Delray535

Hi all my first post,

Ive owned 4 different 5 series since 1998. I currently have a 2008 BMW 535i with comfort access that will be getting some body work done this week. It will be in for one week. Now for my concern...

I have a good friend who recently had his 2008 550 stolen from his driveway (within a 5 minute period) after some body work. He believes, after some research that a new(3rd)key was coded at the repair shop and used to steal the car. He was told emphatically that this was impossible by BMW national. But after speaking with a car locksmith specialist - he found it was very possible and can be done very quickly with a device found online (there is even a video of it on youtube). The thief apparentle needs a blank BMW key though.

This all has me a little concerned about leaving my car with anyone but the dealership. But for bodywork i have to get it done outside. I never worried about the security of my BMW, but this gave me a wakeup call.

My questions for the experts....

1.After my bodyshop visit is it possible for me to see on my I-drive how many keys are coded, or do I have to take it to a shop to have the keys pulled up w/computer?
2.How many keys are normally coded (not sure if that glove box plastic key insert is coded)?
3.If I find out there is an extra key can I disable it and how will I know which one to disable?

Thanks, probably paranoid for nothing - but I love this car.

JJ

nomis_nehc

Sorry to hear what happened to your friend. I don't know how many keys can be coded at once, but I do know that programming the key does not need any external hardware or program, simply a blank key will do.

What happens is that you take the blank key, and stick it into the car (it being unlocked by an original), and the car will program it itself.

Something about seeing how many keys are programmed can probably be seen by the dealership. Otherwise, don't give the repair shop your real address? lol.

Delray535

I had no idea that it was that easy to make a key - in that case I am very suprised tons of cars are not stolen this way....

JJ

DSF

After they finish the body work job, head to the nearest dealer with all your keys and tell them: first to reset all programmed keys and then reprogram all the keys that you have.
So if somebody registered a key for your car it will be reseted. If they copied the key - then it will be possible to enter the car by unlocking it manually but the alarm will sound.
Also you can try to leave only the valet key at the garage. ( from what i know it has a special status and not all the functions are available for valet key - maybe it will prevent somebody to register another key)

greycoopers

Sorry for the OT, but if the new keys can be programmed this easy, is it possible to "upgrade" from the ugly normal key (2005 model) to the newer " switchblade" model key, if I can get a blank?

nomis_nehc

I should have noted that the programming done by car is only for the key fobs.

Also, people don't know this, but our fobs can only be programmed ONCE. You cannot reprogram the key, period. I learned this the hard way when I bought 2 fobs online. I took it to the dealership, only to have them tell me it's not possible since it's program once only. I later confirmed this by calling another dealership as well.

greycoopers: sorry can't help you, I don't even know what you mean by 2005's switch blade key.

delyray: well, not really, since you need to be able to get the car unlocked first using an original key, and stick it into the car first to basically authenticate with the vehicle.

tooltec

A 2008 model has a "smart key",you have two and if you need another,your dealer has to get it from BMW.A dealer cannot program a smart key.Check with your dealer.
Also,I have posted this before:-

http://reviews.ebay.co.uk/BMW-Remote...00000008666009

greycoopers

Wow...great post on Ebay...I have the diamond shape key and saw keys on ebay shaped like the new model, but with a key inside that pops out.

But now I know not to buys one of these

Thanx a million Tooltec...This is why this forum is awesome !!