My keys

[specky001]

Hi all,

Dunno if im bein dumb but i have two normal keys with the central locking shizzle on it, and one key that has no buttons at all on it, whats the purpose of that?? any ideas????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????

[Scrogg]

If it's a full size key you'll probably find the first owner of the car had a cheap spare made.

It will still lock/unlock the car and start the engine, but only the old fashioned way.

[minicabrio]

Unless its the thin plastic 'wallet' key?

Allows you to unlock the car if your remote fails - careful not to snap it in the lock barrel though

[minisoopercooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by minicabrio (original)

Unless its the thin plastic 'wallet' key?

Allows you to unlock the car if your remote fails - careful not to snap it in the lock barrel though

and if you have the factory alarm you have only 20 seconds from unlocking the door to get in and get the ignition on before it goes off

It's more as an emergency key that you can keep in your wallet Jon in case you loose your keys or have them stolen if your alarm failed you would still use the main key in the old fashioned way

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by minicabrio (original)

Unless its the thin plastic 'wallet' key?

Which is exactly why I started with "If it's a full size key..." !

[mikbmini]

I went back to the dealers last week to ask why my used MINI I bought from them only came with 2 keys, both remote keys. Have looke through the manual that they also gave me and it says I should have 3 keys, 1 plastic wallet one, 1 full size one (no remote though), and 1 that has the remote on it. The description of the car also said it had an extra remote key, so in reality I am missing 2 keys, as I only have the remote ones.

This also means that someone is running around with 2 keys for my car. Slightly worrying. Have asked dealers and they said they'll look into it.

[gemmalaw26]

From new on 1st gen minis you get 3 keys - standard key, 1 remote and a wallet key. If you have a 'pack' you could upgrade standard key to a remote.
I think the dealer has mis interpreted their information.
If however someone does have keys to the car its likely they will not work because as part of Mini cherished 124 checks the keys are reprogrammed which will technically wipe the memory of any keys existing not coded at that time.
If you are worried they can reprogramme all the keys you have.
9times out of 10 not all keys are handed in at part exchange so they will get an additional key in preparation for sale which will have to be programmed any way - but this is dependant on the dealer.
hope this puts your mind at rest and actually makes sense!!

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by gemmalaw26 (original)

If however someone does have keys to the car its likely they will not work because as part of Mini cherished 124 checks the keys are reprogrammed which will technically wipe the memory of any keys existing not coded at that time.
If you are worried they can reprogramme all the keys you have.

Reprogramming keys stops anyone using the remote or starting the engine with the old one, but it doesn't stop them opening the doors manually.

[mikbmini]

Oh so that would mean that I should have 3 keys then not 4, as the standard non-remote key is simply upgraded to a remote one, and an extra 4th key is not supplied. Makes sense. But MINI still didn't get me the wallet key, so technically I'm still missing 1 key then. When I asked about it at the dealers he said they would get in touch with the previous owner and get me the key. But if they are re-programmed it wouldn't work anyway. Confusing. Either way I'm still gonna pester them to get me a new key one way or another.

[gemmalaw26]

Quote: Originally Posted by Scrogg (original)

Reprogramming keys stops anyone using the remote or starting the engine with the old one, but it doesn't stop them opening the doors manually.

Yes thats very true - forgot bout that but if you lock your car with the remote and someone trys to open it using lock barrel it will set the alarm off which cant be turned off like normal with the 20sec delay to start engine, as key will not operate it.

[Lawrothegreat]

Mine came standard with two remote keys and a wallet key.

If I open the door manually, the factory alarm sounds straight away and stops when I place the key in the ignition.

I like to be different.

[minisoopercooper]

My 04 Cooper came new with 2 remote keys and one wallet key - I think they soon dropped the standard key but never changed the manual

[billy.batson]

My Clubman, built October 2007, but bought by me March 1st 2008, was supplied by the dealer with only one key. They couldn't find the second one and despite several enquiries have not found, or obtained, a second key for me.

From this thread I learn that there should in fact be 3 keys, that is two remotes plus a wallet key. Anyone know for sure that the current Clubman should have a wallet key? The MINI manual is vague on this point.

I need to chase up the dealer but better have the facts first.

Lastly, an eBay seller is/was offerering a MINI key for £4.99 including post. Worth buying I thought, as a spare...but from this thread I see that a dealer might charge £25 or more to programme it. Not a bargain then, after all.

BMW MINI 3 BUTTON KEYFOB on eBay, also, Mini, Car Parts, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 27-Mar-08 16:28:48 GMT)