Where are you getting your replacement keys?

[timmyc]

Stealer wants $560 for two diamond fobs! Holy hell! I'm happy to pay under $200 a piece. $280?!

I am in Arizona and they want you to come in with title or registration, which is fine, but $280?!

Okay. Sorry. Had to get that out.

So. Has anyone had success online with any other dealerships lately? The posts I read here were older with no one chiming in recently.

$280??!!!

[andrewwynn]

Last I called was about $220. As far as I know only one lab in us makes them the dealer is just the middleman.

There's a guy who refurbishs them for $65 last I checked. (new battery new switches and solder reflow). He does charge an extra $10-20 if you tried yourself.

The discount option is an eBay key which will remote fob but not start then add to your key ring. One opens one starts like old GM sokuron.

[oldskewel]

https://www.thebmwminipartstore.com/

is an online dealer. They had the diamond key for about $140 5 years ago when I got my x5. You need to email them photos / scans of your driver's license and registration to prove ownership, and they mail the keys to you in a couple of days. Exactly the same as at any BMW dealer. You then need to program the remotes yourself following the instructions posted here many times.

[andrewwynn]

https://www.thebmwminipartstore.com/...86-66126955748

Up to $170 but by far the best price. They have the non remote key for a very fair price.


https://www.thebmwminipartstore.com/...ey-51218236596

[lichtman]

If you have one working key (not the remote function, it just has to be able to start the vehicle), and some technical ability you can buy keys for $20ish off of amazon and code them with an AK-90+. I just did this exact thing. The most expensive part of the process was the locksmith charging me $80 to cut the physical key. You can get the AK-90's from amazon.

[Effduration]

Originally Posted by lichtman

If you have one working key (not the remote function, it just has to be able to start the vehicle), and some technical ability you can buy keys for $20ish off of amazon and code them with an AK-90+. I just did this exact thing. The most expensive part of the process was the locksmith charging me $80 to cut the physical key. You can get the AK-90's from amazon.

A lot of people struggle to get the AK90+ to work...yours worked without problem?

You might also mention that you have to get on your head upside down near the pedals to remove the EWS module..

[andrewwynn]

I looked into it when you factor time and effort the break even is 3-4 keys.


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[lichtman]

Originally Posted by Effduration

A lot of people struggle to get the AK90+ to work...yours worked without problem?

You might also mention that you have to get on your head upside down near the pedals to remove the EWS module..

No issues at all with The AK90. Just booted to windows 10 on my Mac, installed the software and followed one of the several write ups online. I figured snatching out the EWS module fell under "technical ability".

And just to illustrate cost savings for me: Stealership here in Huntersville, NC wanted $450 for (1) key.

(1) Key from amazon = $18.99
(1) AK90+ From amazon = $25.00
(1) Physical Key copy @ locksmith = $80.00
Total job took me under two hours including plucking the EWS from under the dashboard. It was a day I was off work because of the 'VID, but for illustrations sake I'll bill myself $50/hr for my own labor.
(1) Labor = $100

Total = $223.99
Stealership = $450
Savings for me $226.01 (and I made $100 beer money in the process )

I realize my dealership is WAY more expensive than the OP's, but the savings only increase as you do additional keys. Its also worth noting that most of the places online that will make you a key for $100 or so require you to send them your EWS module, so you're out the time to snatch that from your vehicle anyway.
I realize this method isn't for everyone, but I sure do love to DIY when I can. If anyone wants more detail PM me and I'll walk you through it.

[andrewwynn]

Nice feedback. Lost one of my keys and my remaining one is not in good shape.


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[absolutezero273c]

Originally Posted by lichtman

No issues at all with The AK90. Just booted to windows 10 on my Mac, installed the software and followed one of the several write ups online. I figured snatching out the EWS module fell under "technical ability".

And just to illustrate cost savings for me: Stealership here in Huntersville, NC wanted $450 for (1) key.

(1) Key from amazon = $18.99
(1) AK90+ From amazon = $25.00
(1) Physical Key copy @ locksmith = $80.00
Total job took me under two hours including plucking the EWS from under the dashboard. It was a day I was off work because of the 'VID, but for illustrations sake I'll bill myself $50/hr for my own labor.
(1) Labor = $100

Total = $223.99

I realize this method isn't for everyone, but I sure do love to DIY when I can. If anyone wants more detail PM me and I'll walk you through it.

This sounds like it might work for me with 2 cars needing a second/spare key.