Does anyone have any advice for getting a key fob programmed without going through a mini dealership? My local dealer in Greenville SC wants $230 for replacement. Mine is 2008 mini base hatchback model.

 

Covered many times, plan on a trip to the dealer..

 

That's not so bad.....I think my "stealer" wanted even more. Abou that price for the FOB and another amount for programming. Sorry, don't recall the numbers. Made me roll my eyes, and say"Jesus" though. You sure that price is with the programming all in?

 

Think I need to head to SC. $300 in South Florida.

 

If your replacing the fob and slide in key w/o comfort access the $230 sounds about right with taxes, add around $60 to that if you have comfort access and then programming on top of that only if you have comfort access and want the comfort access feature to work. If not all you do is put the new fob in the slot and start the car and it finishes programming itself to the car. Keys and fobs can only be ordered from a MINI dealer, anyone that sells them on the internet and says take them to the dealer for programming won't work.

 

Not entirely true. My neighbor is in the OEM key fob business. I can buy MINI fobs from him. He orders them from the dealer (preprogrammed to the VIN as required) at a discount and passes that discount on to the customer.

 

Sorry.....but what is "comfort access" again?

 

Comfort access is when the key works on proximity for unlock and starting.


i.e. You don't have to take the key out of your pocket or purse.

 

that's cheap ... new one for my FOCUS ST is more ....

wiz bang fancy electronic keys are expensive, doen't matter what make of car .... and ya can't go to ACE Hardware and ask 'em to cut a new one using your existing key as a pattern.

 

so how do you like that focus Capt? I looked st one of the newest ones the other day. Nice but 42k and the stealer said they are selling them for 5k over sticker! YIKES!!

 

What about something like this. Sounds legit? Just pay for programming....hopefully!

 

No that won't work. They need to come straight from the dealer. The dealer gets them preprogrammed to the VIN from BMW Germany.

There are some key resellers (like my neighbor) that can order them from the dealer for you at a discount, but no matter what they are still ordered from the dealer.

 

So of all these fobs you see on Remotes.com and Amazon, etc.......none of them work?
There is going to be a lot of p'd off people if they buy them and they are useless!
I know they all say must be programmed, but you're saying even the hardware(fob) cannot be programmed? I'm confused.

 

The dealer can't program the key. It is done offsite and mailed to the dealer. When you pick it up from the dealer all you do is put it in the car and it works. There is no additional programming that it done at the dealer.

 

Ok....sorry, Let me ask in this way. IF I were to buy the fob from Amazon....can I not take it to the dealer and say.... "I want you to program this and let me know when I can pick it up fully programmed" .....can the dealer/will the dealer not do that?
Will they not send off ones you purchase and bring to them? I'm not looking for a key... but maybe one day, and I'd like to know what my options are. Thx

 

Why don't you ask the dealer. That will get you a definitive answer.

 

sure you didn't look at the RS? the 4wd version?

my ST3 ("everything" package ... full leather recarro, nav etc)
stickered right at $30,000 and sold for less
this was back in 13 .. I bought a new fresh 14 for well under sticker.

dealer by me has the ST-1 (base ST, cloth seats, minimal wiz-bang) for $23,600; ST still tops at low $30's

around here the RS start in mid $30's and run to mid $40's
they aren't exactly flying off the lots so markup's are not happening here

BUT how do I like it? I got way more bang for the buck on the ST vs MINI. I had been looking for a nw MINI when it was suggested I take a peek at the ST. A similarly equipped "S" stickered for over $40,000 at the time. ST has more power albeit more weight and overall size; and handles AT LEAST as well (not my opinion alone, read the reviews). You REALLY feel the turbo when it kicks in .... And I've got a 15 R-59 S in the garage right next to it so I CAN compare quite honestly. 59 is Mrs daily, the ST is mine.

 

NICE! yes, I think it was the 4wd now that I think about it. It was super nice. Reported to have 350 hp.

I think I would like the power and the room. But would op for the 2wd version. I am digging the mini though pretty good. Thx for the info.

 

yep

the ST is 252 while the RS is 350 ....

so in summary for $10,000 more than the ST you get 4wd, 100 hp and a button they lets you destroy the rear tires in the blink of an eye! And we MINI owners think the sport button is cool...

 

Back to the original subject---I checked the Amazon reviews for key fob replacements and apparently none of them work. Why do they keep selling them on Amazon when they're all going to be returned?

 

Oooops, sorry about the hijack.....got carried away.

 

You CAN'T buy a key off the internet (remotes.com, Amazon, eBay, etc) and take it to the dealer to be programmed. Dealers only deal with OEM parts direct from BMW. The key/remote is ordered from BMW per your VIN number and shipped direct to the dealer then you can pickup from the dealer or some dealers will them ship the key/remote to you and like the post above said you put the remote in the slot and start the car and it works. The only additional programming is if your car has comfort access, this feature is programmed to the car at the dealer.

 

 

so you don't have to reprogram the car?

 

Re-programming the car isn't necessary. The dealer/MINI programs the key to your car. I had to buy a replacement key and they didn't need my car.....just proof of ownership.