Key Fob: I Know This Has Been Asked Before, But... - BMW Forum

thekid · 09-27-2004, 01:25 PM

Bascially whats the deal with useing a key FOB. Do you have to buy it from ebay or other such source send it to the dealer and then have the dealer ship it off to be cut? Or can you just call the dealer and say I want this? I only have 2 keys currently and 1 is not a master key, I keep my car key on a completely seperate ring from all of my other keys. as a result it is easier to lose, I think that the FOB would be easier to keep track of.

I know this has been answered before and I really am sorry for asking again, but the search does not allow words less than 4 characters to be used. And unfortunatley the wild card * does not count a s a character.

thekid · 09-28-2004, 09:49 AM

for those that are clueless I mean something like this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...&category=40016

Does it cost extra to get it cut? more so than a regular key? Is this a BMW key from the factory?

spieluhr · 09-28-2004, 10:04 AM

depends on the year of your car and if your current key is chipped or not. if not, then yes i believe it is possible. But often times the only people qualified to do a good job at cutting keys are BMW dealerships who i think might not even touch this since you didnt buy it from them for 10x as much.

MrChance · 09-28-2004, 10:49 AM

The BMW dealer here said I would have to order a replacement key direct from BMW. You give them your vin, and it comes precut to match your unique car.

You have to prove ownership of the car also. I seriously doubt they would send that key off to get it cut and then send it back to you. Other BMW dealers might be able to do it on-site though, mine just might suck.

dagoo98 · 09-28-2004, 11:33 AM

definitely not a key from the BMW factory. This design was never used by OEM BMW. It was actually a OEM Mercedes design from about 1997-2002. This si why he says it will not work with cars that have a micrchip installed in the keys from the factory.

thekid · 09-28-2004, 02:57 PM

The key is not chipped and the E36 318i does not need a chip, only the key cut to the master key specs

Kevin325i · 09-28-2004, 04:15 PM

I got one. It's a cheap piece of crap, but damn are people impressed when I flip that shit out.

We you first get it just take it apart and super glue everything together, it will make your life easier.

It will probably cost like 30 bucks to have it cut. The BMW dealer can do it, or a local locksmith wtih a laser cutting machine can.