Newbie - looking for a spare e70 X5 key fob

[PAX5]

Just purchased a 2008 e70 X5 4.8i this past saturday: Cold Weather package, Premium Sound, Technology Package, Running Boards, 3rd row seats, and RearEntertainmentCenter. Titanium Silver, Black Nevada lthr, 55K miles. My son says it runs like a beast. I agree. I've owned BMW's since the late 70's (2002, tii, 320i, 528i, 535, 735 and 530i - all manual spd), but NEVER a V8! Here's my problem: the dealer (a Toyota dealer in NJ) could only produce one (1) key fob. They claimed that the couldn't find the other key fob, eventhough we called the previous owner who said that he dropped it off with the trade. The deal almost fell through because of my concern about the second key floating around somewhere ... My BMW dealer advisor told me that he could de-program the second key, essentially rendering it useless, except for the mechanical key part of it. My questions is: does anyone have a spare (or third) key fob laying around that they would be willing to sell to me. A new one is $200 from the dealer, plus another $100 to re-program it. Suggestions?Thank you!

[eugeneflim]

Spare key won't work, if it's been sold with another car, since these are only programmed once. I researched this a lot.

[PAX5]

Please elaborate if you could. My service advisor claims that any programmable key fob can be de-programmed and than re-programmed again to the new car ...if that's not possible, my only recourse is new?

[eugeneflim]

Again, I believe that they are NOT re-programmable, not on 2007-current X5. If your service adviser thinks otherwise, make sure he covers your (potentially) wasted expenses (highly unlikely). Call another dealership, but I am almost 100% sure in this.

[jdbretz]

Do you have the Comfort Access package? If not your key should be around $120 out the door.

[smarty]

congratulations for you new X.

Honestly, you should not have to pay for the second key. You are entitled to two keys with your car and if they can't find the second one, too bad, they should reimburse you for the second key.

[jdbretz]

Unfortunately that is not the case with used cars since they are sold "AS IS." Unless it was negotiated in the sales contract, the seller has no obligation to pay for a second key.

[PAX5]

JDBRETZ: where can I get it for $120?

SMARTY: Thank you. Believe me, this is not the first time that I negotiated the purchase of a used car. I wanted the car, and the dealer would not budge. Said it was ready to go to auction next week. I believed them, because the car had been on their lot for 4+ weeks. I had checked the current Mannheim auction prices and the asking price was right in the middle of the average for that year, w/ options and mileage. The final price was the price we agreed on with one (1) key, or $300 higher with 2 keys. Cost was easy to verify because there was a BMW dealer across the street! I think one of their unscrupulous sales people took the fob and is trying to peddle it on e-bay for $50 or so. BTW, the wireless headphones were missing also ...

[PAX5]

JDBRETZ: I don't have the Comfort Access package ... still $120? Where?

[jdbretz]

Originally Posted by basora

JDBRETZ: I don't have the Comfort Access package ... still $120? Where?

I replaced a key on my 07 E92 335i (same keyfob as the E70) for around $120 straight from the dealership back in 2008. I ordered it and about 3 days later it came in and did not need any programming. All I had to do was put in the the key slot, wait a few seconds and then start the car. The key was programmed by the car and I have not had any issues with it. For me to order the key I had to show proof of ownership (title or registration). I just called my dealership (which is typically overpriced) and they quoted $172 for the keyfob and the laser cut key that slides in.