Expensive 1st Gen Key ???
 

I got this 2003 Mini Cooper in a trade for my old truck I like it very much ,but for the stupid key the dealer quoted me a price for a new key at more then a years worth of gas outrageous,but this clever group must have an answer ?,iam a long time mini classic fan, and owned a 68 Mini Cooper ,69 mini , 73 country I drove throughout Europe and Africa in the eighties none since then lol and now this Mini Cooper, more BMW then mini, but I do like it ,easy parking ,tough here in sf , a very zippy black with a white roof, sun roof 5 speed I got a new drivers seat but haven't installed it yet, got to figure out the plugs had the oil changed and new back brakes will need front soon and could use new tires but all in all a fun ride!

What's your question?

Sorry looking for a cheap repair or replacement for the key !

There are tons of info for Key Fob repair, you can start here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-question.html

MINI is not unique on this key cost thing ....

new cars with wiz bang push button key systems are all crazy $$. I thought I lost a 'fob' for my Focus ST and the replacement cost was $500. Was super happy when I FOUND IT ....

btw ... took me 4 tries b4 I was able to get new keys made for my 79 ..... first I just went to a hardware type who took a shot which did not work. So next I went to a locksmith and again it LOOKED good, but did not work (would not turn), next I bought blanks from a British part supplier and took these to the locksmith and it STILL wouldn't work, Finally saw "Triple C" folks at a car show and had them make me a key (I'd bought the key blanks from them) .... worked perfectly first time ..... http://www.triple-c.com/

I bit the bullet last week and got one from the dealer. $174 plus $135 for programming. I bought my 2002 in March and it only came with one key.

Not having a spare was an issue but not as big as parking my car in the Mission District in San Francisco with my computer gear in it and coming back after ten minutes to find my car unlocked. (The lock button had also fallen out so I had to manually lock it each time.)

The old key had very light button springs. When I put the key in my pocket, it was unlocking the door!

The new key requires much more deliberate pressure on the buttons to activate.

That's a good price ! Where did you find it?

Mini of Marin in Corte Madera.
Take your existing, license and registration to the dealer. Had the key the next day. Made appointment for the programming and was out in a couple of hours with a washed car.

Since it's done by VIN, you might be able to order the key by phone. Maybe not for security reasons.
415.737.7150

I live in the city now but I know Mini of Marin nice folks bought a mehari from them back in the 70s the sf mini they wanted 250 for the key and 250 plus to program !shame, shame ,thanks for the lead, but iam hoping for a cheaper fix as the cars not worth that much, just fun around the city

My spare key died so finally got around to ordering a new one. Mini of Alb., NM ordered it for me and even though my son is friends of the GM the price came out to $239-no discounts on keys. The physical key would be an additional $50 which I don't need as the battery had died on my spare.
I tried to replace the battery($7 on Ebay) and got it soldered in OK but there was no memory left so no joy.

It just seems so counterproductive to make a new key more expensive then fuel for a year ,this is being driven by the insurance industry not the car owner , or car maker, and I see the new cars are getting worse �� Now it's not even a key!

I went to the dealer and got the key for $174. Then I went to a Indy shop and got an oil change and they program the key for free

Whoa, when you say indy shop, do you mean independent? I thought only the dealers had the software to reprogram these things. If that's the case, I may go get mine finally done.

Although using the key to open/close isn't that big of a deal. It would be nice to have that function back.

For a 2005+ 1st gen, you can link the key to the car yourself to have the remote function.

Yea an independent shop. But they will need that tag that u got when u buy a new key from the dealer. Without it they can't do it. That video won't work on 2002 to 2004 keys. Fyi u can only program up to 8 keys I believe. After that u need a new ecu.

Yep, that video is for face-lift MINI's and won't work for Cabin9. I only posted it because MF-DIF's signature says he has a 2006 Checkmate.

Ok for all those who have good key but the buttons are only holes I've come up with a cure ,I tried it on my only key and it worked perfect! Now my key opens and closes the car from the fob ! I took a pic but I haven't figured how to Down load , but it's so simple i took the fob cut two small pieces of a playing card slipped them over the buttons showing in the holes and then added hot glue filling the holes, let it cool tried it ! .. it works perfect both buttons work and no holes, a little sanding and a lick of paint like new !

There's a video on YouTube that shows how relatively inexpensive @ ( $90), it was to have Ace Hardware cut factory Mini keys and you have to transfer the internals to the "new key". .com&redir_token=wNZNB2sQzNH0y9ZuzJNdTOcXzyB8MTUxMDIwMTk0M0AxNTEwMTE1NTQz&v=JS-r7vh4X1s&event=video_description

Keys for a reasonable price to
 

For those who didn't see my new post ! I found a guy on Craigslist that makes keys for BMW and now mini my old key refurbished and working and two spares keys that lock and start the car,100 plus return shipping,this is for R50 and R53 two button fob I had to remove the ecw under the dash ez and send it with my key 3 days later 3 keys very pleased if you like his info go to Craigslist Fayetteville AR. And put in BMW keys or mini keys his name is David rankin nice guy !

Thanks for the reference. i just sent Dave an email from his Craig's listing. Fortunately I am in his neck of Arkansas so I can drive my Mini to his location. Hope this works out for a spare key.

Phil, Dave says your message went right to spam sorry text him at 479 779 3962 that will work ask him about the folding key !