How far away does your central locking work?

FPO · 11-18-2010, 03:38 PM

Guys,

Becoming slightly frustrated at the distance at which my central locking works from my car.

I have bought a new car where the key will only lock and unlock it if im standing less than 8 metres away.

Is this a fault with my key or is this standard sort of distance on all BMW's?

Its rather pathetic compared to most other cars.

Cheers

CHG · 11-18-2010, 03:45 PM

Standard....Mine is shit!

willhollin · 11-18-2010, 03:46 PM

Why do you need it to work further away?

FPO · 11-18-2010, 03:59 PM

e.g. To unlock for someone else who wants to get something from your car?

There has been enough times recently where it didn't work to bother me.

Who doesn't want reasonable range to un/lock their car as they are walking away?
Its kind of like the whole point otherwise we would all still be manually doing it with a key.

Ive just realised to overcome the poor range that the key gives you, BMW has provided us all with an iphone app to overcome this. Remotely locking from your phone. Although slightly hit and miss for me!

M3-FAST · 11-18-2010, 04:19 PM

The bonus of it not working 'too' far away is that if you leave the keys in your pocket when sitting in the house, you don't accidentaly drop the windows/unlock doors/release boot,etc..

A couple of times I came out to my E93 to find the roof half open 'cos I had pressed the keyfob in my pocket!

the_rangdo · 11-18-2010, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3-FAST

The bonus of it not working 'too' far away is that if you leave the keys in your pocket when sitting in the house, you don't accidentaly drop the windows/unlock doors/release boot,etc..

A couple of times I came out to my E93 to find the roof half open 'cos I had pressed the keyfob in my pocket!

I've done that a couple of times

My neighbour has an Audi A4 - pouring with rain 2 weeks ago and I spotted his boot was wide open with a nice little swimming pool in the boot. Knocked on the door to tell him, he'd done the same thing. At least the E90 boot doesn't swing up

DavS1 · 11-18-2010, 04:36 PM

I'd rather it didnt work too close for the above reasons also, being inconvenienced now and again far outweighs theft of the car/items IMO.

ddogg35 · 11-18-2010, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willhollin

Why do you need it to work further away?

personally i'd like to be able to open the windows in the summer more then 10 seconds before i get in the car

Ham09 · 11-18-2010, 05:08 PM

Does this answer your question...

G82Dude · 11-18-2010, 06:20 PM

Not very.

SteveF1 · 11-18-2010, 09:13 PM

When I first got my car I was convinced there was something wrong with my cars fob keys as both were poor with their range. I had the dealer check it over but they said they were working fine and the batteries ok. The dealer even had the cheek to tell me it was the radio frequencies in the fobs that was to blame and that BMW could do nothing about it....

My Fiesta and Golf could be opened and closed across a supermarket car park, now I have to be within 5 feet of the car for it to even register.

xenon · 11-19-2010, 01:47 AM

I'm still baffled as to the advantages of being able to unlock across an entire car park, but there you go.

rsmallwo · 11-19-2010, 03:09 AM

Try this:

Put the key next to your head and use yourself as an Antenna!

Have limted success with this.

FPO · 11-19-2010, 03:18 AM

Lol I was just about to post that link rsmallwo!
It doesn't work though.

Tbh, I never leave my keys in my pocket when I'm in the house. I always thought people put them on a hook at the front door?

BMW could do with listening to some customer feedback imo.

BanziBarn · 11-19-2010, 03:25 AM

Sticking the fob on my chin before pressing always makes an improvement for me, tried it many times.

Sad maybe, but I like unlocking from a distance so I can see the halos come on

Falmouthboy · 11-19-2010, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPO

Tbh, I never leave my keys in my pocket when I'm in the house. I always thought people put them on a hook at the front door?

Beware of this - it's not unkown for people to have their cars stolen by people just breaking a window or even using a grab through the letterbox.

Captain SlowCoach · 11-19-2010, 04:38 AM

Get the BMW iPhone app if you want to unlock the car further away!. . .

A couple of weeks ago my daughter had left her coat in my car - I had gone to Plymouth on the train and had the keys with me. Simply sent unlock and lock commands to the car from the phone . . . Coat retrieved with out and hassle. Its brilliant!

Captain SC

FPO · 11-19-2010, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falmouthboy

Beware of this - it's not unkown for people to have their cars stolen by people just breaking a window or even using a grab through the letterbox.

Dont worry mate its not going to happen to me (touchwood).
Im lucky enough to have electric gates at my house and 2 very large hungry Rottweilers waiting if they feel the need to climb over. I also dont leave keys on display at night.

FPO · 11-19-2010, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain SlowCoach

Get the BMW iPhone app if you want to unlock the care further away!. . .

A couple of weeks ago my daughter had left her coat in my car - I had gone to Plymouth on the train and had the keys with me. Simply sent unlock and lock commands to the car from the phone . . . Coat retrieved with out and hassle. Its brilliant!

Captain SC

Look at my post above

Unfortunately its a bit hit and miss for me.

HighlandPete · 11-19-2010, 05:17 AM

When I saw this post I thought 'interesting' as my grandson likes to lock the car. Each time he's getting further and further away to see if it still locks, nearly at the gate now, must be about 8 - 10 metres. Thought that was a pretty good distance myself.

HighlandPete

Falmouthboy · 11-19-2010, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

When I saw this post I thought 'interesting' as my grandson likes to lock the car. Each time he's getting further and further away to see if it still locks, nearly at the gate now, must be about 8 - 10 metres. Thought that was a pretty good distance myself.

HighlandPete

You can put that down to the 'clear air' in the Highlands

beemerbird · 11-19-2010, 02:28 PM

I was led to believe that it was not recommended to unlock the car using the remote from some distance away as it used to be how scumbags could 'pick up' on the signal from the key fob using some device and then programme a key to basically operate your car. In effect clone the key.

Don't know if this is all still possible but know it was few years ago.

If you had comfort access then you'd have to physically walk up to the car anyhow if you didn't use the key. I miss comfort access thinking about it.

11-18-2010, 03:38 PM	#1
FPO Second Lieutenant 44 Rep 247 Posts Drives: 2010 LCI E92 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	How far away does your central locking work? Guys, Becoming slightly frustrated at the distance at which my central locking works from my car. I have bought a new car where the key will only lock and unlock it if im standing less than 8 metres away. Is this a fault with my key or is this standard sort of distance on all BMW's? Its rather pathetic compared to most other cars. Cheers
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11-18-2010, 03:45 PM	#2
CHG Lieutenant 22 Rep 530 Posts Drives: A Variety of 4 Wheeled Things Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Around the UK iTrader: (0)	Standard....Mine is shit!
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11-18-2010, 03:46 PM	#3
willhollin Major General 268 Rep 9,915 Posts Drives: VW T5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Worcestershire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 330d SE [10.00] 2010 Transporter T5 ... [0.00]	Why do you need it to work further away? __________________
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11-18-2010, 03:59 PM	#4
FPO Second Lieutenant 44 Rep 247 Posts Drives: 2010 LCI E92 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	e.g. To unlock for someone else who wants to get something from your car? There has been enough times recently where it didn't work to bother me. Who doesn't want reasonable range to un/lock their car as they are walking away? Its kind of like the whole point otherwise we would all still be manually doing it with a key. Ive just realised to overcome the poor range that the key gives you, BMW has provided us all with an iphone app to overcome this. Remotely locking from your phone. Although slightly hit and miss for me!
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11-18-2010, 04:19 PM	#5
M3-FAST Defected to the dark side..... 210 Rep 5,795 Posts Drives: BMW M5 LCi Join Date: May 2007 Location: Stafford, UK iTrader: (11) Garage List 2009 E90 M3 [10.00] 2007 325i M-sport C ... [9.00]	The bonus of it not working 'too' far away is that if you leave the keys in your pocket when sitting in the house, you don't accidentaly drop the windows/unlock doors/release boot,etc.. A couple of times I came out to my E93 to find the roof half open 'cos I had pressed the keyfob in my pocket!
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11-18-2010, 04:36 PM	#7
DavS1 Major 53 Rep 1,272 Posts Drives: Emfree Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	I'd rather it didnt work too close for the above reasons also, being inconvenienced now and again far outweighs theft of the car/items IMO. __________________ Monte Carlo Blue M3 Comp
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11-18-2010, 05:08 PM	#9
Ham09 Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 273 Posts Drives: A sh*t box Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: North West iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 335i [0.00]	Does this answer your question...
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11-18-2010, 06:20 PM	#10
G82Dude - 290 Rep 2,598 Posts Drives: M4CMxD Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Not very.
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11-18-2010, 09:13 PM	#11
SteveF1 Captain 27 Rep 626 Posts Drives: BMW 320D M Sport Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Manchester iTrader: (0)	When I first got my car I was convinced there was something wrong with my cars fob keys as both were poor with their range. I had the dealer check it over but they said they were working fine and the batteries ok. The dealer even had the cheek to tell me it was the radio frequencies in the fobs that was to blame and that BMW could do nothing about it.... My Fiesta and Golf could be opened and closed across a supermarket car park, now I have to be within 5 feet of the car for it to even register.
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11-19-2010, 01:47 AM	#12
xenon Major General 1397 Rep 8,083 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	I'm still baffled as to the advantages of being able to unlock across an entire car park, but there you go. __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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11-19-2010, 03:09 AM	#13
rsmallwo Captain 40 Rep 939 Posts Drives: Z4 35i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Hull iTrader: (0)	Try this: Put the key next to your head and use yourself as an Antenna! Have limted success with this.
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11-19-2010, 03:18 AM	#14
FPO Second Lieutenant 44 Rep 247 Posts Drives: 2010 LCI E92 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Lol I was just about to post that link rsmallwo! It doesn't work though. Tbh, I never leave my keys in my pocket when I'm in the house. I always thought people put them on a hook at the front door? BMW could do with listening to some customer feedback imo.
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11-19-2010, 03:25 AM	#15
BanziBarn Lieutenant Colonel 106 Rep 1,800 Posts Drives: BMW 330D E90 LCI Msport Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Sticking the fob on my chin before pressing always makes an improvement for me, tried it many times. Sad maybe, but I like unlocking from a distance so I can see the halos come on __________________ Black 330d E90 LCI M Sport Saloon Auto. Privacy Glass, Cream Leather, 6FL, I-Drive/Nav/Bluetooth, Alpine hifi upgrade.
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11-19-2010, 04:38 AM	#17
Captain SlowCoach Private 1 Rep 50 Posts Drives: LCI 330d Touring Manual Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Leamington Spa UK iTrader: (0)	Get the BMW iPhone app if you want to unlock the car further away!. . . A couple of weeks ago my daughter had left her coat in my car - I had gone to Plymouth on the train and had the keys with me. Simply sent unlock and lock commands to the car from the phone . . . Coat retrieved with out and hassle. Its brilliant! Captain SC __________________ 330d Touring and Caterham 7 HPC Last edited by Captain SlowCoach; 11-19-2010 at 04:56 AM..
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11-19-2010, 05:17 AM	#20
HighlandPete Lieutenant General 6659 Rep 15,858 Posts Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Scotland, Highland Region iTrader: (0)	When I saw this post I thought 'interesting' as my grandson likes to lock the car. Each time he's getting further and further away to see if it still locks, nearly at the gate now, must be about 8 - 10 metres. Thought that was a pretty good distance myself. HighlandPete
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11-19-2010, 02:28 PM	#22
beemerbird Major General 172 Rep 7,953 Posts Drives: Merc diesel Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 TTRS [9.00] 2007 Audi S5 [0.00] May 2007 Porsche 99 ... [0.00] March 2007 Porsche ... [0.00] Sep. 2007 E92 335d SE [0.00] July 2006 E90 330i ... [0.00]	I was led to believe that it was not recommended to unlock the car using the remote from some distance away as it used to be how scumbags could 'pick up' on the signal from the key fob using some device and then programme a key to basically operate your car. In effect clone the key. Don't know if this is all still possible but know it was few years ago. If you had comfort access then you'd have to physically walk up to the car anyhow if you didn't use the key. I miss comfort access thinking about it.
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