[dino4omega]

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Guys,

Is it possible to buy a new key fob on Ebay then have it programmed/cut at the dealership?

Some are $45/ uncut.....can I program an uncut key; then cut it later?

[Beemer5to3]

As far as I’m aware, all keys must be ordered from BMW now, but happy to be corrected.

[Opie55]

Every thread I've read for every modern car I have owned is the same - the dealer will not, and actually cannot, program an eBay fob. I don't think the dealer actually programs any fob - BMW does. There are urban legends it can be done by some high-level hacker types, if you can find one. But as a general matter, new keys are one thing where the dealer is still generally viewed as the only source.

[Tenac]

Wonder if this still works... I think its a gen old but heck resetting oil and brakes is done the same way still so just maybe... lol

[__AD__]

Remove all keys from the vehicle and make sure they’re out of range. Press start/stop button so that the display says no remote key found. Immediately hold the new fob at the key symbol on the steering column and press start/stop. Press start/stop repeatedly until you see diagnostic mode active. All set.

[vencid78]

You would buy a key from Ebay and own a bmw 8 series? 😉

[Opie55]

Originally Posted by __AD__

Remove all keys from the vehicle and make sure they’re out of range. Press start/stop button so that the display says no remote key found. Immediately hold the new fob at the key symbol on the steering column and press start/stop. Press start/stop repeatedly until you see diagnostic mode active. All set.

Your basis for saying this works for an eBay fob is what?

[Beemer5to3]

Originally Posted by __AD__

Remove all keys from the vehicle and make sure they’re out of range. Press start/stop button so that the display says no remote key found. Immediately hold the new fob at the key symbol on the steering column and press start/stop. Press start/stop repeatedly until you see diagnostic mode active. All set.

This doesn’t work unless the key was originally programmed to the car - otherwise it would be the easiest thing in the world to steal a BMW!

[__AD__]

Apologies. That was from ISTA from a buddy of mine and requires a new key from BMW tied to your vin. I missed the part about eBay keys.

[bloozemanAZ]

Originally Posted by __AD__

Apologies. That was from ISTA from a buddy of mine and requires a new key from BMW tied to your vin. I missed the part about eBay keys.

Yes, as Bimmertech used to sell fobs and digital keys but now they can't and initially had a message posted all fobs have to be sourced from a dealer.

[__AD__]

Originally Posted by bloozemanAZ

Yes, as Bimmertech used to sell fobs and digital keys but now they can't and initially had a message posted all fobs have to be sourced from a dealer.

Apparently there’s an encrypted key tied to your VIN that BMW writes to the key before sending to you.

[Qsilver7]

Dealer…or a seriously world-class professional hacker (which cancels an eBay vendor). As mentioned already…there’s a 128-bit encryption that is written to several modules and also to the transponder inside the remote…that is VIN specific and only known by BMW.

A new remote is made with this stored info…as well as the bladder cut for the mechanical key. The EWS part of the key (start immobilization) is a write once affair to the respective modules…and uses induction to send the communication from the key to the DME & modules/components required to start the vehicle. You could remove the battery from the remote and it can still start the vehicle when you hold it next to the ring antenna in the steering column.

The central locking and comfort access features of the remote is what uses the battery inside the key fob. It powers the transmission of the RF (radio frequency) signal to the aerials around the car that locks/unlocks the vehicle.

If you need an additional or replacement remote..i recommend going through a BMW dealership’s parts dept and ordering one the correct way to cut out the probability of wasting money & time trying to buy a hacked remote.