F-Series X5M Key Fob

[Griffin283]

Hey guys! Just wanted to post a review of my new key fob upgrade from Gates Innovations after one month of living with it.

I was at a local car meet and ran into a fellow F80 owner that showed me his fancy new key from Gates. Instantly I was interested and when he told me how much it cost I was even more blown away ($150). I was expecting it to cost hundreds of dollars, as a key would from a BMW dealer. The key fobs are OEM that he gets from a locksmith and the quality is insane. I sent in my key fob and a few days later I received a package containing my new key and the parts from my donor key. Everything on the keys works flawlessly! The only thing that Gates does not offer is having the physical key cut, (which I have been told he is working on offering)... But that's not a big deal because who uses that anyway

This is a MUST HAVE for any F Chassis owner... Holding a quality key in your hand makes the car feel that much more special!

https://gatesinnovations.com/collect...cation-service

[OtisF80M3]

Thanks for the reviews! I placed an order!

[KeyBoy]

Originally Posted by Griffin283

Hey guys! Just wanted to post a review of my new key fob upgrade from Gates Innovations after one month of living with it.

I was at a local car meet and ran into a fellow F80 owner that showed me his fancy new key from Gates. Instantly I was interested and when he told me how much it cost I was even more blown away ($150). I was expecting it to cost hundreds of dollars, as a key would from a BMW dealer. The key fobs are OEM that he gets from a locksmith and the quality is insane. I sent in my key fob and a few days later I received a package containing my new key and the parts from my donor key. Everything on the keys works flawlessly! The only thing that Gates does not offer is having the physical key cut, (which I have been told he is working on offering)... But that's not a big deal because who uses that anyway

This is a MUST HAVE for any F Chassis owner... Holding a quality key in your hand makes the car feel that much more special!

https://gatesinnovations.com/collect...cation-service

I will be doing this upgrade. Original key fob is too bulky and light. Thanks.

I'm assuming all the settings on original key fob transferred to the new key fob?

[Griffin283]

Originally Posted by OtisF80M3

Thanks for the reviews! I placed an order!

It's definitely worth it! Makes it feel like a new car😂

[Griffin283]

Originally Posted by KeyBoy

I will be doing this upgrade. Original key fob is too bulky and light. Thanks.

I'm assuming all the settings on original key fob transferred to the new key fob?

Yes, the key will function just as the original does! It scared me at first when I turned my car on and all my stuff was different, then I remembered I gave my second key that had different settings stored😅

[AndyLu]

Plus one on gates innovations! Been using my key for about a month. Great communication and quick turnaround time. All functions work properly like it should

[Nitrile]

is it actually oem ? OEM keys have different number of pins compared to our fob keys.
How do I know? I opened up many bmw oem keys.

[9M71]

Originally Posted by Nitrile

is it actually oem ? OEM keys have different number of pins compared to our fob keys.
How do I know? I opened up many bmw oem keys.

+1. 99% sure the key fobs used are the replica ones not the OEM.

[Griffin283]

Originally Posted by 9M71

+1. 99% sure the key fobs used are the replica ones not the OEM.

Keys are 100% oem

[9M71]

Originally Posted by Griffin283

Keys are 100% oem

Can you show us the interior PCB then?

[Griffin283]

Originally Posted by 9M71

Can you show us the interior PCB then?

I'm not going to take apart my key... If you want more information you'd have to contact Gates Innovations directly

[9M71]

Originally Posted by Griffin283

I'm not going to take apart my key... If you want more information you'd have to contact Gates Innovations directly

Sure. $150 is a fair price for the service. I'm just clarifying it's not an OEM key and should not be advertised as such. That is all. Sorry if you were led to believe otherwise either by Gates or by the referrer.

[Nitrile]

Originally Posted by Griffin283

I'm not going to take apart my key... If you want more information you'd have to contact Gates Innovations directly

to be fair , you shouldn't claim it be oem if you do not know as well.
I'm not trying to attack you or anything, some people just prefer OEM.

[Griffin283]

Originally Posted by 9M71

Sure. $150 is a fair price for the service. I'm just clarifying it's not an OEM key and should not be advertised as such. That is all. Sorry if you were led to believe otherwise either by Gates or by the referrer.

And how do you know it's not? Have you had the service done? No? Then please do not discredit the service.

[9M71]

Originally Posted by Griffin283

And how do you know it's not? Have you had the service done? No? Then please do not discredit the service.

Tell me about the process. You shipped your OEM key and received a new working key in return but the OEM no longer functions, right? Well that's cause he had to switch an IC from your OEM key to the new replica key. You can't accomplish the same with the OEM X5 PCB.

Again, even if it's a replica, $150 is fair especially if you can't solder yourself. But it's not OEM and I'm clarifying for others before they go down the route thinking it is.

[dpgfunk]

Originally Posted by Griffin283

And how do you know it's not? Have you had the service done? No? Then please do not discredit the service.

I don't think he's discrediting the service. He's just giving a heads up to potential buyers that it may not be OEM (since you're not 100% certain either). No harm in his comments.

[Griffin283]

Originally Posted by dpgfunk

I don't think he's discrediting the service. He's just giving a heads up to potential buyers that it may not be OEM (since you're not 100% certain either). No harm in his comments.

The key itself is oem, the circuit board is not. Everything functions as normal.

[GOLFFRR]

curious how he gets it from a locksmith when you can only get OEM keys from BMW direct and has to be vin attached in order for my parts guys to get them? ITs this way for security reason so people can't just get keys and program them and still a car etc.. ?

***just read through the comments, I see you state it is NOT a OEM key, that makes sense.

PS: i like your yeezys bro . I have ton myself! he is a member at one of the clubs I play at and see him from time to time eating not golfing obv. (madison club)

[vpegany]

+1 on not being OEM. tri color is a tad different on edge of key as well as material. And I have an OEM G05 key and one from Gates.

However great service and for price I'm not complaining. Would still recommend over stock f80 key.

[MisterF80M3]

Looks like he gets the shell from China for $10.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Buttons-S...wAAOSwqCtdkvda

[MisterF80M3]

[bmwmdistrict]

For what it's worth I'm glad this discussion came up about the replacement key not being OEM. Because personally, I was highly interested assuming it was a legit OEM BMW key. Since it's not, I'm going to pass.