MINI2

swisstoni · Apr 5th, 2007, 09:04 AM

I'm having (minor) issues with my key.

I noticed that the "chrome" edging was scuffed on the first day that I had it - not on the sides where the key is gripped in the ignition, but along the very top. A couple of days later I noticed that the scuff had become a crack.

The dealer is taking a position that they won't do anything because I could have dropped them or anything since I've had the car. I'm taking the position that I haven't dropped them and that they should be able to withstand normal wear and tear....

I've read a couple of comments on here saying that the chrome has fallen off the key altogether.

What's the story? Should I be worried, or is there no point in worrying as the chrome is going to drop off anyway? Should we not expect a more durable key than this?

ST

(incidentally, I was quite impressed when I took the car back for the sat nav screen to be sorted and the key was put in a reader and told them my mileage, how much petrol was in the tank, how much engine coolant there was and when all the major parts would need a service. I imagine they can also tell what my top speed has been and things like that. Big brother is watching you....)

Aus · Apr 5th, 2007, 10:14 AM

During the handover of my car the salesman noticed that the chrome ring on one of the keys had already broken! Luckily for me they are going to get me a new key on warranty because it was broken before I'd even taken ownership.

Maybe your dealer should be able to claim a new key for you?

Adrian_T · Apr 5th, 2007, 11:04 AM

I have a much much worse problem.

The Mini Badge has fallen off my keys. Do you think I can claim this on warranty?
After all, wife swapping parties will not be as much fun anymore!

wiggis · Apr 6th, 2007, 08:14 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by swisstoni (original)

I noticed that the "chrome" edging was scuffed on the first day that I had it - not on the sides where the key is gripped in the ignition, but along the very top. A couple of days later I noticed that the scuff had become a crack.

The dealer is taking a position that they won't do anything because I could have dropped them or anything since I've had the car. I'm taking the position that I haven't dropped them and that they should be able to withstand normal wear and tear....

I would do 2 things :

1) Speak with the managing director / service manager on a one to one (i.e. not with an audience) of the dealership and let him know how unhappy you are with the quality of workmanship on the key. Tell him sincerely that it was already damaged when you collected the car, but in the excitement of the moment, you didn't make a big deal of it. Point out that it probably had a manufacturing defect from day one. Let him take a look at the key and work it out for himself. State that in your experience, metal doesn't just crack like that unless it has a fault, and ask him (politely) to try to crack another piece of the same chrome ring on one of the 'sides' - he won't be able to. Ask him nicely for a gesture of goodwill to replace the key.

2) In the meantime, start using the spare key so that you don't get continuously reminded of the problem.

Good luck.

Lil_Mini · Apr 10th, 2007, 06:51 AM

I'm sorry that happened to you. For everything that these new keys are suppose to support, I do think the quality should be a lot better if the chrome is falling off and cracking too. That's rediculous. I think a car selling at MSRP should have better quality standards than that.

I agree with Wiggis, his advice seems very reasonable. Hope it works out for you in your favor!

tim_uk_swindon · Jun 14th, 2007, 09:38 PM

I have the same problem - chrome ring cracked and has now fallen off. To make matters worse the key doesn't fit smoothly into the dashboard without the chrome ring, so I'm going to have to take it back to the dealers. I've had the car 6mths now, but this is shoddy workmanship IMO. Anyone else experienced the same problem??

tim_uk_swindon · Jun 18th, 2007, 09:36 PM

Any help on this would be appreciated - I plan to visit Mini dealer on Wednesday, so want to know where I stand...

my_mini · Jun 19th, 2007, 11:40 AM

My chrome ring cracked too. Luckily I noticed & superglued it back together. Not really what you want after 2 month!

Simz · Jun 19th, 2007, 12:45 PM

sure the dealer will replace under warranty

tim_uk_swindon · Jun 20th, 2007, 09:42 PM

Went to the dealers today and sure enough they've ordered me a new key and will replace under warranty. They'd seen another like it recently, so I'm assuming this could become a more common issue...

Aus · Jun 25th, 2007, 10:07 AM

Had both sets of keys replaced by my dealer after both chrome rings cracked. I can't believe Mini have used such a brittle piece of plastic. According to the salesman, by replacing both keyfobs they have just cost themselves £150 each! All that to save a few pennies (if that) by using cheap plastic in the first place

my_mini · Jun 25th, 2007, 04:54 PM

Quote:

sure the dealer will replace under warranty

superglue is holding and at the moment I can't be bothered with a 100 mile round trip!

JustACooperClubman · Apr 21st, 2008, 02:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Aus (original)

Had both sets of keys replaced by my dealer after both chrome rings cracked. I can't believe Mini have used such a brittle piece of plastic. According to the salesman, by replacing both keyfobs they have just cost themselves £150 each! All that to save a few pennies (if that) by using cheap plastic in the first place

I think MINI wants to make money by selling lots of replacement plastic keyrings to unsuspecting customers. The key itself is fantastic but this crappy chrome rings really ruins its durability.

Does anyone know how to replace the plastic chrome keyring?

Apr 5th, 2007, 09:04 AM	#1
swisstoni MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2007 Local Time: 11:20 AM Posts: 8 Offline	cracked key? I'm having (minor) issues with my key. I noticed that the "chrome" edging was scuffed on the first day that I had it - not on the sides where the key is gripped in the ignition, but along the very top. A couple of days later I noticed that the scuff had become a crack. The dealer is taking a position that they won't do anything because I could have dropped them or anything since I've had the car. I'm taking the position that I haven't dropped them and that they should be able to withstand normal wear and tear.... I've read a couple of comments on here saying that the chrome has fallen off the key altogether. What's the story? Should I be worried, or is there no point in worrying as the chrome is going to drop off anyway? Should we not expect a more durable key than this? ST (incidentally, I was quite impressed when I took the car back for the sat nav screen to be sorted and the key was put in a reader and told them my mileage, how much petrol was in the tank, how much engine coolant there was and when all the major parts would need a service. I imagine they can also tell what my top speed has been and things like that. Big brother is watching you....)

Apr 21st, 2008, 02:43 PM	#13 (permalink)
JustACooperClubman Clubbing in Miami Join Date: Nov 2007 Local Time: 10:20 AM Posts: 64 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Aus (original) Had both sets of keys replaced by my dealer after both chrome rings cracked. I can't believe Mini have used such a brittle piece of plastic. According to the salesman, by replacing both keyfobs they have just cost themselves £150 each! All that to save a few pennies (if that) by using cheap plastic in the first place I think MINI wants to make money by selling lots of replacement plastic keyrings to unsuspecting customers. The key itself is fantastic but this crappy chrome rings really ruins its durability. Does anyone know how to replace the plastic chrome keyring? '08 Clubman Cooper S - Hot Chocolate/Silver "Mousse" (Due 2/16) '05 R53 Cooper S - Chili Red/White "RB"

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Apr 5th, 2007, 10:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
Aus MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Norwich Local Time: 11:20 AM Posts: 37 Offline	During the handover of my car the salesman noticed that the chrome ring on one of the keys had already broken! Luckily for me they are going to get me a new key on warranty because it was broken before I'd even taken ownership. Maybe your dealer should be able to claim a new key for you?

Apr 5th, 2007, 11:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
Adrian_T MINI2 Regular Join Date: May 2005 Local Time: 10:20 AM Posts: 255 Offline	I have a much much worse problem. The Mini Badge has fallen off my keys. Do you think I can claim this on warranty? After all, wife swapping parties will not be as much fun anymore!

Apr 6th, 2007, 08:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
wiggis VW GT Sport 170 TDI My Classifieds Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxford Local Time: 11:20 AM Posts: 342 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by swisstoni (original) I noticed that the "chrome" edging was scuffed on the first day that I had it - not on the sides where the key is gripped in the ignition, but along the very top. A couple of days later I noticed that the scuff had become a crack. The dealer is taking a position that they won't do anything because I could have dropped them or anything since I've had the car. I'm taking the position that I haven't dropped them and that they should be able to withstand normal wear and tear.... I would do 2 things : 1) Speak with the managing director / service manager on a one to one (i.e. not with an audience) of the dealership and let him know how unhappy you are with the quality of workmanship on the key. Tell him sincerely that it was already damaged when you collected the car, but in the excitement of the moment, you didn't make a big deal of it. Point out that it probably had a manufacturing defect from day one. Let him take a look at the key and work it out for himself. State that in your experience, metal doesn't just crack like that unless it has a fault, and ask him (politely) to try to crack another piece of the same chrome ring on one of the 'sides' - he won't be able to. Ask him nicely for a gesture of goodwill to replace the key. 2) In the meantime, start using the spare key so that you don't get continuously reminded of the problem. Good luck.

Apr 10th, 2007, 06:51 AM	#5 (permalink)
Lil_Mini MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2007 Local Time: 05:20 AM Posts: 177 Offline	I'm sorry that happened to you. For everything that these new keys are suppose to support, I do think the quality should be a lot better if the chrome is falling off and cracking too. That's rediculous. I think a car selling at MSRP should have better quality standards than that. I agree with Wiggis, his advice seems very reasonable. Hope it works out for you in your favor!

Jun 14th, 2007, 09:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
tim_uk_swindon MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Dec 2006 Local Time: 11:20 AM Posts: 9 Offline	I have the same problem - chrome ring cracked and has now fallen off. To make matters worse the key doesn't fit smoothly into the dashboard without the chrome ring, so I'm going to have to take it back to the dealers. I've had the car 6mths now, but this is shoddy workmanship IMO. Anyone else experienced the same problem??

Jun 18th, 2007, 09:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
tim_uk_swindon MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Dec 2006 Local Time: 11:20 AM Posts: 9 Offline	Any help on this would be appreciated - I plan to visit Mini dealer on Wednesday, so want to know where I stand...

Jun 19th, 2007, 11:40 AM	#8 (permalink)
my_mini MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jan 2007 Local Time: 10:20 AM Posts: 103 Offline	My chrome ring cracked too. Luckily I noticed & superglued it back together. Not really what you want after 2 month!

Jun 19th, 2007, 12:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
Simz MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pinner, middlesex Local Time: 10:20 AM Posts: 54 Offline	sure the dealer will replace under warranty

Jun 20th, 2007, 09:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
tim_uk_swindon MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Dec 2006 Local Time: 11:20 AM Posts: 9 Offline	Went to the dealers today and sure enough they've ordered me a new key and will replace under warranty. They'd seen another like it recently, so I'm assuming this could become a more common issue...

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Jun 25th, 2007, 10:07 AM	#11 (permalink)
Aus MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Norwich Local Time: 11:20 AM Posts: 37 Offline	Had both sets of keys replaced by my dealer after both chrome rings cracked. I can't believe Mini have used such a brittle piece of plastic. According to the salesman, by replacing both keyfobs they have just cost themselves £150 each! All that to save a few pennies (if that) by using cheap plastic in the first place

Jun 25th, 2007, 04:54 PM	#12 (permalink)
my_mini MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jan 2007 Local Time: 10:20 AM Posts: 103 Offline	Quote: sure the dealer will replace under warranty superglue is holding and at the moment I can't be bothered with a 100 mile round trip!