Stolen Mini Cooper

[Roger Smith]

Since our Mini was stolen from our driveway I have been trawling the web to understand whether there is a keyfob cloning device in the public domain. I have found a Chinese supplier who has just sent this response:

[color="Blue"][b]Dear Roger,

Thanks for your reply.For BMW MINI 2007,New BMW key programmer can not do it.You need to buy ABCD (edited-out) key programmer
Supplier details edited out on request

Does anyone know if this kit does work? And can you buy blank transponder keyfob ready for cloning?

If this does work, then the key used to steal the car could have been cloned when it went for servicing three weeks earlier.

Your informed views would be very much appreciated

[NeuroBeaker]

Heck Roger, I'm not sure we want that information readily available on the forum! You might want to remove some of that contact information.

It's always possible that the key was cloned, but if the dealership ordered a replacement key and there's a third one floating around out there somewhere then they wouldn't have needed a clone kit it at all. It wouldn't make sense to use one if they have a genuine key.

I think your investigations should centre around the dealership's request for a third key and what happened to the one you didn't receive. I believe that's what made the security of your MINI vulnerable.

All the best,
Andrew.

[Roger Smith]

Photo of car has been uploaded to member gallery...not sure how to add a link as the url is 1/2 mile long (see below).....is there simple way to do this?

MINI Galleries - Cooper - S - One - Diesel - Works - Cabrio - Login

[Roger Smith]

I posted early last Dec about my wife's Cooper being stolen: http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-d...ml#post3741761
.......it has now been recovered in London (in the condition as it was when stolen) along with another Mini from Devon. It is understood that someone has been arrested, but we have been paid by the insurance company and have now replaced the car with an identical car (even got the Union Jack on the roof).

We did have a battle with the insurance company as the car had appreciated since purchased and was worth more than the sum assured (take note ), but in the end we got the market value for the car by threatening to go to the insurance ombudsman.

The old car LJ57 SRX is now the property of said insurance company, so may come up for sale somewhere. As it hasn't been used and abused, it might be a bargain for someone as will probably be classed as Cat D.

Will update if I hear any more, thanks for all your posts and advice, it was very useful.

[lotuskermit]

thanks for keeping us updated... hope mini uk dealt with the dealer ???

[femstar]

glad someones been arrested. hope he/she gets whats coming to them. x10

[Neilstar]

Good to hear something good came out of this in the end, and hope the tea leaf gets their just deserts!