Further to what Cyrix2k said:
BMW introduced some new optional security upgrades for the LCi models. I researched this when our 2013 was totally BRICKED! Any attempt, legal or illegal, without the proper protocols will brick the car. Total shutdown. Everything dead. Some suggested it was a mistake on the part of the key cloning operator. Immaterial as the outcome is the same. BRICKED!
BMW are doing everything possible to prevent simple key cloning thefts. The fact that those measures result in making them the only source for replacement keys is a bonus. With an exclusive market comes exclusive pricing. That is the way of the world. It is also a fact that some devious criminals will overcome the security upgrades by some means and those in turn will get shut down by new security measures in a never ending cycle. Each time we can expect to pay through the nose because nothing is cheap or free with BMW.

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2021 X5 xDrive40i
2015 X5 xDrive35i MSport
(Traded) 2013 X5 xDrive35i