Making Your Own Spare Key??

[LittleBro]

Hi,

I'm looking at getting another spare made up and was wondering if anyone has ever bought a blank and done it themselves?

BMW will do one for c£100 (diamond key, late E46) but it looks like you can get blanks (which I believe you can probgramme yourself) for a lot less off the tinterweb.

Has anyone done it? Is it that simple?

Cheers
Woody

[bazking69]

You can buy the non remote replacement keys through the dealer. I got a third key for mine for about £18. Already cut to VIN number and coded. Great as a spare.
Can't comment on the ebay ones but I am dubious myself.

Edited by bazking69 on Monday 1st September 14:25

[Bill Carr]

Careful with the ebay blanks - I believe a lot of them lack the necessary electronics, ie, they're just a metal blank attached to a plastic case. Which probably isn't much use to most people.

[LittleBro]

bazking69 said:

You can buy the non remote replacement keys through the dealer. I got a third key for mine for about £18. Already cut to VIN number and coded. Great as a spare.
Can't comment on the ebay ones but I am dubious myself.

Edited by bazking69 on Monday 1st September 14:25

Yeah, I think I'll get one of those, but fancy the all signing one too....just dont fancy the £100 bill!

Bill Carr said:

Careful with the ebay blanks - I believe a lot of them lack the necessary electronics, ie, they're just a metal blank attached to a plastic case. Which probably isn't much use to most people.

Yeah, most of them are justthe case. There's a guy in the US that sells them with all the gubbin's and I think you can code it yourself. Just wanted to know if anyone else has bothered or it its better to just cough up at the stealer.

Thanks for the replies.

[LittleBro]

bazking69 said:

You can buy the non remote replacement keys through the dealer. I got a third key for mine for about £18. Already cut to VIN number and coded. Great as a spare.
Can't comment on the ebay ones but I am dubious myself.

Edited by bazking69 on Monday 1st September 14:25

Yeah, I think I'll get one of those, but fancy the all signing one too....just dont fancy the £100 bill!

Bill Carr said:

Careful with the ebay blanks - I believe a lot of them lack the necessary electronics, ie, they're just a metal blank attached to a plastic case. Which probably isn't much use to most people.

Yeah, most of them are justthe case. There's a guy in the US that sells them with all the gubbin's and I think you can code it yourself. Just wanted to know if anyone else has bothered or it its better to just cough up at the stealer.

Thanks for the replies.

[LittleBro]

Sorry, another question - has anyone have a key cut at a normal key-cutting place? Or am I right in thinking that some poeple will refuse to do it?

[blaineuk]

you will still need the key coding to the transponder on the car, if not the car won't start.