harshuw

When I bought my 2006 525i a few months back, the dealer only gave one key fob. I'm worried that I might lock myself out sometime. In my online research, I found that the only way to make a duplicate is through the BMW dealership. Is that really the case? Is there a way to duplicate the metal key? (a local locksmith said he can't do it)


I don't need a second remote, I just need a way to unlock the car in case I get locked out.
Thanks!

baveagle

What about the plastic spare key?

nomis_nehc

Yes it is. It's kind of pricey for a key, but isn't that bad. Expect to pay around $200-250.

Redtwin

These hooded gentlemen would beg to differ.



You could also try this guy. I would try to get your key code from your dealer, not too confident in him claiming to be able to cut them from a detailed photograph. Though he does offer refunds. He has impressive 100% feedback with some stating he did it from a photo.

BMW 1 3 5 Series Remote Smart Emergency Key Blade Cut to Code or Photograph | eBay

nomis_nehc

Well aware of that.

Those are obvious exceptions though.

wcr3d

I have read and experimented myself and it is supposedly not possible to lock the fob in the car. Though I have read some others saying that they managed to.

Redtwin

The exceptions disprove the assertion that only BMW dealers can provide copies of keys.

I only have one key for my car and I would like a spare. I want another remote, and I have found locksmiths/programmers who can make me a working spare remote with a cut key blade. The problem is that they want near enough what the dealers charge and their blanks aren't likely to be of the same quality as OEM.

BMW 5 SERIES REMOTE KEY INC CUTTING & PROGRAMMING WHILST YOU WAIT £135 | eBay

For that reason I will buy from the dealer, not because they are the only ones who can supply spare keys.

Redtwin

Used to be really easy to lock the key in the trunk (just as bad) as the trunk could be opened with the remote while the car remained locked. Close the trunk and it would relock without using the remote.

Because of that I used to keep the plastic spare key hidden behind the bumper on my E46. With the E60, I cannot open the trunk without first unlocking the car so no worries there.

harshuw

Thanks for the replies.

The BMW dealership here quoted close to 500$ since they can't program just one key, and so they'd have to give me a new set of keys.

Is the plastic spare key located somewhere in the car? I checked the glove box, I can see an empty fob holder.

tom_il

no its normally not in the car as that would make it all to easy to steal it.