MD - yeah, some of those other threads are pretty bad, but these are more uninformed consumers going the cheapest route thinking it will resolve their key issues...buy cheap, get cheap....

The other 2 references in these threads are not joes, but pro's, that do this for food on their table. These are options. Different than OE, but options that got me hemming and hawing

there are a number of options when it comes to replacing the master and valet keys on the X5, at least on the older ones (00-06). You can buy them from the dealer (providing you have an open slot left in the ews), you can buy them from a local locksmith who specializes in electronic automotive keys (this is what I do for a living), you can buy them from a mail order source .. that will normally be less than a local locksmith because they won't have to come to your house or POE to provide the labor to pull the EWS and can normally do the job as "filler" work at a quiet point in their day.
I just purchased a 2001 X5 last week and have been busy "cleaning it up" -- replaced a faulty door latch, 2 handle carriers, washer fluid pumps, window regulator......and in the next few day Im replacing the entire sunroof assembly. However before I did any of that the first thing I did was rekey the door and ignition cylinders and scrub all the key data out of the EWS unit to ensure that I was the only one who had working keys to the vehicle. Changing the mechanical cuts on the locks ensured that no one else can order a key from a BMW dealer based off the vin and an old registration.......which I've seen happen.
IF you order keys from anyone other than the dealer there are a few things to keep in mind(for those who don't know). BMW limits you to 10 total keys over the lifetime of the vehicle. the keys are stored in "slots" in the EWS unit. As long as you have an empty slot you can order a key from the dealer. It is possible to over write slots with the right equipment and eliminate that 10 key rule but thats not possible through the dealer. If you mail order any services THIS IS IMPORTANT .......IF you take your vehicle to BMW for service after having someone write keys into your EWS the dealer will be able to tell (bmw tracks every slot in every car they issue a key to) and in a number of cases throughout the country these "aftermarket" keys have been declared "unauthorized" by BMW and have been erased from the vehicles memory by the service dept. If that happens to be your only key you are hosed. This is only an issue if you ever take your vehicle into a dealership for service, and is easily avoidable --- just make sure whoever is doing the EWS work knows to use an existing or "issued" slot for your keys and you're likely ok.

I've only spent 2 minutes googling this topic, but none seem to come up on via google on service dept/ews tampering. I can see potentially how this would be a issue ...but strangely, I would think my short google search would bring up a couple of similar incidents.

I know this has happened in both NY and Ca........ It's possible that they are "testing the waters" before impimenting that policy corporate wide. The argument they are using is that you don't own the rights to the software in the car and tampering with software that they own won't be tolerated....... This is mostly a money grab to attempt to force owners back to the dealerships for service and parts. Be watching the court battles that are sure to ensue as dodge and ford are also rumored to be seeking ways to prevent others from using "programming software" to alter a vehicle from OEM standards and if BMW can get away with it they will chase the same tactics.

Some interesting tidbits on the 3rd party keys I learned...

Apparently, there is a 1 second delay when using the trunk release
The OE roundel sticker is also a smigen too large for the diameter of the 3rd party key so it doesn't sit well.

For the wiki, so the next guy has this homework I've come across in my research

Can someone tell me how many keys come when you buy the truck new? I only have one & not sure if it's the master or not. My grandfather never had a second as far as I know.

Maybe the battery is low? Mine has a delay as well but it's the oem key it came with.

The post was re: the 3rd party keys/3rd party circuit board, etc.

I can't speak for all E53(pre/post facelift), but mine came with 4 keys. 2 Master Remotes, 1 Valet and 1 Non Remote...

AFAIK, out of all the options listed, the OE key *brand new*, non repaired, is the only key that will still be ~waterproof/water resistent~ as it's plastic welded...

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Every situation is different on when you will need key repair/or why so here's mine to close this thread

EVERY option other than OE will not net you a key that is *welded* encased

I went with GM5 key repair. Figured $100 for 2 working REMOTE keys seemed like a good ROI given the running time I plan to have the car . I know that since the key has to be opened, I will be losing it's OE weather effectiveness....when the car is sold, I will have 2 master remotes to give to the buyer, in addition to the plastic valet and metal non remote key.


IF I did not go through this route, the OE key is the way to go IMO.

The last options are the 3rd party key guys. There is some value in here as it's slightly cheaper, and you CAN get cut keys programmed to your EWS in the newer flip housing as a option.

But cheaper is not necessarily better in respect that
- not as water proof/water resistant as OE key
- slight latency in trunk release operations as as stated, the OE roundel emblem will not fit proper on these keys. So you stuck with a 3rd party roundel that doesn't really last as long as the OE
- Unknown longevity of the circuit boards on these keys. MY OEM keys has lasted 12-13 years with NO issues