The 2011–2016 5 Series uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the BMW 5 Series key guide.

2012 BMW 5 Series: key facts

Key type: Smart / proximity key
Push-to-start: Yes
Transponder chip: ID49 (PCF7953P, Hitag Pro)
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

CAS4/CAS4+ car: specialist territory. Add-a-key is possible via OBD with pro tools (VVDI2/Autel/CGDI per tool documentation); all-keys-lost usually means bench-reading the CAS4 module. Not dealer-only, but not a general-purpose-tool job either.

Same key system as the 2011–2016 5 Series

BMW kept the 5 Series's key system unchanged across 2011–2016, so everything about replacing a 2012 key — blanks, programming, and what happens if every key is lost — matches the rest of that run. The full year-by-year breakdown lives in our BMW 5 Series key guide.

What drives the price is the key type, whether you still have a working key, and where the car is parked. There's more on BMW programming in general on our BMW key page.

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

Last updated 2026-10-11.

2012 BMW 5 Series key replacement

2012 BMW 5 Series: key facts

Same key system as the 2011–2016 5 Series

We cover all these cities