BMW Key Replacement?

[Little Dragon]

Okay well I need to make a spare key or two for my Bimmer.
I've called a few places but they all said they can't do my key model and that I would have to take it to the BMW Dealer.
Too bad the dealer quoted around $200 for one key for me. :rolleyes

Just wondering if any other place can do it either than the dealer?

And why can't certain places make a spare key from my key? (its a master Key)

[Ryan666]

Not if you plan to use the key to start the car.

No one else can make it because of the chip inside. That's the short version anyway.

[zaborta]

I got a second key just one week ago as spare and it took the car electrician 30 minutes to do it and program it. it costs me around 120$. but BMW dealer requested 25$ and 1 month wait. don't go straight for the dealer just search for someone who has the material Indy Chinese .....

[kornkid8600]

1 month wait?
they are usually pretty quick like under 3 days. But anyway, BMW holds the EWS chips for your cars key to match with the car.

[E36HB]

1 month wait?
they are usually pretty quick like under 3 days.


He is in lebanon.... I'm sure stuff takes longer there...

[zaborta]

He is in lebanon.... I'm sure stuff takes longer there...

Some things do take longer but in most case i don't have to go to BMW dealer. Everything i want is next to me. Labor cost is cheap. Parts can be found anywhere and also in very good prices. The one that made me a spare key was no BMW dealer he was regular electrician that have a box that is full of keys similar to the original. he clowned my BMW key and then disconnected something under the steering wheel he then brought a black small box that contains some sort of computer and connected it to a chip and reprogrammed the chip. then he start to change the key position from 1 to 2, he kept on doing so until it eventually started the car. He told me he got the keys from "CHINA" anyway it is always good to have two keys with you otherwise you will end up paying big $$$$ from changing the whole UNIT.

[garretts turbo]

when i bought my E28, the guy i bought it from had a key ordered from the dealer that he never picked up so i took the title down with me and picked up that key. if i remember right it was about $60

[zaborta]

when i bought my E28, the guy i bought it from had a key ordered from the dealer that he never picked up so i took the title down with me and picked up that key. if i remember right it was about $60

That is an excellent price. But you know sometimes dealers wants to make extra profit specially in my case where there is only one in the whole area who can make you a key. be careful not to let the key fall hard.