View Poll Results: Do you keep a key secreted on the exterior of your E60?

Yes

1.56%

98.44%

Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 64. You may not vote on this poll

Secreted Key

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11-07-2009, 09:36 AM

#11

porsche911targa

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My Ride: 2006 525XI, Jet black on Dakota beige. Premium and winter packages. I consider myself a purist and intend to keep my car absolutely stock and shiny. 2008 328I Convertible, Sapphire black on beige interior. Premium package, NAV, iPod adapter. Retired: 2002 325I, Titanium silver on black leather. Premium package. Absolutely stock and proud of it.

What is a plastic key and the trunk thing? How come I don't have one?

Answering to the OP, no, I would not do it, but now I'm curious about this plastic key.......

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11-07-2009, 10:13 AM

#12

tooltec

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My Ride: 2007 530d M Sport Automatic, Le Mans Edition.Le Mans Blue Individual Paint Special, Syrah Blue Individual Leather, Piano Black Individual Interior Trim, Front seat heating,M Double Spoke 172 19

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche911targa' post='1049572' date='Nov 7 2009, 06:36 PM

What is a plastic key and the trunk thing? How come I don't have one?

The emergency plastic key comes with your spare key when the vehicle is bought new,together with an adaptor which is situated in the glove box.

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11-07-2009, 10:20 AM

#13

Alpine White Girl

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i would never hide the plastic key around the car. i would put it in your wallet in a safe spot. Hopefully you never lose your wallet and keys at the same time.

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11-07-2009, 06:17 PM

#14

Curmudgeon

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My Ride: 2005 545i, Silber-grau/grau. Vanilla flavored except for cold WX pkg.

Quote:

Originally Posted by doclionel' post='1049296

You have to put it in the key adaptor which is in the glove box.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tooltec' post='1049592' date='Nov 7 2009, 11:13 AM

The emergency plastic key comes with your spare key when the vehicle is bought new,together with an adaptor which is situated in the glove box.

Thanks to all for the posts. I really didn't think it was a good idea. Now I am sure.

Adaptor? Glove box? My 545i came with three keys. Two remote keys and a plastic emergency key. Just for giggles one day, I used the plastic key. The car started normally but, of course, the mirrors, seat, radio, etc. did not adjust. The car ran fine with everything functional. Per the manual, this key will not open the trunk or glove box, so it can be used for valet parking (not that I would EVER do that). The manual says not to use it regularly, so I won't.

Thanks again.

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11-07-2009, 10:11 PM

#15

tooltec

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon' post='1049812' date='Nov 8 2009, 03:17 AM

Adaptor? Glove box?

Thanks again.

Just to clarify,the adaptor for the emergency key applies to push-button start models.

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11-07-2009, 11:20 PM

#16

CWS530

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My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Coversï¿½ from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).

Quote:

Originally Posted by DD_545i' post='1049311' date='Nov 6 2009, 10:50 PM

I don't want to answer just no. I want to answer O M G .. N O ....

I wouldn't be surprised if you get a dispute with the insurance company if it were to get stolen and recovered/crashed and the key still in the ignition switch. The insurers are always looking for reasons to not pay out. Seeing that the thief had the key will be hard to explain. I doubt "but I left the key on the outside of the car in an easy-to-reach secret box" would be helping your case at all.

Much better to just have one place in the house where you always park your key so there's never any "where did I leave the key" moments. It's only ever in one place so there's no doubt. I have a box where I always park my key, wallet, cellphone (it's not an iphone so I don't have to charge it twice a day), a comb, my house key and my watch.

You use a comb? That may be more ill-advised than concealing a key on your car.