Replacement Key; Online dealer

[haigha]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Almost always the problem is solder joints breaking. My car was 14 when I bought it and within a year both keys had solder joint failure.

I reflowed the solder and both worked again for a couple years before I lost one and the other stopped working.
...

Thanks for the information, Andrew!

I'm glad your problem was solved with a new key, rather than a problem with the car's internal electronics.

[andrewwynn]

Me and you both! In the dawning days of my key sorta working I would have a case where the key worked after I slammed the trunk.. odd coincidence but maybe just because I was standing 1m from the antenna.

[RocketyMan]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Correct on key # and seat position but it doesn't matter which key #.

Okay andrew! I got the key in the mail! I can confirm in fact it is the "OEM" diamond type as the FOB housing is glued shut, and has the legit writing on the back. The ONLY thing that's different is that the key is an aluminum shank instead of the tradition brass. It's nice having a center BMW gel-sticker on the lock button.

At any rate, have you had to a chance to check your keys programming and such? I got the FOB to sync to the EWS via holding the unlock and clicking the lock 3-ish times. Also, I was able to confirm that my old key is key "00" while this new replacement one is "04." So it is the 5th iteration.

What did you do about "Auto-int" on your key? I see there is an option to enable and disable other "lost" keys. But I'm not sure how to "Auto-int" this key. Do you have any idea? It's marked as "No" on both cells for key "04." I tried disabling the 3 other lost keys. Still nothing...

[andrewwynn]

I think the auto init just means you don't need the computer to use the key the first time.

I think my new keys are 04 and 05 but I haven't confirmed.

I was able to use think diag to program the key to unlock all doors and allow remote roll down and UP the windows.

I set it up to only unlock driver door if I use the blade in the door.

Keen eye on the aluminum vs. brass. Prob should put some good lube in the slots to achieve peak performance.

For anybody wondering if they should pull the trigger on a new key for your 15-20 yr old X5 the answer is hell yes. Do it yesterday.

It just makes me happy every time I use the key. Very hard to put a price on that.

[RocketyMan]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

I think the auto init just means you don't need the computer to use the key the first time.

I think my new keys are 04 and 05 but I haven't confirmed.

I was able to use think diag to program the key to unlock all doors and allow remote roll down and UP the windows.

I set it up to only unlock driver door if I use the blade in the door.

Keen eye on the aluminum vs. brass. Prob should put some good lube in the slots to achieve peak performance.

For anybody wondering if they should pull the trigger on a new key for your 15-20 yr old X5 the answer is hell yes. Do it yesterday.

It just makes me happy every time I use the key. Very hard to put a price on that.

Aren't your replacement keys aluminum too?

I still don't understand the "Auto-int" ....auto initialize?

At any rate, you might know more about the key FOB options, but I also coded my fob so that it only unlocks driver's door on first click--then everything else for two clicks.

For some reason, on the key FOB it was only arming and disarming the alarm when I was hitting unlock/lock. This clearly has to be something I'm doing, right? Meaning, when I go to hit unlock, it was only disarming the alarm and not unlocking any of the doors.

Do you know anything about this? Is this a feature or something?

[andrewwynn]

Lock and alarm are separate programmable functions. Keep looking at settings.

[RocketyMan]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Lock and alarm are separate programmable functions. Keep looking at settings.

Gotcha! Well...awesome. I appreciate you sharing your experience of buying your official BMW replacement key. It made me pull the trigger on mine. With a cost of ~$180 it is as easy as a few clicks of a button and a picture/email. Best investment in terms of having a working diamond key again!

[andrewwynn]

Absolutely and I'm more than happy with the value.

I'd have went without meals if needed to have gotten a year ago if I knew it would have worked. I wasn't sure if my car side electronics were working.

They were and now with the remote key working open all doors one press and the key blade opens just driver door.

[williamx5]

Good day all!!

I've gotten more than a few keys from "The BMW Mini" website.... I recently added another 03 sport to my fleet and needed a key with good remote functions... The website isn't working properly upon checkout... Anyone else have this issue? Are they still "in business"?

Thanks all!

Cheers!

[andrewwynn]

Bought my keys a few weeks ago. Try a different browser. I seem to recall not a flawless check-out myself but I did get my order though.