E39 - Key Units and Replacements

On purchasing my BM from the dealersIn July 2014, I asked how many keys it had, unfortunately it only had one and the salesman did say the car had only arrived in the last few days and he was still sorting them out, as the key didn't seem to be programmed and would only open the doors manually, not the greatest of starts. However looking over the car and a test drive, it did run smoothly, gears shifted well, clutch was sharp and the engine was sweet music to my ears.
Checking externally, there were a few little problems, i.e. a little rust here and there, nothing untowards and could be fixed, tyres were a little worn as indicated on the MOT. (MOT, yeh, right!)

The original key was a slight problem as it was sticky-taped together

The problem with the key was it required programming and tidying up, an easy task if you know what you are doing, however I didn't, I puchased a couple of blanks with cases (identical) for around £8 eBay and then went to get the blades cut. Not so easy, as many locksmiths refused to cut them and directed me to the main BMW dealers. With all honesty, there was one, however, it was their first time for cutting BMW keys and, (hopefully the last) the key cut was not good, obviously it didn't work and to my desperate disappointment, (Good in one way, bad in another). To rub salt into the wound during a cleaning session of the car interior, I had the original key on the driver's seat and accidently kicked it outside the car door as I was, reaching down into one of the crevices, clean, clean, clean...didn't seem a problem until I heard the splash, Yep! Straight down the storm drain.
Now why didn't I put the key in my pocket? I usually do! Spent the rest of the day fishing for it. I ended up chipping the tar from the road away from the cast Iron grid to open the grid. I borrowed an old garden tradditional rake from a helpful neighbour, this proved the ideal tool to recover the key, after trying an array of other objects (I also owe the neigbour a flour sieve with a handle). at this point soggy, but recovered and the key could be used manually.Over the next few days drying out and trying to get the electronics to work and at this point no luck from the internet into the method of programming, I had to conceed to the fact of having to go to the main deelers. The bill was for one multi-function key shipped from Germany and one plastic spare general key (BMW Dealers £179.50 including programming). Not a good day!

After a couple of weeks I eventually found the information on programming the key on the internet (YouTube). The information seems more accessible in the USA and there is no problem in getting keys cut as is, in the UK. (Checkout Resources for further Key Programming Information from the Contents page).