[Drsauce10]

I'm just wondering how I can code a New replacement BMW key just in case I lose my main one ? Or do I need to take it to the BMW dealership and how much is it ?

[ctuna]

You have no chance of coding a key if you don't already have one.

If you have comfort access and you want to retain that feature
that has to be done by the dealer.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=903551

read the mashman entrys in the above thread.

It takes a lot of equipment and knowledge to do this from scratch.

Not having a spare key is idiotic.
and will be real expensive.

300 to 450 is what I have heard most of the time.
450 for comfort access key.

[BimmerNugget]

You cannot program it yourself unless you buy the equipment from China which is like $700. Dealer prices vary between $250 to $500.

I can program for $120, or program and new fob for $200.

[ctuna]

What about cutting the physical key with the transponder in it?

[kfrazie1]

Bimmergeeks can do it. I think is $200. You need to send them a spare key and your CAS. They overnight it back to you.

[ufokinwot]

negotiate the key prices with the parts guy. I got an extra key + coding for $200

[smallseafishie]

Challenge is to find a "virgin" key. A used key will not work. Even with a virgin key, you'll have to program it. You'll also need to get the "secret key" off your car's computer to program the key. You'll spend a good bit of effort and money to buy all the equipment that is typically reserved for locksmith professionals.

A comfort access key is about $350. A regular key is about $220. If you're in a pinch and you just need to use your car, you can get a valet plastic key with a holder. It will start your car and you can use the plastic key to manually unlock / lock it as well. the valet key does not have any remote functions. That key is about $75.

There is no cheap easy route for lost keys. I had a key that wasn't working. I bought a used key on ebay and transplanted the chip containing the software "keys" to resurrect it.

[Drsauce10]

Originally Posted by ctuna

You have no chance of coding a key if you don't already have one.

If you have comfort access and you want to retain that feature
that has to be done by the dealer.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=903551

read the mashman entrys in the above thread.

It takes a lot of equipment and knowledge to do this from scratch.

Not having a spare key is idiotic.
and will be real expensive.

300 to 450 is what I have heard most of the time.
450 for comfort access key.

That's what I'm sayin I have a key already but I'm trying to get my replacement key I ordered programmed

[Drsauce10]

Why does it cost so much to program another key if I already have the original key ? Like what do they actually do that is gonna cost me another 300+ for a backup key

[ctuna]

We all know BMW charges a lot for stuff asking why won't
solve your problem. Read the article .
Also if you ordered it whats your question for anyway.

[PichaDis11]

Originally Posted by ctuna

We all know BMW charges a lot for stuff asking why won't
solve your problem. Read the article .
Also if you ordered it whats your question for anyway.

+1. This is not a BMW dealer specific thing either. Even Honda does the same.

[Wilt]

1. When your E90 is made at the factory, the CAS module is set up with a series of ten key IDs, which BMW NA keeps track of.
2. When you order a new key from a dealer, after they get your proof of auto ownership, they order a key from BMW NA, and BMW NA programs the key with 'the next ID number in the series', and then they send it to your dealer, and finally the dealer 'pairs' the key to make it actively recognized by your car.

Because of the sequence above, there is no such thing as ordering a generic new key and encoding it to work with your car...there is no easy way to get the 'next key ID in the series' out of the CAS. And because a key with an ID code cannot readily be recoded with a new ID, you cannot re-use an old key from another car.

CA keys are more expensive to buy, partly because the dealer must program the CA module of your car, as the CA module can only remember TWO CA key ID numbers as active keys, although the non-CA standard key functioning (remote button lock/unlock, in-dash for Start) does remember four simultaneous active key IDs.

[N52UNED]

DELETED ... Posting's link is dead.

[CantComplain]

Originally Posted by N52UNED

You can buy new (unbranded) ones from eBay ... here's one that will even cut it for you. You just need to go to the dealer with your vin and proof of ownership and the dealer will give you the key code. $45

You can program it to your car from your car.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CUTTING-INCL....c100005.m1851

Your link doesn't work. Also how exactly do you code it to your car from your car? I keep reading this is possible but no one seems to say how. For an e90 anyway....

I started a thread about a fob not working. It may be different but I want to run this magical programming sequence and see if I can re-connect my old key and get the remote functions to work after replacing the battery in a non-CA car.

[Wilt]

Originally Posted by N52UNED

You can buy new (unbranded) ones from eBay ... here's one that will even cut it for you. You just need to go to the dealer with your vin and proof of ownership and the dealer will give you the key code. $45

You can program it to your car from your car.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CUTTING-INCL....c100005.m1851

the link takes you to NOTHING which has anything to do with BMW keys!

[N52UNED]

Originally Posted by Wilt

the link takes you to NOTHING which has anything to do with BMW keys!

... yeah the link must be dead. Not sure why it doesn't go to BMW keys ... it did work when the listing was active. I'll delete my post so people aren't lead to a dead end.

[robthewrench]

Originally Posted by Drsauce10

I'm just wondering how I can code a New replacement BMW key just in case I lose my main one ? Or do I need to take it to the BMW dealership and how much is it ?

This thread got a little screwy, but for the E90 platform, you can't code a new key yourself. The key must be linked to your VIN by someone with the correct software. There are several on-line vendors who will sell you a new fob with programming (assuming you can provide the required proof of ownership) for around $200-$250.

If you have CA, things are even more complicated.

For the E series platform, BMW made getting a replacement key really hard. They changed this on the F series platform.