Originally Posted by 1safecracker

IF you order keys from anyone other than the dealer there are a few things to keep in mind(for those who don't know). BMW limits you to 10 total keys over the lifetime of the vehicle. the keys are stored in "slots" in the EWS unit. As long as you have an empty slot you can order a key from the dealer. It is possible to over write slots with the right equipment and eliminate that 10 key rule but thats not possible through the dealer. If you mail order any services THIS IS IMPORTANT .......IF you take your vehicle to BMW for service after having someone write keys into your EWS the dealer will be able to tell (bmw tracks every slot in every car they issue a key to) and in a number of cases throughout the country these "aftermarket" keys have been declared "unauthorized" by BMW and have been erased from the vehicles memory by the service dept. If that happens to be your only key you are hosed. This is only an issue if you ever take your vehicle into a dealership for service, and is easily avoidable --- just make sure whoever is doing the EWS work knows to use an existing or "issued" slot for your keys and you're likely ok.