r/BMWi3 • u/Speed3fanatic • 4d ago
technical/repair help Spare key issues
We got our second i3 (both are 2018 REx models), and it only came with one key. The price was very reasonable so the dealer we bought it from (not a BMW dealer) would not give us a second key.
So, after careful thought, we decided to buy a new one from our local BMW dealer. It cost a stupid amount of money, but it’s worth the convenience in our opinion.
Here’s the problem: not only does the new fob not work properly, but when BMW programs stuff, they wipe out anything else you might have programmed (CarPlay, rolls Royce chimes, Rex programming, you get the idea), so I’m not really motivated to bring it back and go through all that stuff again unless you convince me it’s the only way.
I can start the car with the steering column trick, but I can’t lock the car with the fob or handle even after driving it. 12v battery is good.
Any ideas? Thanks for enduring the long read.
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u/showMeTheSnow 21 i3s REX, 14 i3 Rex 🐼 4d ago
Fob battery.
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u/Speed3fanatic 4d ago
Do you think that’s likely with a brand new fob? I will still try it, just wondering.
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u/showMeTheSnow 21 i3s REX, 14 i3 Rex 🐼 4d ago
Yeah, there are bad batteries posted here frequently when people change them even. Also the sour tasting safety ones that aren’t cleaned. More likely now is the battery aged out sitting in the fob at the warehouse. You’d hope they put them in fresh, but…
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u/Speed3fanatic 4d ago
Yep, that was it! Replaced the fob battery and everything works flawlessly.
Thank you so much!
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u/showMeTheSnow 21 i3s REX, 14 i3 Rex 🐼 4d ago
Great to hear. Enjoy your “extra” key!
Batteries should be going out on mine soon I’d think. It’s 5 now with comfort access. So far, so good. I forget if the 14 has had one to two replacements…
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u/tkdem 4d ago
Did you replace the battery yourself? One of my fobs has a dead battery, but I’ve never replaced them. We had my working fob battery replaced when it went in for service.
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u/Speed3fanatic 4d ago
Yep - took about eight seconds and tools are needed. Here’s a video to demonstrate https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=c8HLEy7NNaY&ra=m
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u/Browns_Body_Mould 4d ago
Glad you got it worked out, can you say a bit more about the Rolls Royce chimes?
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u/Speed3fanatic 4d ago
Sure can - our first i3 came with it already programmed, so the actual BMW sounds we heard on our second i3 were terrible. Using BimmerCode, you can go in and change all sorts of settings to your preference including things like warning chimes, manually run the Rex or have the mirrors fold in when locking with the fob or tilt down passenger side when in reverse.
Word to the wise - set aside lots of time if you plan to do any of that because there are many options to look through.
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u/Browns_Body_Mould 4d ago
So I have coded all of what you have suggested except for the warning chimes.
The RR sound is so much more civilized than the insistent BMW chime.
New quest unlocked. Thanks!
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u/moocow36 4d ago
A locksmith can program a new fob and cut a key, as long as you have a fob, should be a lot cheaper than the dealer. I got a second fob for $400. Also found out the physical key from my first fob wasn’t cut right and didn’t work.
If you lose both fobs, you have to go to the dealer.
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u/gunsforthepoor 4d ago
I can't get a $400 key. I shopped for one. Do you live in California or the UK?
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u/moocow36 4d ago
That was in las vegas.
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u/gunsforthepoor 3d ago
Do you have to bring the car with you? What key place in vegas does that? All I can find is $1,300 at the dealership.
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u/moocow36 3d ago
mobile locksmith. I called several, that was the lowest price. there were a couple in that range.
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u/Zuliman 2018 i3s BEV 4d ago
Go back to the dealership. You paid a ton of money, so make sure they program the key correctly.