Discussion
Trying to sort a few issues on my newly purchased E46 convertible, got to love a seller who lies out of his nose...anyway....I need a new remote key? One key opens drivers door, but not ignition....but ignition key also opens boot.....am I best going to bmw for a new remote key, or can someone cut and programme a key?
You can get them from BMW, but at a price!
There is a firm in East London that does them (google bmkeys) and someone on the Z4forum in St Helens does them but it's easiest if you take the car to them then they can code it.
The guy on the Z4forum cut and coded a flip-style key for mine for £80, so even if you aren't local the trip may prove cheaper than using BMW!
There is a firm in East London that does them (google bmkeys) and someone on the Z4forum in St Helens does them but it's easiest if you take the car to them then they can code it.
The guy on the Z4forum cut and coded a flip-style key for mine for £80, so even if you aren't local the trip may prove cheaper than using BMW!
If you just a want a remote key for locking/unlocking not starting they are around £10 on eBay. You program them your self. No software needed. A new key to start the car will cost more, main dealer or someone like BMKeys. Or buy a key programmer (ews removal and refit req for this method).
i am guessing that one of keys has grey top with no buttons, this is the valet key and was designed to give to the dealer when you car is serviced or you having car cleaned, as such it designed not to open the boot or glove box if locked.
you can find how reprogramme a new key on the interweb.
you can find how reprogramme a new key on the interweb.
Mr Tidy said:
You can get them from BMW, but at a price!
There is a firm in East London that does them (google bmkeys) and someone on the Z4forum in St Helens does them but it's easiest if you take the car to them then they can code it.
The guy on the Z4forum cut and coded a flip-style key for mine for £80, so even if you aren't local the trip may prove cheaper than using BMW!
Considering they are £120 from BMW vs. £220 for a key from other manufacturers (Ford as an example) I wouldn't say they're horrifically priced ; Even old Ford keys without a remote function were £120 from the dealers unless you botched the chip into a 'pattern' key. You can guess how I know....There is a firm in East London that does them (google bmkeys) and someone on the Z4forum in St Helens does them but it's easiest if you take the car to them then they can code it.
The guy on the Z4forum cut and coded a flip-style key for mine for £80, so even if you aren't local the trip may prove cheaper than using BMW!
My old man paid £110 to get a 'copy' Ford key from a bloke.
I used BMKeys a couple of years ago when I managed to 'corrupt' one of the remote keys by trying to start the car with a flat battery. Very helpful person (I took the car to him using my other remote key) and he removed 'other' keys from the system so that, for example, a previous owner who forgot to pass on a key couldn't steal your car. Amazing how much history and info is stored in the car's memory.
Another recommendation for BMkeys- great guy, and he can work with the car there or if you post him the ecu/ control unit and key- bit of a leap of faith maybe, but his reputation is excellent. I had my E46 key done last week, very impressed and he also saved me money on a second key when he could easily have charged more (he fixed my existing key for free).
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