locksmith? or car dealership? or something else?

[rmd]

So, I am having a mechanical problem with the lock on the mini. (I'm not sure if someone tried to fuck with the lock or if this is some kind of general leftover metal/plastic fatigue or what.)

Is this something I should see a locksmith for? Or the mini dealership? I wouldn't expect a regular mechanic or body shop to deal with it. (It's got a remote unlocking key thing.)

Of course, I may end up taking it to the dealership anyways - the airbag light was on today. If it stays on, I'll probably want them to figure out what's up.

Comments

[i-leonardo.livejournal.com]

little foreign can prolly help, too.

[cz_unit]

You should take it to a frob. :-)

C

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

Unless you have a particular locksmith in mind who has demonstrated expertise in these things, I'd say the dealer is the better bet. (And I say this as someone who doesn't particularly favor going to the dealer first.) Particularly if you have to deal with the air bag and you're going there anyhow.

Best of luck. Someone screwed with the lock on my Toyota and I ended up going to the dealer with it, so I understand the annoyance level here and sympathize.

[milktree.livejournal.com]

The dealer's answer is probably to replace the mechanical bits of the lock, and you'll pay for the privilege. LFCG can do exactly the same thing, but they won't core out your wallet as much. The electronics aren't in the door.

If you want a locksmith, I've been very happy with Sherman's Waltham Lock on Moody St. They'll tell you, "nope, can't fix that" if they can't.


LFCG can probably fix your airbag issue, too. But I bet I know the answer already: The sensor in the seat that tells the car, "yes, there's a people here" doesn't work. It's expensive to fix 'cuz it means ripping the seat apart.

Good mechanics (I'd consider LFCG to be one) have the computers to talk to the car's brain to fix things like engine management issues, and security system issues, and stuff like that.