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      08-25-2018, 11:59 AM   #1
Beerit
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Programming my own i8 key fob

Hi,

I searched for this question in the forums and was surprised to not find it was asked before. Sorry if it was and I am just using wrong keywords.

I ordered a key for my i8 from BMW USA (was almost half price than ordering from a dealership - their number is 888-575-5397).
It will be delivered to a nearby BMW dealership tomorrow.

However, there is an additional fee at the dealership (approximately $200 in my area, changes from dealership to dealership) just for "programming" the key.
Just to be clear, all the dealerships I called wanted to charge me separately for the key and for the programming, that is how I know the key itself was half price at BMW USA and the programming fee was around $200 across dealerships.
I'm not sure exactly what programming is referred to, if it's just CA or anything else.

My question is, if I get a key directly from BMW USA, can I do my own programming? What is involved in this?

As I said, looked this up here and also Googled it and was surprised to find very little info with regards to i8 specifically.

Last edited by Beerit; 08-25-2018 at 12:03 PM.. Reason: Clarifying a statement to avoid confusion
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      08-25-2018, 04:40 PM   #2
zagaboo
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Is this any good?

https://www.bimmer-tech.net/blog/ite...remote-key-fob
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      08-26-2018, 07:55 AM   #3
rabenoja
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The dealer ordered a key for me and I programmed it myself.

1. Open the car with your working remote.
2. Place working remote out of range.
3. Take new remote and hold it by the key symbol on the steering column.
4. With foot on the brake, press the start button.

That's it. Turn off the car and make sure the keyless entry works.
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      04-14-2021, 06:45 PM   #4
mws
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rabenoja View Post
The dealer ordered a key for me and I programmed it myself.

1. Open the car with your working remote.
2. Place working remote out of range.
3. Take new remote and hold it by the key symbol on the steering column.
4. With foot on the brake, press the start button.

That's it. Turn off the car and make sure the keyless entry works.
thanks very much for this. The dealer did the exact same thing for me. Cut a new hard key to my VIN and also sent me a brand new fob remote. I tried your instructions for programing the fob and they worked. Only thing was: for me I had to follow the entire list of instructions twice, but it worked. Thanks again!
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      04-14-2021, 06:48 PM   #5
mws
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zagaboo View Post
actually, yes, looks like this is the same instructions. Thanks again:

"To do so, hold your new key fob flat against the low key battery indicator on the side of the steering column. Then hold the start/stop button until the 'no key' warning light disappears. Press the start/stop button again to confirm activation was successful.

(this is probably where I screwed up, did not read this one and did not know I had to "hold the start/stop button until the 'no key' warning light disappears")

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."
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