watchcarman

HI,
just picked up a demo 2007 530d m sport ...what a car, quick question though
the dealer only gave me 2 keys (new shape) it has a start button, question is should i get a third plastic one as a spare??
appreciate your help,
cheers
Watchcarman

Wildcat

The plastic keys were not meant as spares (even though many use them for that purpose). They are valet keys, and will not open the trunk or glove compartment. The newer E60's with the Start/Stop button use the remote as the valet key and a pull-out metal key that lock/unlocks the trunk and glove box, so there is no more need for the plastic key.

550steve

I'm sorry could you clarify this, as I was wondering where my valet key was? So I could give the valet the remote and remove the internal metal key and the car would still start and stop? sorry the car is not near me at the moment.

marklp

Yes - you can lock glove box & boot with key then hand remote (without key) to valet/dealer/tyre fitter/etc

EBMCS03

There is a need for the pastic key... well at least in the US I believe people are getting the plastic key. original poster said 530d so it doesnt sound like a north american car.

Heres a good explaination.
This is only on cars with the start stop button (Sept 05 prod on - not sure about CA in prior years) - so if you have a real key does not apply

But pretend you lost both remote fobs and can not get in the car or the batteries died or what ever

You dealer should have given you a plastic key when you got the car and you store it in your wallet

This plastic key will open the doors by inserting it into the lock and turning - so now you are in the car, but you can not insert it into the igntion becasue it is a key and not a fob

So you open your gloce box and see the fob looking thing
you take it out and put in the plastic key that you opened the car with
Now you can insert it into the ignition and press the start button and off you go

This is an emergency back up

Doubt it would work for a valet - I guess it could if they would take it apart to lock the car and put it back together to start the car

This spare has no batteries so no remote functions







Oh and here's an X-Ray of a MINI Wallet Key Pretty sure the internal is the same as the BMWs...

blinkme_210

If the plastic black key didn't have an RF chip in it, the car won't start.

Blackonblackonblack

I got one of those...but ask me where it is...I wouldn't know!!!

EBMCS03

Huh? Of course there is... thats why I showed a X_Ray pic of the MINI's key... you can see the chip inside... and hence saying "they're probably the same internally"

JSpira

That's not right at all. The plastic keys were NOT valet keys but emergency keys.

Wildcat

I stand corrected!