URGENT - STOLEN KEY (I'm on vacation)

So long story short, we are in OH my car is in FL. My wife's purse was stolen, it has 650 key in it. I have BMW remote iPhone app, I know that can unlock the car. Can I use that to unlock car once I get to FL (at airport) and then use SOS button to remote start car? Or is there any way to get the car started? My second key is at my house which I can't get to because my car of course is at the airport. Ugh...

I am due to leave Tues AM (early) back to FL.

My understanding is that the key is required to start the engine for security. There's something they do with the coding that requires the key to be present for the engine to start. It can be done with a dead battery in the fob by holding it up to the key graphic on the steering column, but it still must be present. This is why BMW doesn't allow for the "remote start" option that is available on many GM cars and other brands.

The only thing I can think of is to see if the dealership could make a new key from the VIN (or any records they have in your car that may provide the necessary information) and bring it to you at the airport. That might be wishful thinking, but it's my best solution other than having to get a ride home then go back for it. Sorry...

Southern summed up well.

I lost the key for the wife's X5 in the airport at the return trip, situation similar to yours. I even took the shuttle back to the car lot, used the app to enter the car, hit SOS and asked to remote start the car. No such luck, they wont do it (Die Hard 4 inaccuracy).

Luckily, the wife also brought her key, so the shuttle took me back to her (waiting outside with bags and two kids-not happy). I could then drive the car back home.

When it came time to order the new key (close to $400 at the end), the advisor (whom knows me for a long time) asked for the car documents to order and cut (the metal part is paid separately) a new key, which would then be coded to the car. That took 2 days. It can only be done with the car and documents present as well the owner signing for it. They wouldn't budge on that.

So, if you cant get anyone to go to your home and send your key to you, you can simply bypass your car, get a cab, go home and drive back. The stealership will not get you a key without the car present. Sorry mate, it's going to be painful and expensive, but it will be over soon... I just relaxed and paid for it, after that I refused to look at my credit card statement for two months, just to diminish the aggravation. DONT buy an eBay key, it may or may not (likely) work. I did that too, returned it immediately...

Calling BMW may also help, as you're not the first one in this situation. Good thing is that once a new key is coded, the stolen one will become useless (the car only takes 2 coded keys at once). Alternatively, one could tow your car to the stealership before you get home and see if they order a new key like that, but the logistics of you moving rather than your non-working car are far simpler. BMW may pay for that, as they created a system that can potentially leave one stranded. They may even pay for your transportation, who knows... Ask them, they may bite it...

Originally Posted by john mclane

Good thing is that once a new key is coded, the stolen one will become useless (the car only takes 2 coded keys at once).

Not true. I had 3 keys to my F10 550i active at the same time. And I think the tech told me up to 5 fobs can be active at the same time (but not sure on that).

And to erase a lost key fob, I think you have to bring all key fobs and you want active for your car, so that they can properly tell the car to respond to those fobs only......

Originally Posted by mlai

Not true. I had 3 keys to my F10 550i active at the same time. And I think the tech told me up to 5 fobs can be active at the same time (but not sure on that).

And to erase a lost key fob, I think you have to bring all key fobs and you want active for your car, so that they can properly tell the car to respond to those fobs only......

Gotta talk to the sa then, just reproduced what they said to me...


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