Curmudgeon

Went to the BMW dealer today to update the key information to
reflect my purchase of a used 545i. The attendant read the key
which showed the previous owner. I asked her to update the key and
she said only BMWNA could update the key information via datalink
to my car and I would have to call BMWNA with the new information.

The next time I inserted the key, she said, the car would update
the key to my name. Datalink to my car? "Yes", she said, "BMWNA
has a datalink to your car."
I am incredulous. I asked if I need BMW Assist for this? She
said no it was a separate datalink. I assume the information will
be forwarded from BMWNA to my local dealers database, but directly
to my car? While in the garage? C'mon!
I have searched the forums and can find nothing on this. Is this a
smoke screen that the dealer does not want to do it?

I called BMWNA and they updated the information in their
database and said they would forward the new info to the dealer's
database but they were unable to send any data directly to the car,
which I firmly believe.
So who updates my key and who is hosing who here? Any guru
help?

cokeefe

Nope, no datalink unless you're subscribing to one. The car key is flashed with a unique database key (probably the encrypted VIN), and it's used to look up records on the BMW databases. Your file in their database has your name, address, car history, etc. That's why the SA plugs the key into the desk computer at the dealer - it brings up your file.

I can't remember calling BMWNA when I bought my car. I just brought it to the dealer for maintenance and showed them a registration when I ordered a new replacement key. BMWNA sent me a recall letter, so I know they have my address.

pukka

+1 Your name is not attached to the key or the car in any way, only tthrough the dbase.

Curmudgeon

The plot thickens. I called the dealer today and spoke with another SA. They told me that the VIN is always associated with the original owner. So I guess any correspondence will be using the original owner's name sent to my address.

pukka

The orignal owner is probably kept on file w/BMW, but they have to update it to show you are the current owner.

Sending correspondence to your address with the original owner's name could be a Privacy Act violation.

Curmudgeon

It was meant in jest as the ---> indicates.

cokeefe

The SA conversations around the water cooler must be fun. "Guess what I told this guy today! I REALLY messed with his mind!"

Rudy

I think you're giving them too much credit...

From what I've seen through posts here, I'm thinking that at some dealerships, the water cooler conversation is more like:
"Gee, I wonder how the new owner information gets into the key?"

The reply probably goes something like:
"BMW can send it the information to the key while it's in the car using frigging "lasers" [with apologies to Dr. Evil] so all the customer has to do is call them and it'll magically appear on our screens the next time they come in for service!"

Which then causes the following reply:
"Wow, these cars are amazing -- thanks for telling me how this works so I can inform my customers on how this works!"

pjinca

Yes, and service is performed by specially trained sharks with "laser beams" on their heads as well.

Rudy

More like ill-tempered sea bass, I think...