[nelsdvn]

I know this has been available for a while but this offer seems to make this upgrade from our plastic chunk to the sleek metal key fob pretty easy.

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=26533898


Direct link to the X5M key fob vendor

https://gatesinnovations.com/collect...cation-service

[Anthony1s]

Yup. I have one of these fobs for the X2 loaner I currently have. Has made me think about doing the swap.

[JustinHEMI]

Neato! I really like the look of that key! Might have to do one!

[jkoral]

I always wanted that fob after seeing the guy that did a few in Japan.

Ordered.

[JustinHEMI]

Yeah I ordered one after looking at his great pics. Love the key.

[VisualEcho]

Must have!

[_Ack_]

Ordered. Thanks for the link OP!

[M Fifty]

Would it be possible to get a BMW dealership to code one of these to my car? Noting that they charged me more than the price stated in the link for just a coded key on an e46, it might be pricey. But, convenient.

[StephGOD]

Just a heads up for anyone who is deciding to purchase one of these, the key fob will not be OEM even though it appears they're telling people otherwise I've done a significant amount of research on this topic as I've actually done the IC swap myself recently and there's no OEM blade style key fob PCB that utilizes the same 28-pin IC used on the stock F-series key fobs.

The OEM blade style key fob used here in the US (i.e. 434Hz) only comes in 2 different versions; FCC ID: NBGIDGNG1 or FCC ID: N5F-ID21A and neither use a 28-pin IC on the PCB. You can confirm this is the case by looking up the internal photos of the PCB online on FCC's ID database HERE & HERE

With that said, both the PCB & key fob shells used for their swap are 100% non-OEM and are more than likely sourced from China. I did find a potential vendor in Turkey who produced the same PCB's in house which I assumed to be of better quality but shipping costs were more than I was willing to spend for just 1-piece so I just ended up with a Chinese produced PCB as well for my own key fob.

However, there is some silver lining, if you want to use the OEM blade key fob shell at the very least, you'll be able to do so by just swapping the new PCB directly into one (sometimes you can find a fairly new one for a decent price on eBay) but just make sure you buy the version marked with FCC ID: NBGIDGNG1 because the other one will not work due to the internal plastic pieces used to house the PCB (i.e. PCB is a completely different shape).

FWIW if you want to attempt this same key fob swap on your own, you can just purchase the following non-OEM key fob (from China) on eBay for ~$30 with either the standard silver buttons or the black buttons as I've already done. Overall it's not terribly difficult to swap the 28-pin IC but you definitely need the right tools to get the job done properly.

[Altra]

Sigh I gave in, ORDERED!

[_Ack_]

After ordering, has anyone heard back about a shipping address? I ordered Sunday, sent two follow-up emails, and nada.

--UPDATE--

George just contacted me directly and provided me with the shipping information.

[jkoral]

Originally Posted by _Ack_

After ordering, has anyone heard back about a shipping address? I ordered Sunday, sent two follow-up emails, and nada.

I don't believe it is automated. I ordered Saturday at 8:47pm (EDT) and got the address email ~30 minutes later (which comes from George).

[Altra]

Originally Posted by _Ack_

After ordering, has anyone heard back about a shipping address? I ordered Sunday, sent two follow-up emails, and nada.

I received a response from George within a few minutes of placing my order earlier today.

[_Ack_]

Originally Posted by Altra

I received a response from George within a few minutes of placing my order earlier today.

George just reached out to me and sent me the info.

[eeyang92]

Originally Posted by StephGOD

Just a heads up for anyone who is deciding to purchase one of these, the key fob will not be OEM even though it appears they're telling people otherwise I've done a significant amount of research on this topic as I've actually done the IC swap myself recently and there's no OEM blade style key fob PCB that utilizes the same 28-pin IC used on the stock F-series key fobs.

The OEM blade style key fob used here in the US (i.e. 434Hz) only comes in 2 different versions; FCC ID: NBGIDGNG1 or FCC ID: N5F-ID21A and neither use a 28-pin IC on the PCB. You can confirm this is the case by looking up the internal photos of the PCB online on FCC's ID database HERE & HERE

With that said, both the PCB & key fob shells used for their swap are 100% non-OEM and are more than likely sourced from China. I did find a potential vendor in Turkey who produced the same PCB's in house which I assumed to be of better quality but shipping costs were more than I was willing to spend for just 1-piece so I just ended up with a Chinese produced PCB as well for my own key fob.

However, there is some silver lining, if you want to use the OEM blade key fob shell at the very least, you'll be able to do so by just swapping the new PCB directly into one (sometimes you can find a fairly new one for a decent price on eBay) but just make sure you buy the version marked with FCC ID: NBGIDGNG1 because the other one will not work due to the internal plastic pieces used to house the PCB (i.e. PCB is a completely different shape).

FWIW if you want to attempt this same key fob swap on your own, you can just purchase the following non-OEM key fob (from China) on eBay for ~$30 with either the standard silver buttons or the black buttons as I've already done. Overall it's not terribly difficult to swap the 28-pin IC but you definitely need the right tools to get the job done properly.

Are the any implications due to the non-OEM-ness? Like lost functionality, trouble with the dealership, etc.?

[StephGOD]

Originally Posted by eeyang92

Are the any implications due to the non-OEM-ness? Like lost functionality, trouble with the dealership, etc.?

I can't comment to the specific key fobs sourced by Gates Innovations but just based on my own non-OEM key fob (produced in China) the only slight issue I've noticed thus far is the RFID range isn't quite as good as the OEM key fob probably due the inferior componentry utilized on the PCB itself. What this means is things like the comfort access feature can become a bit unreliable if the key fob is not "close enough" in proximity to the doors. For example, if I have the non-OEM key fob in my left pocket and attempt to open the driver's door at a distance with my arm fully extended it won't always unlock or vice versa. This is not the case with the OEM key fob as I've actually experimented already with both.

I believe Zermatt has had the same experience with his non-OEM key fob as well. He's actually had the key for 2+ years now I believe so I would be interested to know how it's still working out for him.

Also, I have yet to take my car into the dealership with the new key fob so I can't provide any first hand information about that specifically.

[JustinHEMI]

I spoke to George about the OEM question and I'm satisfied with the response and am looking forward to the mod.

If all else fails, I have another key.

[Matt Devo]

related, I only have 1 key and would like a spare before doing this. What's the most cost effective way to get a new OEM key?

[_Ack_]

Originally Posted by Matt Devo

related, I only have 1 key and would like a spare before doing this. What's the most cost effective way to get a new OEM key?

Here's a thread on it.

Keis Motorsports - $425 sells the OEM F series fob. Not exactly cheap.

Or you can buy the Key Fob and Key separately through BMW Northwest:

Key - 51217268293 - $46

Fob - 66128723602 - $275

Not sure if the key come pre-cut or if that is extra. Best bet is to contact them directly (253-517-2524 or parts@bmwnorthwest.com)

[No_curebimmer]

So did anyone else get these upgraded key fobs? I'm really close to getting one, but I wanted to see how it performs outs there in the wild!

They sure look purdy and probably feel heftier than the OEM. They also add a welcomed touch of class

[JustinHEMI]

Mine shipped today! Will report back when I receive it.

[No_curebimmer]

Originally Posted by JustinHEMI

Mine shipped today! Will report back when I receive it.

10-4...let us know your findings.