27 replies to this topic

[sazal]

I don't mean to be a kill joy but I would worry that they may actually have the keys and may come and take it back. Unless of course you know them etc. But I always look for the down sides first.

It is a possibility, but I would have thought if that was there intention, then wouldnt they just keep a copy of the original key? That way theres not a chance you'd be changing the locks?

[stolichnaya]

Its family and genuine loss of keys. They thought they were in the car and are franticly looking for them. I have called a garage and they said to drill the lock just so it can be started / get the steer lock off and use a screwdriver to move it with no lock on. then MOT the car and see where i am with repars needed. If its a mini-mal (sorry about pun) amount of work then go for it. Its a 2nd car anyway and something for me to play with so its not like its a car thats needed straight away

Priced up new locks and its about 130 quid.

looks like i will drill em out for now

[GraemeC]

There are three keys needed for a (standard) mini - doors, ignition and petrol cap.

Its all been said -
- The lock set for doors and boot is pennies (if you can't fnid a working key from a classic car friendly garage or other mini owner). http://minispares.co....aspx?pid=35560 or even already mounted to handles: http://minispares.co....aspx?pid=37293
- Ignition barrel is simple to remove with a drill and replace with a secondhand one with keys - I'll even sell you one for not much money!
- Petrol cap is also easy to force off and replace.

In all it's a simple fix that could be done for less than £50.

[JohnGordon]

I wouldn't let it put you off, and for 250 quid that's a bargain!

I have 3, door/boot, iginiton and one for the petrol cap

I wish I was as lucky as u sazal, I've got 5! a key for every lock!

[998dave]

Ask which key they found.

You can replace any of them without much effort, fuel cap's are about £6 for a nice one, door locks and handles about £30, and ignition barrel maybe £10.

I'd get it and change whichever bits you need to, you could always ask them to knock £30 off the price, £250 is still a bargain if it's in good condition!

[stolichnaya]

UPDATE!!!! It gets worse!!!! just had a call from them to say key "fob" not found but still looking. i said "fob"? she said "yes you know, the thing you point at the car and it goes blip" GREAT! now its not a cae of drilling the ignition, it wont start anyway with an imobilisor on. The trouble is, i am due to trailor the car back on Sat, the husband (owner) is in France until Sunday afternoon. I cant drill the ignition to get the steering lock off as i just know he will come back from France and find the key in minutes! leaving me with a drilled ignition

The plot thickens!!

cheers for the help guys

[GraemeC]

Unplug all the wiring from the steering column then unbolt the upper column mount from the cross member. That way when you steer the car to get it on the trailer the outer column & steering lock will just turn with the inner one - ie the whole lot will go round. Then you can sort out the key issue later.

[maddogmcg]

you can remove the door locks and boot lock ,the key number is stamped on the mechanism ,and you can order them from a good locksmith ,the last one i got cost £17 tho ,you could look round for cheaper . there was a guy on e bay last year who had an entire selection of original austin rover keys ,all you needed was the key number i seem to remember they start either TS or FS and a three digit number . dont know if its the same for the ignition barrel .

[mini_mad69]

Without the fob your pretty much screwed, but i had the excact same problem when i bought my donor mini, he lost the keys, I opened the door with a screwdriver and a set of mole grips, then I removed the bottom of the ignition barrel which let me start the car with a screwdriver. And to get the steering lock off i cut off the whole barrel, then only needed to get 1 door barrel and a new steering lock, even though the car was sold as spares. But without the fob your going no where fast.

[Ethel]

Mini door locks are FS, there are only 660 variations to choose from . As stated, they sometimes have the numbers stamped on the innards of the lock. You can drive round the shear bolts with a punch so you won't need to replace the steering lock if the keys turn up, just get some new bolts. If it's not an injection car the immobiliser can be easily bypassed.

[stolichnaya]

KEYS FOUND YIPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

now i just have to work out how i get the car back to mine... anyone in the Cambs / Northampton area with a car & trailor? willing to offer some reward for help with a lift of a certain Mini!!

am chuffed the keys have trurned up!

[sazal]

Thats good news then!

[stolichnaya]

Its brill news. am well chuffed.

can wait to get scuffed knuckles