[JingChai]

I was wonder for those that bought a used car, did you only received 1 key? I was asking the dealer why that is but they told me when they got the car from the previous owner they only received 1 key.


For those that had to make a copy of the key at the BMW dealer, how much was it?

[Wilt]

aMy 2011 CPO came with two keys.

Do you need Comfort Access programming, too? It matters, for cost. Generally you need to go in to dealer to order the key for your car by VIN, and prove you are the owner, they order an electronic fob with the mechnical blade key to fit your doorlock, then you program it to your car (you need your current fob to do it) so it can unlock doors and work in the ignition slot.

The standard key (not CA) functions (i.e. remote open/lock via button) and the ability to start when inserted into the dash slot can be enabled in a new key simply by using an existing key to start the car first, then immediate use the new key...no special tool needed, no dealer needed, you can do this yourself if you know the procedure as described in http://www.programyourkeys.com/BMW_5...ogramming.html

Comfort Access functions (i.e. lock/unlock and start... all with key in pocket) are only enabled with additional programming tool that dealer has.
For CA to work the car needs to learn the key ID, the key needs to learn the car's own ID and the frequencies used by the car to send/receive data to a CA key fob. That is how the car first senses the key's presence and causes the key to respond with its code so the CA functions are allowed only for your key and not someone else's.


Someone reported Bimmernav site wants $300 for the key coded to the car, plus $85 if it's Comfort Access. Someone else called local dealer and they quoted him $340 for the key and $55 to code it (dunno if it was a CA key or not)!

[JingChai]

Is that the one where if I hold down the unlock button for a while, the windows and sunroof open?

If that's the case not really. As long as the car has the basic unlock/lock doors and trunk that's all it matters. This key will be the backup key just in case someone else needs to drive the car or my normal keys get lost/stolen.

[Ali-E90]

Originally Posted by JingChai

I was wonder for those that bought a used car, did you only received 1 key? I was asking the dealer why that is but they told me when they got the car from the previous owner they only received 1 key.


For those that had to make a copy of the key at the BMW dealer, how much was it?

I had a similar issue. Bought a standard key fob (non CA) without the key insert. I think retail was $275 (Canadian $) and I got a small discount at a Toronto dealer (Maranello).

[JingChai]

Got it, I'll be looking around $300-350ish then.

Thanks for letting me know about the Comfort Access programming. I need to read the owner's manual throughly for this car to get to know all the cool features.

[Wilt]

Originally Posted by JingChai

Is that the one where if I hold down the unlock button for a while, the windows and sunroof open?

If that's the case not really. As long as the car has the basic unlock/lock doors and trunk that's all it matters. This key will be the backup key just in case someone else needs to drive the car or my normal keys get lost/stolen.

Re-read my prior post, "Comfort Access functions (i.e. lock/unlock and start... all with key in pocket) are only enabled with additional programming tool that dealer has."

CA is an extra cost option that is either in the car or NOT in the car...a CA-capable car has a series of ridges on the top of the handle of the front doors on both sides.

Even if it is a spare, you need to get the blade key for your spare fob, because it is your only way to get in if the battery in the fob or in the car has gone dead and you lost your original fob!!!

[JingChai]

Thanks Wilt, really appreciate the insight!

[thkfast]

Although my car has Comfort Access, I would insist a dealer provide a 2nd key before buying a used car.

[Fabb]

You can argue a hundred dollars off for that I believe

[Boland01]

I just paid $340.00 for a back up non-comfort access key fob and cut door key for my 2007 335i. A couple years ago I paid $350 for a back up key fob for my comfort access 535i.

At the time the service dept wanted to charge me an extra $200 to program the comfort access fob. Fortunately, when I ordered the fob I asked if all programming was included at the parts desk and they said it was. The service manager ended up back charging the parts dept. I give BMW of the Woodlands credit they kept their word (or written agreement).

[PTinVT]

Mine came with 2; the salesman said he would get me the "wallet key" (no charge) but a 3rd real key showed up in the mail. I let the salesman know and he just said congratulations

[Wilt]

Originally Posted by PTinVT

the salesman said he would get me the "wallet key" (no charge)

What good would a 'wallet key' be?! You need a fob in the dash slot, or you need the right Comfort Access FOB inside the car, to START the car! And folks have a hard time opening the trunk with a metal key.

[bad karma]

Hah, yeah when I bought my car it only came with one key. The dealer (not a BMW dealer, one of those companies that deals only with late-model luxury cars that were apparently not cut out for CPO, whose business practices are a bit on the shady side) said they had ordered a spare key and it would be $400. I flatly told them I wasn't interested in paying for the spare key. They pushed *incredibly hard* to get me to take the key, and I said that if it wasn't present at the time of the sale, I wanted nothing to do with it, and if they wouldn't include it in the price of the vehicle then they'd be better off cancelling their key order since they'd otherwise be stuck with a key for a car they no longer had in their showroom.

Lo and behold, about two weeks later I got a package in the mail. It was a free second key, and a note saying that they were sending it to me as a "gift", with the hope that I would leave a good Google/Yelp review in return. Hah.

[335NJ]

Originally Posted by Wilt

What good would a 'wallet key' be?! You need a fob in the dash slot, or you need the right Comfort Access FOB inside the car, to START the car! And folks have a hard time opening the trunk with a metal key.

BMW makes a "valet/wallet key" that has the transponder embedded inside for the transceiver coil in the dash slot to read, and make a virtual "handshake" allowing the engine to start. Basically works just like the cars without CA.

[Tom Droze]

If there is only one key insist the dealer provide a second key. When I bought my BMW, and before signing any paperwork, I asked if there was a second key and the dealer said no. They pushed back in wanting to provide a second key and I simply said, surely you are not going to lose this deal over a few hundred dollars, they gave in.

[PTinVT]

Originally Posted by 335NJ

BMW makes a "valet/wallet key" that has the transponder embedded inside for the transceiver coil in the dash slot to read, and make a virtual "handshake" allowing the engine to start. Basically works just like the cars without CA.

The wallet key is a flat key that allows you to unlock the driver door via the keyhole, then you put that flat key into an "empty" fob that you keep inside the car, and then you put it in the dash and you can start the car.

This is how it was explained to me, which makes sense, otherwise someone could break into your car and use the empty fob to start the car.

I don't have CA.

[335NJ]

Originally Posted by PTinVT

The wallet key is a flat key that allows you to unlock the driver door via the keyhole, then you put that flat key into an "empty" fob that you keep inside the car, and then you put it in the dash and you can start the car.

This is how it was explained to me, which makes sense, otherwise someone could break into your car and use the empty fob to start the car.

I don't have CA.

Google image search: BMW emergency key, and you'll see what I'm taking about. The actual transponder chip is embedded in the key portion with cuts on it to open the door. I think we're both talking about the same thing.

[csu87]

mine only had 1 key, so i had them take another $500 off.

[piker28]

I was told my car would come with 2 keys and when I went to pick up the plates they handed me a third key. Made me wonder but not complain for a third!

Never take a car with one key.

[Wilt]

Originally Posted by 335NJ

BMW makes a "valet/wallet key" that has the transponder embedded inside for the transceiver coil in the dash slot to read, and make a virtual "handshake" allowing the engine to start. Basically works just like the cars without CA.

BMW had plastic fobs in the past, like on the E60s, and I don't know when that stopped. An owner who bought his 2011 new only received the two fobs (with integrated metal key for glovebox...which you don't give to the valet, so your trunk contents remain inacessible). There is certainly no mention of any wallet key in the 2011 E90 owner manual.

[robthewrench]

Originally Posted by piker28

Never take a car with one key.

+1

Never take a car from any dealer with only 1 key. If you happen to lose that 1 key before you get another, you are really screwed.

[Krynos]

I got 2 CA keys with mine. I wouldn't accept only receiving one key if that was all that was offered.