Alarm Remote Has Crappy Range
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Buffalo NY
My Ride: 2004 545i 6 speed, Silver Gray A08, Gray leather
Mods: Hard-Wired Passport 9500ix LIVE , K&N Air + RPi Scoop, Mtech V2.1 AE, ACS pedals+Ebrake, flip up front plate, OEM 172's, Custom M Kit, M3 shift knob, Eisemann Race Exhaust
2005 X5 3.0 (the nightmare)
1998 528i SOLD @ 173K
[font="'Comic Sans MS"]I don't have comfort access either and my remote only works at certain angles or just whenever it wants too. I took it to the dealer and they could not find a problem with it. They told me because I had tint it effected the range (tints been on since the car was new and it just started having this problem a couple months ago) I searched for [/font][font="'Comic Sans MS"]diversity amplifier but I for some reason cannot figure out the search function. I asked them if the battery in my remote could be bad and they told me they tested it and it was OK. Im really starting to get pissed having to put my key in the door to unlock and lock. [/font]
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Nashville
My Ride: 2007 530i Alpine White with Navi and Premium PackageIn progress: OEM Mtech kit, H&R Sport Springs, and 19
Another this which has been shown to affect range is whether or not your car is tinted... I noticed a reduction in range after mine got tinted... 
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From: Birmingham, AL
My Ride: 06 550i
Model Year: 06
From what I have heard from tint shops is don't get window tint that has any sort of metal flakes in it. That's known to reduce reception of any sort of radio signal for any car.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: San Diego, CA
My Ride: '06 530i N52
This problem has been brought up so many times and it`s been answered as many times as well.
Firstly your remote charges from the socket due to the fact you obviously don`t have comfort access, only cars with comfort access require a battery change in the remote. This info can be found in the cars manual.
Second the reason your remote has poor range is because the diversity amplifier is not working properly, do a search and you will find out how to fix it.
Firstly your remote charges from the socket due to the fact you obviously don`t have comfort access, only cars with comfort access require a battery change in the remote. This info can be found in the cars manual.
Second the reason your remote has poor range is because the diversity amplifier is not working properly, do a search and you will find out how to fix it.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: (Sonoma County)Santa Rosa, CA
Guess I would just have to live with it.
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Essex, UK.
My Ride: 2006 530 d M-sport e60
The diversity ampliefer is located behind the third brake light and is the cause of poor remote reception and poor radio reception, it`s been discussed on this board many times, I had mine changed when I got my 530d due to poor remote reception.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: San Diego, CA
My Ride: '06 530i N52
i understand it has been discussed here before.
i googled and found the location and how to replace it. i just now need to find out who sells it at a decent price. i bought my car from an independent dealer and he has been getting me parts at cost so i may try him and compare to shopping around.
i googled and found the location and how to replace it. i just now need to find out who sells it at a decent price. i bought my car from an independent dealer and he has been getting me parts at cost so i may try him and compare to shopping around.
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: UK - Romford, Essex
Very quick and easy fix, not cheap though
but hopefully the new revised version will last a lot longer!
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 543
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From: Buffalo NY
My Ride: 2004 545i 6 speed, Silver Gray A08, Gray leather
Mods: Hard-Wired Passport 9500ix LIVE , K&N Air + RPi Scoop, Mtech V2.1 AE, ACS pedals+Ebrake, flip up front plate, OEM 172's, Custom M Kit, M3 shift knob, Eisemann Race Exhaust
2005 X5 3.0 (the nightmare)
1998 528i SOLD @ 173K
Okay question, did yours allow you to unlock sometimes, but other times not allow you to unlock at all where you had to physically put the key in the door? Because sometimes I can unlock my car from 25ft away and other times it wont unlock with the remote at all.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Newnan, Georgia
My Ride: 2004 545i
Production date: 02/04
Color: Black Sapphire Metallic
Trim: Anthracite
Options: Sport package with STEPTRONIC, Premium Sound, Rear Sunshade, Xenon
Is it the same for the X5 ? I am having poor radio reception at times and sometimes poor remote reception. Have to look for the diversity amp fpr my X