key slot repair tool (2008-2013) for Mini Cooper vehicles

thingiverse

So I stumbled upon creating a tool to fix the key slot on my 2012 MINI Countryman by accident. A friend borrowed my car several years ago and didn't know you have to push in first to remove the key from the slot, so he just pulled hard. After that, the key would get stuck anytime it was inserted and take a lot of shaking and pulling to get out. Since the car has comfort access where the key slot is not needed, I never got around to fixing it. But it's been annoying telling people/mechanics not to use it, so I decided to print a plug to fill the hole. When testing my first prototype, I was pushing the plug in and out of the slot and the frame popped forward. The plug could no longer be pushed in like a key. So, I replaced the plug with a real key, and the slot magically got fixed! I'm guessing that I found a shape that holds the clips in place so everything pops back into position, but who knows. Hopefully someone can replicate my success. If not, you'll get to enjoy a flying saucer thing.