With the new key, or should I say, keyless system (especially with the convienience pkge), how does one handle a valet situation?

If I had a 16 year old kid the chip, he won't know what to do with it.....???

 

The young ones are usually those who are in-the-know about the latest technology!

 

It's not like keyless is new. It's just new to the MINI

 

The first time I wanted to use valet parking I asked if I could park myself and pay the fee anyway. The guy first said they couldnt do that but after he asked the other attendants he said sure.

Technically the key should be removed when you valet but there is nowhere to hang the key from or put a tag on. You could show the guy how it works but it could be possible that they have parked Prius' or other every day cars with a convenience key package before. Then again this is a group of people that throw keys around and don't really care.

I have seen some nasty stories with valet and will not let anyone else drive my MCS except when in for servicing.

 

Can you start the car, with just the "key"? I thought you had to have the chip inserted or in pocket.

 

I'm sure it's nothing they haven't seen before. I used to be a valet some time ago, and you wouldn't BELIEVE the crazy security measures some cars have!

 

I bet it is!! I've never seen a car you had to stick a large round chip into a slot, then press start. It's not easy to see the FOB goes into the slot, they don't look shaped the same.

Anywho, was just wondering if there is a "workaround" for it. Like the key, and a software setting "Valet" which tells car to override the chip security or something....

 

Valet? Why not park your MINI yourself in a spot of your choosing and walk to whereever it is you are going. I used valet parking once, the valet damaged my rental car and the car agency wanted me to pay for it! That was the last time someone drove a car I was responsible for. I don't think there is anyway I would let a kid drive the new MINI, unless he/she owned one and was willing to trade in the event of a "Situation"...

Then again, I ride the bus when I need to go somewhere that parking seems questionable. MINIs are for driving on twisty roads IMHO!

 

Remember Ferris Bueller's Day Off?

 

Just go eat at McDonalds if you use your Mini, No way would I let one of these guys park my baby.

 

There is no way I would valet park Romi. First of all she would just get all manner of pissed off. Second, there is no way I am going to trust a standard transmission car to a newbie who has been raised on a diet of "The Fast and Furious" and "The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift".

No way...no how. Ain't gonna happen.

 

As if anyone would have to read your post, skuzzy, to know what you were gonna say.

 

Well, sometimes it has to be said.

 

Very true. I knew what would be in his post before my eyes scanned the lines.

However, I'm with Skuzzy on this one. I don't Valet park my MINI. Ever. I'd rather know she's in a good spot, in a relatively secure location, has been locked, alarmed, and left unharmed; even if it means I have to walk 1/2 mile to my destination.

Parking in SoCal sux. Valet is very popular - restaurants, hotels, spas, malls, etc. But I'll pass on that, thanks.

 

We had a local incident recentally where a Valet drove a customers Jag through and over a balcony wall. Claimed he couldnt figure out the gears .

 

I haven't let a valet park any of my cars since 1979, when one of the goons at Jimmy's Harborside Inn, in Boston, decided he wanted to do donuts wiht my 1977 Celica Liftback GT. Fortunately, I happened to come outside and catch him. At least I got a free meal and the idiot was fired on the spot.

 

OMG... The mental image of that put a smile on my face. Not that I'm laughing at the poor owners misfortune, but it just sounds funny. Like I said earlier, I'm easily amused today.

 

BIG problem with all your premises of "Don't use the Valet parking...".

On Long Island, many places are MANDATORY Valet parking. Because they don't have enough parking space or something.... sometimes it's just another scam for the wedding hall or restuarant to make more money. But it is, often manadatory.

My other option is not take the mini, and take the wifes Audi A8 intead. ;-)

 

A lot of times, they just drive the car down the street and park it, just like you can do yourself.

 

+1 -- just say 'no' ... to valets!

 

serves ya right! should have eaten at "Anthony's Pier 4"! (obscure Boston reference for those of you wondering!)

 

i would not valet my car if i had a choice. i personally know what will happend to your car.

i worked as a valet attendent (Professional Parking Services) for 4 years in college in so. cal.
we will have fun with your car, inside and out!!!

i agree. ask to park your own car if possible.

 

It's almost impossible not to valet here in Los Angeles. I end up using valet at least once or twice a week when going to restaurants or clubs in Hollywood...finding parking on the street could end up costing 30-45 minutes just searching for a spot. To some that may beat the $10-$20 ($40 last week at club Sugar) valet price tag, but then again if you are driving a chick/date, searching for a parking spot isn't an option!

 

Oh darn. Am I getting that transparent? Wellll,..I'll just have to change my modus operandi.

Well,..hehe,..who am I kidding. My ways are set in stone more solid than Excaliber.

 

BOY, At those prices that "chick/ date" better be worth it.