Good information to know, I am trying to get a replacement key for a US spec car. The dealer here tells me they have a hard time getting the keys from BMW-Germany (don't ask me why), and advises that I get the key from the US. Now when I do that, who the %&*@ is going to do the programming? Do they need to have the car to program the key?

i am not 100% sure but i think that BMW dealer can code new keys to the car eaven if it is not one of 2 extra keys from BMW germany

Maybe the deaker there dosn't want to go to the trouble to obtain the key from the US, which I find hard to believe, but once they obtain the key with the right chip in it programing it isn't much trouble. I do not believe it is possible to code a key to start your car unless BMW put the correct chip in it.

Thanks, I'll try and get one of the chipped keys from the US dealer and have the local dealer program it (my independent service shop also say they can program the key).:thumbup:

The only way a dealer here will sell a key for the vehicle is if you can PROVE ownership. That should be a lot of fun.

I tried ordering from the wholesaler in California by faxing the title and my DL and they wouldn't do.

No other option but to order from local $tealer.

I had to pick up a 2nd key/remote for my 2001 X5 and knowing how fini'key' the BMW computers can be, decided to simply pay the piper and head to the dealer. I paid $204 (after state tax and minus club discount) and it took 3 days to get it. I picked the new key up yesterday and found it would not remotely lock/unlock the X. No mention from the dealer that programming was required, nor were any instructions provided :dunno:. This Forum comes to the rescue again as the above thread solved my issue. The programming sequence noted took less than a minute to accomplish and we now have two fully opperational keys/remotes.
Cheers,
Mark

I ordered a brand new key to the BMW local dealer for my 2001 X5 recently, I paid 280 Euros for it (about 420 USD!). They ordered it directly to Germany. When the key arrived at the dealer 2 weeks later, the guy simply took the key, came in the car (no tool in hands), and he programmed the key himself, absolutely sure of that. Don't ask me how he did it, I simply saw that he locked and unlocked the doors several times, that's all.

Hello,

I am in this boat. I just got a 2003 X5 4.4i with one freaking key. Thinking it was like every other car I have ever owned I bought 2 on eBay but now need them made functional. Seeing as I apparently have to go to a dealer anyone know which in the Phoenix area will rape me the least?

Craigs list FTW!

I gambled 100 bucks to potentially save 250 and won! I have three functional keys and he also did a flip key for our Mazda 6 we have had for 2 years but my Daughter never had cut/programmed. Total cost 280 for all three keys.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...psdb49ed4a.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ps338253b4.jpg