I needed a 2nd key and checked at my local dealer, key was around $250.
I found an $83 solution to get a 2nd key for my 2006 750Li. At my BMW dealer I went to the parts counter and ordered the emergency spare and holder it sits inside. Total for both parts was $83 and they had it the next day. You need your VIN and a title or vehicle registration paper with you. The key is the size of a house key and fits in your wallet, you can put the holder in your glove box, an advantage for emergencies. I don't know if the key remembers comfort settings and I don't care because it is for emergencies.
Just thought I would share this, I couldn't spend $250 on any key (I am thrifty).
Jemima
You know, I wonder if you could get this emergency key, pry it open to get the transponder chip, and put that chip into a cheap ebay used/new remote key. Would still have to get the blade cut and program the remote to the car, but should still be cheaper than $250....
either way good find! Wonder what this emergency key looks like, what with the non traditional 'slot.' Sure miss the days when a spare cost a buck or two at the local Ace hardware.
377Z,
The emergency key is all black plastic, no metal. The holder is merely a black plastic case, just to hold the key in the slot and possibly hold the slot open. If there is no mechanical switch the holder opens, then I would guess the emergency key would work if you taped it in the ignition slot. I took a picture but can't find my USB cable this morning to post it. Also, the plastic key has a sticker / plug over where they put the microchip / radio transponder. You might be able to pry it out as you suggested, but you might damage it. Also, the key states it "for emergency engine start use only" on it.
If its like other keys, the transponder portion looks like this:
[img]https://www.vipprogrammer.com/images...der%20chip.jpg[/img]
and is inside that emergency plastic key.
If its part of the circuit board then I don't know, but in some other makes you can dig out the 'pill' and pop it into the cheap transponderless ebay remotes thereby solving the hardest part of the replacement issue.
But I'm not sure how BMW does it, I might have to buy a really cheap/broken used remote key to dissect to find out.
Bookmarks