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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > Regional Forums > USA - California > Cheaper way to get a new key for California residents



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      05-30-2017, 05:03 PM   #1
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Cheaper way to get a new key for California residents

FYI for anyone who needs a new key.

So I bought my car used and it only came with one key. Called up a dealer and they wanted $460 for the key and $200 for programming.

Made me look online for better options. Turns out in the state of California we have a law that states car companies must provide for keys within 24 hours. So I called the BMW 800 number (1-888-575-5397) and ordered a key. Was $270 after tax and delivered to the dealer of my choice. The key worked in the ignition slot for initiation which I did myself new key would now unlock/lock doors and start the car when in the ignition slot). Called Alex at Alpine and he coded comfort access for $25.

So all together I got a new comfort access key for $295.
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      05-30-2017, 05:09 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by msan View Post
FYI for anyone who needs a new key.

So I bought my car used and it only came with one key. Called up a dealer and they wanted $460 for the key and $200 for programming.

Made me look online for better options. Turns out in the state of California we have a law that states car companies must provide for keys within 24 hours. So I called the BMW 800 number (1-888-575-5397) and ordered a key. Was $270 after tax and delivered to the dealer of my choice. The key worked in the ignition slot for initiation which I did myself new key would now unlock/lock doors and start the car when in the ignition slot). Called Alex at Alpine and he coded comfort access for $25.

So all together I got a new comfort access key for $295.
Did the key come as:
* Just the FOB?
* FOB plus blank key blade?
* FOB plus cut key blade to fit your cyl lock?
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      05-30-2017, 05:39 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fazman View Post
Did the key come as:
* Just the FOB?
* FOB plus blank key blade?
* FOB plus cut key blade to fit your cyl lock?
FOB and cut key that work in my cylinder
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      05-30-2017, 06:08 PM   #4
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Good to know.

I have 2 keys for my car. I have been wanting to have a 3rd as spare.
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      05-30-2017, 06:23 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by msan View Post
FYI for anyone who needs a new key.

So I bought my car used and it only came with one key. Called up a dealer and they wanted $460 for the key and $200 for programming.

Made me look online for better options. Turns out in the state of California we have a law that states car companies must provide for keys within 24 hours. So I called the BMW 800 number (1-888-575-5397) and ordered a key. Was $270 after tax and delivered to the dealer of my choice. The key worked in the ignition slot for initiation which I did myself new key would now unlock/lock doors and start the car when in the ignition slot). Called Alex at Alpine and he coded comfort access for $25.

So all together I got a new comfort access key for $295.
What exactly is the law, kind of hard to figure out what you were trying to say??

I need another key as I have only had one(1) since I bought my car....
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      05-30-2017, 06:45 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IllSic_Design View Post
What exactly is the law, kind of hard to figure out what you were trying to say??

I need another key as I have only had one(1) since I bought my car....
Law is here


https://www.sema.org/sema-enews/2012/40/california-governor-mandates-that-electronic-key-law-be-applied-uniformly
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      05-30-2017, 07:09 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by unrealii View Post
Good to know.

I have 2 keys for my car. I have been wanting to have a 3rd as spare.
If you have comfort access, just know that the car can only have two keys that will work with comfort access at anytime. Part of the programming I had Alex do was removing the old missing key and adding my new key in the CA system. The third key can still lock and unlock and drive the car, but wont have comfort access.
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      05-30-2017, 07:09 PM   #8
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What exactly in the law states that they have to give you the key for $295 instead of the $460
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      05-30-2017, 07:20 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JChiang29 View Post
What exactly in the law states that they have to give you the key for $295 instead of the $460
That's what I was wondering, or what did you say to them? Only thing I saw it states is they have to have someone/a line open 24 hrs a day for someone to be able to request a replacement
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      05-30-2017, 09:48 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JChiang29 View Post
What exactly in the law states that they have to give you the key for $295 instead of the $460
If you call the number you are dealing with BMW corporate. Not a dealer . BMW charged me $250 plus $20 in taxes. So a total of $270 delivered.

The dealer parts counter wanted $460 before tax for a replacement key. I assume this is their markup. I think the msrp on a comfort access key is $250.

So if you call the number you aren't dealing with a dealer and their crazy mark ups.

Normally if there was no law then I'd have to go through the dealer parts counter. But thanks to the law in California we get to deal with BMW corporate.
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      05-31-2017, 12:31 PM   #11
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Damn! Good to know.
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      05-31-2017, 04:00 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by msan View Post
This needs to be made a sticky!
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      05-31-2017, 04:02 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by msan View Post
FOB and cut key that work in my cylinder
Now i know what your key blade should look like... now all i need to do is find your car

just kidding.
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      06-04-2017, 03:10 PM   #14
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is there a deal for non-comfort access keys?
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      06-04-2017, 03:54 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dustz View Post
is there a deal for non-comfort access keys?
The phone number works for all keys for California residents, not just comfort access. With a non comfort access key you won't need any programming. Non comfort access keys might be cheaper even. Report back what you find out.
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      06-06-2017, 09:39 AM   #16
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Can I just buy a factory BMW virgin key from eBay and program it myself? I recently purchased an 06 330i, but only came with one key and it's pretty thrashed. I purchased the car private party. I don't care about comfort access. I don't even know if I have that anyway. But I do know when I physically stick the metal key in the lock cylinder, I can lock doors and close all Windows, mirrors also fold in.
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      02-08-2018, 01:41 PM   #17
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uhmm... I tried calling BMW 800 number (1-888-575-5397) but they cant verified my identity thru the phone and ask me to go to the steallership ... anyone experience this??? I try offer to send them a copy of the registration by fax/mail/email but they wont accept it..??? any other idea??
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      02-08-2018, 05:27 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E90toM3 View Post
uhmm... I tried calling BMW 800 number (1-888-575-5397) but they cant verified my identity thru the phone and ask me to go to the steallership ... anyone experience this??? I try offer to send them a copy of the registration by fax/mail/email but they wont accept it..??? any other idea??
They will never mail you a key. You order through them and they will mail it to the dealer and you go pick it up. Then you go pick it up then you have to prove your identity.

It's been a while but I believe you have to match who they have in their system as the owner.
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      02-08-2018, 06:09 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by msan View Post
They will never mail you a key. You order through them and they will mail it to the dealer and you go pick it up. Then you go pick it up then you have to prove your identity.

It's been a while but I believe you have to match who they have in their system as the owner.
I didnt ask for the key to mail to me. I just want to place an order and they wont let me..but instead send me to the dealer and order the key there
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      02-09-2018, 02:40 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E90toM3 View Post
I didnt ask for the key to mail to me. I just want to place an order and they wont let me..but instead send me to the dealer and order the key there
Strange, did they have you as the owner in their system? For me they had the previous owner's name still. Had to change it to mine before ordering.
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      03-02-2018, 10:32 AM   #21
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Quote:
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Strange, did they have you as the owner in their system? For me they had the previous owner's name still. Had to change it to mine before ordering.
maybe that is why.. How do I change the system?
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      03-03-2018, 02:01 AM   #22
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Originally Posted by msan View Post
The key worked in the ignition slot for initiation which I did myself new key would now unlock/lock doors and start the car when in the ignition slot).
I did the same thing and called the 800 number. They mailed me the key and picked up from dealership. Key did not work and car will not recognize it. I called back and 800 number / BMW key group told me I have to get the car to the dealer so the dealer can "sync" it.

Can you please share what you did to make the car recognize the key? I tried several methods I found online and none worked for me. Mine is '07 E93 with CA. Thanks.
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