[gpdriver17]

I bought a 2016 328i on Monday. After I signed all the paperwork and they handed over the fob, they said, "Oh by the way, it doesn't have the actual key. And we lost the other fob." I was so tired I just said fine and took it. But now that I have energy to think about it, and realized they're $600 dollars, I'm kinda pissed.

What would you guys think is fair? Should I have asked about this before buying the car? I just expected it would come with keys. They seemed to do everything else service wise, put new tires on it, etc. Seemed like a solid dealership so i figured they would have 2 or tell me.

[tturedraider]

That’s a hard one. It’s really common for used cars to be sold with only one fob, so it would have been ideal for you to address that concern up front. I do think it’s pretty crappy for them to give you a fob that lacks a physical key. I don’t believe for a minute that they lost the other fob. They probably didn’t have it to begin with.

[chiefneil]

Sounds like crap especially from a dealer as they could have programmed a fresh fob for you - on the spot would have been the best time to call them out on it. You should call them back and see if they’re willing to do that for you now, but knowing that you’ve already signed all the paperwork and accepted the car they’re within their rights to refuse.

[MikeyM4]

Try contacting the management at the dealership and explain the situation. Maybe they can get you the key as a courtesy or at least some type of credit they can give?

[Fliplegend]

Even cars that had 2 keys when they were traded in will often times only be sold with 1 key to the next buyer because moneys. It's one of those things that you need to make sure up front and funny is that when you say it's a deal breaker, most will miraculously find the other key.

[auburnf30x]

Tough one.

Unfortunately, you lost a lot of your bargaining power once you signed. But, I understand. When I bought mine, they had misplaced my temporary tag and had actually put it on someone else’s car. Took forever to find it. I was ready to get the hell out of there whether it had a tag or not.

Still though, I think you do have something to work with here. Coming with only one key is unfortunately somewhat normal these days. But it should be a complete key, especially if it was a BMW dealer that sold it to you. Unless they gave you some kind of discount for it being missing, I would try going back to them and explaining that you’re not comfortable without having the mechanical backup. Being a 2016, the battery could be original and may or may not last much longer.

If it’s a reputable dealer, they ought to replace it on good faith or at least give you some kind of discount on it. I doubt that they would like word to get around that they sell half slapped together, incomplete used cars.

[Psi5]

I'd ask them, politely, to find a second one for you. If you do not ask, the answer will definitely be "no."

That said, the deal is done and you signed the paperwork so unless your state has a "buyer's regret" law and you could threaten to return the car to them, you may be f.o.l (fob outta luck).

[Fliplegend]

Either way I'd invest in a battery tender because if it dies, that's no bueno.

[whatevs]

I had the exact same thing happen to be when I bought my previous car. They didnt mention anything about the key until AFTER all the paper work was signed. I was somehow able to convince them to split the price of the new key with me. Try talking to them to see if they will help you out somehow, but unfortunately you really have no leverage as the paper work is already signed.

[cfm56d7b]

Difficult situation. It all depends on dealer's good will. The right thing to do is of course to satisfy your request.

[gpdriver17]

I should have kept one of the keys for the car I was trading in.

Is there any way to get a reset used one? Or aftermarket?

[Elvisfan]

Originally Posted by gpdriver17

I bought a 2016 328i on Monday. After I signed all the paperwork and they handed over the fob, they said, "Oh by the way, it doesn't have the actual key. And we lost the other fob." I was so tired I just said fine and took it. But now that I have energy to think about it, and realized they're $600 dollars, I'm kinda pissed.

What would you guys think is fair? Should I have asked about this before buying the car? I just expected it would come with keys. They seemed to do everything else service wise, put new tires on it, etc. Seemed like a solid dealership so i figured they would have 2 or tell me.

Of course you should have asked before hand. When I bought a CPO VW, CPO specifically stated 2 fobs. One had messed up buttons. Wouldn’t sign the papers until they promised to order a new working fob. Unless CPO specifies 2 working keys and fobs, you are kind of stuck now.

[jmg]

Call them and tell them they will have to pay for half. They didn't disclose this until after you signed so technically they could be in breech of contract by misrepresenting the car. It's not black and white though, but maybe they will at least pay for half and avoid the trouble. You might have to threaten to return the car though.

[psyki]

Shit dealer. When I bought my 435 I signed a form acknowledging that the price included only the single key they were in possession of and they were not liable for any additional keys. If the sale is complete papers signed I highly doubt they're going to suddenly spring for a new key.

[gpdriver17]

Originally Posted by psyki

Shit dealer. When I bought my 435 I signed a form acknowledging that the price included only the single key they were in possession of and they were not liable for any additional keys. If the sale is complete papers signed I highly doubt they're going to suddenly spring for a new key.

I talked to them today and actually said that. You sign so many papers, one saying they showed you the carfax! Why don't they have one saying, "You understand this car only has one key." So you know, and they know you know. Basically they said they would talk to the general sales manager and get back with me. They offered to pay for the metal insert, I said I wanted a fob.

Has anyone had luck getting a used one reprogrammed?

[BimR]

Originally Posted by gpdriver17

I talked to them today and actually said that. You sign so many papers, one saying they showed you the carfax! Why don't they have one saying, "You understand this car only has one key." So you know, and they know you know. Basically they said they would talk to the general sales manager and get back with me. They offered to pay for the metal insert, I said I wanted a fob.

Has anyone had luck getting a used one reprogrammed?

You can go in circles with used fobs etc or get a new one for $300-$400 from BMW with the metal key that you might actually need. The dealer snuck one by you and hopefully they help out.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by gpdriver17

I bought a 2016 328i on Monday. After I signed all the paperwork and they handed over the fob, they said, "Oh by the way, it doesn't have the actual key. And we lost the other fob."

At that point you should have taken the paperwork, tore it up, and walked away, telling them that you'd sign again if and when they had two fobs, both with the metal key, and you verified that they worked. Too late now. However, your state may have a 30 day 'cooling off' period within which you can rescind the deal. Find out, and if you have that option exercise it unless the dealer comes through.

[gpdriver17]

Originally Posted by BimR

You can go in circles with used fobs etc or get a new one for $300-$400 from BMW with the metal key that you might actually need. The dealer snuck one by you and hopefully they help out.

I wish it was $300-400. I called my local dealer and without hesitation they said, "$600 without programming. Do you want me to look up the programming cost?" I know they can be programmed easily so I can just do that.

[heifetz17]

There may not be much you can do since you already signed the paperwork and took delivery. Do not go in guns a blazing though. Talk to management and be almost overly polite and professional and just talk to them. They'll likely go further to make a polite customer happy than one coming in making demands.

They should at the very least get you a metal key insert and perhaps split the cost of a second fob with you, if nothing else.

[BimR]

Originally Posted by gpdriver17

I wish it was $300-400. I called my local dealer and without hesitation they said, "$600 without programming. Do you want me to look up the programming cost?" I know they can be programmed easily so I can just do that.

That's nuts! I paid $300. Check out Keis. They want $425 for the fob. The fob and key are based on your vin and you just hold the new one up to the steering column. I'm sure if you call around, some dealership will do it cheaper. I had prices ranging from $300 to $600 also!

[chowser51]

unless the dealer wants to be nice, you're screwed.

when i got my f33, it only came with one fob and the sales guy said let me look for it. i waited and they said they would find it and mail it to me. i said take $500 off now or I walk.

they took $500 off.
i drove the car home and after i got the paperwork saying i was the owner with the vin on it, i went to my local bmw dealership and ordered a replacement key. it was like $412.

it came in three days. i went to pick it up and they said you want us to sync/program it? it would be an hour of labor. i laughed, walked out to the car and synced it in seconds myself. there's no programming to do. you buy the key already programmed and cut to your car. that's why they verify ownership with the vin before ordering it.

[WDE82]

Just post a bad review on Google. They deliberately did not tell you about that, I'm sure. Everyone expects to have two keys especially from a dealer. It's not quite lying and you don't really have much leverage, but I think that's pretty lame of them.