So the dealer charged me $321 after tax for a new key fob. They then told me that the comfort access programming would cost an additional $190. I ended up opting *not* to do that, as they mentioned it could always be programmed later.

Does this sound correct? That would bring the cost of replacing a single comfort access key fob to over $500 which is obviously insane. Anyone work for a MINI dealer that could confirm whether this is standard practice, or if it is entirely arbitrary?

 

Wilco - What you are describing is similar to my experience as a customer of the dealer in Nashville. When I bought my MINI - a used '09 in another city. There was only one key. I ordered it from the dealer and when it arrived I went in for routine service and got it programed for the car. As I recall, I paid slightly more for the fob than you did and the charge for programing was slightly less - the total $$'s were about the same as you mention.
After seeing a person at my gym accidentially get in the jacuzzi with his key fob, and the grief that that caused that person - I had to have a spare!
I did shop around on line and found some dealers charge quite a bit less for the fob perhaps in the mid $200's. But you have to physically show up with the car at the dealer for it to be programed - at least that's my understanding - kind of limits your choices - where are you willing to drive to save how many $$'s?
Based on your expence, as you stated it, there must be a few $100's 'wiggle' room in the dealers pricing - some will discount, others will go retail or more.
Now that you own the fob, I suppose that you could shop around for dealers and determine if you can get it programed for fewer $$'s. - Good luck -

 

Wow!

I guess I was lucky - the dealer I bought my MINI from only had one key to my preowned car and I told them I wanted two keys. They ordered and programed the extra one for no charge.

 

We have a Ferrari dealer in town. When I needed a key cut for my Piaggio MP3 they were the only ones who had the machine to cut the key. I kind of balked at the $15.00 charge, that is until the tech told me if you lose both the keys to your Ferrari it will cost you over $5,000.00. So I guess $500.00 is a lot but it's all relative.

 

Damn! I don't feel bad that it cost me $35 a key for me BMW E34 Touring.