as a quick note, my fiance is highly opposed to using the MINI as any sort of bait for my backyard reality show version of mousetrap (MINItrap)... though i just hope if they steal it and cream it, they better do it while i can still get my order in for an '06 MCS... so perhaps a sign to "please steal before summer '06 and burn it when you're done...-mgt"

we're both pretty attached to this car, and my job pretty much guarantees no 24 hour watches, so I doubt the car is going to be the cheese in the mousetrap...

 

That's pretty much what my original question was, if anyone else had done that. I need to talk to the service advisor, obviously, but was looking for what options out there that may exist...

 

As far as I'm aware, the car comes from the factory with 10 keys. You get 3 of them and the car can only have 4 at a time registered with it. You should be able to have any one of them deactivated.

Edit - i found the info on mini2 posted by here2help. He's supposed to be a MINI tech in the UK.
link

Good luck.

 

As Florablue said, you need to do the following ASAP:

1) Have the dealer order a new set of keys and have them ALL re-programmed (A new key is $140+ reprogramming labor)

2) Replace the driver's side door lock set and glovebox (if it applies). Why? Because even if the dealer gives you new keys and re-programs them, the thieves that stole the original ones can still open up the car with the old key by just putting it in the keylock cylinder.

Do the same with your house locks. REPLACE ALL OF THEM!

A very costly situation but that's your only option if you want to sleep better at night.

 

Yes, but the driver's side keylock cylinder needs to be replaced as well and that means AN ENTIRE NEW SET OF KEYS for the car.

 

Granted I'm coming from a convertible, so I'm used to not keeping stuff in the car, but I'd go the new key route. On the Insurance Co's dime.

If you can find evidence of someone getting into the car after that, I think could make a case for the core replacement.

 

Isn't the insurance supposed to replace the item that was replaced with an item of that is of equal or greater use?

If the item stolen was to prevent people from getting into and driving away with your car, shouldn't they then replace it with something that accomplishes that same thing?

A new key and re-programming will prevent someone from driving away, but to truly provide the equal product in replacement they would need to swap out the actual mechanicals as well as re-program.

Perhaps they will only cover the item with depreciation. KBB to the rescue. Find the replacement cost of the whole system, use KBB to figure depreciation (about -10% on an '05 last I heard) and then you have your replacement cost for the item.


As a disclaimer I have no experience with insurance claims, but I have watched a good friend and co-worker spend the last year trying to recover from a fire that destroyed his hiw, his 60something chevy that was his first project car, his new F-350 (loaded), his new mystichrome cobra, his 90something mustang, and basically everything in the house, garage, and driveway. It pretty much sucks. Mods are worth nothing. House insurance doesn't covere them and car insurance only covers what is on the car. To get anything for the mods you need the reciepts or you can pretty much give up on it. Everything is valued at stock prices. For his mystichrome cobra they were valuing it at the price point of a used cobra from the same year plus 1 or 3 thousand for the paint job - ignoring the fact it was a special edition that was valued at far more for instance, and that wasn't even an aftermarket mod! Anyhow, I digress. Best of luck. Sometimes you can make headway on what should happen with the insurance company, but make sure every stick is in it's place, and be honest with them. The individuals working with you aren't trying to screw
you, they are just working within the constraints they have to deal with.

 

Don't know if this will help you, but apparently if you want you can just order the EWS + keys + cylinder locks for $300, but then you have to get it towed to the dealership to have them sync the whole system and car together?

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpos...postcount=1185