lost keys

M

Mike Callaghan

Dedicated Member
Joined
May 18, 2015
Points
25
Hi all .I have been a member for a few years, but I have very little input apart from buying a few odds & ends, but I have lost my one and only car key for my Z3,which is a year 2000 model , I have spoken to my local BMW dealer and new key will cost over £200 , I was told that it is a main dealer item only, has any one got an idea how I can get one for a lower price that will do the job as well.
Any help will be gratefully received Regards Mike 07511 199123
 
I bit the bullit and got main dealer new key as it came pre programmed for your car , but you still need to match them together with the instructions they will give you. Mine was about £180 it's the key with the buttons on it not seperate fob. Mine is a 99 pre face lift. You need to take your log book.
 
Hi Mike someone who may be able to help you is Robert @mrscalex .

Tony.
 
I got a spare key without the FOB functions there in England for GBP55, it was just a spare. If you want one with the push buttons [main key] it is going to cost a lot more. Really, it is extortionate as they key is only worth about GBP10, but what else can you do? :(
 
The potential cost saving isn't really the issue here. And for one off keys the saving is not that big from a mobile (or 3rd party) locksmith.

A mobile locksmith would charge typically between £100-£150.

I can do them for about £20-£25 ea for my own cars but I don't offer it as a service since the non-BMW way involves removing the EWS, taking the circuit board out and attaching a CPU clamp to the board to hack it. If I bust my EWS doing it hard luck. If I bust someone else's I don't want the responsibility. I don't have the time. And for the amount of agro I would want £60+ anyway.

Now if you had the key you would at least have the option of going to a mobile (or other independent) locksmith to have the key cut from tracing and the transponder programmed to the car. That programming is what the EWS (the immobiliser) checks to let starting go ahead. Synching the remote is easy and has nothing to do with the security of the car. People get very confused about this!

A dumb key will open a lock or turn the ignition barrel. Only a fully programmed key will start it. Synching will not and don't let anyone tell you this! In fact the key doesn't even need to be synched to start the car.

Here's the ultimate problem. And it's not that you don't physically have a key any more. It's that you don't know the code of the key. Instead of tracing the key, a computerised cutter can be fed the key code.

Every key has a code associated with it. There are commonly 2 ways of discovering the code.

A skilled locksmith can 'read' the code purely from a picture of the key. And that's how I get my keys physically cut. I've got at least 2 keys for every car in case I lose one. And I have records of all the key codes. And backups of the EWS from each of my cars.

Or I can only assume that a BMW dealer has a note of your key code somewhere in their system. But don't 100% rely on that!

Since you don't presumably have the key code (or a picture of the key) then the only alternative to the dealer is to see if a locksmith can dismantle the door lock and read the code from the individual tumblers. Or quite possibly use a special tool which doesn't involve dismantling - I know how it works but I'm not going to go into here for security reasons. I'd lay odds they could do either but it's whether they would want to and just as importantly if it's cost effective.

In short I would go and see your BMW dealer. He will undoubtedly want ID so V5, passport, utility bill etc. And quite possibly your inside leg measurement and what colour pants you are wearing ;) And hope they have the key code.

Did you tell the BMW dealer you didn't have a key? Or did you just ask for the price of 'a key'.
 
Mike Callaghan said:
Hi all .I have been a member for a few years, but I have very little input apart from buying a few odds & ends, but I have lost my one and only car key for my Z3,which is a year 2000 model , I have spoken to my local BMW dealer and new key will cost over £200 , I was told that it is a main dealer item only, has any one got an idea how I can get one for a lower price that will do the job as well.
Any help will be gratefully received Regards Mike 07511 199123
Click to expand...
funny thing ive only 1 key so bought a new fob with uncut blade (12 ) just been to locksmith had it laser cut (#26 ) & got a new un programmed transducer ($4) may be able to clone to the old transducer ill let you know if it works a must for people with 1 key i should think.
 
lucky jim said:
funny thing ive only 1 key so bought a new fob with uncut blade (12 ) just been to locksmith had it laser cut (#26 ) & got a new un programmed transducer ($4) may be able to clone to the old transducer ill let you know if it works a must for people with 1 key i should think.
Click to expand...
transponder i mean not transducer ....my edd is going age i fink
 
lucky jim said:
funny thing ive only 1 key so bought a new fob with uncut blade (12 ) just been to locksmith had it laser cut (#26 ) & got a new un programmed transducer ($4) may be able to clone to the old transducer ill let you know if it works a must for people with 1 key i should think.
Click to expand...
The OP has no key to copy the blade pattern from. That’s his real issue.

Transponders aren’t normally cloned ;) They are programmed afresh from the EWS using bespoke programmer hardware. Everytime a new key is defined to the car it has to have a new entry in the EWS table. That means updating the EWS and the transponder. I’m not sure what the behaviour would be or if it’s possible to have 2 transponders/keys with the same ID# in the table. But there’s no need to ever do it like that. It’s also good practice while you are in the programming to disable any keys appearing in the table that are lost.
 
Hi many thanks to you all for your help but a lot of it is way over my head,on the big plus side my insurance in includes key cover which was news to me. I have talked to my local BMW Sycamores who tell me that a new key £208 and this will once its set up, I will be ordering it tomorrow but will double check that before I pay.
I will keep you posted on my progress once I have the key
Once again many thanks. MIKE
 
Mike Callaghan said:
Hi many thanks to you all for your help but a lot of it is way over my head,on the big plus side my insurance in includes key cover which was news to me. I have talked to my local BMW Sycamores who tell me that a new key £208 and this will once its set up, I will be ordering it tomorrow but will double check that before I pay.
I will keep you posted on my progress once I have the key
Once again many thanks. MIKE
Click to expand...
You are doing the correct thing. And I would do the same too. Well I might be tempted to get that special tool I mentioned to have a go but I certainly wouldn't be paying a locksmith to do it for me. Little difference in cost to BMW, your EWS and/or locks might get damaged and the key itself will most likely be a Chinese shell rather than BMW.

A new 'primary' key from BMW. Then if you want a spare (recommended) look at a cheaper option next time maybe. And remember to take a clear photo of the key that shows all the cuts so if nothing else that can be 'read'.
 
Hi It’s me again I now have the new key for my z3 ,no problem with the dealer Sycamore in Peterborough after my handing over £208.82 only to find out when I collected it, that it didn’t include the small cover on the back of the key that covers the two small screws, this cost me an extra £4.70, why it’s not part of the key is beyond and the guys at BMW!!!
Anyway key has now been setup and works fine,so I’m back on the road,
Many thanks to you all of you for your help in matter.
I will post a picture of two of my Z3 that is once I figure out how to do it!!
 
I can tell you exactly why it doesn’t include the panel. The panel comes in about 10 different versions for each region BMW sell to. All with different local radio interference regs labels.

If the panel was supplied with the key then there would need to be 10 different key versions/parts too.

You can buy a whole Chinese blank with unlabelled panel on eBay for a couple of quid. So you could have bought one, kept the panel, fitted that and binned the rest. Well to save a couple of quid.
 
mrscalex said:
I can tell you exactly why it doesn’t include the panel. The panel comes in about 10 different versions for each region BMW sell to. All with different local radio interference regs labels.

If the panel was supplied with the key then there would need to be 10 different key versions/parts too.

You can buy a whole Chinese blank with unlabelled panel on eBay for a couple of quid. So you could have bought one, kept the panel, fitted that and binned the rest. Well to save a couple of quid.
Click to expand...



Thanks for that, I really do have a lot to learn about this site and its members. and I still not sure how to post photos etc !! MIKE
 
I know the discussion is old, but I have a critical situation. My sister lost two pairs of my car keys. s***. I read what you wrote above, and now I don't know whether to buy an original key or order one from a locksmith at an average price. What do you recommend? Preferably somewhere in North Carolina.
 
I'm sorry to hear that you lost your car key for your BMW Z3. Losing a car key can be a frustrating and expensive experience, especially if you're quoted a high price for a replacement key from the dealership.
One option you may want to consider is finding a local locksmith Westcombe Park or key cutting service that specializes in BMW keys. These services may be able to provide you with a replacement key at a lower cost than the dealership.
You could also try searching for aftermarket car key suppliers online. There are several reputable companies that offer replacement car keys at a lower cost than the dealership. However, it's important to do your research and ensure that you're purchasing a high-quality key from a trustworthy source.
Before making a purchase, it's important to make sure that the replacement key is compatible with your specific car model and year. You may need to provide the key supplier with your car's VIN (vehicle identification number) to ensure that the key is programmed correctly.
Overall, while a replacement key from the dealership may be the safest option, it's worth exploring other options to find a more affordable solution. Just be sure to do your research and choose a reputable key supplier to ensure that you're getting a high-quality replacement key.
 
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