Spare key for E39 540i

[carlito]

Hi all,

New owner who just got back into the BMW ownership after a few months with another car.

1997 E39 540i sport in Biarritz blue.

Car only came with one key so I need to order another one asap. rang around a few dealers today and am being qouted £80 for the key + a programming fee of about £60!

anyone know where I could get a better price as this seems alot.

I live in london but am willing to travel in and around if it saves a bit on the price of the key.

Thanks in advance.

>> Edited by carlito on Friday 8th July 17:38

[RobbieM-Evo]

Could you post the outcome of this as Im in the same situ

Regards
Rob

[fixedwheelnut]

Thats about right for the key, to programme the remote side of the key;
1/ sit in the car doors all shut.
2/ Briefly switch the ignition on and off
3/within 15 seconds of 2 press and hold down the unlock button, still holding this down press the lock button three times and release unlock button, the car should acknowledge this by locking and unlocking the doors.
4/ repeat step 3 for any remaining keys within 15 seconds of each other.

The price you were quoted may have included accessing the ews immobiliser control unit to determine the keys present and switch off any missing keys so they can no longer start the car, it's worth doing if you don't know who has the missing keys.

[carlito]

Thanks for the advice FWN.