement key & fob.