I bought my MINI used last year, I never got a spare key. Today at Niello I bought a key it cost $136.35 that was with tax , then I talked to the service guy and he told me it would be another $126.00 to have it programed. Sounds like I am being taken to the cleaners . Anyone else ever buy a spare and was it this spendy??

 

My master key was broken when I bought it used. I went to Nellio to see how much for a replacement and they said around $200 programed. So I bought a soldering iron and fixed it myself. Works just fine. But that is about the price they were quoting me.

 

oh yeah, very very expensive for the laser cut keys.

that sounds about right to me.

shoulda pushed for a new one when you got the car, thats the best thing to do.

 

Sandie,

that sounds outragous, $126.00 to program to key. Call another dealer.

sorry to hear that.

 

I bought the car in Oregon, they bought it at an auction. It was originally from the Bay Area, so no one ever bothered to get it from the previous owner.

 

I got a new key form the dealer for $99 and was told it would be $50 to program it from Rasmussen in Portland.

 

not saying people are wrong but....

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...41&fg=40&hl=29

says a different price...

-Josh

 

The prices on that web page are "suggested retail price". Dealers can discount or mark them up if they are so inclined. The cheaper keys shown are non-remote keys but, of course, they do have the security chip in them, which would have to be mated to the car electronics for it to be able to start the car.

 

Politely ask the service manager if this is something that they would like to lose a customer over. Tell them when you purchase any product you expect it to be a functioning product, and by selling just the key and then selling service seprately it is not very forthright and honest. That they are selling a paperweight for $136

 

Why do I always see people refer to these as "laser cut"? The marks on mine sure look a lot like an end mill. Nothing high tech, just a CNC program. Where soes this "laser" stuff come from?

 

The keys are milled, not cut with a laser. What at first appears to be high-tech about our keys is instead a much simpler approach to making keys that at the same time very effective.

Unlike 'common' keys that have to be first longitudinally milled to fit in a matching keyway (the zigzag slot you insert the key into; the one that is different on each brand of lock) then the edge cut to match the tumblers, the MINI key is a simple rectangular cross section bar with the tumbler pattern engraved on the side. It's a bit more difficult to cut the 'trough' with an end mill bit than to grind the edge or a typical key, but the effect is the same; you have an undulating pattern for the tumblers to ride in. The same pattern is cut on each side so it makes no difference which way you insert the key. Tumblers ride on only one side of the key at a time.

This low tech key with the (not really) high tech tumbler groove has some benefits.. The key is thicker, so it's not easy to twist or break. The edges do not carry any 'information' like regular keys do, rather the relatively protected 'groove' does, making the keys less susceptible to wear and damage from rubbing against other keys on your keyring. And best of all (which can also be 'worst of all') it is not easy for someone to duplicate your key without the special equipment needed, which aids security.

Keys these days may be becoming passe in the world of RFID electronic fobs, but a good old fashioned key will almost always be there to provide a failsafe mechanical backup.