1 key on a new X5

[matt21]

Just got a new X5 this month and was surprised it came with just one key. Apparently the digital key is the recommended one to use. Two weeks in it’s a complete pain, and after not being able to get in yesterday 40 miles from home, I’m going back to the old ways.

My dealer assures me new X5s should only come with one key. Is this true? I read somewhere X5s should still come with two until the new model launches. Can anyone confirm?

Thanks

[Sixpackpert]

My latest model X5 came with 2...that was just shy of 2 years ago mind.

I still use the normal key/fob as I would have to have the tracker fob on me anyway so I just have them together.

[skyebear]

Would your order form or build sheet confirm the quantity of keys you should have?

Can you set up access via the BMW app as a fallback should anything happen to the physical key?

1 physical and 1 digital doesn't sound right to me. 2 & 1 or 1 & 2 would be correct I'd have thought.

[Sixpackpert]

By digital, do you mean the credit card key? Or using your phone as the key?

[SchillingTwo]

My BMW bike (£27,000…) came with only one key.

A second one is “only” £200, but still…

[Wacky Racer]

SchillingTwo said:

My BMW bike (£27,000 ) came with only one key.

A second one is only £200, but still

That's absolutely ridiculous. All new vehicles should come with two keys.

[itcaptainslow]

SchillingTwo said:

My BMW bike (£27,000 ) came with only one key.

A second one is only £200, but still

Yup, I thought the dealer was spinning me a line when I collected a new bike last year and they told me “One key only”.

Feels very mean (and not to mention a pain if you lose it!).

[cerb4.5lee]

Ours came with the 2 usual key fobs, and the digital credit card type key as well. We only use the old school key fobs though in fairness. Obviously you can also lock and unlock it on the app on your phone as well though if required.

[matt21]

I spoke to a guy from parts today. He says mine is listed as one key, he checked a 1yr old car that says 2 keys, so seems it’s right.

I have the phone as a key but it’s a faff. If I want to unlock it so my wife can load the car she needs my phone on her, plus I couldn’t get in yesterday.

There is a service key which I’ve programmed to work too as backup.

Parts guy was embarrassed to tell me the price for a second key. £410! Hope I don’t lose this one

[matt21]

Sixpackpert said:

By digital, do you mean the credit card key? Or using your phone as the key?

I meant phone, but it has both. The credit card is for servicing so has limited functionality, but the car unlocks and starts!

[cerb4.5lee]

matt21 said:

I have the phone as a key but it s a faff. If I want to unlock it so my wife can load the car she needs my phone on her, plus I couldn t get in yesterday.

My missus accidently locked her keys in ours when she was away with work once(her handbag was on the drivers seat with the keys in it and she was loading the boot and the car locked itself after she shut the boot). I was at home and I said don't worry because I can open the car via my phone, and thankfully that was the problem solved.

Back in my day...you'd have needed the AA out to break into the car in comparison though!

[RiccardoG]

cerb4.5lee said:

My missus accidently locked her keys in ours when she was away with work once(her handbag was on the drivers seat with the keys in it and she was loading the boot and the car locked itself after she shut the boot). I was at home and I said don't worry because I can open the car via my phone, and thankfully that was the problem solved.

Back in my day...you'd have needed the AA out to break into the car in comparison though!

Not sure what gen and model that is but on my G21 (2021 3 series touring) if you press the lock button on the electric boot while the key is inside the car it stops and beeps at you to let you know the key is inside. Saved me a couple of times already and I appreciated BMW's design to avoid the key locked in car scenario you mention!

[cerb4.5lee]

RiccardoG said:

Not sure what gen and model that is but on my G21 (2021 3 series touring) if you press the lock button on the electric boot while the key is inside the car it stops and beeps at you to let you know the key is inside. Saved me a couple of times already and I appreciated BMW's design to avoid the key locked in car scenario you mention!

It doesn't do that to be fair. It's a 2024 X5 40d, and it does have a habit of just locking itself to be honest. It doesn't affect me because I've always got the key in my pocket, but obviously it caught my missus out with it being in her handbag in the car though in comparison.

I thought I'd turned the walk away locking feature on it off to be honest, but I'll double check that now you've mentioned it though, because we both have our own separate profile with the car. So I've probably done it on mine but not on hers though.

[matt21]

RiccardoG said:

Not sure what gen and model that is but on my G21 (2021 3 series touring) if you press the lock button on the electric boot while the key is inside the car it stops and beeps at you to let you know the key is inside. Saved me a couple of times already and I appreciated BMW's design to avoid the key locked in car scenario you mention!

After flying back from USA with my car keys in my rucksack, i threw the bags in the boot on my 520d and tried to shut the boot. Twice is beeped and wouldn't shut, but I thought it was the car playing up. Eventually it thought "ok if you want to be an idiot, sure, I will shut". Then I couldn't get in the drivers door as the keys in the boot, car locked. Luckily my phone was in my pocket so got in via the app, but it proved it is not completely idiot proof!

[unseen]

My new X7 came with one key - we keep that in a drawer and use our mobile phones as the key, its worked without a hitch thus far and is really handy

Edited by unseen on Friday 2nd October 13:16

[dave123456]

Why is the digital one a pain? I’ve found it, so far, pretty good.

[Collectingbrass]

cerb4.5lee said:

matt21 said:

I have the phone as a key but it s a faff. If I want to unlock it so my wife can load the car she needs my phone on her, plus I couldn t get in yesterday.

My missus accidently locked her keys in ours when she was away with work once(her handbag was on the drivers seat with the keys in it and she was loading the boot and the car locked itself after she shut the boot). I was at home and I said don't worry because I can open the car via my phone, and thankfully that was the problem solved.

Back in my day...you'd have needed the AA out to break into the car in comparison though!

Back in my day you'd just need to find 6 other Ford owners to be 100% sure of finding one key that fitted.

@OP, I'd make sure your insurance policy knows it only has one key, I could see those twunts try and wriggle out of a theft claim because you only have one key in your possession

[Uncle Meat]

[quote=matt21]
I have the phone as a key but it s a faff. If I want to unlock it so my wife can load the car she needs my phone on her, plus I couldn t get in yesterday.
/quote]

Using the app I added my wife's phone to have a digital key. Both our phones work perfectly, don't even have to open the app. Mine's a 2020 X5M so I suspect yours should be a bit more advanced too.

[cerb4.5lee]

Collectingbrass said:

cerb4.5lee said:

matt21 said:

I have the phone as a key but it s a faff. If I want to unlock it so my wife can load the car she needs my phone on her, plus I couldn t get in yesterday.

My missus accidently locked her keys in ours when she was away with work once(her handbag was on the drivers seat with the keys in it and she was loading the boot and the car locked itself after she shut the boot). I was at home and I said don't worry because I can open the car via my phone, and thankfully that was the problem solved.

Back in my day...you'd have needed the AA out to break into the car in comparison though!

Back in my day you'd just need to find 6 other Ford owners to be 100% sure of finding one key that fitted.

@OP, I'd make sure your insurance policy knows it only has one key, I could see those twunts try and wriggle out of a theft claim because you only have one key in your possession

That brings back memories as you say. My Dad used to have a LWB Transit van and a Sierra at the same time years back, and I was amazed that 1 key opened both cars for sure!