Replacement key

[MaxUprite]

I have a fully functioning key, the remote works perfectly, however I've lost my spare key to my 2001 2.2.

The local thieves known as the BMW dealership want £175 for a new key with all the reprogramming and remote.

any ideas on how to get a new key with the printed circuit board etc without paying the earth?

 

[Iamjonw]

Timpson quoted me £59 for a replacement for my 1998 2.8. Should have been done last week, but they sent the wrong blank key, so waiting for another go this week.

 

[MaxUprite]

Timpson quoted me £59 for a replacement for my 1998 2.8. Should have been done last week, but they sent the wrong blank key, so waiting for another go this week.

Did that include all the electronics to work the doors and ignition or just the key?

 

[Stevo7682]

That's what I was about to ask .
Will it start the car or just open / close the various locks.
My zed key is the torch key so no door remote open but it is still chipped to ews module to provide immobiliser systems.

If its coded that's a great price I may see about getting one myself as one of my zeds I only have a single key for.
Stephen.

 

[Paul H]

Wow I was quoted 60 for a replacement key by BMW just a couple of weeks.

 

[Iamjonw]

AFIK Timpson have a tool to clone the existing key, it should then open and start the car. If the right key ever arrives I will let you know if it works, should be this weekend. If it does not work, I will be expecting a full refund.

@Paul H Yes I think you can get the replacement key from BMW for around that price, then you have to book the car in and pay the labour cost to have the key programmed, not sure how much that would be, my stealer would not quote me, told me to book the car in.

Hope that helps,

Jon

 

[Iamjonw]

OK, here is the Timpson update. In short it does not work. The key they made/cloned only opens the doors and will not operate the ignition, so I will go back to BMW I think for the provision of a spare workable key and swallow the extra expense. Not desperate to do this yet, but will do hopefully over the summer. I will report back when I have fully explored this route.

 

[Stevo7682]

@Iamjonw Thanks for posting the update on this .

Stephen.

 

[Iamjonw]

Thanks Stephen. They did check back in with Head Office who confirmed that the car has 8 key 'slots' but they can only be allocated by BMW and you can't have 2 key in the same slot, they reckon you also have to produce the V5 and your Driving Licence when going to the Manufacturer. So as you can imagine, I did not pay for the failed key (or receive it for that matter), but have yet to speak with Cotswold BMW to create a new key.

There may be other more knowledgeable people out there, but that is where I am at right now.

 

[demig]

You can clone it with an Ak90 from eBay for about 20quid. You have to pull the EWS from under the dash and read the chip. It’s easier than it sounds, you can get the chips from eBay and you pop one I the key case. There are guides on how to do it on the web but not linked specifically to z3. Cannot remember which link I used. Search for ak90 and Bmw key and you should find it. Keep meaning to do a proper write up!

edit: check out this link tells you what you need https://www.key-programmer.com/2016/02/19/ak90-program-a-bmw-e46-key-step-by-step/
Easy to do but seems intimidating
If you look on AliExpress you can actually find people who will cut you a new key based on a photo of yours. I got one of those. A key blank with the electronics and a chip plus the AK90 and was able to do it easily

 

[Iamjonw]

Thanks Demig, I just did a bit of research and you can get the programmer and key and chip for circa £50 on Amazon. Then you need the key cutting and be prepared to do the work. Watched a video and it seems fairly straightforward, but I think I will try the dealer first. If I had 2 keys and wanted a 3rd I may give this a go, but am nervous and sceptical about trying this and screwing it up. Plus the time it will take, if I can get my local dealer to make me one for circa £120 then I would be happy with that. Will wait and see.

 

[mrscalex]

Thanks for the update. It never made any sense Timpson could do this. They shouldn’t be claiming they can. What they are charging £50 for is an emergency unlocking key. That’s £20 worth max.

I’ve done numerous keys on my AK90. Only really viable if you plan to do more than 1. And very fiddly, requiring considerable patience. But not difficult. Though it can be a challenge to make sure you get the correct transponder.

I have a guy cuts my keys from photos for about £20. Sounds strange. But it’s actually a much better way than trace cutting. He can ‘read’ the key visually, derive the original BMW code and uses a CNC cutter to produce a factory fresh key with no wear facets. He’s trusted. Clearly I would be careful about who you send photos of your key to.

 

[Paul H]

I was recently quoted 58 for a replacement key from BMW.

Doesn't seem too bad tbh, I cant be arsed with all the recoding stuff.

 

[demig]

I don’t think that’s going to be one with a transponder chip in it unless you’ve found the best dealer in the world! They do ones that will open but not turn off immobiliser, if you need one I’d bite their hand off for that but make sure you have it in writing it will start the car as well.

 

[mrscalex]

I was recently quoted 58 for a replacement key from BMW.

Doesn't seem too bad tbh, I cant be arsed with all the recoding stuff.

Unless it's a very generous BMW dealer £58 seems too good to be true for a full key. Did you mean £158?

 

[Paul H]

58 they said

 

[demig]

If that’s really their price they are about 110 cheaper than the two dealerships in Newcastle less than 15 miles or so away if you are talking to the Boldon one. Cheaper than getting the kit and doing it yourself. Interested to hear if you go for it. Would be a superb bargain

 

[Paul H]

Aye I had the quote from Boldon a couple of weeks ago when I bought new sills.

I was surprised with the quote mysef

 

[Iamjonw]

Unless it's a very generous BMW dealer £58 seems too good to be true for a full key. Did you mean £158?

Cotswold BMW quoted me similar, but that was just for the key (part only), this does not include the labour for coding the key, so I expect £150 or so all in. They told me to book my car in, just have not had the chance yet and wanted to explore the Timpson option first.

 

[ViperKen]

Got one from BMW Boldon, about £60ish, opens and starts car, comes fully coded.