1997 4 cyl lost key

[Flash635]

I have the opportunity to buy a Z3 cheap because the owner has lost the key.

I recently did the same thing with my son's 1994 E36 but it didn't have a paired fob so it was easy.

Can a 1997 be started and run by taking apart the ignition bracket to disable the steering lock and allow access to the ignition switch? Or does it need to be paired with a fob?
How would you override that?

If I go but a new key and fob, what other part do I need to buy that matches the key?

[z3forlife]

Go to the dealer with your vin and registration and they can order a working key

[bluptgm3]

Go to the dealer with your vin and registration and they can order a working key

The Seattle area dealerships require a photo copy of registration and drivers license with matching names.
Key contains a chip that is read by an antenna ring on the ignition tumbler which then has a ‘chat’ with EWS/ECU.

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/t-faq-ews


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[testify]

Buy the car, and get the old owner to go to the dealership with you to get a new key made.

Fair warning, they ain't cheap.

[328 Power 04]

$75-$150 for a new E36 dealer key. That's very reasonable.

[Flash635]

Thanks for replying everybody.

Does anyone know if the EWS can be bypassed and the car started by disabling the steering lock and actuating the ignition switch directly?
I don't want to buy a key for this car only to find out that there's all sorts of things wrong with it that didn't show up because it had no key.

[328 Power 04]

No, the ECU will not allow spark even if starter is allowed by bypassing EWS starter signal.

[z3forlife]

Have the seller get one and offer to cover it if the car is ok otherwise. I just got one and it was $68

[rf900rkw]

I would assume the seller isn't totally stupid. If he is willing to take a hit on the selling price because of no key, rather than ordering a $70 key, I would have to assume he knows it's to his advantage for the buyer not to hear the car run. Walk away.

[jrkoupe]

I would assume the seller isn't totally stupid. If he is willing to take a hit on the selling price because of no key, rather than ordering a $70 key, I would have to assume he knows it's to his advantage for the buyer not to hear the car run. Walk away.

I was gonna say same eggsact thang

[bluptgm3]

How ‘good’ of a bargain is it?


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[Vintage42]

You can't tell until a key reveals whatever problems it might have.

[Flash635]

I would assume the seller isn't totally stupid. If he is willing to take a hit on the selling price because of no key, rather than ordering a $70 key, I would have to assume he knows it's to his advantage for the buyer not to hear the car run. Walk away.

He bought it that way.

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How ‘good’ of a bargain is it?


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$1,200AUD. Similar cars are selling starting at $8000.

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I would offer him maybe $1000 and that's only if I'm confidant it can be started and driven away.

[Flash635]

Can I buy a key and EWS from a wreck and use that?

[z3forlife]

I can't believe that the current owner won't go get a replacement key. It's a lot easier. Are you sure this cars not stolen 😫

[bluptgm3]

Are you sure this cars not stolen

Or belongs to ex-wife?

Can I buy a key and EWS from a wreck and use that?

I believe - Key, EWS, and ECU have to match.
Again…read this -

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/t-faq-ews

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[Flash635]

Except that that it's $500 for BMW to supply a key. Worth doing IF there's nothing else wrong with it.
I can run a VIN check to see if it's stolen.

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I just spoke to a BMW dealer who said that if I bought a replacement EWS then it would have to be programmed to the car.
But then I saw an old post where the guy said he bought all this stuff from a wreck, put it in and the car fired right up.

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Or belongs to ex-wife?



I believe - Key, EWS, and ECU have to match.
Again…read this -

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/t-faq-ews

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My only other option is to buy a key from BMW at $500. I could probably find a key, EWS and ECU and locks for less than that. If they'll work.

[bluptgm3]

I find it hard to believe a single key is 5-large.
It was right around US $100 and I have bought one for three different E36s.
Yes the dealer can align the three ‘devices’, and that is probably close to $500. An independent with a GT1 should be able to do the same, possibly for less.


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[Flash635]

I find it hard to believe a single key is 5-large.



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I was talking to the local dealer just this morning, that's what he said. $100, no problem, I'd take the chance.
I could try contacting US dealers but I doubt they'd do it assuming it was a hot car.

[328 Power 04]

No, key to ews alignment is not possible with dealer equipment nor GT1. EWS to dme is easy. But that's not the problem here. Keys and ews modules are pre-prepared at the corporate engineering office and then shipped out to dealer.

Very hard to believe the regular key is $500.

[Flash635]

Yes the dealer can align the three ‘devices’, and that is probably close to $500.
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I've got some people saying that if I get the key, fob, lock with antenna, EWS and ECU all from the same car it should go straight in and start right up and others saying that all the parts have to be programmed to the car.

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Very hard to believe the regular key is $500.

Australia. I've been buying my parts from the US for years because of this.
I doubt that a US dealer would do this though.

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If I knew for certain that there were no serious faults with the car I'd bite it and get the $500 key.

[328 Power 04]

I've got some people saying that if I get the key, fob, lock with antenna, EWS and ECU all from the same car it should go straight in and start right up and others saying that all the parts have to be programmed to the car.

Yes, but the whole truth is, it depends.

[Flash635]

Yes, but the whole truth is, it depends.

Yup, that's why I'm on this forum right now.

[Flash635]

Ok, there's a possibility that a local supplier can get me the key at US price.
Can't find out yet, it's 1:00 PM Saturday here and he's gone home.

[bluptgm3]

I've got some people saying that if I get the key, fob, lock with antenna, EWS and ECU all from the same car it should go straight in and start right up and others saying that all the parts have to be programmed to the car.

I believe that if you get a key (with matching ignition tumbler), EWS module, and ECU from the same donor car you should be good to go. Except it will be difficult to remove existing ignition tumbler from the ignition bracket without a key to free the tumbler. It would be possible to remove the anti theft bolts from the alloy switch bracket, hopefully remove the electrical ignition switch and replace the bracket with a new one and reassemble with ‘new’ to the car ignition tumbler.
So no, the three matching components (key/EWS/ECU) don’t have to be aligned (contain the VIN) to the vehicle they are in but it saves answering a lot of questions later when that fact might come to light.

You won’t be able to lock/unlock the doors/trunk with the ‘new’ key unless you get the matching trunk lock, and door locks also.

You will have one key and only one key. And they do wear out and/or get ‘lost’, got to have a back-up - without a VIN, and registration matching that key/EWS/ECU you won’t get one from the Dealer, because the ‘foreign’ non-aligned Key/EWS/ECU does not match the VIN on file with BMW NA, or BMW AZ or BMW NU or where ever you are.

IF you get a single component not matched to your car/VIN, then yes it will need to be aligned - EWS or ECU. But the key needs to match the tumbler …and the EWS/ECU, as it contains a passive radio chip that is excited by an antenna ring that surrounds the ignition tumbler…and chats with the EWS, which then chats with the ECU....and the ECU expects to hear from the EWS when the ECU is energized, that the key is a match. There is aftermarket ‘tuner’ ECU code out there (for a price) that eliminates the EWS ‘conversations’ with ECU. Not sure how that works ECU-wise with a foreign non-VIN matched key, I think there will be a disconnect unless all three are for the same VIN or VIN aligned.
Perhaps a different key (and matching tumbler) can be aligned to existing ECU/EWS, someone else will have to step in. (EDIT: reading a previous post - The key has to match the EWS controller, these two cannot be aligned. ECU to EWS/key can be aligned)

A key with matching ignition tumbler, new switch/ignition bracket, EWS, and ECU is probably going to be well in excess of the cost of a single or even a pair of keys from the Dealer, which will be far less hassle, IMO.

I still struggle with the cost of a single key or even a pair of keys, matched to an existing VIN/ECU/EWS/ignition tumbler at $500, even from the Dealer.

If this car is the bargain you have stated it is, then even $500 for a key is a no-brainer.


LOL!!! I have heard that the central office where the BMW key(s) would come from has a limited number of keys for any given VIN. I don’t recall the total number of matched keys (5?) but once that number has been exceeded you cannot get any more keys for that VIN?
Truth…or internet myth. I don’t know. In that case it appears that it would be a new key(s), tumbler, and EWS controller, the have the ECU aligned to EWS.
Perhaps this is what you are up against, why the price seems so out of line from our experiences.

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