Why are car keys so ugly?

[k-ink]

If only a key was a key. That is the problem.

[Jimmy Recard]

bigkeeko said:

Had a quick look through your posts there. Turns out the majority involve you being deliberately contentional.

How about you go and sit in the shed with the rest of the tools?

That was a sincere question. I can only see a car key as a means of unlocking a car and enabling it.

[McSam]

Theophany said:

Compared to the current crop of BMW keys and they're vaguely nondescript fobs, I quite like that my E63 has a proper key. The plastic feels horribly cheap and brittle though.

You beat me to it, and on the very same car too. My E63 just missed getting keyless start and push button rather than turning the key, which I'm glad about. Always quite liked this design.

Porsche's latest ones are perhaps the nicest I've seen, especially the body colour ones you get with GT3s etc.

[Shakermaker]

hammo19 said:

This one as it unlocks the most reliable car on the market.

You took a photo of my car keys?

[rog007]

Just so happen to have a Volvo and an AM in the household; have to be careful which keys I pick up!

[soad]

rog007 said:

Just so happen to have a Volvo and an AM in the household; have to be careful which keys I pick up!

[Theophany]

Cfnteabag said:

I like the fact that they charge from the ignition barrel so no need to change batteries. Discovered this when 'my' key for my wifes car started playing up as I didn't drive it enough.

I don't know if any other cars do this?

I didn't know this until just now - quick check shows that it does apply to a number of the 'diamond' keys, E63 included. Neat-o!

[carlove]

rog007 said:

Just so happen to have a Volvo and an AM in the household; have to be careful which keys I pick up!

What does the yellow button do?

[AC43]

JatHanspal said:

And in a function over form concern, the new land rover keys which come as a wearable, waterproof wrist band. You can park up, go do all your activities without worrying about where to keep your keys.

Handy for all the LR owners near me on the school runs/going to Waitrose/getting their nails done.

[rog007]

carlove said:

rog007 said:

Just so happen to have a Volvo and an AM in the household; have to be careful which keys I pick up!

What does the yellow button do?

Ejector seat!

Sadly it's just external courtesy lights (LED side lights on the AM and sidelights plus wing mirror down lights on the Volvo) that stay on just long enough to get to the front door. Quite handy.