Just bought a 2007 Mini cooper S used. It only came with one key. Are these programmable by me? I want to buy a new fob with blank key, program it, then have a locksmith cut the key.

Hoping I'm in the right place, new to the mini cooper world.

 

They are only dealer programmable. Don't buy one on Ebay thinking you can get it to work.

 

Damn that sucks. Guess I will call around then. Some locksmiths can program key fobs and charge a lot less.

 

Where do those people on ebay come up with the fobs they sell? I just looked & there are several listed. Wonder if mine is listed?!

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The replacement key is generated from your VIN number and unique to that car and programmed when the dealer orders it.

 

Then would that not make those that they sell on ebay useless to those who buy them?

Just curious............ \m/

 

Yes it makes them useless. Notice how many are on EBAY all the time. There is an old saying "a sucker is born everyday". Call your dealer and see what they tell you.

 

Oh, I already know..........they did tell me (as did you guys) & had a spare key made for me which I thought was SUPER nice!!! I was just curious...........

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Curiosity killed the cat.

 

 

 

RFLMBO!!!

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Do you know how hard that was to get my cat to stand still? LMAO

 

\m/

 

Is it Vin specific or programmed at the dealer? From what I've read, they can reprogram them which wouldn't make them Vin specific.

Has anyone on here gotten a replacement that could comment?

 

I ordered an received fob. Cost ~$400. Was ordered specific to VIN. Required additional set-up by dealer to make it work for the car. I am aware that some dealerships charge less, but remember the car must go there - they cannot simply mail you a functional key.

 

Thanks. I know some locksmiths can program them but not sure about this. Guess I'll call our local mini dealer and prepare to be bent over.

 

Clueless .......fortunately for me, the dealership had the key made for me at their expense.

My thing is, where do those selling on ebay get the keys? Sure some might still have one from their car but there are listings on there for keys not cut & some that have several for sell. Steal 'em??? Just interesting.......

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-cooper-remote-key-fobs-6-/181128416817?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a2c184e31&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MINI-COOPER-REMOTE-FOB-IGNITION-START-KEY-SHELL-BLANK-HOUSING-CASING-COVER-/290899288106?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43baf2e02a&vxp=mtr
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why are mini keys so special that they have to be programmed by the dealer? i've had plenty of cars in the past that had various chips and things in them, and i've always been able to program the key myself.

 

Welcome to owning a BMW product.

My dealer only charged me $150 for my replacement fob. I was happy with that.

 

Nice! What dealer was that? MINI Ontario wanted $270 from me, so I declined. Would love to have a second key, though!

 

My girl picked up a mini with one fob. I got her a fob from morristown mini for $160 and they needed her vin.
I was just curious to see if it worked, obviously the key portion worked but the buttons would lock/unlock. I tried to start it and vrooom it started. Then I stepped out the car and tried the lock again and boom! Lock and unlock.
Cracked the code? Who knows.

 

Holy crap, that's expensive for a key. I just bought a used Acura with just one key. Locksmith charged me $65 and i thought that was expensive...

 

a few weeks after I got my new off the lot 07-S one of the FOBs stopped working.

A few calls and yes warranty would replace but I had to go to the dealer to get it. You can't mail it? NO..... we have to program it to the car ... and see certain documentation. A few fax's and phone calls pass . . .

So they call me and say it has arrived and I drive to the dealer (an hour). They check the paper work and hand me the new fob (fob only, NOT the key part). I hold out my key and ask them if they want me to pull my car up to the garage. "no" they take my old fob and tell me the new one should work fine .... come back if it doesn't My car never left the parking lot.

I walk out to the car and press the unlock button and the new fob works fine . . .

Having driven an hour each way for nothing I was kinda pissed and went back to the service manager and asked what the . . . you COULD have mailed this . .

He told me - a fob that has never been associated with a car will link to the first car it sees. But to CHANGE an association requires reprogramming.

FOR ME - bottom line was NO reprogramming was needed and I got a new working FOB (btw - NO not comfort access and they changed the battery) but was pissed I had to drive the 100+ miles when they could have MAILED it to me.

BS? I dunno .... but I KNOW my car was not programmed for a new FOB, it never got closer than 25 yards to the garage

 

Gees you yanks are lucky. I've got a Mini and a 135i. The key for the 135 is about $250 in the US but the dealers won't sell me in. The price in Australia for a replacement is $800 which equals about $820US. I'm very careful now with my Mini keys.