[walketed]

Originally Posted by Natemare13

The key fob I got with my 2024 LCI X5 is not very nice. It's super light and very cheap feeling. it's also unreasonably large. Are there any aftermarket key fobs? For now I'm trying to not use the fob at all but pulling out my phone and opening the BMW app to remote start or lock/unlock is not as fast as pushing a key fob button. Dont get me started on comfort access. Good idea, terrible execution without customizable rules/geofencing/customizable relock timing etc.

Yes, they could have designed it better. Try using the NFC card?

[walketed]

Originally Posted by Cityman

My two key fobs and card are sitting in my home safe. My apple watch and iphone works great. The fobs are too large to carry in your pants pocket anyway.

What about valet parking?

[formerE36M3/4/5]

Originally Posted by eluded

There is a key fob? Of course there is. I did not realize this until I dropped the car off for service and they asked, where is the key, and would not accept my iWatch as a "key'.

I'm old school, it will take a while before I adapt to not using a key FOB.

[Cityman]

Originally Posted by walketed

What about valet parking?

I’ll never valet in town where I live (105,000 pop.). I’ll bring a fob with me for sure when traveling out of town for valet, as well as to have a backup.

[Natemare13]

Originally Posted by walketed

What about valet parking?

Key card I guess?

[TSMC55]

Following a comment a few months back about using a valet, I did up a little plastic card holder with a key ring on it and instructions on one side.

Now when I very occasionally use a valet I put the key card from my wallet in the card holder (which normally lives in my glovebox) and hand that to the valet.

The instructions explain what it is and how to use it to lock and unlock the car and where to put it to start the car. The ring let's them put their tag thing on it and hang it up.

It works for me and I don't need key fobs. I just use my phone with DK+ and carry the card for a backup and valets.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by TSMC55

Following a comment a few months back about using a valet, I did up a little plastic card holder with a key ring on it and instructions on one side.

Now when I very occasionally use a valet I put the key card from my wallet in the card holder (which normally lives in my glovebox) and hand that to the valet.

The instructions explain what it is and how to use it to lock and unlock the car and where to put it to start the car. The ring let's them put their tag thing on it and hang it up.

It works for me and I don't need key fobs. I just use my phone with DK+ and carry the card for a backup and valets.

Very well done.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by TSMC55

... just use my phone with DK+ and carry the card for a backup and valets.

if i had DK+, that's exactly what i'd do, too

[taek]

I never use the phone/card because they don't work with unlock on approach / lock. I don't have to do anything like getting my phone out.

Does the LCI unlock itself with just the phone/card in your pocket from a few feet away?

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by taek

I never use the phone/card because they don't work with unlock on approach / lock. I don't have to do anything like getting my phone out.

Does the LCI unlock itself with just the phone/card in your pocket from a few feet away?

With a qualifying phone yes, not with the card.

[crabman]

I just got my car (24 X5M) and was complaining to Mrs Crab about how needlessly heavy the key is and surmised it was weighted. It seems like there must be more than one fob style, depending on the model, because few would describe it as light...?

In any event I just set up digital key plus and it seems to work fine. Going to set up the card as described above as a backup and try my luck. Not going to miss the fob.

[Ibiza]

Originally Posted by Natemare13

The key fob I got with my 2024 LCI X5 is not very nice. It's super light and very cheap feeling. it's also unreasonably large. Are there any aftermarket key fobs? For now I'm trying to not use the fob at all but pulling out my phone and opening the BMW app to remote start or lock/unlock is not as fast as pushing a key fob button. Dont get me started on comfort access. Good idea, terrible execution without customizable rules/geofencing/customizable relock timing etc.

What model did you order, as my 2024 X5 M60 came with a heavy key fob. PCD staff told me it was one of my options which triggered the lux keyfob. Possiblies are individual ivory merino leather, individual piano black trim, alcantara headliner, or leather dashboard.

PS the LV keychain did not come with car.

[Line Drive]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

Agreed. We are a fob only household.

I wouldn't mind using the card, but I need my keys with me anyways so it's sort of a moot point.

This is me, too. The size and general bulkiness of the FOB is annoying. It's kind of hard to believe they couldn't reduce the size some. The FOBs for my recent Volvos were nice -- more square, thinner and smaller overall.

[Heavyd]

It happened a few times that the trunk opened when the key was in my pocket. I went into the garage and the trunk was open. Luckily I changed the setting so the trunk doesn't open completely.
I never had this problem with the previous key fob. This is my biggest problem with this new key fob.

[LuckyBrand]

Originally Posted by Ibiza

What model did you order, as my 2024 X5 M60 came with a heavy key fob. PCD staff told me it was one of my options which triggered the lux keyfob. Possiblies are individual ivory merino leather, individual piano black trim, alcantara headliner, or leather dashboard.

PS the LV keychain did not come with car.

Not sure what the other fobs look like since your the only one to post a pic but that looks like a decent fob to me?

[BMPHIL]

My M60i has a large keyfob but certainly wouldn't describe it as heavy.
Only issue I have had with it is the keyring I have attached to the small ring on the fob has come off 3 times in my month of ownership.

[Marty in NY]

Pre LCI here.. .. I always carry the key fob with me and the NFC card in my wallet. The NFC card is flakey and I don't like standing there fiddling with it just to get it to work. The digital key on the phone is also flakey and not as quick as the key fob and like the OP, I don't like having to yank it out of my pocket to use it.
I set the Comfort Access so I need to touch the door handle and it has never ever failed to work that way on first attempts. Anything other than the key fob is less reliable and even if you ignore changing the key fob battery when iDrive tells you its low, you can always simply place it next to the steering column and start the car. The consistent reliability it gives me is well worth the bulge in my pocket.

[crabman]

So far mine (DK+) has been completely reliable, but in fairness I'm only a few days into ownership.

I know for sure that I feel a little naked without the fob on me; I dont think I would leave town without an actual fob on my person.

[LDT]

Originally Posted by crabman

So far mine (DK+) has been completely reliable, but in fairness I'm only a few days into ownership.

I know for sure that I feel a little naked without the fob on me; I dont think I would leave town without an actual fob on my person.

After 7 months of carrying only my iPhone I find it second nature. Works flawlessly every time. Only when we go on road trips does my wife have a fob in her purse which sometimes will trump the iPhone and CarPlay operation.

[FastMarkA]

I've become used to DK+ as well, it's been very reliable.

The car wash is still an absolute pain in the [edited; several words here not intended for the children]. Even with the card, the fob, and the phone...it just gets so confused on when it should lock, unlock, and start. BMW needs to refine.

But as to the key fob, yes it's trash. I miss my pre-LCI fob with the stainless steel. It was so elegant and hefty.

The LCI key fob looks and feels like something you'd win from a crane claw game machine at Dave & Busters.

[crabman]

Glad to hear it's been working reliably!

[MissVito]

My key fob hangs inside my purse all the time. I use it most to auto start. Easier and works faster than pulling my phone out of my purse. Anytime I walk by my car in the garage with my phone or Apple Watch on me it makes clicking/unlocking sounds.