2026 x3 Number of Key Fobs

Villegasmeli · 10-02-2025, 10:15 AM

Hi all! I received a new x3 i30 today in Germany (US spec) and only have 1 key fob and a digital card. Is this a new thing going forward on all models to only receive one key fob?

M3Sleeper · 10-02-2025, 10:22 AM

1 Key fob is a joke. I think your dealer needs to provide a second fob.

If that is the case all the BMW's I buy in the future I will tell them give me 2 fobs in the deal.

I like to keep an extra at my house and a physical key for whatever reason.

I always end up using the backup key. I know the card works the same but for whatever reason I like the physical fobs.

W2k · 10-02-2025, 11:06 AM

I got two key fobs and a card with my G60, but all are currently gathering dust in a drawer. Does the X3 not have Digital Key? For me it's been a massive convenience upgrade. If it's an option, I suggest trying it out while keeping the fob/card as a backup, before you spend money on a second fob.

jkoral · 10-02-2025, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sand

many 2026 models are apparently only receiving just ONE key fob.

BMW will be happy to provide you with a second key fob. Just visit your BMW dealer and bring $350 to $450, depending on dealer.

My dealer just quoted me $500 today.

OC40 · 10-02-2025, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkoral

My dealer just quoted me $500 today.

Insert “oof size large” gif here.

DomMuc · 10-03-2025, 05:29 AM

this is us only... in europe cars are delivered with 2 fobs and 1 key card

BryanC84 · 10-03-2025, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DomMuc

this is us only... in europe cars are delivered with 2 fobs and 1 key card

Negative ghostrider.

My i5 G61 only arrived 2 weeks ago with 1 keyfob and a card.
UK.

Janjohn · 10-03-2025, 08:07 AM

Apparently this is the new directive from BMW for the US at least. When we picked up our 2026 X3, the dealer had the tech wizard set it up (to a point…it was now after 5p and traffic was hideous). We were told about the only one fob, but they forgot to include the SetUp card and I could not fully setup the digital keys on the iPhones. Our dealer agreed to split the cost of the extra fob with us because of the extra drive and hassle required.

I don’t know about other bimmer owners in the US, but I’m a lot more likely to drop, damage, lose, or have stolen my phone than my key fob. I carry my fob in my pack or purse and the phone is in my pocket. As mentioned before, it might be because I’m old.

Also, I think the BMW key fobs are cool. Not $500 cool, but cool. Times have changed. I did ask the salesman and the manager after all the paperwork was done if I got a BMW tshirt or mug or hat and they looked at me stunned. When we bought the last BMW in 2013, we got nice fanboy stuff. 2025, nada.

DomMuc · 10-03-2025, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BryanC84

Negative ghostrider.

My i5 G61 only arrived 2 weeks ago with 1 keyfob and a card.
UK.

you are in uk not eu anymore.... :-)

Sand · 10-03-2025, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DomMuc

you are in uk not eu anymore.... :-)

isn't the OP's new X1 in Germany? (with just the 1 key fob provided)

did BMW of Germany release some kind of press release or at least a memo to dealers about new vehicles coming with just 1 key fob starting from this year? seems to me that many dealers are wondering about this?

I was talking with my BMW salesman here in the US. He said they had been contacting BMW(USA) almost every week about this issue and there was no response about cars being delivered to the dealership with 1 or 2 key fobs. Sometimes the same model delivered on the same day off the same truck will have different number of key fobs(one has one, the other one has two).

jkoral · 10-03-2025, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkoral

My dealer just quoted me $500 today.

FWIW, ordered keyfob today ($503.93), order form consists of 3 part numbers:

66-12-5-A40-687 - Keyless Entry Transmitter ($342.36)
51-21-5-A4F-BE5 - Integrated key ($91.36)
51-21-9-883-295 - Frame integrated key ($40.57)

All these prices are above MSRP and worst of all I forgot to ask about a BMW CCA discount.

alex2364 · 10-03-2025, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkoral

FWIW, ordered keyfob today ($503.93), order form consists of 3 part numbers:

66-12-5-A40-687 - Keyless Entry Transmitter ($342.36)
51-21-5-A4F-BE5 - Integrated key ($91.36)
51-21-9-883-295 - Frame integrated key ($40.57)

All these prices are above MSRP and worst of all I forgot to ask about a BMW CCA discount.

What about labor to get the key cut and programmed to the car?

DomMuc · 10-03-2025, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sand

isn't the OP's new X1 in Germany? (with just the 1 key fob provided)

did BMW of Germany release some kind of press release or at least a memo to dealers about new vehicles coming with just 1 key fob starting from this year? seems to me that many dealers are wondering about this?

I was talking with my BMW salesman here in the US. He said they had been contacting BMW(USA) almost every week about this issue and there was no response about cars being delivered to the dealership with 1 or 2 key fobs. Sometimes the same model delivered on the same day off the same truck will have different number of key fobs(one has one, the other one has two).

it´s an us spec car.. does not matter where it is delivered.. 1key 1 card...

jkoral · 10-06-2025, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex2364

What about labor to get the key cut and programmed to the car?

No labor, key comes cut and fob programmed to your VIN. Just requires activation which takes 30 seconds.

Ccdscott · 12-17-2025, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkoral

No labor, key comes cut and fob programmed to your VIN. Just requires activation which takes 30 seconds.

Bumping this thread to inquire about how long did it end up taking to get your key?

My dealer has ordered me one and it has been about 10 days..I understand it’s coming from Germany, so it should be at least a couple of days....

Thanks,

jkoral · 12-18-2025, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ccdscott

Bumping this thread to inquire about how long did it end up taking to get your key?

My dealer has ordered me one and it has been about 10 days..I understand it’s coming from Germany, so it should be at least a couple of days....

My dealer told me 1 business day (if ordered early). I ordered Friday morning and picked up Monday morning.

OC40 · 12-18-2025, 07:05 PM

Seems hit and miss?

Picked up a 2026 m340 almost two weeks ago. It came with two key fobs and a key card.

In the states.

HUGN*RDS · 12-19-2025, 06:43 AM

I had only one fob and dealer advised we need two to activate the virtual key, maybe that’s no longer true? Not sure if they’re delivering with one fob if that limitation is now removed.

DomMuc · 12-19-2025, 07:19 AM

From built month 9/25 onwards..
1 Keyfob, 1 Servicecard, 1 Digital Key "registration"- Card

* only for Servicepack 2021+ and ongoing ( New UWB Keyfobs)

OC40 · 12-19-2025, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DomMuc

From built month 9/25 onwards..
1 Keyfob, 1 Servicecard, 1 Digital Key "registration"- Card

Mine was built in October 2025 and I have two key fobs.

Ccdscott · 12-19-2025, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkoral

My dealer told me 1 business day (if ordered early). I ordered Friday morning and picked up Monday morning.

Wow! It’s almost 2 weeks for mine, they must be cutting the key or doing something extra, even from Germany. Going to hit up my dealer this morning to see what the holdup is. Thanks,

10-02-2025, 10:15 AM	#1
Villegasmeli Registered 4 Rep 1 Posts Drives: X3 2026 Join Date: Oct 2025 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	2026 x3 Number of Key Fobs Hi all! I received a new x3 i30 today in Germany (US spec) and only have 1 key fob and a digital card. Is this a new thing going forward on all models to only receive one key fob?
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10-02-2025, 10:22 AM	#2
M3Sleeper Major 1187 Rep 1,160 Posts Drives: 24' Escalade & 25' M3 Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	1 Key fob is a joke. I think your dealer needs to provide a second fob. If that is the case all the BMW's I buy in the future I will tell them give me 2 fobs in the deal. I like to keep an extra at my house and a physical key for whatever reason. I always end up using the backup key. I know the card works the same but for whatever reason I like the physical fobs.
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10-02-2025, 11:06 AM	#3
W2k Private First Class 661 Rep 168 Posts Drives: 2025 BMW i5 xDrive40 Join Date: Mar 2025 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0)	I got two key fobs and a card with my G60, but all are currently gathering dust in a drawer. Does the X3 not have Digital Key? For me it's been a massive convenience upgrade. If it's an option, I suggest trying it out while keeping the fob/card as a backup, before you spend money on a second fob.
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10-03-2025, 05:29 AM	#6
DomMuc Captain 835 Rep 661 Posts Drives: G87 M2 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Munich iTrader: (0)	this is us only... in europe cars are delivered with 2 fobs and 1 key card
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10-03-2025, 08:07 AM	#8
Janjohn Master Sergeant 254 Rep 294 Posts Drives: 2026 BMW X3 M50 Join Date: Sep 2025 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (0)	Apparently this is the new directive from BMW for the US at least. When we picked up our 2026 X3, the dealer had the tech wizard set it up (to a point…it was now after 5p and traffic was hideous). We were told about the only one fob, but they forgot to include the SetUp card and I could not fully setup the digital keys on the iPhones. Our dealer agreed to split the cost of the extra fob with us because of the extra drive and hassle required. I don’t know about other bimmer owners in the US, but I’m a lot more likely to drop, damage, lose, or have stolen my phone than my key fob. I carry my fob in my pack or purse and the phone is in my pocket. As mentioned before, it might be because I’m old. Also, I think the BMW key fobs are cool. Not $500 cool, but cool. Times have changed. I did ask the salesman and the manager after all the paperwork was done if I got a BMW tshirt or mug or hat and they looked at me stunned. When we bought the last BMW in 2013, we got nice fanboy stuff. 2025, nada.
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12-18-2025, 07:05 PM	#17
OC40 Lieutenant Colonel 1591 Rep 2,180 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2026 BMW M340i xdrive [0.00]	Seems hit and miss? Picked up a 2026 m340 almost two weeks ago. It came with two key fobs and a key card. In the states. Last edited by OC40; 12-18-2025 at 07:22 PM..
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12-19-2025, 06:43 AM	#18
HUGN*RDS New Member 39 Rep 23 Posts Drives: 2009 E90, 2020 F93 Join Date: Apr 2025 Location: Exeter, NH iTrader: (0)	I had only one fob and dealer advised we need two to activate the virtual key, maybe that’s no longer true? Not sure if they’re delivering with one fob if that limitation is now removed.
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12-19-2025, 07:19 AM	#19
DomMuc Captain 835 Rep 661 Posts Drives: G87 M2 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Munich iTrader: (0)	From built month 9/25 onwards.. 1 Keyfob, 1 Servicecard, 1 Digital Key "registration"- Card * only for Servicepack 2021+ and ongoing ( New UWB Keyfobs) Last edited by DomMuc; 12-19-2025 at 10:04 AM..
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