Key not activating alarm/central locking

[Slippydiff]

The key on my 2002 E46 330d started to work intermittently a couple of days ago.
Not a problem I thought, it'll just need a new battery.
It failed to work at all today, so I used my spare and headed off to my local stealer to get a new battery.

When I requested a battery I was told I have to replace the complete key assembly at a cost of £100 (plus VAT ?) I enquired as to whether the new key would require coding and was told it would.

Is there anyone out there that unofficially "fixes" these keys by putting new batteries into them, or do I have no choice but to undergo a session of open wallet surgery down at the stealers ?

Many thanks in advance.

Slippy

Edited by Slippydiff on Tuesday 29th April 19:44

[< FORZA WEST]

The casing of the key is heat bonded down so it will be destroyed if taken apart,and once inside you will find the battery is tacked to the positive and negative terminals which makes it almost imposible to remove.

A new one is needed unfortunatly

[Slippydiff]

Many thanks, open wallet surgery it is then !