What are the best replacement keys for an e34?

[genphreak]

On a 95 540i, what replacement key fobs can be made to work?

Mine do not have the old IR keys- they have a 2 button key like this:
http://www.bimmernut.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8402&stc=1
I believe it is a 315MHz key.

I would like to re-program the car to work with a later e38/e39/e46 315MHz 3-button key like either of these:
http://www.bimmernut.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8403&stc=1
These are nice and small and are only $18 with a transponder chip and PCB inside.

Should it work, I guess the 3rd key (trunk button) won't work as the trunk lock release is not electronically activated on the e34. If it does, that'd be a good mod to do though.

Has anyone changed to these new keys?

[632 Regal]

I believe it is a 315MHz key.
Should it work, I guess the 3rd key (trunk button) won't work as the trunk lock release is not electronically activated on the e34. If it does, that'd be a good mod to do though.

Funny you mention this, I have been thinking mine don't work due to bad wiring. The trunk was definetely electric on the 94. Not so much on the 95. 95 trunk key wont unlock the doors either but it did on the 94. Unlocking the doors does infact unlock and lock the trunk.

These key FOBs you are looking at are quite different than what mine is supposed to have. Mine is not part of the key but a seperate dangly little box. I think I got that knowledge from realoem. The ones I found on ebay were 50 bux for worn out used ones. I'll have to double check realoem. I would be happy to spend 18 bux for a new key deal. How do you program those and where do you get the key lasered?

Looked stuff up, all I can find in regards is the alarm system FOB, nothing about automatically doing anything else... Please lead me in the right direction. http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=HE23-USA---E34-BMW-530i&diagId=65_1029
Car never came with anything but 3 keys, the one with the button has a nifty little light in it and there is a shorty key thats supposed to only open the doors and turn the ignition for valet :(

Then again I could probably just reach over and grab the owners manual. Correction: 'User' manual is showing the 3 button key you posted above. We also have the remote keyless-entry security system manual which specifically shows the nifty extra square box attachment that goes on the key ring. Okay the remote control manual with the 3 button key states 'remote control* but there is no * information following. Picture shows the rearview mirror with some strange thing on the bottom which my car does not have.

I know I have the alarm box under the rear seat, no clue if this is also a remote entry system. Too many variables for my little mind to comprehend. That's enough time spent on this subject for one evening. Might give it a whirl tomorrow if you can shed some light on the subject. I don't fully comprehend the differences on the same year and model cars sent to different areas of the world.

[shogun]

Maybe you have infrared?
http://bmwe32.masscom.net/johan/remote_locking/remote_locking.html
easy to spot if you have the parts in the dash and under the headliner.

Another one http://bmwe32.masscom.net/ivo/remote_install/remote_install.html
And in the U.K. they seem to have this http://www.meeknet.co.uk/E32/Alarm/Index.htm

[632 Regal]

Maybe you have infrared?
http://bmwe32.masscom.net/johan/remote_locking/remote_locking.html
easy to spot if you have the parts in the dash and under the headliner.

Another one http://bmwe32.masscom.net/ivo/remote_install/remote_install.html
And in the U.K. they seem to have this http://www.meeknet.co.uk/E32/Alarm/Index.htm

I don't have the IR receiver anywhere.

[whiskychaser]

Information I have says it is a 125MHz AM signal on EWS 2&3. Doesn't mention what the frequency is for EWS4 though. It suggests you car bar (and presumably allow) keys using DIS. But that's not a lot of use if the frequency is wrong. Just to make matters worse, later models have a rolling code system

[632 Regal]

Information I have says it is a 125MHz AM signal on EWS 2&3. Doesn't mention what the frequency is for EWS4 though. It suggests you car bar (and presumably allow) keys using DIS. But that's not a lot of use if the frequency is wrong. Just to make matters worse, later models have a rolling code system

What I read on the alarm system FOB is you simply put the FOB eprom into the alarm (do some secret stuff I don't remember) and put it back into the FOB. No clue about the key or automatic door locks, different animal uness it is the same animal. So much confusion.

[whiskychaser]

Source of my information on DWA: http://www.e38.org/e32/BMW_pdfs/DWA.pdf

And another one on the EWS : http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/BMW_EWS.pdf

[genphreak]

Jeff I think the US ones are mostly a separate fob, whereas the ones in Australia all had the transmitters integrated into key. When I search on the Internets it is clear that the US ones are (at lease almost) all like this- and have the Alpine module under the seat with the programming box for the fob.

I've since figured out that the key may not be rolling-code so I am going to figure out how to disable the cars locking system and instead rely on a new module that incorporates rolling codes and with any luck, e46 style keys... I'll post more when I have something...