Replacement key BMW e36, is this for real!

Replacement key BMW e36, is this for real!

Author
Discussion

croyde

Original Poster:

22,933 posts

230 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
Just picked up a replacement key for my 1998 e36 from a BMW dealer.

I had lost my key and was using the emergency one. My ex wife lost loads during the 18 years I've had the car.

Miserable spares bloke points out that this is key No9.

If it gets lost I cannot get anymore. The control unit and all barrels will have to be replaced at an estimated cost of 500 quid.

Obviously if this happens the poor old car will be scrapped but seems a shame.

Anyone else know about this?

MorganP104

2,605 posts

130 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
Yep. When the car was built, it will have been allocated 10 key codes. Two would have been supplied with the main key and spare, and given to the first customer. The other 8 would have been kept on BMW's systems, in case you need new keys cut.

Once you exceed the number of codes allocated to that vehicle, all the locks need to be changed.

33q

1,555 posts

123 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
I'd get a few copies done by an independent.


Krikkit

26,529 posts

181 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
33q said:
I'd get a few copies done by an independent.
Can't code it for the immobiliser if you don't have one to clone though.

10 keys is rather a lot OP. Perhaps worth sourcing a 2nd hand lock set?

OldGermanHeaps

3,837 posts

178 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
A good remapper can sort it. A polish guy i use charges £75

TooMany2cvs

29,008 posts

126 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
Krikkit said:
33q said:
I'd get a few copies done by an independent.
Can't code it for the immobiliser if you don't have one to clone though.
croyde said:
I had lost my key and was using the emergency one.

snotrag

14,464 posts

211 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
Get a cheap key cut at the cobblers. Glue the old key (and immobiliser chip) inside the steering wheel cowl. Use cheap £4.99 keys for the rest of the cars life. Sorted.

croyde

Original Poster:

22,933 posts

230 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
Great minds eh. Was thinking of doing that.

Personally I don't think we've been through 9 keys but hey....

A local key cutter was going to do it. He got the correct blank and supposed chip but then said my original chip changes code every time so couldn't do it.

TooMany2cvs

29,008 posts

126 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
croyde said:
Personally I don't think we've been through 9 keys but hey....
You now have 2 of those 9 keys. Could 7 have been lost? Did you buy it new?

Cold

15,248 posts

90 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
Thought about getting a key chain clipped to your belt?

Would compliment the string on your mittens... biggrin

dazwalsh

6,095 posts

141 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
How the hell have you managed to lose the keys 7 times?!

croyde

Original Poster:

22,933 posts

230 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
As said earlier. Wife now ex kept losing them. Key 8 is the first one I lost in 19 years of owning the car.

OldGermanHeaps

3,837 posts

178 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
A good remapper can sort it. A polish guy i use charges £75

pits

6,429 posts

190 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
Just get ews delete