BMW M Performance Lettering Logo Key Holder Fob

[Scubaregs]

As some of you know when I first got the car I was unlocking the boot by pressing the key button inadvertently whilst the key fob was in my pocket. So since then I have been keeping the car key out of my pocket when not using the car, which seems alien to me.

Bought this cover from ebay, with an offer of £18. Seller is quite honest in that she states she is unsure if they are genuine or not.
Cannot compare with one known to be genuine, however the quality and packaging leads me to believe they are.

Hoping I can now go back to keeping the key in my pocket without issue.
Only issue is, as the key swivels out, you can't really have other keys on a ring with it.

Ignore the poor quality pics, my camera phone is not the best, the cover itself is unmarked.

 

[ori]

Looks nice! I’ve got on the habit of taking my key out of my pocket at home so it stops transmitting in case they try the relay hack to steal the car.

 

[Ian J]

Looks nice! I’ve got on the habit of taking my key out of my pocket at home so it stops transmitting in case they try the relay hack to steal the car.

Me too as I keep it in a faraday pouch at home

 

[ori]

Looks nice! I’ve got on the habit of taking my key out of my pocket at home so it stops transmitting in case they try the relay hack to steal the car.

Me too as I keep it in a faraday pouch at home

Is that still necessary as the key stops transmitting on its own?

 

[Ian J]

Is that still necessary as the key stops transmitting on its own?

Does it? Ive no idea

 

[q96169we]

Is that still necessary as the key stops transmitting on its own?

Does it? Ive no idea

It is still necessary especially for cars with comfort access or keyless start. The key always listens to a certain radio channel for its id and upon receiving correct id, the key will reply the code to unlock the car. Keyless start uses similar mechanism. So, unless the key isn't working correctly or can't receive any transmission, it will always reply with correct code to unlock the car and start the engine when correct id is received. I previously replicated this mechanism in lab when I was still in university so I'm pretty sure about this.

 

[ori]

[ref]q96169we[/ref], this used to be true, but I believe since 2018 the keys switch off after 5 minutes to prevent exactly such a scenario.
You can test it by putting the key next to car and leaving it for 5 minutes. You’ll see the car won’t respond and unlock until you move the key again.

 

[Argyll Andy]

Bought 2 of these last week in Halfords, half price.

I’m not taking the chance, dealer said when I picked the car up to think about getting a key box to block signal.

 

[q96169we]

[ref]q96169we[/ref], this used to be true, but I believe since 2018 the keys switch off after 5 minutes to prevent exactly such a scenario.
You can test it by putting the key next to car and leaving it for 5 minutes. You’ll see the car won’t respond and unlock until you move the key again.

Maybe that’s true. My experiment was done in about 2014-15 so I agree that things may have changed and I don’t have the equipment now to see how the system works now. However, the other day when I had a conversation with my neighbour, he told me there were some cases where the car is stolen using keyless system. It’s Land Rover instead of bmw though. But anyway, there are still some way to take advantage of the system.

 

[Argyll Andy]

But anyway, there are still some ways to take advantage of the system.

Pretty much what was said to me when I collected the car so when I was in Halfords picking up some cleaning stuff and saw these at £5 each I thought can’t do any harm

 

[q96169we]

Wrapping the key in kitchen foil do the same job. Just tried. I bet the £5 pouch is basically two layers of fabric with a layer of kitchen foil in between.

I have to say I’m having a boring day.

 

[Argyll Andy]

Wrapping the key in kitchen foil do the same job. Just tried. I bet the £5 pouch is basically two layers of fabric with a layer of kitchen foil in between.

I have to say I’m having a boring day.

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Aye but I can take mine out with out looking like I’m chasing the dragon

 

[tiglon]

Buying a £50,000 car and then wrapping the key in tin foil to save a fiver, that would be some questionable logic!

Just think of how much tin foil you'd go through over the course of a year and the environmental impact of that :thumbsdown:

 

[Scubaregs]

Buying a £50,000 car and then wrapping the key in tin foil to save a fiver, that would be some questionable logic!

Just think of how much tin foil you'd go through over the course of a year and the environmental impact of that :thumbsdown:

Erm, you do realise you could use the same piece of tin foil ad nauseum?

 

[ronk]

Tin foil trouser pockets anyone?

 

[Scubaregs]

Tin foil trouser pockets anyone?

Keep mine in my codpiece, very tight fit mind.

 

[tiglon]

Buying a £50,000 car and then wrapping the key in tin foil to save a fiver, that would be some questionable logic!

Just think of how much tin foil you'd go through over the course of a year and the environmental impact of that :thumbsdown:

Erm, you do realise you could use the same piece of tin foil ad nauseum?

If you're really careful not to tear it. Another money saving tip would be to buy a £1m house and hang old sheets or towels in the windows to save on curtains/blinds/shutters. Then not only would it look like you keep a small stash of heroin around the house, but also like you live in a unexpectedly expensive crack den.

 

[Scubaregs]

Tear it? Just line a small unused box with it, voila. With the money saved put an extra litre of petrol in the car.

 

[q96169we]

Buying a £50,000 car and then wrapping the key in tin foil to save a fiver, that would be some questionable logic!

Just think of how much tin foil you'd go through over the course of a year and the environmental impact of that :thumbsdown:

As I said, just tried this because I’m having a boring day today. Not using this method every day. Got a radio blocking box at home for this and many other purposes.

 

[tiglon]

Just my attempt at light hearted humour, apologies if anyone thought I was looking for a genuine debate about whether wrapping car keys in tin foil is a good idea