[nakamuru]

So luckily had extra keys but they were 42 miles away. I dropped my keys cause i had next to the driver side pouch and opened the door and seem to fall out while getting my charger there. 95% that was the case. Luckily my place has key entry so i got my spare key but questions i have.

1). I'm 100% certain some dirt bag took the key in the ground cause 30 min later it was not there when i found out remote car is missing. I checked the hotel, restaurant (closest was a 24 hr denny) like 20 feet away).

Can BMW deactivate this key so if some thief finds the car somewhere along the road and tries to open it etc?

2). How much is replacement and where can i get one if dealer is too pricey. I'm gonna estimate it's around 600 - 800? I'm in Seattle.

3). Anyone else lose this key before?

[nakamuru]

Forgot to add... Can thiefs sell bmw keys and resell it? Wondering why anyone want set of car keys if they can't resell it

[deladude]

Check your local Front Porch Forum or similar. Maybe someone picked them up with the intent of returning them. It happened to me once

[GT500R]

I have a spare key when my car got totaled... 2018 X3 M40i

I can sell it to you at 1/8 the cost you have above but not sure if it can be reprogrammed by BMW. Obviously the key part won't work but remote should if it can be reprogrammed.

[Barrancos]

I got a third key and it costed around 200 euro.
When you add a new key you change the code, so your old lost key does not open your car anymore.

[foglem]

Originally Posted by Barrancos

I got a third key and it costed around 200 euro.
When you add a new key you change the code, so your old lost key does not open your car anymore.

Not necessarily true. If the dealership programs the additional key without nuking your factory programming it most certainly still works with the old one. Point and fact, I bought my car and they couldn't find the second key. Ordered and provisioned me a new one. 8 months later during a office move they "found" my old second key and gave it to me also. It still works fine and it was not re-programmed.

In general if the key is programmed it can still be re-used but will need an elaborate process to unpair the key from the car it's been programmed to. Very few folks can do this.

[nakamuru]

Originally Posted by deladude

Check your local Front Porch Forum or similar. Maybe someone picked them up with the intent of returning them. It happened to me once

I was about 42 mile from hone lol

[nakamuru]

Originally Posted by GT500R

I have a spare key when my car got totaled... 2018 X3 M40i

I can sell it to you at 1/8 the cost you have above but not sure if it can be reprogrammed by BMW. Obviously the key part won't work but remote should if it can be reprogrammed.

Mine is regular x3 would it still work? I disnt know it can be reprogrammed etc

Lucky that i can deactivate first one so theifs cant use it

[nakamuru]

Originally Posted by Barrancos

I got a third key and it costed around 200 euro.
When you add a new key you change the code, so your old lost key does not open your car anymore.

Why so cheap? Dealer quoted me 685 plus tax for replacement

[GT500R]

Originally Posted by nakamuru

Mine is regular x3 would it still work? I disnt know it can be reprogrammed etc

Lucky that i can deactivate first one so theifs cant use it

I don’t know but I had it for sale for $100 shipped iirc.

Let’s me know.

[chicagofan00]

I thought freshxdough has said in the past that a replacement key for these vehicles must come from a dealer due to way the programming works.

[freshxdough]

You can take your vehicle to the dealer if you decide to get a new key or not. They will use your current key and determine which key has been lost. That key can be deactivated. The good thing is the person who does have your key can not unlock/lock or start the vehicle with the FOB. But they theoretically could get into the driver door with the metal key, if they even know how.

New keys are VIN specific. Each vehicle can have 10 keys and once you need an 11th key you will need to replace the BDC control unit.

[freshxdough]

There is no way at the dealership to take a key from a different vehicle and program it to another vehicle. I'm sure you can see why with safety and security in mind. Each key is VIN specific.

[dmicah]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

New keys are VIN specific. Each vehicle can have 10 keys and once you need an 11th key you will need to replace the BDC control unit.

Thought they could reflash the BDC as an alternative. Is that not the case?

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by dmicah

Thought they could reflash the BDC as an alternative. Is that not the case?

10 keys only.