Yeah i just did all that myself. Switchblade keys. The standard ebay ones are very nice. REMARKABLY durable so far. I was shocked. anyway, i even bought the programmer and the cheap laser key cutting machine. I never got the cutter to work correctly. The keys would open the door fine, but I couldn't get it to turn the ignition. so i found this guy locally who will laser cut for $30. That was a no brainer.

So in summary, if you want to DIY...
get an AK90 programmer off ebay (about $25)
get key blanks with transponder chips (315mhz US and 433mhz Int'l)
you need to remove the EWS module (easy, but tedious putting back the trim)
read chip on old key.
program chip for new key.
take the key to get cut somewhere.

I've got my "extra key process" down to less than $50 a key now compared to $200 at the dealer. My kid, myself, my neighbors on both side all needed keys for M54 motors. an e46 and 3 Xers. No way i was gonna let $800 fly out the door like that!

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2005 X5 3.0i - 71k mi (9.2018) -> 81k (9.2019) -> 100k (9.2021) -> 123k (8.2025)
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SOLD : 2003 X5 3.0 - 177k mi (9.2018) -> 186k (9.2019) -> 205k (9.2021)
SOLD : 1997 328is Coupe - Hellrot Red
SOLD : 1988 528e w/ Bullseye s256 / MS2 Extra / GC Coilovers / Yukon Coils ~ 300+ HP