Ricing the beamer or just updating technology..

[nigwhyrito]

I been kicking around the idea of proximity entry into my E53. I been looking at a lot of different models. Mostly RFID with its own smartkey.
Questions to you seasoned beamer owners what if any drawbacks do you see with these systems on the e53. This is what I came up with:

1. Push button start means no more info from the key. Like I couldnt unlock my mid to do the guages test- key supposedly is cut and stuck in the acc position

2. Push button start with the advanced keys product means window rollup upon locking. (usa based so I cant do this currently.)

3. Technology update - no key needed, I get tired of having stuff in my hands and cant get to my keys. Wife agrees to .. she always loses keys in pocketbook then I have to fumble around for mine for her.

4. Dont want a phone app controlling my X. By the end of a normal workday my phone is dead. or saying lowbattery. So proximity keys are better for me.

5. Will the service dept have any issues working on my X?

6. Does the pushbutton make my beamer rice?

7. Definetly get 2 or more smart keys lol - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oofdtE0Rm-U
3 models im researching-

http://www.advancedkeys.com/index.htm
http://www.auto-innovatio.com/magento/
st800
same link and the dw-tech model.

im googling more. So has anyone done this???

[nigwhyrito]

Bump : 42 views and not one comment.. Come on Im looking for the negative and positives of this.

[motordavid]

A Geezer opin: 'keyless entry', esp as an expensive and/or complex mod, would be last on my list; in fact, it doesn't even make a mental list of TTD, for me.

I read the posts that are enthusiastic about the feature on newer Xs...I had a few old cars, with a step on or push on button, 'to start'; they seemed archaic by today's cars. I simply have never had a prob with pulling out my key(s).

Besides all that, it just seems to me to be a 'mod' that no one would care about, except you and your wife; thus, if it is that important to you/her, you have answered your orig question. As for benefits/trade offs, you summed it up pretty well.

Not sure doing that mod 'rices' anything, and that would not be my consideration to do it, or not.
GL, mD

[nigwhyrito]

thanks.. But i still need to know would this cause problems when I take it in for service.. Maybe I will just call my service dept on monday after this stupid storm is over.

[motordavid]

No idea...I am assuming your 'service dept' is the local BMW dlr?
Why go there, for off warranty service? Maybe you are still under CPO...

There are pages of threads on here that detail anecdotal experiences with BMW dlrs disallowing any repair because of self-installed mods/gizmos. Maybe your dlr is different. Whether or not 'your service dept' will look past that mod, or not notice it, or won't care is fairly difficult for any of us to determine or comment on.

Other than a slight 'convenience factor' that you feel is important, I still think it's a 'fix' in search of a problem, but ...
GL, mD

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by motordavid

I still think it's a 'fix' in search of a problem, but ...

This

[JCL]

Giving up the info on the key seems silly to me.

You may not have to have your key in your hands, but you will still have to have your fob on you. Unless you get an RFID implant in your hand. That would be cool. Freaky, but cool.

Yes, the service department may have issues working on your vehicle. Worst case is you would have to remove the mods to diagnose an electrical problem. Your aftermarket system will be suspect for any electrical malfunction, quite properly.

Seems you would give up the built in immobilizer, and rely more on a perimeter defence. May or may not impact your insurance rates.

General wisdom in doing it? Many/most problems with modern BMWs are electrical, IMO. Why do anything that makes that situation worse?

I have had comfort access (OE) on a few vehicles. Works fine. But so did pressing the unlock button on the fob. You still need a hand free to work the door handle, so I don't see a big advantage.