Key Fob/Remote Distance?

[JayEmm]

My 330Ci never worked from too far away, my 645Ci worked from a good distance - 20m+ with line of sight, my Z4 is downright useless, despite being the newest.

They all had the same style key, but are the alarms/receivers the same between them?

 

[-Tom-]

Mine is absolutely rubbish, boh keys, compared to the roadster I used to have! Literally have to be within 2 metres of the car at times, really annoying when checking it is locked!

 

[wildbeeste]

I have to be within a few feet with the Z4 (same with both fobs). With my VW and Audis they have all had a range over over 50 metres and up to 150 metres.
The BMW can be a PITA as I cannot blip the fob and find it in a dark car park when it is hidden behind a Chelsea tractor

 

[GMANLAW]

+36 or however many on this! Both my keys have been rubbish from day one yet my similar aged Volvo can be triggered almost from the next county!!! Surely a Zed curiousity

 

[obewan]

Oh no, lets .......

Maybe we need Woots on this

Both my fobs work from miles away (well 100m at least, without holding next to my head )

 

[Bazoz4]

Ive seen key to head demo on the box quite impressive but joking aside I got Neil Armstrong to test mine and it was fine :rofl: Baz

 

[RickRob]

I'm not great on estimating distance (as my golfing skills prove) but I reckon mine's good at 20 yards - with no awkward physical manoeuvres!

 

[Smartbear]

My independant has a gadget that measures the output signal strength of the key remote, that would clear it up for you.
regards

 

[Dewi]

Mine only works within a couple metres of the car, you really have to be standing pretty much right next to it with either key before they'll trigger the locks and I prefer it this way, because if anyone lifts my keys from my pocket whilst I'm in a restaurant or pub, whatever, and heads for the car park it'll take them a lot longer to identify which car they belong to. The wife's Focus works from miles away (slight exaggeration but you get my drift)

 

[simonlpearce]

Seems my key is getting worse! I have to literally be stood next to the driver/passengers window now to get it to unlock

Am going to investigate battery/key replacement and see how it goes.

 

[JINGLE]

Seems my key is getting worse! I have to literally be stood next to the driver/passengers window now to get it to unlock

Am going to investigate battery/key replacement and see how it goes.

let us know your findings


Also how easy/cheap is it to replace the plastic cover on the actual key itself as mine is beat up and i want a shiney new plastic case bit to make it look better :driving: