Always check the dealer first

[Spike]

Today whilst getting some Keys cut for work I enquired about getting a new key cut for the GSA. ( I only got one when I bought the bike)

He had a look at it and said, mmm it is coded (checked it on his machine) and I do not have one in stock but I can order you one but I will need the bike to re code the new one,I said ok how much, he said £60

So gets back to work and phones my local dealer and asked the same question.
They said £71 BUT you get 2 keys as they only come in pairs

So Guess where I will be buying them from and it will not be the bloody key shop.

spike

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

BMW spares price, by and large are very reasonable - however they sometimes throw up a ringer

 

[Pukmeister]

Your dealer will also need your bike to be able to 'pair' each ignition key to the bikes ECU, including your existing key.

Be sure to remind them to block the missing key to prevent it being used to steal your bike in future (unlikely, but if it did happen I doubt your insurers would pay out against a claim). I did this with my bike when I lost my wallet with the plastic bike key plus my address details in it, just in case.

Better still, see if you can trace the whereabouts of your bikes other key (past owner/dealer etc) if possible.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I never needed my 2nd key paired to the bike when I ordered it from the dealer

 

[GibGSA]

I never needed my 2nd key paired to the bike when I ordered it from the dealer

Me niether, and I ordered 1 key, they didn't come as a pair.

Rgds GibGSA

 

[Spike]

Your dealer will also need your bike to be able to 'pair' each ignition key to the bikes ECU, including your existing key.

Be sure to remind them to block the missing key to prevent it being used to steal your bike in future (unlikely, but if it did happen I doubt your insurers would pay out against a claim). I did this with my bike when I lost my wallet with the plastic bike key plus my address details in it, just in case.

Better still, see if you can trace the whereabouts of your bikes other key (past owner/dealer etc) if possible.

Was thinking of getting in touch with the last owner but the shop I bought it from said they only got one key and did ask for second but guy said he did not have it.

Just out of curiosity what is the plastic key for, I got that.

I never needed my 2nd key paired to the bike when I ordered it from the dealer

Both the key cutting shop and the dealer asked for my bike so

Me niether, and I ordered 1 key, they didn't come as a pair.

Rgds GibGSA

I asked for one key but they said they came as a pair but not really bothered as the key I have is a 5 years old and 40K miles of being used so two fresh new ones can not be too bad.

spike

 

[Pukmeister]

The plastic key is a wallet key, easily stowed away for emergency use should you lose the main key.

It also has a microchip inside it.

 

[Spike]

Thanks for that.

spike

 

[skywalker]

The bikes come as standard with 2 metal keys and 1 plastic wallet type key.
When ordering spares proof of ownership would be reqd.
For each bike there's a total of 10 keys available. If a key has been lost or stolen then that key can be barred but the dealer will need all the other current keys held by the owner

 

[seadog]

had a new key cut a while a go at bmw, the only "coding" the key needs is putting in the ignition..... thats it.

3 days after i got the key cut, the shop where i bought the bike with only the one key, suddenly found the other one under their desk!!!!!!!!


cheers
mike

 

[xGSTQ]

I purchased my bike second hand 12 months ago and I was given 1 normal metal key and 1 plastic "emergency" key

The chap told me BMW hold the "spare" 2nd metal key incase you need a replacement cutting, which I thought very odd because surley they dont keep the spare key for every bike they sell... anyway I never questioned it.

So whats the score, do you all get 2 metal keys and the plastic "emergency" key as standard, and ive just been fobbed off !! lmao

Also if I purchased 2 new keys would they also work with the panniers ?

Cheers

 

[Dainese Brave]

I purchased my bike second hand 12 months ago and I was given 1 normal metal key and 1 plastic "emergency" key

The chap told me BMW hold the "spare" 2nd metal key incase you need a replacement cutting, which I thought very odd because surley they dont keep the spare key for every bike they sell... anyway I never questioned it.

So whats the score, do you all get 2 metal keys and the plastic "emergency" key as standard, and ive just been fobbed off !! lmao

Also if I purchased 2 new keys would they also work with the panniers ?

Cheers

When I bought my first Gsa I was told BMW only supplied one key and the plastic one..but the dealer supplied a second one free of charge as only having one key didn't seem practical or ethical.

On my second Gsa I was given two keys and the plastic one and nothing was said.

I'm not sure if it's true or not? But I've heard that BMW Germany keep a copy, or record, of each key so that copies can be made at a later date. I'm not sure if that's fact or not?

I think every new bike should be supplied with two metal keys as standard...the plastic one is a bonus, but not a replacement of a spare in my opinion.

 

[Wapping]

BuMW do not keep copies of keys in the vague expectation of every customer requesting a fresh one. They would need a bloody big key rack to hold them on and an aged retainer (probably wearing traditional Bavarian costume) to find the one single key each time.

What they do is have available a number of blanks, the code of the cutter (the thing that cuts the groove in the key) and the bike's electronic ID, so that each unique key works with just one bike.

They now limit the number of replacement or additional keys allocated to one bike. BuMW Park Lane told me it is seven; I have no reason to doubt them. After that, it's new ECU time and a brand new key.

 

[trebor]

When I bought my first Gsa I was told BMW only supplied one key and the plastic one..but the dealer supplied a second one free of charge .......

On my second Gsa I was given two keys and the plastic one and nothing was said.

+1
Pretty much what I was told in 2006 and 2008. I believe they used to come with two keys many years ago, but at some time prior to 2006 BMW decided one key (+ one plastic one) was sufficient.
In 2006 when I bought my K1200S and in 2008 when I bought my GS I was only provided with one metal key. On each occasion they provided a second key free of charge on request, they didn't need the bike to produce a second one.

When I ordered my GSA in Sept 2010 I asked about a second key and was told they come with two nowadays.

Bob

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

BMW went through a period were they decided that 1 x metal key and 1 x plastic (wallet) key was sufficient. If the owner then complained then the dealer would order a 2nd metal key under the warranty claim system. This was how it was with me back in 2006. The 2nd metal key arrived in the post to my home via the dealer within 7 days, it was already coded and ready for use

 

[xGSTQ]

I just phoned BMW to request a "second" key as I only have 1 and they told me BMW dont hold replacment keys and I would have to pay for a second key

I stated that when I purchased the bike it only came with 1 key and 1 plastic wallet key as an emergency key and that I was told BMW would supply a second key upon request and they said "nope we have never done that, who told you that" lol

bummer

Looks like im going to have to pay if I need a second key

 

[Dainese Brave]

I just phoned BMW to request a "second" key as I only have 1 and they told me BMW dont hold replacment keys and I would have to pay for a second key

I stated that when I purchased the bike it only came with 1 key and 1 plastic wallet key as an emergency key and that I was told BMW would supply a second key upon request and they said "nope we have never done that, who told you that" lol

bummer

Looks like im going to have to pay if I need a second key

It's always easier to get a freebie before you part with the cash...a key to seal a deal is nothing....£50 or whatever a month or so later is just money out of the till.

Having said that, selling a bike with one key is just wrong!......especially as a dim view is taken if you try to sell them a bike with one key!!

 

[Bikerbuk]

The plastic key is a wallet key, easily stowed away for emergency use should you lose the main key.

It also has a microchip inside it.

I wondered what that wee thingy was for!

 

[Mrs C]

Just to clarify the 'free' second key thing.

Q: Did BMW ever supply a free second metal key?
A: Yes, but only for bikes not supplied with two as standard FROM THE FACTORY and only if requested within 3mths of the registration date so at this late date - not a chance.

Q: I've bought my bike new in 2007 and only got one metal key, can I get a free spare one?
A: No, see above.

Q: I've bought a second hand bike with only one metal key, can I get a free spare one from BMW?
A: No, people lose keys all the time and BMW aren't in the habit of replacing them FOC just because someone has lost it. You could ask the previous owner (his address is on the front of the V5C) but chances are, he's lost it which is why you've only got one now.

Q: Does the dealer need my bike to code my new key?
A: Depends - to supply a fully functioning coded key, no they don't. They need the chassis number, and a copy of your V5 and drivers licence (or other proof of address). However, if you want any 'lost' keys blocked then yes, take your bike and all the keys you have to them and they can do that.

Q: Will my new key fit my panniers?
A: Does your existing key fit them? If so, then yes, it will do everything your current key does otherwise, you can code your pannier locks to the key (search for coding pannier locks).

Q: Does BMW have a huge room in Berlin full of keys for all the bikes and cars they every built?
A: Not to my knowledge, no. They may keep it in an underground bunker away from prying eyes though so if anyone has pictures, please share. A bloke in Bracknell cuts them on request to the key and ECU code they keep on file against your chassis number. The key room is surprisingly small (and boring) in reality.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]