Only 1 key - what to do

Just looking for some advice to stop me having to get this sorted with BMW. The salvage auction car i bought only has 1 key. For peace of mind i'd like to get a second one. does anyone know what my options are?
 
Speak to this guy... BMW BLANK KEY REMOTE FOB E46 E39 X5 X3 M3 M5 Z3 Z4 VIRGIN TRANSPONDER CODED FREE https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F264294933776

Recommended by many on the cutters forum... I’ve used him & sorted a small hassle I had without any issue.

When u reset the keys there’s a procedure to disable any linked keys, so only those you have will work
 
im sure there are plenty of locksmiths that can clone a key these days, look up some local auto locksmiths in your area, had the same issue years ago with a motorbike key and the first guy I called had l the gear to clone on his van, was done in about 10 minutes with the cutting
 
mr.tourette said:
im sure there are plenty of locksmiths that can clone a key these days, look up some local auto locksmiths in your area, had the same issue years ago with a motorbike key and the first guy I called had l the gear to clone on his van, was done in about 10 minutes with the cutting

Agree with above plus dont get sending off transponders to any old tom dick and harry.....
best to visit localish auto locksmith....its actually quiet frightning what they (the genuine ones) can do today with new keys..... our son lost his completely (no spare) and we had engineer turn up in van with new key and was up and running within a few mins.
 
RROB said:
mr.tourette said:
im sure there are plenty of locksmiths that can clone a key these days, look up some local auto locksmiths in your area, had the same issue years ago with a motorbike key and the first guy I called had l the gear to clone on his van, was done in about 10 minutes with the cutting

Agree with above plus dont get sending off transponders to any old tom dick and harry.....
best to visit localish auto locksmith....its actually quiet frightning what they (the genuine ones) can do today with new keys..... our son lost his completely (no spare) and we had engineer turn up in van with new key and was up and running within a few mins.

The ebay link above is a genuine guy. I went to his unit as he's local to me and he fixed both my dead key batteries within minutes. Nice bloke :thumbsup:
 
Yes, I've read positive things about "bmkeys" too.

My current Coupe only came with 1 key, so back in 2016 I had a flip-style one cut and coded by (former?) forum member ducklakeview - who also deleted the missing keys from the "brain" (GM5 is it)? He also replaced my crusty rear brake pipes for a very sensible price and I was pleased with the standard of the work done.

But there have been some issues since then, although some forum members seem to still be using him without any problems.

This thread (all of it) would be worth reading before you decide, always assuming you are anywhere near Warrington:- https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=105182

Hope you can get one done anyway. :thumbsup:
 
Jembo said:
Speak to this guy... BMW BLANK KEY REMOTE FOB E46 E39 X5 X3 M3 M5 Z3 Z4 VIRGIN TRANSPONDER CODED FREE https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F264294933776

Recommended by many on the cutters forum... I’ve used him & sorted a small hassle I had without any issue.

When u reset the keys there’s a procedure to disable any linked keys, so only those you have will work

Another recommendation for this guy. I only got 1 key when I bought mine. Went to BMKeys lock up as he isnt too far from me - decent bloke, knows his stuff - was there for about 30 mins (although had to wait for him to finish coding 2 other people in front of me). Got a flip style key done and using that as my main key.
 
I'm in Cambridge CB22 if that's any help - I code keys for "donations" (In other words, what ever you can afford) plus the material cost of the blank - Diamond keys are about £10 per blank, Flip keys are around £14 - £20 depending on style.

I don't CUT the blades - but most local indie / village cutters will cut the blade. (Chains such as Timpsons normally refuse though)

I've done about 20+ keys now and the average price from feedback is people paid between £5 - £10 to get the blades cut.
 
IAmOrion said:
I'm in Cambridge CB22 if that's any help - I code keys for "donations" (In other words, what ever you can afford) plus the material cost of the blank - Diamond keys are about £10 per blank, Flip keys are around £14 - £20 depending on style.

I don't CUT the blades - but most local indie / village cutters will cut the blade. (Chains such as Timpsons normally refuse though)

I've done about 20+ keys now and the average price from feedback is people paid between £5 - £10 to get the blades cut.

Mind if I ask how much to refurb the battery with a new one & is it best to come with the car, so can be reinitialised & tested?
 
Jembo said:
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Mind if I ask how much to refurb the battery with a new one & is it best to come with the car, so can be reinitialised & tested?

I don't do battery refurbs - personally I find it a pain in the arse and likely to lose a finger getting the damned thing open :rofl: . The battery is soldered in place (at least for the E85/E86) and the key is glued shut -- I've tried a few before! It's just as cheap to get a new key done (at least it is at my prices 8) ).. 2 new Diamond keys, about £20 coded, plus £10 to get cut at your local key cutters - then leave the dead battery one as an emergency backup :thumbsup:
 
IAmOrion said:
Jembo said:
.
Mind if I ask how much to refurb the battery with a new one & is it best to come with the car, so can be reinitialised & tested?

I don't do battery refurbs - personally I find it a pain in the arse and likely to lose a finger getting the damned thing open :rofl: . The battery is soldered in place (at least for the E85/E86) and the key is glued shut -- I've tried a few before! It's just as cheap to get a new key done (at least it is at my prices 8) ).. 2 new Diamond keys, about £20 coded, plus £10 to get cut at your local key cutters - then leave the dead battery one as an emergency backup :thumbsup:

Thanks, likely to arrange a visit in Sept as work & hols are a bit tight, cheers
 
[ref]IAmOrion[/ref], hi I'm just up the road near Huntingdon most of the time, I'd love to get a spare key for my Z4 sorted if you have the time. :driving:
 
Hebbs said:
[ref]IAmOrion[/ref], hi I'm just up the road near Huntingdon most of the time, I'd love to get a spare key for my Z4 sorted if you have the time. :driving:

Sure thing - PM me and we can figure out a date. I’ve just ordered some more blanks so will be about a 4 week delay (I order from AliExpress) at the moment
 
Had a go at coding some new keys for my 2003 Z4 2.5 it only came with one key, purchased a diamond key and a flip key with transponders and an AK90+ coding machine. All went well coding the keys, reading the EWS was a pain with the AK cable over the processor but managed it and saved the Bin file. When analyzing the Bin File I noted that it listed Keys 1 - 10 and my working key was read as No2. Have not got 1 or 3. Also checked in car using INPA and that identifies the good key as No1. It also lists the keys for the car as 0 - 9, not 1-10 as the AK90 system shows.
Coded keys to 4 and 5 which results in them not cranking the engine, also tried recoding as No10 and No3 but same result, no crank. Obviously something not right with the coding in the EWS rejecting the keys.
Key status using BMW Scanner shows my working key as passing Fixed Code, Random Code and Password, the new keys when put in the ignition show Wrong Fixed, Wrong Random and Wrong Password. In the listing of slots 1-3 show up as activated and Auto Init. the remainder do not. At a loss on how to get these keys working, already spoken to one local auto lockie, he suggested getting a key from BMW obviously didn't want a job!!. Another specialist has quoted me £150 to sort it but not at all sure what they will be using. Have considered taking the EWS and keys to BMKeys in London but thats a day trip on a train and I would prefer to have the car present to make sure any keys they do for me actually work.
Day trip to Cambridge I suppose would be an option if the keys I have already cut and working in all the locks are capable of being coded to the car, what do you think #IAmOrion?
 
colb said:
Had a go at coding some new keys for my 2003 Z4 2.5 it only came with one key, purchased a diamond key and a flip key with transponders and an AK90+ coding machine. All went well coding the keys, reading the EWS was a pain with the AK cable over the processor but managed it and saved the Bin file. When analyzing the Bin File I noted that it listed Keys 1 - 10 and my working key was read as No2. Have not got 1 or 3. Also checked in car using INPA and that identifies the good key as No1. It also lists the keys for the car as 0 - 9, not 1-10 as the AK90 system shows.
Coded keys to 4 and 5 which results in them not cranking the engine, also tried recoding as No10 and No3 but same result, no crank. Obviously something not right with the coding in the EWS rejecting the keys.
Key status using BMW Scanner shows my working key as passing Fixed Code, Random Code and Password, the new keys when put in the ignition show Wrong Fixed, Wrong Random and Wrong Password. In the listing of slots 1-3 show up as activated and Auto Init. the remainder do not. At a loss on how to get these keys working, already spoken to one local auto lockie, he suggested getting a key from BMW obviously didn't want a job!!. Another specialist has quoted me £150 to sort it but not at all sure what they will be using. Have considered taking the EWS and keys to BMKeys in London but thats a day trip on a train and I would prefer to have the car present to make sure any keys they do for me actually work.
Day trip to Cambridge I suppose would be an option if the keys I have already cut and working in all the locks are capable of being coded to the car, what do you think #IAmOrion?

[ref]colb[/ref],

Could just be doing the process a little wrong. The key number varies from software to software as well device to device. AK90 is 1 - 10, a "Zed Bull" is 0 - 9, XDiag Pro is 1-10.

What was your EXACT process - tell me what you did, in order, step by step.

I do have blank chips - and as long as you saved the .bin file from when you read in the EWS, we shouldn't need to get it out the car again, can use the dump.

Where are you located ? You're welcome to pop over when we can figure out best timing, and bring your laptop and kit with you too in case you want to me to look at that and see if there's any difference with mine etc

Edit:

Tell you what, drop me a PM - before you do a huge journey, we can set up a TeamViewer session where I can remotely access your computer and I can check your set up and stuff (Have your AK90+ and your Keys with you)
 
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