Urgent - 2nd Key

[shawna]

A friend has a 2.0i Z4 2006 post facelift. He misplaced the second key.

His key is like this:

Thats like my 2004 3.0i model too incidentally.

NOW:

We need another key.

I bought an OEM Key (uncut - whch was cut successfully) however when BMW tried to program it (to start the engine) it gave them a fault.It can open/close the doors etc,,, the blade was cut well but the ignition does not start (since it gave them a fault).

WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS please?

A new key from BMW is upward of 400euros!

Thanks a lot.

 

[andrewr]

As far as i'm aware, you can recode any z4 key to open/close the central locking, but you cannot programme it to start the engine because the transponder chip will not match the chip in your ignition. Someone may come along and correct me, but I think BMW is your only option.

Andrew.

 

[cj10jeeper]

My understanding to. If you could just clone the transponder pairing then every valet or mechanic in the country could create a simple key to start and steal the car weeks or months later.

5 keys for lifetime of the car available from BMW. After that it's a full set of new locks.

Perhaps some whizzo electronics person can fix new transponders and pairing in both keys and car, but I've never seen it documented as done.

 

[bcworkz]

I've been suspicious of non-BMW sourced "OEM" keys, this just reinforces it. I can see a market for cheap counterfeits. People lose keys all the time, and the cost from BMW is quite painful.

I don't understand a new set of locks after 5 keys though. They are mechanical devices, they can accept any number of keys. This requirement would be arbitrary and punitive for no reason. I do know the EWS transponder system has limited memory to store new keys. Once it's filled, to code more keys, you do need a new EWS module. This module is coded to the DME, and only BMW has the unique code needed to match a new EWS to an existing DME. But the EWS module is actually less money than a new key, so it's not a bank breaking issue to code more keys than the initial allotment. ...unless you need to arbitrarily change all the locks as well.

 

[cj10jeeper]

I believe is the purpose of the '5 keys' is that when the car is made it comes with it's full set of key and 5 spares with matching transponders are made and stored in a German facility. Since more cannot be made once the 5 are issued it's new locks and keys required.

I guess 5 is felt to be a reasonable number based upon cost, storage and likely use by the majority of cars over their lifetime.

 

[shawna]

The car's ECU when we checked it was programmed to take an infinite no of keys.

SO basically one can use more than 5 (technically - whether they are avaialable is a different story).

The BMW key is ridiculously priced. One can loose a key at any time.

The OEM key, is exactly like a BMW key, build wise, so it makes me wonder why it cannot be coded with the transponder of the car.

400 euros for a key is robbery.

 

[cj10jeeper]

I can't argue with what you say. It's very expensive, even considering storage, security, etc. I think it's one of those items you just have to pay for and why traders never source a second key when it's missing.

Show me a link or point me to anywhere that can make it work and I'll become a believer.

 

[AlanJ]

People lose keys all the time, and the cost from BMW is quite painful.

I don't understand a new set of locks after 5 keys though. They are mechanical devices, they can accept any number of keys. This requirement would be arbitrary and punitive for no reason..

Loose one key yes - but who the hell looses 5.......... oke:

I think BMW are being pretty generous allowing 5 replacements

 

[bcworkz]

Loose one key yes - but who the hell looses 5.......... oke:

I think BMW are being pretty generous allowing 5 replacements

True that! I just was trying to understand the logic. I'm a sucker for useless technical details. :roll: