The BMW UUC Digest Volume 3 : Issue 286 : "text" Format Messages in this Issue: Re: <OT> mini key question Re: <OT> mini key question Re: <OT> mini key question Re: <OT> mini key question Re: <OT> mini key question Re: [<OT> mini key question <E46> Auto Trans Fluid Re: <E46> Auto Trans Fluid Re: <E46> Auto Trans Fluid
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 10:47:59 -0400 From: Phil Marx <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: <OT> mini key question Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I think you're confusing the newbies. I assumed you meant 3.0S and that the key is a Pebra blank with the variable drilled holes. I agree with Brett, who also figured out what you were trying to say (or at least his twisted mind jumped to the same conclusion as mine), that your dealer is ripping you off. Of course a lot of this assumes you have the key code because BMW NA most likely won't for a car that old. In fact, the 3.0S may not have even been sold by BMW NA since they only took over from Hoffman in 1975. I've found they really don't have reliable key code records much further back than 1980 or so. Don't despair, just Google "Pebra key" and you'll find resources such as the Sr. Six group and other vintage key sources offering to cut keys from your photocopy for as little as $25. -Phil Alex Cagann wrote: >This isn't completely off topic, since this car is more a less a BMW. I >bought an 03 S and it has only one key. These keys are laser cut and are >basically a BMW key. Now, is there ANY alternative to getting these keys >made cheaper than have the local BMW/Mini dealer do it? They want almost >200 bills for a key for this sucker. Anyone gotten a key for their BMW >anywhere else? I wasn't sure if there was some type of service available, >etc. Probably not, because of the inherent security issue of making these >keys. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 10:55:52 -0400 From: "Dennis Liu" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Cc: "'Phil Marx'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: <OT> mini key question Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hah! Phil, loved your response. But since I can't tell if you're serious or if you're just tweaking Alex, who certainly deserves his fair share (howdy, Alex! ;-) I thought I'd jump in to offer my shot at an interpretation. Alex meant that he bought a 2003 Mini Cooper S, and is looking for a replacement key, methinks. He's irked because the key is $200 (!!), but that, alas, is the going price, as it has a remote transmitter in it to lock and unlock, and probably a built-in RFID thing for security, and it may even be recharging off the car while in use. Still, fascinating to learn more about the history of BMW, so thanks Phil! Vty, --Dennis -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Phil Marx Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006 10:48 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [UUC] <OT> mini key question I think you're confusing the newbies. I assumed you meant 3.0S and that the key is a Pebra blank with the variable drilled holes. I agree with Brett, who also figured out what you were trying to say (or at least his twisted mind jumped to the same conclusion as mine), that your dealer is ripping you off. Of course a lot of this assumes you have the key code because BMW NA most likely won't for a car that old. In fact, the 3.0S may not have even been sold by BMW NA since they only took over from Hoffman in 1975. I've found they really don't have reliable key code records much further back than 1980 or so. Don't despair, just Google "Pebra key" and you'll find resources such as the Sr. Six group and other vintage key sources offering to cut keys from your photocopy for as little as $25. -Phil Alex Cagann wrote: >This isn't completely off topic, since this car is more a less a BMW. I >bought an 03 S and it has only one key. These keys are laser cut and >are basically a BMW key. Now, is there ANY alternative to getting these >keys made cheaper than have the local BMW/Mini dealer do it? They want >almost 200 bills for a key for this sucker. Anyone gotten a key for >their BMW anywhere else? I wasn't sure if there was some type of >service available, etc. Probably not, because of the inherent security >issue of making these keys. Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] __________________________________________________________________________ In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 11:58:38 -0500 From: "Alex Cagann" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "'BMW List'" <[email protected]> Subject: Re: <OT> mini key question Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Thanks DENNIS. Yep, hit the nail on the head. I'll tell you what...I miss the good old days when we could actually fix our own cars, and we could have keys made simply and cheaply. Seems like at least BMW, Benz, and Audi have successfully made it impossible for anyone but the dealer to touch it. I have an Audi A8 right now that I believe is low on transmission fluid. Pop the hood to add some...NOPE. Has to be done with their special pump with the car on a lift from beneath. WTF? Alex > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:bmwuucdigest- > [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dennis Liu > Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006 9:56 AM > To: [email protected] > Cc: 'Phil Marx' > Subject: Re: [UUC] <OT> mini key question > > Hah! Phil, loved your response. But since I can't tell if you're serious > or if you're just tweaking Alex, who certainly deserves his fair share > (howdy, Alex! ;-) I thought I'd jump in to offer my shot at an > interpretation. > > Alex meant that he bought a 2003 Mini Cooper S, and is looking for a > replacement key, methinks. He's irked because the key is $200 (!!), but > that, alas, is the going price, as it has a remote transmitter in it to > lock > and unlock, and probably a built-in RFID thing for security, and it may > even > be recharging off the car while in use. > > Still, fascinating to learn more about the history of BMW, so thanks Phil! > > Vty, > ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 12:14:54 -0400 From: "Ben Keyes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Alex Cagann" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: "BMW List" <[email protected]> Subject: Re: <OT> mini key question Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> what's unusual about that ? you can't fill a manual trans from the top of the car, not surprising that some automatics are the same way. it also depends on how "special" the pump involved is, it might just be a $10 thing you get a Pep Boys or wherever. or it might be something more complicated. there's a reason you can get a 5 year old A8 or 7-series or S-class for 20% (or less) of their $80k sticker prices. Ben Alex wrote: > have an Audi A8 right now that I believe is low on transmission fluid. Pop > the hood to add some...NOPE. Has to be done with their special pump with the > car on a lift from beneath. WTF? ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 09:15:17 -0700 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Subject: Re: <OT> mini key question Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> There was an article in the business section of the local newspaper within the last week about this. Legislation is pending that will require manufacturers to give access to the electronic key codes to licensed locksmiths. With the right equipment, they would be able to code a key chip correctly for the car. This probably works fine with marques that have less sophisticated systems than BMW. But doesn't a new BMW key have to be "introduced" to the car by the dealer's maintenance computer? IIRC, the code changes every time you use the key? So it probably won't help BMW owners that much. Scott Miller GGC BMW CCA P.S. At first, from the subject line, I thought this had to do with small keys. >Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2006 11:06:36 -0400 >From: "Rob Levinson * UUC Motorwerks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: <[email protected]> >Subject: Re: <OT> mini key question >Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Just checked with a local locksmith that I've had good luck with in the past >(crazy Alfa swiss cheese keys, etc.) that I thought could handle it. No >dice. > >- Rob > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Alex Cagann" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: [UUC] <OT> mini key question > > >> This isn't completely off topic, since this car is more a less a BMW. I >> bought an 03 S and it has only one key. These keys are laser cut and are >> basically a BMW key. Now, is there ANY alternative to getting these keys >> made cheaper than have the local BMW/Mini dealer do it? They want almost >> 200 bills for a key for this sucker. Anyone gotten a key for their BMW >> anywhere else? I wasn't sure if there was some type of service available, >> etc. Probably not, because of the inherent security issue of making these >> keys. >> >> Alex Cagann ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 11:37:18 -0400 From: Phil Marx <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [<OT> mini key question Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Of course if you meant MINI key, then I got sidetracked by Rob's Alfa response (not Brett's) and, well, never mind... (thanks, Dennis!) I'm assuming they all have that EWS-II (or later) crap that limits you to a certain number of keys for the life of the car, so you're probably stuck with BMW/MINI for a replacement. Just cutting one from a blank won't cut it; it'll turn but the car won't start. I still think your dealer is ripping you off. -Phil Alex Cagann wrote: >This isn't completely off topic, since this car is more a less a BMW. I >bought an 03 S and it has only one key. These keys are laser cut and are >basically a BMW key. Now, is there ANY alternative to getting these keys >made cheaper than have the local BMW/Mini dealer do it? They want almost >200 bills for a key for this sucker. Anyone gotten a key for their BMW >anywhere else? I wasn't sure if there was some type of service available, >etc. Probably not, because of the inherent security issue of making these >keys. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 10:28:09 -0700 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Subject: <E46> Auto Trans Fluid Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject vehicle: 2000 323CiA - mileage approx. 90,000 A cow-orker had an Inspection II done earlier this week at an independent shop with which I'm not familiar. I told him to expect them to change the transmission and diff lubricants. They changed the diff lube but not the auto trans fluid. I told him the whole story about the "lifetime fill", horror stories about the failure of the transmission in our E34 525iA (with only 107K miles), etc. So he called around and found a shop (either the same one or a different one, not sure) that said they could change the lube, but it was $70 a quart and needed something like 8 quarts. Then the tech called the dealer and, according to the cow-orker, found out that BMW no longer recommends the $70/quart stuff, but something in the $5/quart range (probably Dexron?). Being somewhat confused and wanting to do the right thing, the cow-orker asked me what he should do. I'm still telling him to change the fluid. But I have 2 questions: 1. What lube is BMW now recommending for this car? 2. What is the best lube to use if he wants the transmission to last a long time? TIA, Scott Miller GGC BMW CCA ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 14:30:00 -0400 From: KMS- Brett Anderson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: <E46> Auto Trans Fluid Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> There never has been a $70/quart fluid. The price varies from about $4/qt (Dexron III) to about $26/litre for the Esso fluid in the 5HP30. The 323 probably uses Texaco, which is about $7/litre. The part number of the required fluid is on a sticker on the trans pan. Brett Anderson KMS [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Subject vehicle: 2000 323CiA - mileage approx. 90,000 > > A cow-orker had an Inspection II done earlier this week at an independent > shop with which I'm not familiar. I told him to expect them > to change the transmission and diff lubricants. They changed the diff lube > but not the auto trans fluid. I told him the whole story about the > "lifetime fill", horror stories about the failure of the transmission in > our E34 525iA (with only 107K miles), etc. So he called around and found a > shop (either the same one or a different one, not sure) that said they > could change the lube, but it was $70 a quart and needed something like 8 > quarts. Then the tech called the dealer and, according to the cow-orker, > found out that BMW no longer recommends the $70/quart stuff, but something > in the $5/quart range (probably Dexron?). > > Being somewhat confused and wanting to do the right thing, the cow-orker > asked me what he should do. I'm still telling him to change the fluid. > But I have 2 questions: > > 1. What lube is BMW now recommending for this car? > > 2. What is the best lube to use if he wants the transmission to last a > long time? ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 11:33:04 -0700 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: KMS- Brett Anderson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: <E46> Auto Trans Fluid Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Thanks Brett, I appreciate your detailed response. Was the $70/quart in some other transmission? Or it never existed for any BMW? Scott KMS- Brett Anderson <[EMAIL PROTECTED] To sport.com> [EMAIL PROTECTED] cc 10/13/2006 11:30 [email protected] AM Subject Re: [UUC] <E46> Auto Trans Fluid There never has been a $70/quart fluid. The price varies from about $4/qt (Dexron III) to about $26/litre for the Esso fluid in the 5HP30. The 323 probably uses Texaco, which is about $7/litre. The part number of the required fluid is on a sticker on the trans pan. Brett Anderson KMS [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Subject vehicle: 2000 323CiA - mileage approx. 90,000 > > A cow-orker had an Inspection II done earlier this week at an independent > shop with which I'm not familiar. I told him to expect them > to change the transmission and diff lubricants. They changed the diff lube > but not the auto trans fluid. I told him the whole story about the > "lifetime fill", horror stories about the failure of the transmission in > our E34 525iA (with only 107K miles), etc. So he called around and found a > shop (either the same one or a different one, not sure) that said they > could change the lube, but it was $70 a quart and needed something like 8 > quarts. Then the tech called the dealer and, according to the cow-orker, > found out that BMW no longer recommends the $70/quart stuff, but something > in the $5/quart range (probably Dexron?). > > Being somewhat confused and wanting to do the right thing, the cow-orker > asked me what he should do. I'm still telling him to change the fluid. > But I have 2 questions: > > 1. What lube is BMW now recommending for this car? > > 2. What is the best lube to use if he wants the transmission to last a > long time? ------------------------------ End of [bmwuucdigest] digest(9 messages) **********
