Price for spare key and programming

[RE36TRO]

I just spoke to one local dealership and was quoted $560 for the key itself, on top of that, I was told another charge was possible for programming but would have to inquire with a service advisor after the call. After the $560 quote i didn't bother. Is this normal?

On a similar note, if i had an older key on hand from the same E9X platform (from another vehicle), can this be re-programmed as well?

[pjk380]

Some good info on replacement fobs and CA - https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1522913

[RE36TRO]

Great info, thanks. Unfortunately what I'm taking from this thread is basically just to pay up at the dealer but find one that doesn't charge the $560+ potential programming.

[Frozen]

Just bend over and take it from the dealership. No good alternatives unfortunately.

[RE36TRO]

Originally Posted by Frozen

Just bend over and take it from the dealership. No good alternatives unfortunately.

It sure looks like this is going to happen...

[deansbimmer]

This gets asked often, so I'll quote what I posted in another thread.

There is a lot of misinformation around this subject.

1: A replacement key fob is not $500. Full list retail on a new comfort access key is $281 ($230 street price), the non CA key is even less. Typical automotive locksmiths don't do CASIII or above BMW keys.

2: You can only buy a key from a franchise dealership, where it comes from the factory in Germany pre-programmed with the correct transponder ID for your VIN.

3: The CAS module leaves the factory programmed with 10 unique transponder ID's already flashed into the module (these records are kept at BMW factory). The only keys that will work with that car will be programmed with those matching ID's. This is why you provide your VIN number and proof of ownership to BMW, so they can pull up your VIN's assembly records and send the correct uniquely programmed key.

There exists some very expensive "hacker level" tooling and software that can reach into the CAS via the OBD port and decipher its saved transponder numbers. Then another tool can program a key transponder to match. I have yet to find any reputable source in the USA with this bmw CAS specific tooling and the know how. No locksmith (at least in Texas) has the ability to properly generate replacement BMW keys. You can have your one good key "cloned" if you can find someone with that tooling, but that isn't the same as a new unique ID key, so memory functions etc won't work as designed.

4: You cannot just go buy a random key, virgin key, your old key, etc, plug it in, and "mate" it to your car or reprogram it. Think about it. If it were that easy anyone could steal your car with any random key fob.

5: A dealer will tell you that key replacement on a CA car requires a service visit for programming the key. This is only partially true. The car will start and lock after the initial key purchase from BMW (even if you mail order it), but comfort access won't work yet until the car has a couple of minor software adjustments:

The car comes with two virtual "slots" in the CAS moudule for CA key function and are the first two of the ten transponder ID's programmed into the CAS. Those two keys come supplied with the car when new. If you lose one and replace it with another key, you need to remove the lost key transponder number from the CAS via ISTA-D software, and move the new key number in one of the first two "slots". Voila. That's all it is and can be done in minutes by anyone with ISTA-D or a simple $60 coding session (even remotely). Technically, this should be done anytime a key is lost to eliminate any potential threat of theft if someone out there has your key.

6: If you need a new housing for your existing internals, you can source them on Amazon or eBay and move your circuit board over to the new housing.

Cliffs: Don't waste your time trying to reinvent the wheel with a cobbled together "budget" key. Go to the dealer and spend your time driving the car instead.

[RE36TRO]

@deansbimmer

Thanks for the info, I did read your post after a search and it was very helpful. A couple of questions for clarity:

If a key is not $500 but a dealer is quoting me as so, are they mistaken and need to be corrected and/or do not understand the ask or are they just trying to rip people off in which i should just call around to other dealers.

At this point in time I don't care about other features, just being able to lock/unlock and start/drive the car....basically a fall back spare key for assurance. What's the best option?

[lancerr]

I think you have the answer from his post. I have exactly what you describe - a backup key - no comfort access programmed and it ran me about $250 or $300 - can't remember cause it was a while back. Picked it up from the dealer but ordered it through a BMW website if I recall correctly.

[deansbimmer]

The PN for a comfort access key is 66129268486, with a list price of 288.00. Most if not all OEM dealers such as Tischer or theBMWminipartstore are selling them online for around $250. They require proof of ownership be faxed in before they will complete the order.

Any dealer charging $500 for ONLY the key is either misinformed or selling parts over list price which is highly abnormal among BMW franchises.

However, I suspect there was miscommunication involved and they're pricing the key plus programming charges.

Again, you can order the key alone and your car will start and unlock. It's the comfort access features that will NOT work until programmed.

[RE36TRO]

Strange, I entered that p/n in the minibmwparts site and it did come up, however upon the vehicle application check it says it does not fit my 2011 M3 but pointed me to one that does which is ~570? P/N 51-21-0-035-812

[deansbimmer]

That's the master key set with locks, without comfort access. If you need only the key fob then you only need the key part number. You either have comfort access or you don't. The comfort access key part number is listed above and is all you need. If you don't have CA then the PN is 66126986583. No need to over complicate this.

I've never had good luck by assuming what realoem tells you is accurate when it tells you what your car has or doesn't.

[romero1990]

I have feeling this is the Bay Area markup. I have a friend recently asked local dealer for an additional key for his 2018 430i, they quoted him $500+ total (4xx for the transponder and 100 for physical key cutting)

[sdbmwcoding]

If you're down in San Diego I know a great shop that can get you an Oem E chassis comfort access key fob programmed for around $200. This is a spare fob correct? Or do you have all keys lost?

[RE36TRO]

Originally Posted by sd*********

If you're down in San Diego I know a great shop that can get you an Oem E chassis comfort access key fob programmed for around $200. This is a spare fob correct? Or do you have all keys lost?

Hmm. Wonder if we can work something out remotely as I have contacts in SD. Yes this is simply for a fail-safe spare. I only have 1 key so if anything ever happens I'm F'd

[sdbmwcoding]

Originally Posted by RE36TRO

Hmm. Wonder if we can work something out remotely as I have contacts in SD. Yes this is simply for a fail-safe spare. I only have 1 key so if anything ever happens I'm F'd

Remotely requires CAS Module and current key shipped, they'll then ship the new key, current key and CAS module back programmed to the car. If you can live without the car for a day or 2 then shoot me a PM and I'll send you info to the shop and owner

[Frozen]

Originally Posted by sd*********

Remotely requires CAS Module and current key shipped, they'll then ship the new key, current key and CAS module back programmed to the car. If you can live without the car for a day or 2 then shoot me a PM and I'll send you info to the shop and owner

And this also works with comfort access?

[decimation1]

I just ordered a spare from thebmwminipartstore for $283 (with the slide out key), minus the CA programming which I have someone that can do it for me.

Chris

[Powashiftin]

I paid approx $250 for mine from a Bmw dealership. That includes programming.

[TTony]

Got a quote of $559 from Stevens Creek BMW in San Jose. That includes the remote key and the cut key. It does not include the comfort access programming which I would need to get done as well.

[RE36TRO]

Originally Posted by TTony

Got a quote of $559 from Stevens Creek BMW in San Jose. That includes the remote key and the cut key. It does not include the comfort access programming which I would need to get done as well.

Definitely stay away from our local dealers. I just went with bmwminipartstore as recommended by a couple Forum members which came about to about $321 tax/shipping.

[kudenlap]

It would be best if you had new keys, and most modern keys are equipped with a built-in chip that interacts with the immobilizer. Therefore, the creation of a duplicate key involves the physical processing of the dummy on the machine and the programming of the chip. No second key to make a duplicate? Then, when you find it missing, contact the dealership - the car will have to be towed there. In addition to a certain amount of money, you will have to show your ID card and car documents during the visit to the dealer. So sooner or later, you will have a question, where to get keys made? You can get it from the car key replacement specialists.

[MTM]

Has anyone tried to get the CA programming on an existing spare key? Or am I misunderstanding?