Keys.... holding charge.

[MalNCH]

Both my keys are not holding charge, one is a lot worse than the other, obviously it's not the normal replacement battery scenario for most cars so what are my (cheap) options? Really don't want to be going down the route of 2x replacement keys from BMW.

 

[Johnbmwz4]

Where , you based? I called a normal key shop that also do car keys. They said they would open the key up and replace with a new rechargeable battery for £18. You do need the car there so they can code it. I was gunna get mine done but charged it up over night with a toothbrush charger (see bmw key charge on YouTube) and seems to be ok now but gunna go there if it stops working again. The key shop is in Leeds

 

[Mr Tidy]

I'd try the toothbrush charger first OP.

But if that doesn't work Ducklakeview in Cheshire cuts and codes keys for a very reasonable price - if that's too far away he will be doing them at ZedFest. He did me a Bentley-style flip key last year for less than £100 - poor photo below, but you get the idea! Failing that BMKeys in E. London also do them.

Hope you get sorted.

 

[MalNCH]

Thanks for the replies.
Tried the toothbrush charge, didn't improve anything, I'm in Norwich so no where near the places mentioned, guess I'll have to have an internet search.

 

[Beatman]

As my Z is more of a summer drive, the keys don't get used much. This year both keys had flat battery's, and like you I searched the net for options.
In the end just using the car over a period of weeks, the battery got back up to a charge that it became usable again. And has remained so over the past months.
So it may just pay to preserve with manually opening the doors, and see if the key pulls in a charge