Replacement Key fob

[ewebby]

Is the dealer the only place to get a replacement key fob? my key battery died on my second key and replacing the battery did not work. Dealer wants $300 Chandler, AZ BMW

[Henn28]

I think you can go the Amazon route for a key from China for cheaper. Alternatively, https://www.thebmwminipartstore.com/ is what a lot of guys use for an OE solution. I seem to recall paying $200 for an E53 key last year.

[ewebby]

thanks, i will look into

[andrewwynn]

Here's the invoice from my order. Saved enough to get a valet key which hide-a-key.

[Effduration]

You can actually buy any similar BMW key fob and code it to open and lock your doors.
It cannot be coded to start your car.

So, some people buy used fobs on EBay, usually OEM, cut the key off, and attach it to their key ring as a open/lock fob only…

The problem is, how to charge the new fob on the key ring? it is not close enough to the ignition switch to get inductive charging.

Some folks have good luck charging fobs on certain tootbrush chargers..

Please have a search on this.

[andrewwynn]

I thought about doing that and also thought about getting the programming set but when I bit the bullet and placed the order I was absolutely thrilled to have an actual bmw key felt like I had a brand new x5

[ewebby]

did they cut the key and then you just followed the programming https://rparts-sites.s3.amazonaws.co...design/e46.jpg

[Effduration]

Originally Posted by ewebby

did they cut the key and then you just followed the programming https://rparts-sites.s3.amazonaws.co...design/e46.jpg

Yes...but figure out how you're going to charge it.

BTW...you should have two keys the start your car...if you don't you're playing with fire.

[ewebby]

yep have two keys that start car, one the remote stopped working and tried changing 2 batteries and could not get it to work after charging while driving car.

[Salty B.]

Originally Posted by ewebby

Is the dealer the only place to get a replacement key fob? my key battery died on my second key and replacing the battery did not work. Dealer wants $300 Chandler, AZ BMW

$229 from United BMW, Roswell GA. Showed up overnight and works great. I just hope it's getting charged as I have no way to check that.

I hope whatever schnitzel-head who spec'd a non-replaceable battery had a further career in ditch-digging... what a stupid idea.