My friend's girlfriend's keyfob for her '04 325 died and he cannot figure out how the open it up to change the battery. Can any E46 owner chime in? Thanks!

Isn't that one supposed to recharge while in the ignition?

Jeff,

The key recharges everytime you drive the car. The key should be used constantly for a year then use the spare for a year and keep doing that for the length that you own the car. If the key is completely dead I would think that you would have to order a new key from Germany.

thanks guys, I'll send him the link to this thread.

Yea.... it recharges.
I don't think you need to order it all the way from Germany though.
Within 2 weeks of buying my M3... I lost one of my keys and getting that replaced didn't take too long.

Had a real nice and expensive Mont Blanc carbon fiber key fob on it too. :(

My friend's girlfriend's keyfob for her '04 325 died and he cannot figure out how the open it up to change the battery. Can any E46 owner chime in? Thanks!

If it was working well and suddenly died, and she's still using it and it isn't recharging, there's a test to re-link it and see if it is dead or not.

From memory: while in the car, turn the ignition to the position just before "start" and off again. withdraw the key. holding down the door unlock button, click the lock button 5 times.

If the doors lock and unlock, the key has been re-linked to the car, if not, time for a new key.

Guess how I know this.

My original 03 vintage key just died. :(

I don't think you need to order it all the way from Germany though.


You can order it from as close as 777 Kapiolani Blvd. A good time to go in would be at 5:45pm, next Tuesday, so Flex can "persuade" them to join the club, go on a drive, etc.

Their SA will ask for driver's license and registration before submitting the order for a dupe key.

Even if the SA knows them and their pet's names and has them on speed dial, the info goes to BMW NA apparently, to prevent strangers, ex-spouses, etc., ordering keys. CYA, i guess.

New key is going to run you a little over $200. :(

There's a thread on E46fanatics on how to replace the battery. :)

MB lost a key for the 330 they ended up ordering the key thru BMW who had to get it from Germany.

You can order it from as close as 777 Kapiolani Blvd. A good time to go in would be at 5:45pm, next Tuesday, so Flex can "persuade" them to join the club, go on a drive, etc.

Their SA will ask for driver's license and registration before submitting the order for a dupe key.

Even if the SA knows them and their pet's names and has them on speed dial, the info goes to BMW NA apparently, to prevent strangers, ex-spouses, etc., ordering keys. CYA, i guess.

Well... I ordered it straight from the part dept rather than from the SA...
But yea... they need your ID info to place the order.
I didn't get my key for anywhere close to $200 though. :)

thanks for all the info guys!