Recently noticed my R55's keyring-kept fob having issues opening the locks from anywhere beyond maybe 10' distant. Last night it failed entirely so had to pull metal key out to unlock for ride home. Fob will allow Clubman to start & run (thankfully! Even at a mile to home it was 12°F & a COLD WALK otherwise!) and I've switched out the spare fob. We'll soon see if that's in decent state; it doesn't get used much.

Might these things be charged somehow while not fitted into the dash slot?

Or can its internal battery be user-replaced?

Took delivery 61 months ago so there may be a 'useful lifespan' issue beginning to show. I've used the (now dead) fob pretty much 98% of the 67,000 miles I've driven in this vehicle.

 

I run "MINI Key Hospital" as a very side business and have worked on a few of these keys. The battery could be at the end of it's life span but it should have lasted longer that that. A problem I have seen with these keys is that there develops an internal drain on the battery even though no buttons are being pushed. Your recharging system in the car can't keep up with the drain and eventually your key goes dead. If the battery is replaced it will go flat in about a week, even if it is just sitting on the shelf.
And no, the batteries aren't really user replaceable as they are soldered in. Unless you happen to have the comfort access system, then the battery is a user-replaceable CR2032.

Val

 

Like valvashon mentioned if you don't have comfort access then the entire fob needs to be replaced. You can reuse the slide in key. The non comfort access fob should run you $160-$170 from the dealer. You will need a copy of your title or current registration and drivers license for the registered owner to order a key. They take 1-3 business days for the dealer to receive from BMW.

 

OK well now I didn't say that the whole fob needs to be replaced. I said that there's a pretty good chance that the fob has developed the battery draining problem or it might just be a rechargeable battery that no longer holds a charge. This is a problem that can be fixed for right around $50, maybe a bit more or maybe a bit less.
And if a new key is required, I am going to do here what I suggest to many others over at the MKH FB page- call MINI of Peabody in Massachusetts and get the correct part number for your key, then order it on the web for the discount (they discount all their parts). Last I checked a second generation fob ran about $127, not including the cut key and shipping. They will take your documents electronically, too.

 

I can attest to Valvashon's expertise - I'm a happy customer - no other relationship.