How many keys does BMW make?

I understand that those who need a key replacement need to go to the dealership to get a new key.

I also know that BMW makes a fixed number of keys to any one car. Once they are gone, you'll need to replace your entire ignition system if you want to drive your car.

Does anyone know how many copies they make for each kind?

Here is a link to the keys - http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...41&fg=40&hl=43

I've listed the general ones below (with cost and part numbers if anyone cares)

$56.36 51218205311 GENERAL KEY ILLUMINATED
$45.48 51218205312 GENERAL KEY
$37.67 51218205310 SERVICE KEY
$40.46 51218205313 SPARE KEY

$200.88 51211000224 SET OF KEYS WITH EWS CONTROL UNIT - IMPORTANT! PART NOT INTENDED FOR SALE

Anyone have an idea how many of each

GENERAL KEY ILLUMINATED
GENERAL KEY
SERVICE KEY
SPARE KEY

are made?

Wow , lost a Key to my X5 and BMW charged me $125 for a new one.

My spare cost $138.00.

Originally Posted by Esteves

Does anyone know how many copies they make for each kind?

I've listed the general ones below (with cost and part numbers if anyone cares)

$56.36 51218205311 GENERAL KEY ILLUMINATED
$45.48 51218205312 GENERAL KEY
$37.67 51218205310 SERVICE KEY
$40.46 51218205313 SPARE KEY

$200.88 51211000224 SET OF KEYS WITH EWS CONTROL UNIT - IMPORTANT! PART NOT INTENDED FOR SALE

Never seen anything on how many of each.
Six additional keys can be ordered as replacement keys.

Pricing.
311 $52.02r
3121 $42.00r
310 $34.77r
313 $37.50r
224 $224.00r

I understand the maximum is 10 replacements

Salesman told me they have 10 copies sitting in a vault in Germany and that's it. No more.

I also heard 10.

dj

When I bought my 2006 Z4 CPO, there was only one key. Salesman told me they make 10 copies of keys kept in a vault in New Jersey.

A second key was ordered (CPOs must have 2 keys) and the statement that came with it showed a charge of $125.00, payment of which was covered by the CPO.

The key had to be "initialized" following an enclosed set of instructions and requiring the other key as a master.

Same here, my CPO 06 came with one key and the dealership ordered a second for no charge to me. I seem to remember that it was approximately $130.00. I did order the plastic key and I seem to remember it being about 40-05 bucks. Expensive keys but necessary. Hopefully if there's seven in a vault then I am safe for quite a while. I wonder what they do with the keys once the cars life is over?

Originally Posted by Esteves

I understand that those who need a key replacement need to go to the dealership to get a new key.

I also know that BMW makes a fixed number of keys to any one car. Once they are gone, you'll need to replace your entire ignition system if you want to drive your car.

Does anyone know how many copies they make for each kind?

I may be totally wrong, but I would guess that BMW probably made 10 copies of the transponder chip and most likely builds the type of key requested on-the-fly.

Of course, my idea of efficient processes and their idea of efficient processes are probably two different things...

I've been told anywhere from 4 to 8 keys are made, depending on which BMW tech I asked. The RealOEM prices sure are difference from what I've been quoted!

Originally Posted by scottyD

Salesman told me they have 10 copies sitting in a vault in Germany and that's it. No more.

Complete BS. That'd mean that just for the last 10 years of BMW production, they have vaults with just under a 1 billion keys in them.

The keys and transponders are made on demand. Its the ECU in the car that will only accept 10 different transponders. There's no magic vault.

You can order extra transponders (Z3) from this website:
http://unitedautosecurity.com/produc...&main_catid=16

Keys can be made by anyone, its not hard.

Transponder chips have to be programmed to the EWS, so thats where the money comes from.

EWS can only hold 10 transponder codes before its full.

Originally Posted by wildag

Complete BS. That'd mean that just for the last 10 years of BMW production, they have vaults with just under a 1 billion keys in them.

The keys and transponders are made on demand. Its the ECU in the car that will only accept 10 different transponders. There's no magic vault.

Agreed, the keys are made with the key code for your car, then programmed to the car.
My used Z4M only came with one key fob so I bought the extra master (no remote) for $143. I had to submit either a bill of sale or the registration when ordering. I also didn't have the key itself programmed. I know b/c I drove up, walked to the parts counter, got the envelope and went out to the car and it started. I think only the remote has to be programmed.