Lost my only key for my BMW 318is - what to do?

ottostreet

Well! Parked my BMW 318is in Drogheda today to do some work. Did my work, returned to my car. Alas! I've lost my key! My only key.. What are my options? Rang a locksmith and he said I'll have to get in touch with BMW to make a new key up. Get it towed etc. Big money for a car worth only about 4-5000 euro when perfect (which this isnt) NCT out etc. Can anyone give me a rough estimate as to what it would cost to..

1. Get my car unlocked, bypassing alarm?
2. Get it towed to nearest dealer (which I believe is in Kells?)
3. Get the replacement key made up.

All the while this is going on , I'm not from Drogheda or anywhere NEAR it..

CharlieCroker

lousy. happened me a few years ago with a 3 series.
new key is about €100 if its got a chip, only about €30 without
the dealer shouldn't need the car, just ID, the logbook with the chassis no. normally takes about a week.
Not sure about the towing costs

unkel

Changed the thread title to something a bit more, eh, appropriate...

ottostreet

unkel wrote: »

Changed the thread title to something a bit more, eh, appropriate...

sorry unkel...noted

EPM

uncle did something similar couple of months back. Had to get a merc towed from shannon to cork so including that about 600 squid is what it set him back...oh and when it is in for the new key get two! Very irritating i know...

ottostreet

CharlieCroker wrote: »

lousy. happened me a few years ago with a 3 series.
new key is about €100 if its got a chip, only about €30 without
the dealer shouldn't need the car, just ID, the logbook with the chassis no. normally takes about a week.
Not sure about the towing costs

thats great news...hopefully thats all it'll take. I'm only going on hearsay of a few people and the locksmith at the moment which is why I'm so annoyed. If its that little cost, then thats brilliant..just get it unlocked by the locksmith and sort the alarm later.

Fishtits

Been there, get your vehicle docs together, visit your local Dealer, vor,(vehicle off road) MAX 48HRS new key arrives, none of the VW reprogramme everything ****e, collect your key & drive away.

That was my experience.

CharlieCroker

ottostreet wrote: »

thats great news...hopefully thats all it'll take. I'm only going on hearsay of a few people and the locksmith at the moment which is why I'm so annoyed. If its that little cost, then thats brilliant..just get it unlocked by the locksmith and sort the alarm later.

What year is it??

ottostreet

CharlieCroker wrote: »

What year is it??

1999

CharlieCroker

PM sent. try and get a key from the dealer first though.

EPM

Fishtits wrote: »

Been there, get your vehicle docs together, visit your local Dealer, vor,(vehicle off road) MAX 48HRS new key arrives, none of the VW reprogramme everything ****e, collect your key & drive away.

That was my experience.

Thats something i forgot to mention. Make sure all your vehicle docs are in order. Dealer will want all these when ordering the key as a security measure. Try with some local independent garages to see if they can do it cheaper than a main dealer. Every little helps...

rebel.ranter

EPM wrote: »

Thats something i forgot to mention. Make sure all your vehicle docs are in order. Dealer will want all these when ordering the key as a security measure. Try with some local independent garages to see if they can do it cheaper than a main dealer. Every little helps...

You are actually best off going to the main dealer in this case. Quote the VIN number & they will have a key for you by Wednesday at the latest.
Did your key have the three buttons on it like this one?

http://cgi.ebay.ie/BMW-E38-E39-3-5-7-SERIES-REMOTE-ALARM-KEY-FOB_W0QQitemZ220344325232QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item220344325232

If so they key is around €150

The reason I say go to the dealer for this is at least you will be fairly sure you can start the car as it will have the correct EWS chip. There are locksmiths that have invested in the equipment to clone keys but they ma not be able to make one with out an original.

What is it with people only having one key for their car?

Last Friday I had to break into my neighbour's Micra (2nd time in 3 years) cos she had locked her only key in the car! And her key is pre-chip days!

EPM

very good point as you need it going soon. but there are specialists that can do it too. My uncle-believe it or not-found Turners Cross motors to be cheapest at the time but since got late quotes saving 150 way...if only they checked their mail sooner! Seriously though, while they are at it i cant say it enough-GET TWO KEYS!

ottostreet

No.The key is a blank one...no buttons or anything, just marked BMW. There is a seperate alarm fob belonging to the after-market alarm on it (Meta Systems alarm). Not too bothered about the alarm or anything right now cos the car is safe where it is and would normally be parked in locked enclosures. Just want the replacement key right now! Gonna get the locksmith to get me into the car today and disable the alarm, cos all my vehicle documents and my djing stuff is in the car, and I have to gig tonight!

vectra

Phone someone from Knocknaheeny.
They will open it and start it in no time for you

harveydent

Did you get sorted?
What did it cost and how long did it take?

ottostreet

got my car back there on saturday! alarm kept going off but got the car home and stripped it til i found the alarm brain and ripped it out. car was fine for a few days but head gasket went on it today. yay! not having a good run at the moment am i?