Cost of key. pleasant surprise.

[New POD]

I'll start by saying, I bought this 2001 mini cooper with no research before hand so it's my own fault that I never realised it would cost a lot of money if the seller only had one key. You need 2 keys just in case.

So with a car that is 12 years old almost you don't tend to deal with main dealers, and I did a bit of an internet search on various forums about obtaining a second key. The first key is a remote one.

So I'm lead to believe It will cost me an arm and a leg. I also phone a couple of places who advertise as BMW/Mini independent specialists, and am told that I need to buy a key which will be £150 from a main dealer and they can program it for £30 whereas the dealer will charge 2 hours labour.

I phone people who advertise as car key specialists and am told by one that if I get the car to him with V5 and proof of identity that for £90 he can get me a none remote key. But he's about 40 miles away.

Anyway I drove past a main dealer yesterday, then did a U turn and went to the parts dept.

£43.75 including Vat.

This morning I took my wife, her passport and the V5 and tootled off to a dealer that is closer.

Same price - ready Tuesday.

Okay so it won't be a remote key, but it will unlock all the door via central locking and it will start the car.

[New POD]

Well that was easy.

[chrisxr2]

Excellent news op, be looking for a spare key myself soon and will keep in mind.