What to Do When You Lose Your BMW Keys BMW cars are expensive and come with sophisticated anti theft technology This makes them hard to steal, but complicates things when you lose your key If you've lost the BMW key, the first step is to call your dealership This might not be the most convenient choice You could think about hiring locksmiths instead 1 Contact the Dealership It's been a long, exhausting day You're just looking to get home and relax in your comfy sweats Take a bite of pizza and binge-watch your favorite show You have to return your keys to your car first that you haven't seen throughout the day You have a few options to choose from in the event that you require a replacement BMW key The first option is to go to the dealership You'll be asked to show proof of ownership and an ID that is valid If you have other keys, they will also require them The dealership will then request the right key for your vehicle and then pair it with your vehicle's computer chip The process can take as long as two weeks and cost you 200 if don't have a spare key Another option is to speak with the locksmith https//wwwthekeylabcouk/bmw-car-keys/ can cut BMW keys at less than what dealerships charge In addition to cutting the blank, a locksmith can also program it into your vehicle This could save you a significant amount of time and money, however, you'll have to locate a reliable professional locksmith If you have a spare key, you may try to use it to unlock your car If you don't have an extra key, you'll have to tow your vehicle to a dealer to replace the lost fob This can be a costly, inconvenient and expensive way to get back on the road unless you have a roadside assistance plan such as Emergency Roadside Service by GEICO A better alternative to visiting an auto dealer is to purchase an uncut BMW key from an online seller This is a less expensive alternative, but you'll have to have it programmed to the specific vehicle by a locksmith or dealer, which can increase the overall price of the replacement If you choose to purchase a blank online, be sure to check the seller's reputation and customer reviews 2 Contact a Locksmith BMW keys and fobs can appear as a minor accessory however they are sophisticated pieces of technology that improve security BMW keys contain transponder chips that transmit an electronic ID unique to the car whenever they are inserted in the ignition, and are programmed to keep personal settings, such as seat and mirror positioning, radio presets, and many other things This level of sophistication makes them incredibly secure and difficult to take however, it also means they are more difficult to replace in the event of damage or loss As such, it is essential to be prepared for this kind of scenario by storing a spare key in a safe location and ensuring you have a reputable locksmith on your phone and knowing the fundamental cost of a replacement key To begin, it is essential to know the type of key and fob you have in your car, as the process of replacing the item will differ based on the unique design of each If you have an old, double-edged key with a keyfob, you can usually get a replacement at the local hardware store for less than 10 However, if you own a modern key fob that requires a specific programming process, then you'll have to visit a locksmith or a dealership to make sure the new fob is set up correctly to your vehicle Before the new key can be made, the locksmith or dealership will need to verify your identity and the ownership of the vehicle to protect against fraud and unauthorized key duplicates This typically requires an original copy of your driver's licence and registration for your vehicle or title It is important to be aware that getting a replacement fob and key could take up to two full weeks For this period, you will not be able to drive in your car As a result it is advised to purchase key protection coverage which will pay for the replacement of keys lost and will provide you with rental car reimbursement in the event of a sudden loss 3 Cut a Blank Key You've been through a long, exhausting day You're just dying to go home, change into your comfy sweatpants and watch your favorite TV show But then you realize that you've lost your car keys It's the most awful feeling you've ever experienced, and can ruin your evening plans There are ways to avoid this problem and make sure you have a spare on hand You can get an uncut, new key made This can be done by the dealership or locksmiths The procedure is quite simple and requires a couple of tools To begin, you'll need to find the key hole on your BMW It's under the trim at the bottom of your door handle Once you've located the keyhole, you can take off the trim panel to expose it The next step is to secure the original and the blank in a vice Then, use a file to shape the blank into a similar form to the original Make sure to file slowly and with care to avoid scraping the original key Once the blank has been cut and shaped, you can place it in a fire to make it black with soot This will to make it easier to discern the transfer marks created by the lock 4 Get a replacement You'll also need to replace the smart key in case your BMW has one also called a proximity key The keys emit an unique electronic code to unlock your car's doors and also start the engine This technology is an excellent security measure to keep your vehicle safe However, it's not perfect - smart keys may still be lost The replacement you get from the dealership can be expensive and they'll need to order a new one The dealer can take up to one week to process and deliver the new key This can increase the cost The good news is that it's not impossible to find an alternative for the BMW key fob You can purchase BMW remote key fobs on the internet and have them delivered right to your door These are often much cheaper than purchasing them from a dealer, and they can save you the hassle of traveling to the dealership to pick up a new key To avoid confusion when purchasing a replacement, make sure that you have your VIN and evidence of ownership Another benefit of buying online BMW key fobs is that they come with a battery This is crucial, as the battery inside a normal key fob will eventually wear out and require replacement If your battery is suffering from an issue, the key fob is likely to stop working entirely, which could be dangerous when you're on the road If you have a government-issued ID and evidence of ownership, you can purchase an additional key fob to your BMW with little trouble It's never fun to lose your keys but losing the BMW key can be especially frustrating It's crucial to be aware of your options when you need to replace a lost BMW key so that you can pick the most appropriate option for your situation In the future, try to be more careful with your car keys so you don't lose them in first place Make sure you check your pockets, your car and other places you aren't likely to keep your keys