I like our new '06 mini, but I was disappointed to find out that that it is not possible to have different sets of features programmed depending upon which remote key you use, even though the '05 and 06 owner's manuals say exactly that (see page 24):

"Depending on which master key the vehicle detects when it is unlocked, different settings will be called up and executed inside the vehicle, refer to Vehicle Memory on page 49."

I saw the feature and recognized it because it's the same for our 3 series BMW. We like that using the two different keys make the car features change, e.g., doors lock when you drive, pathway lighting, press twice to unlock both doors, etc.

I took the Mini to the dealer with the two keys to have the same thing done. The SA told me it didn't apply to the Mini. I took his word for it at the time but later, I sent an e-mail message to Mini inquiring. Then got impatient and called their customer service. The person that I spoke with told me that the feature did exist and that I should talk to the service manager. Then later that same day, I received an e-mail telling me that the manual was wrong. I followed up on the message and Mini confirmed that the person I spoke to was wrong (like the manual).

I guess part of my disappointment is due to the fact that the feature was falsely printed in the 2005 Owner's Manual and then reprinted again in the 2006 Manual and even some of their own people don't know. Am I the only person in a year to ask about it?

Has anyone else out there run into this?

Now I wonder what the 2007 Owner's Manual says about it.

 

I guess I may be the only person to ever ask about this.

 

See posts 51 to 54 in this thread. Member rameeti reported that he was able to get different keys programmed differently on his car. However the official documents I've seen say MINI does not offer this feature. rameeti's account is pretty clear and I have no reason to doubt it. I suspect it is an "undocumented feature" that will work if the dealer knows how to set it, but it is not officially supported and MINI have no obligation to get it working for you.