[sbkim]

Greetings. Read through several posts regarding comfort keys being lost but does anyone know how much regular E92 Key fobs are? I presume I have no choice but to visit a local dealer to buy and program one? I didn't know if I could order from online at a lower price and take it to the dealer for programming.

Thanks in advance

[saosinned]

If i remember correctly they said they have to send them from Germany and its going to cost you a moderate amount. Of course this was over 3 years ago (and I haven't lost a key) so this may all be something I came up with in my head

[RichP]

They are over $100; you have to go to a dealer, because they will require proof of identity and proof of ownership of the vehicle. They then order the key using your VIN from BMW.

[jrod1014]

While my service adviser was explaining the various things about the car he made a face when he said "don't lose these keys." The total cost shouldn't exceed more than $500 but I can see where that's possible. I lost a key for my 2003 Nissan Maxima and was quoted $3-400 several times. The quotes included a fee for reprogramming (per device) and at least an hour of labor plus the part.

I don't want to scare you, but prepare for high quotes. I am sure there is a dealer that can replace your key at a fair price. I ended up ordering the part myself (don't know if you can do that with BMW, probably not) and paid an adviser some extra bucks to have someone do the programming for me.

[achien]

I hope you don't have CA, I heard if you lose the key fob, you have to replace the entire CA system in the car.

This means it is much more expensive than replacing just the key fob.

[AlB]

Just did this, Just take proof of ownership + ID to dealer and they will get key made> Peter Pan BMW in San MAteo did within Two days, doubtful they went to Germany (Urban Myth?, Imagine a giant vault in germany with millions of keys, kinda like the keymaker in Matrix!!)

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by AlB

Just did this, Just take proof of ownership + ID to dealer and they will get key made> Peter Pan BMW in San MAteo did within Two days, doubtful they went to Germany (Urban Myth?, Imagine a giant vault in germany with millions of keys, kinda like the keymaker in Matrix!!)

I hope that the OP can get a deal like that--I had to replace a VW key on my last ride and it WAS about $300 and did come from Germany. Luckily I had my spare, but you need both to turn in at the end of the lease, so....

[sbkim]

Thanks all for the replies. I guess it's time to visit my dealership.

[John 070]

Is it unsafe to simply forget about the lost fob and start using the 2nd one? I'm thinking perhaps, if lost close to home, but if lost in a crowded place/metro area, maybe not?

My 2nd fob is in a drawer with the battery removed, there's a chance it'll never get used since my fiance would never have occasion to take the 335. If she drove it, I'd be riding along so the 2nd fob is not necessary.

Actually, I lost my fob in church yesterday and a little kid gave it back to me. I was embarassed at first that it said BMW, but quickly realized in that town it's pretty par for the course anyway! My fiance said the guy singing rides the train to work every day and drives a 550i.

[Diesel]

i got a new key fob from the dealer because they only gave me one. i bought a preowned 2006. we went over to the garage and it literally took one of the guys 30 seconds to program the new key fob. so i dont know if they would really charge you for programming.

[ejazbmw]

i thought it was only 300 bucks? well thats what my SA told me when i asked him how much for a new fob if i ever needed one...

[MikeCCrutchfield]

Originally Posted by John 070

Is it unsafe to simply forget about the lost fob and start using the 2nd one? I'm thinking perhaps, if lost close to home, but if lost in a crowded place/metro area, maybe not?

Let's say you lose it at a mall. A persistant, dishonest person would make regular visits to that mall with the found key-fob, driving around the parking lot and pressing unlock as he passes each BMW....afterall, if he found it at a mall, odds are you go there regularly. So If you think you lost it somewhere where you frequent, even in a crowded place, yes it is unsafe.

OR....guy finds lost key...hangs out in parking lot looking for the dumbass on the phone with BMW/Spouse about being locked out of car. Gets license plate number, tracks down your car.

[dski69]

Desert BMW in Las Vegas charged me $120 for a new fob, which included programming. It took 1 hour and i was outta there.

[OC Guy]

Originally Posted by achien

I hope you don't have CA, I heard if you lose the key fob, you have to replace the entire CA system in the car.

This means it is much more expensive than replacing just the key fob.

Stop spreading BS.

[montreal_bimmer]

buy a new one

[nimamilani]

now what? now you will pay money (in the hundreds).

[MSimeon]

i remember losing the fob to my nissan 350z and it cost nearly $200! and that's a nissan!

[SoYank]

I had to replace a key to my Toyota and it cost me something like £25; that's $50! And it was only a simple metal key!!!

[uberschnell]

I was in my Friend's office when she called about a missing Acura key. Price was; 170 for the remote, 70 for the key, 135 to program.

[335icopeman]

point of the post...dont loose your key!

[mayno]

Originally Posted by achien

I hope you don't have CA, I heard if you lose the key fob, you have to replace the entire CA system in the car.

This means it is much more expensive than replacing just the key fob.

that is nonsense. that's like saying if you tire went flat you'd have to replace the wheel as well.

[mayno]

Originally Posted by saosinned

If i remember correctly they said they have to send them from Germany and its going to cost you a moderate amount. Of course this was over 3 years ago (and I haven't lost a key) so this may all be something I came up with in my head

no need to get them from Germany if they have them in stock...all the keys are essentially the same thing. the only difference is that they can only be coded to a specific VIN. that's it. wouldn't be surprised if every dealer had 20 or so keys in stock...people lose their keys all the time.