F80 - X5M key fob mod

[yerevann]

I can't, for the life of me figure out how to open it. I got the two side pieces out but can't open the "shell". Did you guys cut it??

[420Coupe]

Originally Posted by Zermatt

Yes we have an update!

A big shout-out to knightarmor who helped immensely last weekend on this project.

On a previous thread, it was reported that the IC to swap was the little square 64pin IC. We swapped the two ICs and found that was INCORRECT.

After some online research and testing, we confirmed that this 64pin IC (shaded in red below) is actually the remote transmitter IC. We tested this by using my original 2018 F80 key with that IC removed from the key fob board. The remote buttons would not work but when placing the key against the steering column, the vehicle started up. Conversely, the re-installed F80 64pin IC onto the X5M key did not work (remote unlock or vehicle start-up).

As it turns out, the longer rectangular IC (highlighted in yellow below) is what actually contains the vehicle code and driver data. Unfortunately that IC on my 2018 F80’s key fob contains 28pins whereas that IC on X5M key fob I purchased on eBay has 38pins. Therefore, we were unable to do the swap.

From what I can tell on eBay and RealOEM, there are a few X5M keys available, all at 434 MHz. The part number of the X5M key tested is 66129367403. RealOEM references 3 other related keys (listed below under Group 1). I came across another X5M key on eBay (part number under Group 2 and two other compatible keys per RealOEM).

I am still quite keen on this mod but would appreciate any input from others. Specifically, Im needing to find out which X5M key fob (ie part number) has a board that uses the 28pin IC.

Group 1
66126806000 12/01/2015 - current
66129367403 08/01/2013 - 02/14/2017
66129337246 08/01/2013 - 05/01/2015
66129317138 08/01/2013 - 08/07/2013

Group 2
66126805992 12/01/2015 - current
66129367395 08/01/2013 - 12/01/2015
66129317147 11/01/2014 - 04/24/2015

Thanks for the update, i'm also definitely interested in this key swap or trying to figure out how to get the 7 series display key to be compatible with our cars.

[Zermatt]

Originally Posted by yerevann

I can't, for the life of me figure out how to open it. I got the two side pieces out but can't open the "shell". Did you guys cut it??

Its glued so you have to pry it open. I used a couple of small flat precision flat-head drivers and worked my way down from one side. I found it easier than prying open the stock F30/F80 key.

[SSR941]

Subscribed. Looking to do this swap as well

[knightarmor]

So I picked up a keyfob for cheap on Ebay to see what i'd get (with silver buttons), looks like I got a Valeo one. Still has too many pins on the chip in question. I took enough pics though that I'll add a little more to this this evening when I have more time.

Zermatt can you tell which group/series I got so we can begin eliminating which ones don't work for us?

[knightarmor]

So from reading the other message board looks like a type of knockoff is what we're looking for. Been shooting info. over to Zermatt. More to come soon.

[Zermatt]

Ive compiled 8 more P/Ns with three additional groups for the keys but just came across this China cloned key that per the listing photo, appears to have the right 28pin IC. Should receive it in a few weeks.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/253162329359

[smithf80]

Originally Posted by Zermatt

Ive compiled 8 more P/Ns with three additional groups for the keys but just came across this China cloned key that per the listing photo, appears to have the right 28pin IC. Should receive it in a few weeks.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/253162329359

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Smart-Remot...oAAOSwOZpa3VLc

How about this one with the black buttons?

[Zermatt]

Originally Posted by smithf80

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Smart-Remot...oAAOSwOZpa3VLc

How about this one with the black buttons?

The picture shows that it has a 28pin IC that would accept the 28pin IC (that contains the key code & driver data) from my 2018 F80 key fob (8/17 production date).

I would have preferred to find a compatible OEM key but we havent been able identify the specific key fob part numbers that contain the 28pin ICs as opposed to the 38pin ICs.

Before ordering it, I suggest confirming that your key fob also has the 28pin IC.

[smithf80]

Originally Posted by Zermatt

The picture shows that it has a 28pin IC that would accept the 28pin IC (that contains the key code & driver data) from my 2018 F80 key fob (8/17 production date).

I would have preferred to find a compatible OEM key but we havent been able identify the specific key fob part numbers that contain the 28pin ICs as opposed to the 38pin ICs.

Before ordering it, I suggest confirming that your key fob also has the 28pin IC.

From what I understand from SeanWRT's thread, there is no OEM key with 28pin IC. You have to use a Chinese rep.

[Zermatt]

Success!

Using the internal board from a cloned/counterfeit key fob on ebay, I swapped the 28 pin IC with the one from my F80 key. On a side note, the counterfeit key was unsurprisingly of lesser quality in fit and finish; notably the tactile feel of the buttons so I used the X5 key that I previously bought at the start of this mod and seen at the start of this thread.

I am not an electronics engineer so I cant compare the quality of the circuit board between the OEM and fake key. However, using it in the last few days, it appears that the key's RFID Comfort Access range isn't quite as good as the OEM key: car wont unlock when I stand at the rear door and stretch my arm out to reach the front door handle to unlock whereas in the OEM key, it would always lock/unlock. With this counterfeit key fob mod, I'm finding I need to stand right in front of the door. I imagine this is a result of the antenna design or construction.

A big shout-out to knightarmor for his immense help on this project.

[Justin.AutoTalent]

Originally Posted by Zermatt

Success!

Using the internal board from a cloned/counterfeit key fob on ebay, I swapped the 28 pin IC with the one from my F80 key. On a side note, the counterfeit key was unsurprisingly of lesser quality in fit and finish; notably the tactile feel of the buttons so I used the X5 key that I previously bought at the start of this mod and seen at the start of this thread.

I am not an electronics engineer so I cant compare the quality of the circuit board between the OEM and fake key. However, using it in the last few days, it appears that the key's RFID Comfort Access range isn't quite as good as the OEM key: car wont unlock when I stand at the rear door and stretch my arm out to reach the front door handle to unlock whereas in the OEM key, it would always lock/unlock. With this counterfeit key fob mod, I'm finding I need to stand right in front of the door. I imagine this is a result of the antenna design or construction.

A big shout-out to knightarmor for his immense help on this project.

nice work!

Just to clarify, so you swapped the circuit board from the fake and installed it into the OEM key for the more tactile feedback?

I'm thinking of doing this for a side project when I have some time

[Zermatt]

Originally Posted by Justin.AutoTalent

nice work!

Just to clarify, so you swapped the circuit board from the fake and installed it into the OEM key for the more tactile feedback?

I'm thinking of doing this for a side project when I have some time

Correct - as I already had an OEM X5M key that I had previously purchased on Ebay at the start of this project.

[NYBulldog]

Originally Posted by Zermatt

Correct

@Zermatt... So if I have a 434MHz Huf5767 fob from my 2015 BMW M3... I need this one?:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/253162329359

I also have an OEM X5M key that I realized was useless.

1) Buy replica key above
2) Switch out the 28 pin IC from my OEM M3 board to new replica board
3) Swap the new replica board to OEM X5M housing

Basically the process?

[NYBulldog]

Originally Posted by Zermatt

Success!

Also I just had a new X1 loaner and it came with this same "X5M" Fob but it felt cheap and too light, had a flat black solid side where /// colors go... I'm suspecting this "replica" is the same exact ones made for this X1.

[MFNATIK]

Originally Posted by NYBulldog

@Zermatt... So if I have a 434MHz Huf5767 fob from my 2015 BMW M3... I need this one?:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/253162329359

I also have an OEM X5M key that I realized was useless.

1) Buy replica key above
2) Switch out the 28 pin IC from my OEM M3 board to new replica board
3) Swap the new replica board to OEM X5M housing

Basically the process?

Is that going to work since the replica is 433mhz? And your original key is 434mhz?

[NYBulldog]

Originally Posted by MFNATIK

Is that going to work since the replica is 433mhz? And your original key is 434mhz?

I saw that too but I didn't even mention it since it seems that's the one Zermatt used... also band 433MHz usually means 433.92MHz, and many also round it up. My understanding is also that 1MHz either up or down is usually as far as a band can skip through and communicate.

[domino_z]

While you guys have been figuring this out, the game moved on

[NYBulldog]

Originally Posted by domino_z

While you guys have been figuring this out, the game moved on

Well fuck me, I thought this wasn't possible. Bye bye X5M key.

[MFNATIK]

Originally Posted by domino_z

While you guys have been figuring this out, the game moved on

Holy shit. Ok, now that is badass key!

[domino_z]

Not sure if just a US barrier, but this guy in Malaysia can do remote start by proximity

You ain't ballin til you're walking up to your car and having it self start ballin

[BIGW0RM]

Originally Posted by domino_z

While you guys have been figuring this out, the game moved on

Does it work on F80 platform? How much is this? I cant find it anywhere.