Question 1

Are you licensed and insured to work on BMW vehicles?

Accepted Answer

Yes. EZ Car Keyz is licensed through the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, the state agency that regulates automotive locksmiths. We carry full liability insurance. BMW key work at this level involves the immobilizer system and requires the right equipment and credentials, not just a generic key tool. You want someone who has passed the background checks and has proper coverage before they are touching the security system on a vehicle like this. We have both.

Question 2

How do I know you are not a scam locksmith?

Accepted Answer

Ask before they roll. Get the license number, the company name, and a firm written quote for your specific vehicle. Scam operations quote low on the phone and find reasons to inflate the number once they are in your driveway with your car already partially apart.

A 7 Series owner on a BMW forum described exactly that situation: a low phone quote, then heavy pressure on site for a price nearly double, and the key that came out of it barely worked. The fob range was poor and the blade did not fit cleanly.

We give you a firm price for your specific year and model before we leave. We show up in a branded vehicle. The number does not change between the phone and the driveway.

Question 3

Will the replacement key work exactly like my original?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We program the replacement to communicate correctly with the immobilizer for engine start, and we verify all remote functions before we leave your driveway. On a 2012 7 Series, Comfort Access is common at this trim level, so we test that as well. The car gets a full function check, not just a quick start-and-go.

BMW forums have documented cases where locksmiths using the wrong tools damaged the immobilizer module during a key job, and the car had to be towed to a dealer for module replacement. That is an expensive lesson. We use BMW-appropriate tooling and follow the correct sequence for this generation. The job is done right or it does not leave my hands.

Question 4

My 7 Series fob feels like it is working, but the car intermittently shows a key warning and sometimes will not start. What is going on?

Accepted Answer

This is one of the more common complaints from 7 Series owners on BMW forums, and it usually comes down to one of a few things.

First suspect is a battery that is low but not fully dead yet. A fob that is borderline on voltage will work inconsistently, especially in heat. Oxnard summers are mild, but a car sitting in direct sun can affect battery performance in the fob.

Second suspect is the fob casing itself. This generation of fob has a folding emergency blade, and the pivot mechanism and hinge can wear over time. If the blade is not fully seated in the closed position, the fob housing can flex slightly and cause intermittent contact issues with the internal board.

Third, and this one matters on these cars: if the fob has ever been dropped hard, the internal battery contact can develop a slight bend that causes the voltage to cut in and out. The warning on the dash comes and goes because the connection is there most of the time, just not reliably.

Start with a fresh battery seated correctly. If the key warning keeps appearing after that, bring the fob and the car together for a proper diagnosis. Do not ignore an intermittent no-start on a 7 Series. It tends to get worse, not better.

Question 5

Can I use just the emergency blade inside the fob as a spare key?

Accepted Answer

For the door lock, yes. The emergency blade will open the driver door mechanically. That is what it is there for.

For starting the car, no. The blade alone does not start a 2012 7 Series. The immobilizer still needs to see a properly programmed, functioning fob. The blade and the fob are a package. If the fob itself is damaged or lost, you need a replacement fob programmed to the car, not just a cut blade.

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