[Qsilver7]

The misinformation and misunderstanding of BMW remote keys is HUGE.

Like mentioned above...you can't program a "used" BMW remote fob to START another BMW because the EWS encryption is VIN specific and only BMW has the database as to what the encrypted ISN (individual serial number) is. New keys are ordered from a dealership's part department once proof of ownership and VIN info is retrieved...the key is ordered and shipped back to the dealership and given to the owner who purchased it.

The FZV (central locking system) and DWA (anti-theft alarm siren system) are two other features of the remote keys which is independent and operates differently than the EWS (immobilizing) system.

Some BMW models (like the older E series...I'm not sure about the F & G series)...a used remote or another remote can be programmed to lock/unlock and arm/disarm your BMW (if they transmit on the same radio frequency...which is 315 MHz in North America and 433 Mhz in Europe)...but the key still won't start the car.

The EWS transponder chip in the remote key is a write-once chip. So even if you got aftermarket software/hardware that could retrieve the ISN from your DME and EWS control modules...you would have to write that ISN data to a new EWS transponder. I've never seen the inside IC board of the F series remote keys...but if like the old E series diamond shaped remote...the EWS transponder is soldered to the IC board inside the key.