The keys I received were genuine BMW housings and blades. So yes, I was happy with them. I installed OEM roundels too, so I basically have the same thing you'd get from a dealer.

THREAD BUMP.
Looking....these are not OE housings/remote/quality ?

I believe Dean has sold his X.
Anyone using United Keys ?

BMW E53 X5 99-on - United Auto Security, LLC

I sold my 4.4 but I still have my 4.6, which I bought extra keys for from United auto. Same quality as the first round. I can't imagine waiting around for a better solution... Either pay the dealer or go with United and be done.

Dean -

OE does not use replaceable batteries....so without doing alot of googling, I'm presuming these are 3rd party housings. Quality ? ....my 2 keys lasted 13 years.

Am I wrong on the math or is there something different I'm missing....
It's $180 for a single diamond/ews program whereas dealer is $140 for a brand new key. Is there a different price structure by emailing them versus what is on the website ?


Might as well ask, if I head down this route.
EWS in lower DS footwell. Battery disconnect or not needed..

If the dealer is $140 for the key then whats the problem. Just go to the dealer and get the key. That is not a bad price.

Per DB post, he got O-E-M - pair for $200 shipped which for another 60, I'd be inclined to head down this route.

Some ? need verification, more homework
- quality of 3rd party shell. I suppose not as weather resistent is OE
- quality of circuit board - longevity (I suppose too early to tell)
-- Price difference per Deans post, versus pricing on 3rd party on their site

$200 for 2 master remotes for a car that will be sold within the next 12-14 months, is more appealing than $140 for 1, IF the deal can be done at 2 Benji's.

While the flip key is different than what came with the car, the diamond key seems like the way to go . Less BULK. If this was a comfort access key, than the fob would be the obvious route. Have ya'll seen the Lexus CA key. Years ahead of BMW in terms of size...

Anyhow, any compelling X Outposter reason to re-consider the flip key.
Even if I go this route, I'd go the all plastic. Less Bl1ng than their other heavy duty chrome/plastic shell

Be inquisitive about which key blade type you have. Early BMWs (old style & new diamond shape style) may have the notched (I believe HU58) key blade which is like the one on the right in the image below...which is my 97 e38's remote key.

The later key blades are not notched (like my e53's key on the right in pic below):

http://bimmerboard.com/members/q/ori...0and%20E38.jpg

All due respect to all aftermarket suppliers but for $150 shipped and when time comes, I'll get mine online from this dealer. Any problems, at least you're covered for 2 years and you can go to any dealer:
http://thebmwminipartstore.com/faq/i...&siteID=218365

It's the one on the left for sure for ours....

I spoke verbally with the United dealer and the quote I'm awaiting for to confirm it, is a smigen more than what DB had posted , but in that ballpark....

Basically, I have 4 options which I'll bullet list for the wiki. Still debating pros/cons of it

- New OE key at $140 (I know the quality of them as my 2 OE keys lasted 12-13 years). I believe at least one of these keys each may have survived a laundry cycle, maybe some water spray on the beach, or even a dousing via a jet ski :popcorn::popcorn::popcorn: I know to avoid the water but sometimes sh1t happens


- 3rd Party Shell/Key/Circuit Boards - ~bundled deal with 2 keys~ is a bit over $200....and you get 2 master remotes. Theoretically, I might get 3 out of this deal, if while in the EWS, he just sees that the one that just went bad is out of sync. There's always that possibility but I don't have any diag tools on hand to confirm.


- GMFob Repair. Repair for both keys is less than $140 for both I estimate. But, the shell is now cut and resealed, so I'm not sure about the sealproofness. I still will have a 13 year old key, assuming he's not swapping out the guts by repairing them. (what would suck was if the battery goes bad during the final ownership of this vehicle but based in GM5's post, he's very adamant the batteries on these things just keep on going and rarely go bad)

That's all I've come up sofar in my research.

If you and anyone else is keeping the car for a year or more, I wouldn't blink on an OE key replacement, from the dealer...

We did one a year ago, (long stupid story), but after reading a few threads here about other key options, it was a no brainer.
My 50Cts.
GL, mD