Central locking key repair

Hello all.
Just bought a 316i se touring from a mate for silly money and love it.
The only thing wrong was that only one key worked the central locking/alarm. I tried to charge it with a decent 100 mile trip but still didn't work. As your aware, the dealer is asking for 140 quid for a replacement! A search on ebay came up with a bloke in Merseyside who will replace the circuit board and rechargeable battery for 30 quid (with postage) and will refund if it doesn't work afterwards. Just search for e46 key repair!
Just posted mine off and will post my findings on here once returned. Loads of good feedback and Dar cheaper than a replacement!
I'll keep you informed!

For an instant, "140 quid" sounded like a bargain, till reason returned and spying on your disclosed location uncovered that you are talking about Her Majesty's currency. Should have demanded it go for even sillier money, just for the offence of selling it with only one good key. Beware that as backup for rainy days (like when you accidentally lock the only key in the trunk, common occurrence as reported on the 'Fest), you can purchase a 'cheap' Wallet Key made of plastic and with no remote control capabilities, but which can open all doors and start the engine.

Because of the antitheft security mechanisms involving the engine immobilizer, all new keys have to come from the dealer, unfortunately.

I got the plastic key with the car as well as the 2 remote keys but only one was used by the previous owner. As my wife and I will be driving the car I thought it only right that both keys should be working but at the price the dealer wanted (robbing sod!) I looked elsewhere and found this guy who will repair the key. For a fraction of the price for a new key, its worth a shot........!
Famous last words I hear you say!

Oh, not at all. This is a fairly common occurrence with the older cars, since the rechargeable battery has a finite life. Here are a couple of DIY's from our sister forum on what the guy pretends to do to your key:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=481585
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=451510