R50/53 Expensive 1st Gen Key ???
#1
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!
#4
There are tons of info for Key Fob repair, you can start here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-question.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-question.html
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Cabin9 (08-01-2017)
#5
MINI is not unique on this key cost thing ....
new cars with wiz bang push button key systems are all crazy $$. I thought I lost a 'fob' for my Focus ST and the replacement cost was $500. Was super happy when I FOUND IT ....
btw ... took me 4 tries b4 I was able to get new keys made for my 79 ..... first I just went to a hardware type who took a shot which did not work. So next I went to a locksmith and again it LOOKED good, but did not work (would not turn), next I bought blanks from a British part supplier and took these to the locksmith and it STILL wouldn't work, Finally saw "Triple C" folks at a car show and had them make me a key (I'd bought the key blanks from them) .... worked perfectly first time ..... http://www.triple-c.com/
new cars with wiz bang push button key systems are all crazy $$. 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/
Last edited by Capt_bj; 07-18-2017 at 02:05 PM.
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Cabin9 (08-01-2017)
#6
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.
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.
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Cabin9 (08-01-2017)
#7
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#10
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
#11
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.
I tried to replace the battery($7 on Ebay) and got it soldered in OK but there was no memory left so no joy.
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Cabin9 (08-01-2017)
#12
#14
Although using the key to open/close isn't that big of a deal. It would be nice to have that function back.
#16
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.
Although using the key to open/close isn't that big of a deal. It would be nice to have that function back.
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Cabin9 (08-01-2017)
#18
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 !
Last edited by Cabin9; 08-08-2017 at 02:14 PM.
#19
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
Last edited by Tombstone; 11-07-2017 at 08:33 PM.
#20
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 !
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philwarner (01-17-2018)
#21
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 !
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