2000 BMW 3 Series Key Replacement

The 2000–2005 3 Series uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the BMW 3 Series key guide.

2000 BMW 3 Series: key facts

Key type: Remote-head key
Push-to-start: No
Transponder chip: ID44 (PCF7935)
Programming: EEPROM
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

EWS system: new keys are originated from the EWS module data on the bench (AK90/Abrites EWS3-class tools) or ordered pre-cut by VIN — all-keys-lost is routine specialist work, no working key needed.

What kind of key does a 2000 BMW 3 Series use?

The 2000 3 Series is not a push-to-start car. It uses a remote-head key: a metal blade with a plastic head that holds the remote buttons and a transponder chip. The chip is the ID44 family (PCF7935), and that detail has been verified against more than one hardware reference. There is also a mechanical backup key, so the car can still be opened and driven by the blade and chip even when the remote side has stopped working.

The car also uses BMW's EWS immobilizer. In plain terms, the key has to be recognized by the EWS module before the engine will crank. A key that only fits the lock will turn the ignition but will not start the car.

Most calls we hear about this model fall into three groups:

A dead rechargeable remote battery. The buttons stop working, but the chip still starts the car, so this is a remote problem and not a lost-key problem.
Worn key blades and cracked key shells. Years of use wear the blade, and the plastic head can split open.
An EWS no-start, where the key turns but the engine does not crank. This can come from a sync fault between the key and the module.

Spare key or all keys lost: how does it work on this car?

If you still have one working key, making another is straightforward, and the original key is not required for the process. If you have no keys at all, that is still possible. On this setup, all-keys-lost is routine specialist work. We do not need a working key to start.

The reason is how the EWS system stores its data. New keys are originated from the EWS module data on the bench, using EWS-class tools such as AK90 or Abrites. The other route is ordering a blade pre-cut by VIN. Programming is done through the module's EEPROM data. It does not require NASTF/SDRM access.

You call (213) 577-1366 and tell us the year, model and whether you have any key left.
We confirm the VIN so we can match the correct blade and remote hardware to your car.
We either cut the blade by VIN or originate the key from the EWS module data, depending on your situation.
We program the new key's ID44 chip so the EWS module accepts it, then check the lock, ignition, start and remote functions.
If the old remote only needed a battery or a new shell, we say so and fix that instead of selling you a whole new key.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

We answer around the clock, every day of the year.

Call (213) 577-1366

What affects the price of a 2000 BMW 3 Series key?

We do not quote numbers on a web page because the job decides the cost, not the model year alone. These are the factors that actually move it:

Whether you have a working key. Copying from a working key is usually the more economical route, while all keys lost involves more bench work.
Whether the problem is the key itself or only the remote battery or shell. A battery or shell repair is lighter-cost than a new key.
Whether the blade needs to be cut by VIN or can be cut from an existing key.
How many keys you want made at once.
Where the car is. Many owners bring it to our Westwood storefront, and others need a mobile van to come to them.
Whether the EWS module shows a sync fault that needs extra diagnosis beyond the key itself.

What do we confirm by VIN?

The core facts for this year are verified: the ID44 chip, the EWS system, and the EEPROM programming method. What varies from car to car is the physical fit. The exact blade profile and the remote shell can differ by build, so we confirm by VIN and in person before cutting or ordering anything. If a particular car turns out to need something different from what is described here, we tell you plainly before work begins.

California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license. Ask any locksmith for it before they start, including us.

Why call Wilshire Lock & Key for this job?

We have been in business since 1987, with a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood and mobile service vans. You deal with one company, not a dispatch middleman who passes your job to a stranger. David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work. Our phone line at (213) 577-1366 is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you want background on the wider model, see the BMW 3 Series key guide or the BMW key overview. For other makes, start at car key replacement. To describe your situation in writing, use the contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Can you make a 2000 BMW 3 Series key if I have lost every key?

Yes. All-keys-lost is routine specialist work for this car. We originate a new key from the EWS module data on the bench, or order a blade pre-cut by VIN. No working key is needed.

Do you need my original key to copy it?

No. The original key is not required. If you have one, it can make the job simpler, but the car can be keyed without it.

My remote buttons stopped working but the car still starts. What is wrong?

Most likely the rechargeable battery in the remote has died. The chip is separate from the buttons, so it still starts the car. We can check whether the battery alone needs attention or the key itself is worn.

What chip does a 2000 BMW 3 Series key have?

It uses an ID44 (PCF7935) transponder chip. Details such as the exact blade and shell for your car we confirm by VIN.

My key turns but the engine will not crank. Is it the key?

It can be. That symptom points to the EWS immobilizer, often a sync fault between the key and the module. We check the key and the module before deciding what needs replacing.

Is this a push-to-start car?

No. The 2000 3 Series uses a remote-head key with a mechanical blade that goes into the ignition.

Can I have a new key made without towing the car to a dealer?

For this setup, our specialists handle the work with bench tools or a VIN-cut blade, and our mobile vans can come to you. Call (213) 577-1366 and we will tell you what applies to your car.

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Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.

Last updated 2026-10-11.