Someone can't send out a signal and wait for the key to respond. The key signal isn't strong enough to work more than 6 inches away. If you take the ignition switch out of your car and turn it with a screwdriver the ign. will come on, and the car may crank on early MINI's, but there will be no ign. or fuel. Then you can take your key and hold it close to the ignition antenna ring and then it will start, but unless the key is less than 6inch away the car won't pick up the signal and won't start. Also don't forget the key code is rolling code so it changes everytime you use it. I hope this helps explain. Basicly the only way to steal your MINI is tow it away.

 

I don't know about this "code grabber" but I do know the old ones got the code if you just pushed your remote for a fraction of a second. Also, I'm not sure about the 12" thing but I do know the older ones did not need to be that close. People were sitting in vans and when you operated your garage door opener they could "grab" your code and after you left they would back in your driveway, open the door, back in, close the door and empty your good stuff into their van unseen, and then open drive off, and close the door and you would come home and wonder how they got in.

Earl

 

 

Well I'm not taking any chances:

 

No thats for aliens so they cant read your brain!

 

The RFID Hacking Underground

They can steal your smartcard, lift your passport, jack your car, even clone the chip in your arm. And you won't feel a thing. 5 tales from the RFID-hacking underground

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.05/rfid.html