Quoted £140 + Vat for a new key....Ouch

S

SDS

Member
 Essex
I had seen a top end figure of £100 bounded about on here before, but was not expecting £140.

I have the master plastic key and just one immobiliser, so I need another.

Is there no other way around this?

I realsie this has been discussed before quite a bit, but I can't quite grasp the outcome of the eBay key talk!

Cheers.
 
Try other BMW agents, Some will be cheaper. I paid £133.33 inc Vat last July. My previous car was an Audi, a replacement key cost £180!!
 
Max said:
Try other BMW agents, Some will be cheaper. I paid £133.33 inc Vat last July. My previous car was an Audi, a replacement key cost £180!!
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£180! Wow. That makes me feel slightly better.

I'll do a ring-around
 
Ebay key

You may be able to get a blank and get it cut to physically fit and open the lock
You can easily programme any Zed key to set and disarm your alarm (ebay, old scrap key,e tc.)

You CANNOT replicate the transponder in the key that pairs to the engine to allow it to start

In your case as you need a new key and not putting internals into a new case it's no use.

Hope that helps
 
cj10jeeper said:
Ebay key

You may be able to get a blank and get it cut to physically fit and open the lock
You can easily programme any Zed key to set and disarm your alarm (ebay, old scrap key,e tc.)

You CANNOT replicate the transponder in the key that pairs to the engine to allow it to start

In your case as you need a new key and not putting internals into a new case it's no use.

Hope that helps
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Ahh okay. Understood!

Seeing as I have the plastic key to start the engine, I could just get one cut and programmed to open the doors/ set the alarm...
 
Well you would need a blank blade then find someone who cuts this type, to cut and then insert that into a scrap Z4 key.

Frankly I can't see the point, just shop around, bite the bullet and buy a key. You'll need it when you sell it and have all the convenience of 2 propoer keys while owning and in time I bet the plastic key will break off in the ignition :thumbsdown:
 
and on the subject of keys, make sure you use both keys periodically to charge the batteries
 
SDS said:
Fair point.

Just been quoted £130 inc vat, so it's on it's way down I guess... :?
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have you checked with Joe @ Sopers of Lincoln? he knows about the forum and might be able to do a better deal for you.
 
Taz x said:
and on the subject of keys, make sure you use both keys periodically to charge the batteries
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Tempting fate here, but I have nearly always used the same key since purchasing my Z and on the odd occaision I have used the 2nd key (usually after reading something like this) it has always worked. Never quite got my heads round the fact the ignition barrell must be live to allow charging.
 
RichardG said:
Never quite got my heads round the fact the ignition barrell must be live to allow charging.
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ditto, but I have read it several times on here, I have also pondered over how the postive and negative are connected
 
Taz x said:
RichardG said:
Never quite got my heads round the fact the ignition barrell must be live to allow charging.
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ditto, but I have read it several times on here, I have also pondered over how the postive and negative are connected
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Surely it will be done by induction charging. Similar to the toothbrushes that fit on a stand with no wired connection?
 
cj10jeeper said:
Taz x said:
RichardG said:
Never quite got my head round the fact the ignition barrell must be live to allow charging.
Click to expand...

ditto, but I have read it several times on here, I have also pondered over how the postive and negative are connected
Click to expand...

Surely it will be done by induction charging. Similar to the toothbrushes that fit on a stand with no wired connection?
Click to expand...

That might be the case but it would still require a power source (I know it's the ignition so there is one there) and then some kind of generator (My only real dealings with induction are for heat generation, warming up bearings or more lately getting layers of Polyethelene via an aluminium layer to high enough temperatures to allow fusion with other layers)
Anyone got a wiring diagram or is an ignition barrel £500 or a £1000 for the 'M'
 
navid.v said:
have you checked with Joe @ Sopers of Lincoln? he knows about the forum and might be able to do a better deal for you.
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Thanks, I'll give them a go. :)
 
Ah, just thought thought; will they not need to see the car at some point? I'm in Essex...
 
SDS said:
Ah, just thought thought; will they not need to see the car at some point? I'm in Essex...
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If you get a new key from a BMW dealer you will need to produce photographic identity and the log book for the vehicle registered in your name.
 
There IS a cheaper option!

First, some things to understand:

- ebay blank key blade - have it cut by a shop. It will only lock/unlock doors and trunk.
- ebay or most x3/x5/3 series key modules - can be programmed to lock/unlock doors easily, but will NOT start the car.

- the transponder to start the engine requires a key from germany. they have a list of all the transponder codes and the corresponding VIN and EWS modules that it applies to. So only they will be able to program the new key with your existing transponder code that is recorded in your EWS. This data is encrypted, so it can't be read from the EWS one written by most machines (including a GT1).

OR you can remove your EWS module and send it in to an indie shop along with your current key.

They will:

- cut a new key for you (require your existing key to make the copy)
- new key will have a new transponder. it will have a new transponder code (since they can't read your existing code)
- they will put your *new* transponder code on your EWS for the new key
- they will enable this transponder on your EWS

... with this option, if you ever lose a key you can order a new one from them without having to send in your ECU again. It's much cheaper this way, however you will not be able to drive the car for a week or so until the EWS comes back. Price costs around £42 for those of you in the U.K. if you want to have the blade cut locally and don't need the wireless lock/unlock module. (it will start your car though)

If you want a new key will all the bells and whistles. (key cut + lock/unlock + start car), the price is around £91.

Now I had an existing key from a previous BMW 330i. So I already had a lock/unlock module. So I sent that one in to them to be installed in the new key to save the extra money. So I paid just to have the blade cut + transponder programmed.

The guys I used are located in Canada, but I'm sure there are similar shops in the U.K.
http://shop.rpmmotorsport.net/BMW-ORIGINAL-KEYS_c11.htm
 
cj10jeeper said:
Surely it will be done by induction charging. Similar to the toothbrushes that fit on a stand with no wired connection?
Click to expand...

What the eck is induction charging?????
 
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