I have a theory behind why sometimes you hear the chime and other times you don't.

It seems that if I take a long (or longer) trip in the car I do not hear the chime after removing the key.

However, if I take a short trip in the car and remove the key, I always hear the chime after opening the door. And yes the key is in my hands.

In my opinion, I believe BMW did this as a helpful reminder to make sure you have the keys with you.

Anyone else also notice this? If not, try it and see if I am right.

 

I don't think so.
It's the first time i hear that

 

Usually it doesn't chime for me when I either do not set the parking brake, left the car in First. It only chimes for me when I do everything correctly or it will chime more than once if I leave the key in the ignition.

 

My observation is that the chime will be heard if you open the door and the key is still close to the ignition. It seems that somehow the system still considers the key plugged in.

 

well if that is the case, my car considers anywhere in the vehicle "close" and gives me the chime. Does tend to be random though, not doing it every time. I've experimented numerous times with key in, key close to the ignition and putting the key in my pocket. Does it no matter where I try to put the key.

 

Mine does it on occassion, no method to the madness though, I was thinking that maybe it had something to do with the chip in the key reinishalizing with the car. I have noticed that it does it sometimes when i enter the car even before i get it into the cylinder. Seems to me to be some type of handshaking.

 

Mine has chimed every time since day 1. I wait, pull the key, wait, move the key away from the ignition, wait, open the door... ding dong.
I am VERY annoyed because the lights-on alarm sounds exactly the same and now I don't hear the chime (mentally) because it is there every time I open the door. So, the light reminder is useless to me. I don't check the warning window on the dash to see the picture of the key or not if it is the light reminder.
I would like to use the parking lights/angel eyes as DRL (manual) but I already forgot them on twice.
I do love the sound of the chime itself as do my passengers. Now it has become a door-chime. At least a different sound for the lights-on would help and it would be logical. <_< I cannot see any reason to share the chime sound for different alarms.

 

It looks like all these unusual chimes come mostly from cars of members living in the US. My car has never given my an unusual chime(sofware version 11.2). Only if I forget the lights on I get a chime thats it!!!! Maybe the US spec cars have some software prob.

Anyway good luck with those chimes but I'm sure it gets very annoying

Kyriacos

 

Salio: Everyone's key is going to do that when not in the igniton but close to it. My tech states this is because the signal coming out of the key is strong. Completely normal and nothing to worry about.

 

It is not normal and is a daily annoyance. It is one of the few problems I have with the car. I can hold the key in my hand anywhere within reach and it chimes.