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ssyko813
07-20-2010, 10:23 AM
How much is it to get a new Key for an E36?
Cdymlr
07-20-2010, 10:58 AM
You'll need to check with your local BMW dealer and ask him what he charges. I've seen them priced from $120 - $200.
ssyko813
07-20-2010, 11:08 AM
Thanks. Wasn't sure, BavAuto has blank keys for 40 dollars right now.
pizzaman09
07-20-2010, 11:23 AM
I don't think the blank key will help. Do the e36 keys have the transponder chip in them?

A new key for my e38 was $216 at the dealer, I had to give them my vin number and they got the key sent from BMW in Germany.
Bimmernovice
07-20-2010, 11:28 AM
How much is it to get a new Key for an E36?

I purchased from a BMW dealer for my 99 e36 vert, $120 with light, $80 without.
E36BMW3series
07-20-2010, 11:29 AM
A key isn't necessarily the problem in most cases, the problem is cutting the key. BMWs use some kind of special laser cutting, the bank key may just mean you have a useless key sitting around and a dealership that makes you purchase their key.
IWannaBMW
07-20-2010, 02:45 PM
86 with my discount at a local dealer, car had ews
robmpulse
07-20-2010, 03:06 PM
If your car has EWS (you will have to research to see what year they started that) then you have to buy the key from the dealer.

If it doesn't you can buy a key blank and have someone cut it. Don't let them fool you with the "laser cut" keys. They are cut no different than regular keys, and only use a laser to guide the blade to cut it. I watched a mobile locksmith cut one for me in 5 mins and only charged me $25. You may have to call around to find someone that has the machine, but it does not take a specialist or anything of the sort....
M III Pilot
07-20-2010, 06:05 PM
I paid around $90ish for an ews key from the dealer a month or so ago.

The ews box or whatever box that reads the keys only has a limited amount of keys that are programmed for that box. So when you have gotten all the keys that are paired with that box, you'll have to get a new box with all new keys and then obviously you'll need to rekey all your locks as well.
AnimatedZombie
07-21-2010, 03:39 AM
I don't think the blank key will help. Do the e36 keys have the transponder chip in them?

A new key for my e38 was $216 at the dealer, I had to give them my vin number and they got the key sent from BMW in Germany.


How long did it take for them to send it from Germany?
kornkid8600
07-21-2010, 05:09 AM
They should be under $100 for E36 because it's not a remote key. It's just a normal key with the EWS chip inside. I can't remember exactly when they put EWS chips in though, but I believe 95+ they have them. Also it shouldn't take more than 2 days to get the keys.
Phore
07-21-2010, 01:28 PM
They should be under $100 for E36 because it's not a remote key. It's just a normal key with the EWS chip inside. I can't remember exactly when they put EWS chips in though, but I believe 95+ they have them. Also it shouldn't take more than 2 days to get the keys.

This is correct, all the cars built during or after 1995 have EWS II. Some "1995" model cars that were built in late 1994 don't have it.
TipsyMcStagger
12-03-2013, 12:49 PM
Just to be clear, for an EWS equipped E36 (1998), if purchasing a new key from a dealership (with a VIN and proof of ownership), you will receive an already cut and coded key, correct?

TIA.

Tipsy
lithium726
12-03-2013, 01:03 PM
Just to be clear, for an EWS equipped E36 (1998), if purchasing a new key from a dealership (with a VIN and proof of ownership), you will receive an already cut and coded key, correct?

TIA.

Tipsy

Yes; you will need to supply your VIN and it will be ready to go.
TipsyMcStagger
12-03-2013, 09:37 PM
Yes; you will need to supply your VIN and it will be ready to go.
Thanks very much. Just ordered one. $78.85.

Tipsy

- - - Updated - - -


Thanks very much. Just ordered one. $78.85.

TipsyThe parts guy ordered Part# 51 21 8 205 441 which, isn't in the forum archive at all (https://www.google.com/search?num=100&newwindow=1&safe=off&q=site%3Aforums.bimmerforums.com+%2251218205441%22&oq=site%3Aforums.bimmerforums.com+%2251218205441%2 2&gs_l=serp.12...44185.59074.0.60434.4.4.0.0.0.0.131 .482.0j4.4.0....0...1c.1.32.serp..4.0.0.MZ_lI1X7Pm 4) and has less than 50 returns on the entire web (https://www.google.com/search?num=100&newwindow=1&safe=off&q=%2251218205441%22&oq=%2251218205441%22&gs_l=serp.3...65533.65533.0.66066.1.1.0.0.0.0.101. 101.0j1.1.0....0...1c.1.32.serp..1.0.0.wWJdJYF2uj4 ).

Hope it's the right key. Sure seems like an obscure part number.

Tipsy
TipsyMcStagger
12-06-2013, 06:11 PM
For the sake of those who might read this in the future; Part# 51 21 8 205 441 was the correct key to replace a master, lighted transponder key for a '98 E36.

It was an exact duplicate of the original master lighted key and came properly programmed to my vehicles EWS.

Tipsy
BMWAccelerator
12-06-2013, 07:15 PM
$100 to $200 or more depending on the dealer. Without keyless entry maybe less than $100.
darkhorrus
12-08-2013, 02:49 PM
When I had to replace my key, I believe i paid about $90 for a lighted one including the cut- normally he said that they run about $130 but he gave me a bmw cca discount. =)
BMWAccelerator
12-08-2013, 08:35 PM
When I had to replace my key, I believe i paid about $90 for a lighted one including the cut- normally he said that they run about $130 but he gave me a bmw cca discount. =)

1 years costs $48 so that basically paid for your membership for 1 year.