Looking to replace your high security BMW keys? As a luxury brand, you may be receiving mixed messages about who is able to make replacements and what the process requires.
LAN Locksmith has the answers for BMW owners! And, as a leading auto locksmith in Louisville KY and surrounding areas, we’re here when you’re ready to get your replacement.
If your BMW was made sometime between 1990 and the early 2000s, your car probably uses a transponder chip key. This style of key uses a high security blade with an attached fob at the top. Inside the fob, there is a transponder chip that communicates with your car’s operating system.
Earlier versions of these keys used a standard code that could easily be cloned onto a blank. Later on, car manufacturers started using rolling codes, which change with each use. Either way, transponder chip keys utilize fairly simple programming that can be duplicated by most auto locksmiths.
As car key security and design have advanced, BMW has moved away from transponder chip keys to keyless entry and start fobs. Unlike transponder chip keys, these look like a fob without a key (although there is a physical key housed within the fob in case the fob battery dies).
These devices have a more technologically complex connection to your car’s operating system than a transponder key. As such, they require a specialized programming machine and technical knowledge to duplicate. For this reason, you may find some auto locksmiths who are able to replace transponder chip keys but not modern BMW key fobs.
Both BMW transponder chip keys and later fobs are considered high security, so what does that label actually mean?
When it comes to car keys, high security refers to the blade itself. These types of keys are laser cut by a specialized machine that offers better security. You can tell the difference between a high security key and earlier keys because the cuts will run down the midline of the key blade instead of on the edges.
There are two reasons why BMW keys aren’t something you can replace on your own:
Maybe you’ve called around to a few locksmiths only to learn that they don’t duplicate BMW keys. This is likely because they don’t have the car key programming machine needed to code a blank key to your car. Or, they may have the machine but not the specific software released by BMW. So, they may be able to duplicate some kinds of car keys, but not European brands or luxury models.
In some scenarios, your high security BMW key might not require replacement, but rather repair! Maybe the battery in your fob died or something electrical has been knocked loose inside the casing. In this kind of situation, our auto locksmiths may be able to get your fob in good working condition again to save you the expense of a full replacement.
In the case that you do need a BMW key replacement, you might be wondering how long it will take. Here are a few factors that could help determine the timeline:
Let’s say that you’re having issues with your fob and need a replacement. Can you drive your car to the nearest dealership or auto locksmith to get your keys replaced?
The answer is: probably! Each BMW fob comes with a physical key that you can use to unlock your car. Even if your BMW has a push button start, you should be able to place the fob in the regular position and start the car.
But, if you want to save yourself the hassle of driving out of your way to get your key replacement, call Lan Locksmith! We offer mobile services to all of Louisville and surrounding cities including Memphis, Borden, Crestwood, Hillview, and more.
We’ll come to you with everything we need to cut and reprogram your high security BMW key!
