I am from Chesterfield, SC about 45-50 miles from you and wondered who you are using for mechanical work. I have a really good indy here in town, but have had no major problems up to this point. I also have 03 3.0 and love it.

SC2003Z4 said:

When I bought my car it was delivered with only 1 key....
I since have made a copy for an emergency, but have no electronics in the FOB.
I have been asking around town for a while but never thought of asking you, fellow Bimmer bros.
Does anyone know of a locksmith in SC (NC or GA close to the beach would be drivable for me), that can code an immobilizer chip if I buy the electronics for the spare key?

Dealer wants $150 to program it if I buy it or $200 for a whole new key.

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

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Did you buy an actual BMW key matched to your car? If so, it is fairly easy to program it to your car. You can search these threads for the instructions. I understand that a certain number of extra keys are made for each car and you have to give them your VIN to get the correct replacement key. That is what I found in these threads. I don't know if it is accurate or not. But once you have that key you can program it to work in your car. When I picked up my 07 last winter from a dealer in Atlanta, it had just one key so I got the dealer to throw in a 2nd key. It arrived a week or two later and I programmed it myself.

Leaping, the guy is Greg Hill and his shop is Greg's Imports 4054 Willow Creek Rd, Florence SC 29505. He has a small web page too.

Tony, I believe the keys have 3 components to them.
If I am wrong please someone correct me.

1 is the key blade. You can get key cut at just about any locksmith.
2 is the remote. This, you can buy online and program yourself. It includes the transponder chip (it's built in).
3 is the transponder it self. Only some locksmiths do this....they need some code that apparently BMW is not just gonna give over the phone. You can also take it to dealer and they can program the transponder, but again it'll be about $150....and that's after I have purchased my own key and remote electronics.

If you'll buy it online then ask locksmith for sure, they will cut and program it immediately.I also have done the same hired 24 hr locksmith near. They did it within minutes.

Thanks ashley, now i can surely go with manchester locksmith because your experience with them build up my confidence to work with them. _sl_