Getting a new set of keys for your BMW used to be pretty simple. Just take your key to the watch / jewelry / shoe / etc. repair guy down the street who also happened to offer while-you-wait key cutting, and get a whole bunch made.
Modern remote keys have plenty of security benefits and make it easy to get into your car and hit the road—particularly if your BMW or MINI has the Comfort Access feature. But for all this convenience, they can be a real pain to get copies of.
Maybe you want a spare in case you lose your primary key, or perhaps you share your BMW with a few family members and want everybody to have a key of their own. Maybe your existing key is just damaged, and you need something fresh.
Whatever your situation, BimmerTech makes it easy to get a new genuine remote key for your BMW or MINI.
Ordering a New Remote Key
All our keys and key fobs are BMW/MINI originals, and will look exactly like what you got from the factory. They'll also come pre-programmed for your specific vehicle, to ensure complete compatibility.
You won't have to worry about trying to get to grips with your vehicle's immobilizer, EWS or CAS system. Just pick the appropriate key for your vehicle series—either E Series BMW, F Series BMW or MINI—and we'll do the rest, based on your VIN. We can even offer multifunctional touchscreen key fobs for the latest G Series BMWs, either to replace your existing key fob or to add this feature to your car.
As standard, our keys do not include the internal key blade, which can easily be switched over from your existing key fob. If you're looking for a spare rather than a replacement, you're going to need an internal key blade, which can be added when you order.
Because we can't go handing out keys to just anybody, all customers are required to submit evidence of vehicle ownership before we can provide a new key or key fob. To do so, please email a copy of your vehicle registration document and driver's license with the same name to keyfobs@bimmer-tech.net after you have placed your order.
Activating Your BMW Remote Key Fob
Your key will come pre-programmed for your vehicle, but will still need to be activated before use.
To do so, hold your new key fob flat against the low key battery indicator on the side of the steering column. Then start your car with your existing key fob, and the iDrive system should immediately prompt you to name the profile associated with the new key fob.
If this doesn't work, you may need to take your existing key fob out of signal range when activating your new key, to prevent interference. To do this, unlock your BMW with the existing key, then have somebody take it a reasonable distance from your vehicle. You can then place your new key against the steering column and press the start/stop button.
Activating Your MINI Remote Key
To activate your new remote key in MINIs produced since July 2004, there's a simple process.
With all the doors closed, turn the ignition switch to KL-R (the first position), switch off within five seconds and remove the key.
Within 30 seconds, press and hold the unlock button, then whilst holding it, press the lock button three times within 10 seconds.
Then release both buttons and turn the ignition to KL-R to complete the initialization.
Activating Your Remote Key in BMWs or MINIs with Comfort Access
In E Series BMWs and MINIs with the Comfort Access feature, key fobs activated as described above will only unlock your vehicle when used manually, and cannot be used with the Comfort Access feature.
To activate your new key fob for use with Comfort Access, it is necessary to code your vehicle to delete the existing key profile and set the new key for use with Comfort Access. This can be done at your local BMW/MINI dealership, or we are able to code this for you remotely.
Our touchscreen key fobs for G Series BMWs also require coding, which is included in the price. Contact us for more information.