I bought a 99 bmw 328i and a need an extra key, but the dealer wants 180 dollars for it!! who knows better ?

You can't. The key is coded to the car. If you have a locksmith cut one it won't get the car running. That's why I got rid of my BMW. The dealer has you by the gonads and wants them along with an arm and leg for maintenance. Most of their models you can't even get a battery, except from the dealer. It cost me $130 for a battery. I checked everywhere but the battery was only made in Germany for BMW.

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I bought a 99 bmw 328i and a need an extra key, but the dealer wants 180 dollars for it!! who knows better ?

I need to get a spare bmw key but I can't pay what the dealer pretends to rip me off!

Does any one know where can I get some aftermarket spare?

Bmw Spare Key

Unfortunately there is absolutely no way to get an aftermarket spare key - BMW codes the key to the car. That means BMW not the dealer - it is an ordered part that comes in already coded - it is part of the anti-theft system.

Switch dealers. Got a replacement for my 1997 328i for 75$.

Tell the dealer where he can stick his extra key. Sorry, if you want the anti theft system to work right you need to pay him or another dealer $180. You could remove your locks and replace them with something cheap, if you have a knack for that. Write a letter to consumer reports about that , you may get your name in the magazine.

Yes it is true that you will need to get a OEM key. But that doesnt mean it has to be from the dealership. You can buy one off the internet or maybe from a different dealership. The biggest issue would be getting it cut.

BMW only offers a set amount of keys for "your" BMW. That means after you have used up your cars allocation of keys you will need to have your car re-keyed. I believe that they do this for the safe keeping of your car. Dont quote me on this but I beleive you can get up to 6 keys before they wont order anymore for your car.

Now, to get your key and then have it coded to work with your car. Assuming that you have not reached your vehicles alloction of keys you can order one from any dealership. But before buying a blank off of the internet contact a dealership and let them know you have a blank and would like to have them cut it for you. See what they say. You may be able to save yourself $30 bucks. But them is it really worth the trouble of $30 bucks?

As for coding it is actually quite simple. You can do a Google search for the procedure.

Good luck!

Miguel

I've heard of some people that sells blank keys on ebay. Dealers won't cut them because they can't. You need to go to the dealer. $180 sounds average. I've heard of some dealers that charge up to $250.

a spare key for your car would have to come from germany. you cannot get a key cut for your car. you can get a full set of keys (up to 5 keys for a bmw) from a wrecked car and get someone to change all the tumblers in the locks ( this can be done. ive done it. work in a body shop with bmw approval) but you would still have to pay for recoding of keys. sorry but they got you by the short and curlies. drive safe everybody.

BMW is a hi brow car for affulent owners. ... This kind of car needs more money to keep it running smooth And for replacement parts. ... I have a GMC and extra keys are $2 at the lock smith. Maybe you can go to the lock smith and he may have something for your car...