[Peepers]

Hey guys,

I recently picked up my slightly used 2014 X3 28i M-Sport. The car only came with one key and when I complained to the dealer, they ordered me a second fob brand new and shipped it over to me (I live about 450 miles from the dealer I bought this X3 from). The new key came a few days ago but it doesn't work. It appears that it's either not coded to my X3 or not coded at all? I reached out to the dealer and here's their response:

"Normally holding the key next to the steering column for over 45 seconds to a minute will register it but I have seen several times where the key needs to be programmed by a dealer especially with the comfort access option. If you are still having trouble you will have to go to your local dealer, hopefully there will not be a labor charge but I can’t be certain since you bought the car from us and not them. Let me know how it works out"

I kind of don't want to bring this fob to my local dealer as I know 1000% they're going to bill me an hour labour for simple programming. Does anyone know the proceed noted above to program the key fob??

Thanks in advance

[02420X3]

Look on the right side of your steering column. There's an area marked out there that's roughly the size of the end of your key fob. That's where you want to hold your fob.

Lemme look around here and the other forum and see if I can find additional info. I know that this procedure was news within the last six months.

[02420X3]

Peepers,

The post that I remember is on the "other" forum. Take a look at this post:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=711628

[Peepers]

Thanks for the link 02420X3, I'll give it a try tomorrow

[BMWZ4]

Wait...used or not, don't all cars come with 2 fobs? So doesn't the dealer (where you picked up the car in the first place) actually owe you a 2nd fob?

[RhoXS]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

Wait...used or not, don't all cars come with 2 fobs? So doesn't the dealer (where you picked up the car in the first place) actually owe you a 2nd fob?

If the "used" car is a CPO, the CPO checklist requires two fobs and the selling dealer is obligated to provide two fobs. I am sure the number of fobs you get with just a plain uncertified used car is whatever you negotiate with the seller.

I purchased my 2011 CPO from BMW of Morristown, NJ. They did immediately tell me they owed me a second key on the day I took delivery. The problem I had was just terrible customer service and a terrible salesman that instantly lost all interest in me the instant I drove the car away. The dealership knew the fob was missing because it was noted on the CPO checklist dated four weeks prior to the time I took delivery but they did nothing. It takes only two days for the parts department to get a new fob (as I just found out when I bought a third fob for another family member). Nevertheless, it took Morristown BMW almost two weeks to get the new fob to me after I drove the car off their lot and that was only after I called and raised hell with them.

The problem with one fob is not just an inconvenience if there is only one driver. If that one fob is lost you just will not get the car started. You will be able to get in the car via BMW Assist but the car will not start without a fob.

[Peepers]

So I tired the steering column initialization this morning and the new fob was initialized and now programmed. Thanks for the links.

With regards to only receiving one key ... I only received one key when the car was shipped but the dealership always acknowledged two fobs should be supplied. They FedEx'd out the second fob to me. The laser cut emergency key on the second fob manually unlocked the doors but the buttons wouldn't work until I initialized the new fob this morning. All good now and everything is working as it should.