Dealers typically charge anywhere between $175 and $225, depending on how greedy they are....

 

Replacement Genuine BMW keys can run around $130 from online dealers (#66126955748). No need for special programming, keysmiths, etc. See this thread for more info on good key replacement prices/sources: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1008294. :thumbup:

 

What about key fobs for E60s ?
The ones that look like this.

 

Step 2 is the most difficult part since 98% of the keysmiths do not know how to do it. If you live near Berkeley California, go to www.rex.key.com. You should first email Joe Towbis at jtowbis@comcast.net. From the above webpage, you can see that this locksmith company is a relatively large company and I discovered the smaller locksmith can't do it.

Only Joe Towbis at Rex Key knows how to cut the key for $25 and program the transducer for another $80. My total cost to replace my E46 key was about $150 so I was happy not letting a BMW dealer rip me off.

$150 for a hack job when you can get a brand new key from BMW for under $130? That's how my key cost. Cost can vary a little at different dealerships.

 

$150 for a replacement key

The $150 price was based on the actual cost that I actually paid for the replacement key. This was for a 2001 BMW 330i.

I am skeptical about a $130 key replacement unless it was for an older BMW that did not have an anti-theft security transponder. For example, I also owned a 1995 BMW 525i and the key/FOB replacement cost for that model was less than $75. It really depends on the exact year and exact BMW model and whether the dealer wanted to rip you off or not.

People shouldn't generalize the price unless they specify the year, model and if they actually done it.

I am skeptical about an online key replacement because it is my understanding that the key and BMW must communicate to each other during the programming. Similar to getting a garage door opener remote replacement. Like a garage door opener, you still need to program the key so that the BMW will recognize the key. Otherwise, a car thief can simply get the VIN number off your dash, order a key online and then steal your car.

 

The $150 price was based on the actual cost that I actually paid for the replacement key. This was for a 2001 BMW 330i.

I am skeptical about a $130 key replacement unless it was for an older BMW that did not have an anti-theft security transponder. For example, I also owned a 1995 BMW 525i and the key/FOB replacement cost for that model was less than $75. It really depends on the exact year and exact BMW model and whether the dealer wanted to rip you off or not.

People shouldn't generalize the price unless they specify the year, model and if they actually done it.

I am skeptical about an online key replacement because it is my understanding that the key and BMW must communicate to each other during the programming. Similar to getting a garage door opener remote replacement. Like a garage door opener, you still need to program the key so that the BMW will recognize the key. Otherwise, a car thief can simply get the VIN number off your dash, order a key online and then steal your car.

I have actually done it. $130 for my 2002 325i, at one of the St. Louis area dealerships. I shopped around, price can fluctuate between $130 and $200 at different places.

 

I was able to get it done for about $110 at a local dealer in miami.

 

Read threw the various options here...take note of #11
https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?p=13041307

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Read threw the various options here...take note of #11
Sunken key fob

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This was actually pretty helpful