$100 for a key?

[Knums]

I called my local BMW dealership after about an hour and a half of driving around looking for some where that would make me a key. I had no luck so i called up BMW and they said, in order for them to make a key they need a proof of ownership, etc. but they also said it would cost me about $80 - $100 http://images.bimmerforums.com/smilies/eyecrazy.gif I have the "sidewinder" key and they say it has to be custom laser drilled for the ignition and could take up to a month to get the key, he also said the key may not work becuase the key and ignition may be worn down. I understand this part and i was thinking i would spend no more than $40 as there is no chip in the key, and its just a piece of metal and a piece of plastic. But would a key really cost me up to $100? Is there anywhere else other than BMW themselves that makes these keys?

[shogun]

I assume they mixed it up with an EWS responder key. Did you tell them 1989 built year? http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1540759-BMW-Spare-Keys

I have the switchblade for IR remote control, with just simple cut key, samples
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/Caifanito/09072010261.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh308/diegom6/BMW/BMW%20M5/E34M5mainkey001.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh308/diegom6/BMW/BMW%20M5/E34M5mainkey002.jpg

[Layne]

They just don't want to do it. The process is very simple and requires no lasers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nbgcfd9oxI

Like Shogun said, they're probably thinking they need to order an EWS key from BMW. (you can also order ordinary keys, but there's no need unless yours is lost)

[Knums]

I assume they mixed it up with an EWS responder key. Did you tell them 1989 built year? [url]http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1540759-BMW-Spare-Keys[/url
Yeah i told them it was made in 08/88 and it was a 89 model, i also told them i just needed a basic spare cut.

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there's no need unless yours is lost
Yeah i have no real need for a spare, just looking something to be sure if i loose mine i have an extra becuase i have my car all taken apart and ive already missplaced my key four or five times. Just looking for a backup.

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[e34Croak]

Mine were $20 bucks laser cut by BMW.

[Knums]

Mine were $20 bucks laser cut by BMW.
It seems to me like different dealerships charge radically different prices. Ive seen some people charged up to $200.

[demetk]

Cheap key blanks,

http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?SearchText=bmw+e34+key+blank&catId=&initiative_id=SB_20141002072556

[SpeedsterBek]

call a different dealer. Even a normal non EWS key should be less than $60.

Don't forget to bring your title with you showing that you own the car. This is for everyone's protection, so that you don't have some random people coming in with VIN numbers and getting a key to whatever car they want to steal

[e34Croak]

"When an e34 customer walks through the door my heart sinks.."

-BMW Parts Advisor


BMW did screw up on the pricing of those keys for a while that's why they were $20.
The cost of one is $35.00 which is then marked up to $50.00 (at our store). Other dealers charge whatever they want.

[Knums]

Don't forget to bring your title with you showing that you own the car.
Lol, yeah title, still waiting on that from the PO but BMW does not need to know that for now.:)

[Layne]

I mean you can copy your existing key unless you have lost it. There's no need to order one from BMW in Germany. You also won't need a title if you have the existing key in hand.

[mboor]

no key is "lazer cut". its cut with a standard hardened metal bit, however the machine IS guided by a lazer. People like to refer to them as a lazer cut key because it sounds expensive lol. Most lock smiths and places that cut keys can't cut the "inverted keys" that our BMW's use because the machine cost about $12,000. I have a lazer guided key machine right behind me as i type this. You can find an E34 key blank on EBAY for about $8.00. If you wern't so far away id cut if for you for free.

[SW530]

We have a local locksmith who can cut them.. for $59. He told me its' a different type of key machine leased to them.. and they ony get $20 for each key they make. The machine company gets the rest. And he wasn't even sure it was legal, said the company was being sued by BMW.

BMW.. my dealer told me the same thing. But they charged me $22.. They sent my VIN to Germany and they mailed them my key.. and it's nice, flashlight head and all. I had bought key blanks off Ebay for $20.. and almost paid the locksmith their blood money. But someone here suggested the dealer..

[S61Dan]

no key is "lazer cut". its cut with a standard hardened metal bit, however the machine IS guided by a lazer. People like to refer to them as a lazer cut key because it sounds expensive lol. Most lock smiths and places that cut keys can't cut the "inverted keys" that our BMW's use because the machine cost about $12,000. I have a lazer guided key machine right behind me as i type this. You can find an E34 key blank on EBAY for about $8.00. If you wern't so far away id cut if for you for free.

Interesting info! My key was about 32 bucks from the dealer.




I never heard that before? lol My local dealer knows me by name now I call so often for parts! Not sure if that is good or bad. Believe it or not, this dealer has beaten prices from Pelican, Bavarian and even ebay for some parts.

[Knums]

no key is "lazer cut". its cut with a standard hardened metal bit, however the machine IS guided by a lazer. People like to refer to them as a lazer cut key because it sounds expensive lol. Most lock smiths and places that cut keys can't cut the "inverted keys" that our BMW's use because the machine cost about $12,000. I have a lazer guided key machine right behind me as i type this. You can find an E34 key blank on EBAY for about $8.00. If you wern't so far away id cut if for you for free.
I have an uncle who lives in Catskill... i think not exactly sure where it is but its right around Catskill and if im not mistaking Catskill is only about an hour from Albany. Next time im up there i might have to give you a shout.

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Cheap key blanks,

http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?SearchText=bmw+e34+key+blank&catId=&initiative_id=SB_20141002072556
Cool thanks!

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I mean you can copy your existing key unless you have lost it. There's no need to order one from BMW in Germany. You also won't need a title if you have the existing key in hand.
Thanks I have the key in hand and I looked around at local hardware stores and locksmiths and they said they can not make a sidewinder, because they need a blank and they all told me that i have to go straight to the dealership to get copy made.

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We have a local locksmith who can cut them.. for $59. He told me its' a different type of key machine leased to them.. and they ony get $20 for each key they make. The machine company gets the rest. And he wasn't even sure it was legal, said the company was being sued by BMW.

BMW.. my dealer told me the same thing. But they charged me $22.. They sent my VIN to Germany and they mailed them my key.. and it's nice, flashlight head and all. I had bought key blanks off Ebay for $20.. and almost paid the locksmith their blood money. But someone here suggested the dealer..
That seems really sketchy about that special machine thingy lol. But you said "flashlight head and all" the key i have now is just a piece of metal with a piece of plastic on the end with the BMW logo on it...

[mboor]

im actually about 10 mins north of Albany, in Latham NY. depending on where you are in Catskill you about an hour to an hour and 1/2 away. Let me know next time your up this way, i'd be more than happy to help.

[Knums]

im actually about 10 mins north of Albany, in Latham NY. depending on where you are in Catskill you about an hour to an hour and 1/2 away. Let me know next time your up this way, i'd be more than happy to help.
Thanks! Ill let you know next time im up there

[kodiakdawg]

Not to hi-jack this thread, but I'm in East Greenbush and would love to have a spare key cut for my 540.

Can you PM me

[kalevera]

Not to hi-jack this thread, but I'm in East Greenbush and would love to have a spare key cut for my 540.



Make sure it's a 11/94 or earlier car before you go through the hassle, most M sports have EWS/a basic EWSII master key is $60-$80 at an honest dealer, for reference I sell them @ $79 shipped with proof of ownership

[SW530]

That seems really sketchy about that special machine thingy lol. But you said "flashlight head and all" the key i have now is just a piece of metal with a piece of plastic on the end with the BMW logo on it...

Well, now we know from the other guy that it takes a separate $12,000 machine. Unless it cuts a lot of different key types I don't imagine he'd get enough E-34 customers at $5 a pop to pay for it.

The standard key that came with the BMW has a light built into the head so you can find your locks. It's a BMW key sent from wherever BMW cuts keys. It's in the owners manual too. It even has a BMW logo.. but logos are perhaps the easiest thing to make.

[Knums]

Well, now we know from the other guy that it takes a separate $12,000 machine. Unless it cuts a lot of different key types I don't imagine he'd get enough E-34 customers at $5 a pop to pay for it.

The standard key that came with the BMW has a light built into the head so you can find your locks. It's a BMW key sent from wherever BMW cuts keys. It's in the owners manual too. It even has a BMW logo.. but logos are perhaps the easiest thing to make.
So the key i have now is an original spare? There is no light. Also i do not have the owners manual. The only thing that came with the car was the car its self and about 3/4 of the parts.

[shogun]

Owners manual 5.56 MB http://www.mediafire.com/download/aokc2wdxq9ie8bs/manual.pdf
There you can also see which keys originally came with the car. With and without light

You can also check here at United Auto Security for a key, even with EWS chip programming http://unitedautosecurity.net/BMW-E34-M5-5-Series-92-96-C141736.aspx?sid=13867

[ross1]

Last one I bought several years back was thirty something dollars and took a few days to get.

[SinisterMoose]

I ordered multiple switchblade style BMW blanks from eBay around $8 each, and found a local locksmith with a side cutting key machine, he warned me that he might ruin one, but he nailed it on the first try, so I had him cut all of them. He charged me $10 for cutting 4 keys. This was on my '91 535i, so no EWS to worry about.

Apparently new Honda keys are cut with a very similar machine, and maybe new Ford keys, I'm not sure though.

I have found that none of the BMW dealers I've ever contacted have an actual key cutting machine on site, and also don't have the transponder programming equipment, at least the ones I've contacted. My wife's E36 328ic has the EWSII, and ordering a new key at the local dealership for it requires blood samples, a DNA map, the title and 13 personal references as well as a crisp new $100.

[mboor]

Well, now we know from the other guy that it takes a separate $12,000 machine. Unless it cuts a lot of different key types I don't imagine he'd get enough E-34 customers at $5 a pop to pay for it.

The standard key that came with the BMW has a light built into the head so you can find your locks. It's a BMW key sent from wherever BMW cuts keys. It's in the owners manual too. It even has a BMW logo.. but logos are perhaps the easiest thing to make.


yes the $12000 key machine is not specific to BMW. it will cut almost any type of key with the proper attchment head. i usualy charge $20 to cut a key with it, since the bits are very expensive. im not trying to make any $, just trying to help out a fellow BMW owner/forum member.

[diabloboy58]

I called my local BMW dealership after about an hour and a half of driving around looking for some where that would make me a key. I had no luck so i called up BMW and they said, in order for them to make a key they need a proof of ownership, etc. but they also said it would cost me about $80 - $100 :eyecrazy I have the "sidewinder" key and they say it has to be custom laser drilled for the ignition and could take up to a month to get the key, he also said the key may not work becuase the key and ignition may be worn down. I understand this part and i was thinking i would spend no more than $40 as there is no chip in the key, and its just a piece of metal and a piece of plastic. But would a key really cost me up to $100? Is there anywhere else other than BMW themselves that makes these keys?

You are better off finding a blank key on Ebay and finding a locksmith who cuts keys. Not too long ago I bought these two blanks http://www.ebay.com/itm/350979475684?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2F i.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D3509794 75684%26_rdc%3D1 and tried finding a locksmith to cut the keys. The first locksmith I went to wanted to charge me about 30 dollars for each cut then I tried to find another locksmith and found one outside of a Ralphs parking lot who charged me 30 for both Key cuts. They both worked perfectly and been happy ever since knowing I have two spare keys and the original key in a safe place.

[Layne]

yes the $12000 key machine is not specific to BMW. it will cut almost any type of key with the proper attchment head. i usualy charge $20 to cut a key with it, since the bits are very expensive. im not trying to make any $, just trying to help out a fellow BMW owner/forum member.

The one I've seen used ordinary 2 flute carbide end mills as cutters, exactly like the ones any machine shop uses. You can get them for about $10 from mscdirect.com or McMaster.com. I'm sure the key machine company marks them up a ton. The machine I saw was also not worth anything close to $1k, much less 12k. Might be some patent royalties there, or just plain ripping people off.