Keys are under warranty

HaiDef · 12-16-2010, 12:29 PM

After months of having two keys with the range of litterally 1 ft, I decided to give my SA a call and ask if they were covered under warranty instead of spending a hundred or two on a replacement. He set me up with an appointment and a loaner car while they order keys and fix my cupholder again.

I remember reading in some other posts about replacing keys, so just thought Id give yall a heads up that keys should be covered.

Swashplate · 12-16-2010, 12:31 PM

My keys have a terrible range too. What is supposed to be the standard?

HOG4DNR · 12-16-2010, 12:47 PM

What is the range supposed to be? This is my 3rd BMW and the range sucks compared to other brands. The Jeep I just sold seemed to have a range of 2 blocks plus.

jumpthewire · 12-16-2010, 12:49 PM

+1 range is VERY disappointing

Swashplate · 12-16-2010, 01:10 PM

I can't get it to lock unless i point the key at a window. And on top of that I can be farther than 5 feet away...

VinnieAces · 12-16-2010, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBroker

I can't get it to lock unless i point the key at a window. And on top of that I can be farther than 5 feet away...

WOW u get 5 feet? I literaly have to be next to my car...

Huz-Z · 12-16-2010, 01:22 PM

20 feet for me, at least. I routinely make sure my car, parked in the front driveway of my house, is locked every night before bed by locking 'er up using the remote key from the front porch.

r4gs · 12-16-2010, 01:55 PM

^+1. both my original keys have pretty decent range (about 20 feet as well) but have to agree on it being a short range overall as compared with other cars.

dazed^ · 12-16-2010, 02:30 PM

You can extend the range by holding the key against your chin. Your head will somehow amplify the signal by quite a bit.

You'll look a bit bit foolish, but it's not a joke, try it out.

SCHMOUPE · 12-16-2010, 02:45 PM

i do have to say the range is pretty crappy but I also noticed something else. Whenever I drove my car to a particular town (Hoboken, for those from the area, the town across from Manhattan in NJ), the remote would not work. Not from any distance. I would have to physically put the key in the car and turn to lock. This happened at least 4-5 times. Anyone ever experienced something as odd as this?

azadian2b · 12-16-2010, 02:54 PM

Chin trick for me too. I can usually get 20-30 feet.

HaiDef · 12-16-2010, 02:56 PM

Hmm, I hope they replace my keys now seeing that all of you have the exact same problem im having. When i first got my car, I could at least unlock the car at least 15 feet away using the chin technique. Now sometimes i have to stick the key in the key hole to unlock my car.

When i drive the 328 loaner cars, the remotes work like 30 feet away

r4gs · 12-16-2010, 05:00 PM

from what i understand, the keys themselves are recharged every time they're used in the ignition. would it be a good idea to rotate the use of each key to prevent the battery from losing its ability to hold a charge?

RBull · 12-16-2010, 05:32 PM

^You're right about charging the key. Unfortunately a well charged key doesn't seem to improve the range, at least in my case.

Shipkiller · 12-16-2010, 05:59 PM

This topic gets started about every nine months or so...

Must be a slow day at work for everyone...

Swashplate · 12-16-2010, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shipkiller

This topic gets started about every nine months or so...

Must be a slow day at work for everyone...

HAHAHAHAHAHA

12-16-2010, 12:29 PM	#1
HaiDef Lieutenant 24 Rep 416 Posts Drives: M240i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Houston iTrader: (2)	Keys are under warranty After months of having two keys with the range of litterally 1 ft, I decided to give my SA a call and ask if they were covered under warranty instead of spending a hundred or two on a replacement. He set me up with an appointment and a loaner car while they order keys and fix my cupholder again. I remember reading in some other posts about replacing keys, so just thought Id give yall a heads up that keys should be covered.
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12-16-2010, 12:31 PM	#2
Swashplate Major 111 Rep 1,351 Posts Drives: in Anger. Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Newcastle, WA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2009 Mercedes ML320 ... [0.00] 2013 BMW M5 [0.00] 2007 BMW M Coupe' [0.00]	My keys have a terrible range too. What is supposed to be the standard? __________________ Gone (2006 STI, 2008 EVO MR, 1968 Mustang) AFE Intake/Euro Cats/CSL Headers/Sportline CSL/H&R Springs 1217/1815 !!! BOILER UP !!!
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12-16-2010, 12:47 PM	#3
HOG4DNR Second Lieutenant 37 Rep 243 Posts Drives: 2014 M235i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pompano Beach, FL iTrader: (5)	What is the range supposed to be? This is my 3rd BMW and the range sucks compared to other brands. The Jeep I just sold seemed to have a range of 2 blocks plus. __________________ 2008 Z4MC #1786/1815 "The Last IB w/ Extended Leather Made" Gone but Not Forgotten 2014 M235i E.Blue Mods in Progress
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12-16-2010, 12:49 PM	#4
jumpthewire First Lieutenant 26 Rep 316 Posts Drives: 2007 silver/grey Z4 3.0si Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	+1 range is VERY disappointing
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12-16-2010, 01:10 PM	#5
Swashplate Major 111 Rep 1,351 Posts Drives: in Anger. Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Newcastle, WA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2009 Mercedes ML320 ... [0.00] 2013 BMW M5 [0.00] 2007 BMW M Coupe' [0.00]	I can't get it to lock unless i point the key at a window. And on top of that I can be farther than 5 feet away... __________________ Gone (2006 STI, 2008 EVO MR, 1968 Mustang) AFE Intake/Euro Cats/CSL Headers/Sportline CSL/H&R Springs 1217/1815 !!! BOILER UP !!!
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12-16-2010, 01:22 PM	#7
Huz-Z Brigadier General 851 Rep 4,057 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0si, 328 XDrive, X5 35i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	20 feet for me, at least. I routinely make sure my car, parked in the front driveway of my house, is locked every night before bed by locking 'er up using the remote key from the front porch. __________________ Huz-Z BMW Z4 3.0si Roadster. Montego Blue Metallic. Premium and Sport Package.
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12-16-2010, 01:55 PM	#8
r4gs Viper Driver 36 Rep 1,311 Posts Drives: F-16 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Singapore iTrader: (2)	^+1. both my original keys have pretty decent range (about 20 feet as well) but have to agree on it being a short range overall as compared with other cars.
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12-16-2010, 02:30 PM	#9
dazed^ Private First Class 4 Rep 174 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 M Roadster Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Netherlands iTrader: (0)	You can extend the range by holding the key against your chin. Your head will somehow amplify the signal by quite a bit. You'll look a bit bit foolish, but it's not a joke, try it out.
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12-16-2010, 02:45 PM	#10
SCHMOUPE Lieutenant Colonel 127 Rep 1,772 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4M Coupe Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NJ iTrader: (7) Garage List 2007 Z4M Coupe [0.00]	i do have to say the range is pretty crappy but I also noticed something else. Whenever I drove my car to a particular town (Hoboken, for those from the area, the town across from Manhattan in NJ), the remote would not work. Not from any distance. I would have to physically put the key in the car and turn to lock. This happened at least 4-5 times. Anyone ever experienced something as odd as this? __________________ Gruppe M CAI / Euro Headers / Rogue Engineering X-pipe / RE Diablo Exhaust
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12-16-2010, 02:54 PM	#11
azadian2b Private First Class 6 Rep 102 Posts Drives: Z4MC Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Richmond, VA iTrader: (0)	Chin trick for me too. I can usually get 20-30 feet.
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12-16-2010, 02:56 PM	#12
HaiDef Lieutenant 24 Rep 416 Posts Drives: M240i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Houston iTrader: (2)	Hmm, I hope they replace my keys now seeing that all of you have the exact same problem im having. When i first got my car, I could at least unlock the car at least 15 feet away using the chin technique. Now sometimes i have to stick the key in the key hole to unlock my car. When i drive the 328 loaner cars, the remotes work like 30 feet away
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12-16-2010, 05:00 PM	#13
r4gs Viper Driver 36 Rep 1,311 Posts Drives: F-16 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Singapore iTrader: (2)	from what i understand, the keys themselves are recharged every time they're used in the ignition. would it be a good idea to rotate the use of each key to prevent the battery from losing its ability to hold a charge?
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12-16-2010, 05:32 PM	#14
RBull Captain 12 Rep 725 Posts Drives: 2007 M Coupe Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Nova Scotia iTrader: (0)	^You're right about charging the key. Unfortunately a well charged key doesn't seem to improve the range, at least in my case.
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12-16-2010, 05:59 PM	#15
Shipkiller Colonel 187 Rep 2,138 Posts Drives: Me Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Virginia Beach iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 BMW Z4M Coupe [8.50] 2003 BMW Z4 Roadster [8.33]	This topic gets started about every nine months or so... Must be a slow day at work for everyone...
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