Spare key for $215?!?
 

Is this right?! I called a dealer in Manhattan and they said it would be $215 to get a spare key made! Is that right?

I kept seeing somewhere people were saying it was about $40...

that key must make out of gold ,my dealer said $100

$200 bucks is about the right ballpark when it's all said and done (programing included). You're lucky if you can even get your dealer to just program your keys for $40 bucks.

Programming a key is a 30 second job (at least in the E39, I'd expect it's very similar in the E53) that takes only a few button presses while sitting inside the car.

I believe it's also referred to as "EWS Pairing".

To the original poster; I would find a cheaper dealer. Keys are generally not something you can do mailorder, as all dealers should ask for proof of ownership and photo ID before letting you order.

Called another dealer in Brooklyn and they said $75.... That's more like it....:thumbup:

Well I guess the commercial rents are higher in Manhattan.........:rolleyes:

Exactly what I did. Thanks Ben!

I bought the non remote control key for the spare key. Much cheaper!!!

silicon valley in CA, BMW dealer charges $225. So that's about right.

are they programming too?

They should be. My dealer didn't charge for programming a new key in my '02 M5 -- in fact, the parts guy came out to my car and did it when I picked the new key up. Took him 30 seconds.

$40 would get you a program job the key is an expensive item. You can find uncut ones on ebay around $70, and then you are always risking the "ebay quality" issues.
The E70's would cost quite a bit more.

my dealership in nc told me 120 not including programming that was another 60 i think

I got quoted a price ~190 for NY/NJ, that is the going rate. So does the board suggest to just get the key fob and no programming, since its practically a financial waste? Do the dealers let you do that, I'll call later.

Thanks for any help

my e46 m3 key was $125...

The key also has to be programmed to the car as well so they probably threw in the labor for that which is usually in upwards of $100 an hour these days for a bmw mechanic.