Salvage title problem

[christiaan]

Recently purchased a 2000 540I wagon with a salvage title and have discovered I am not able to acquire a second key made from the BMW dealer. I will make sure not to loose the key ofcourse but am not sure how long the battery will last in the one key I have. I know it gets recharged from being in the ignition but am still curious if this has a limited lifetime.

Just for your information...knew most of the downside of purchasing a salvaged vehicle but just couldn't resist finding a car built up just the way I would have done myself. Dinan SII pacakage, Beautiful M wheels, every option available installed. It's a great joy to drive, needless to say.

Any comments appreciated/chris

[4-Door Flunky]

Hi, Christiaan-
I do own one vehicle with a salvage title. I bought it for my girlfriend, because I believe the body shop that did the estimate that made the insurance company 'total' the vehicle grossly inflated the estimate.
Apart from some very slight body damage, the car is fine; it's not even out of alignment.
Anyway, I'd never considered the ramifications of what would happen if it were a car that you couldn't get a replacement key except from the dealer. I know Mercedes Benz also requires a dealer visit and proof of ownership to get a key.
And it gets really wild thinking about a powered key that could fail with no replacement available. If the key fails, you might be able to buy an ignition switch from a junkyard, complete with key.
Before I tried that, I'd see if you could open up the key and replace the battery. I've got a cousin who is a technical genius. Find somebody who has ripped apart items like that and replaced batteries. You can probably replace the battery for $5 to $20.
Good luck!
Flunky

[porsch964]

I owned a 540I with S. Tittle I walked into the local BMW with my registration they ordered me a duplicate key and programmed it for my car. If I recalled it cost me $139

[robbie60]

I was in the same boat as you and found this to be the option. The dealer can provide you with new keys, notice is said keys. In order to do this you will also have to buy the entire ignition security module, and have the dealer install it and merge it with the cars computer. This will cost you around a thousand dollars. If you were me you would spend the money, for the piece of mind. I was more fortunate. My car has the nav system and I went to the address book in the system and found an address labeled home. I searched the address via the internet and contacted the homeowner of record of that address and sure enough it was the former owner of My BMW, (2003 530I 17K miles with every option BMW offers $32,500). He still had the other primary key and the valet key and the wallet key. I had all the keys the car came from the factory with in two days. All it cost me was a $100 gift certificate to Nordstroms as a token of my appreciation. Try to locate the former owner. Good luck!

[4-Door Flunky]

Nice going, Robbie! Way to use those research skills!
4DF