Interesting how you could push start it.Must try this push starting thing.Judging by how well it cranks over and goes,it may be a second gear drop of the clutch to get it going.Nice to know.I,ve pushed started every other standard tranny car I've owned,why not this one
You had the key in the ignition,that's why it started.Maybe

 

FYI with the battery... make sure if you dont buy a battery from the dealer that you get a batter that is vented. If you dont vent it or get one that is vented.... it could be fatal. REALLY. Those fumes come from the battery inside the car and it can be a bit nasty. I figured that I better post that incase anyone buys to the autopart store for aftermarket battery. The MINI/BMW battery should last a long time being in the boot. The highest causes of battery faliure are HEAT and VIBRATION... being in the rear of the car and strapped down really well decrease the amount of "wear" on the cells inside the battery.... just and FYI

 

Letting it freeze does no good either

 

The chip in your key could be bad. Do you have another key or a credit card spare you could try?

 

I talked with one owner who had GPS ,who had problems with the gps killing the battery by costantly rebooting itself,even with the car parked!FWIW

 

I went on a trip to Orlando for a week, came back, and eager to get my MINI fix, I put my key in the ignition, and it barely turned over.

I took the car out for a spin and everything seemed fine, but about a mile from my house, the flat tire warning indicator came on. I went home and checked my tires, and my left rear tire was 20 pounds!! OMG.

This tire had a minor puncture that I had looked at a couple months ago, but was deemed not a deep enough puncture to need repair.

3 days later, I haven't driven my car, I go to retrieve an item from my boot, and it won't unlock. I look at my driver/passenger doors and the doors are unlocked. I hit the remote unlock several times and nothing happens.

I put the key in the ignition, and turn it---with the clutch in. Nada. No lights, no sounds. I try a few more times, and the passenger seat belt warning light dimly lights up, then goes out.

Fortunately I have a battery charger so I put it on my battery. A few minutes later, when I put the key in, the interior lights and dash come on, but the car makes a clicking sound. So I leave the charger on for a few more minutes, and now the car starts.

My car is 13 months old. I didn't have the battery on, nor do I have any devices that would drain the battery--no amps, no aftermarket headunit, etc.

The only thing that happened while I was in Orlando was that it got really cold--and rainy--even though my car was garaged. Strange.

My car is drivable now and I have an appointment with the dealer tomorrow, so I guess I will have it looked at. But it's strange.

 

Even though not lit up the clock is running.Do the computers shut right down,I don't know

 

I think it is great that everyone just ignored your "input"! When folks come to this board with a real-time problem the last thing they want is a smart a88.

 

Up here in the great white north,you learn to turn off everything when you park the car,heater fan,radio.Open the door get in fast so interior light is on for a short a time as possible.
Newer cars,MINIs included,have lots of things running when they sit parked,and lights and things turn on when you unlock and get in.The heated mirrors are on,plus the washer heaters are on at click 2 of the key.Lots of drain on the battery before you crank the motor.
My MC started all last winter,no block heater,never used the charger I bought,unless the car was going to sit for more than a day.
If the car is going to sit for any kind of time,use a SMART battery charger.Mine goes into the lighter,and only charges if the battery amps drop to a certain level.Low level charging is not hard on the battery.

 

Well, looks like my problem was an isolated issue...a pin was found to be bad from the clutch switch module to the ews. Makes sense why I was able to push start it and why it wasn't an ecu/security issue like they first predicted

 

What kind of booster pack do you use? The one I have is quite large and warns against exceeding 100 deg heat, which can be a problem in my boot in the summer!