F80 - X5M key fob mod

[designatedposter]

For the folks who used gates, those new keys are oem and metal? The beginning of this thread was stating that oem keys didn't have the right ic so that's why replica was the way to go.

BTW those replicas, are they metal or all plastic?

Lastly, how tough is it to desolder and resolder those chips?

[fastlanedriver]

I'm definitely pulling the trigger on this!

[fastlanedriver]

Originally Posted by fastlanedriver

I'm definitely pulling the trigger on this!

quick update: I just paid and shipped my key to them today. ill keep you updated when I get it.

[Nonopr01]

Originally Posted by fastlanedriver

quick update: I just paid and shipped my key to them today. ill keep you updated when I get it.

Well done!

[mlynch020]

George completed my key upgrade and returned to me within 24 hours of my shipping out of the old key. The key looks and feels amazing and works perfectly. Now I just need to get the key cut. Thanks, George!

[fastlanedriver]

I received my key last week, the weight and quality of the key is very nice. I have couple boys sending keys in to him soon. No range issues and quick turn around.

[Dawg1998]

Big fan...heavier...one of my favorite upgrades!

[Ferg]

George completed my conversion as I am pleased! Will let you know if things change, but I don't see any negatives.

[kerdos]

Hey guys so i hated the fob too, bought a cover and it did nothing but make it bulky, so i read this thread along with a few others and finally went with it, i noticed a few of the links for the fob people bought on ebay are no longer active so heres the link for the one i bought, also i have a 2016 f80. I took the fob apart myself and just went to a computer tech guy and told him what i wanted desoldered and resoldered (just the 28 IC chip, which is the longest chip on the board) but yea, everything works as it should, the distance seems normal, only thing i had to do was replace the battery in the new fob cause the informant was saying it had a low battery, but all and all for the $25 fob, $20 solder job and $5 little emblem, well worth the $50! thanks everyone for the guidance!

Edit: forgot to add link for the fob!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Silver-Smar...id=21032510785

[Kamigouki]

Originally Posted by kerdos

Hey guys so i hated the fob too, bought a cover and it did nothing but make it bulky, so i read this thread along with a few others and finally went with it, i noticed a few of the links for the fob people bought on ebay are no longer active so heres the link for the one i bought, also i have a 2016 f80. I took the fob apart myself and just went to a computer tech guy and told him what i wanted desoldered and resoldered (just the 28 IC chip, which is the longest chip on the board) but yea, everything works as it should, the distance seems normal, only thing i had to do was replace the battery in the new fob cause the informant was saying it had a low battery, but all and all for the $25 fob, $20 solder job and $5 little emblem, well worth the $50! thanks everyone for the guidance!

Edit: forgot to add link for the fob!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Silver-Smar...id=21032510785

Is the new key you got metal or plastic like the ones being converted by George?

[Kattanah]

Originally Posted by kerdos

Hey guys so i hated the fob too, bought a cover and it did nothing but make it bulky, so i read this thread along with a few others and finally went with it, i noticed a few of the links for the fob people bought on ebay are no longer active so heres the link for the one i bought, also i have a 2016 f80. I took the fob apart myself and just went to a computer tech guy and told him what i wanted desoldered and resoldered (just the 28 IC chip, which is the longest chip on the board) but yea, everything works as it should, the distance seems normal, only thing i had to do was replace the battery in the new fob cause the informant was saying it had a low battery, but all and all for the $25 fob, $20 solder job and $5 little emblem, well worth the $50! thanks everyone for the guidance!

Edit: forgot to add link for the fob!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Silver-Smart-Remote-key-Fob-4-Button-434Mhz-for-2011-2017-BMW-F-Series-CAS4-FEM/232488780558?pageci=ac2bf1a1-b835-478e-ade5-6fe8f2548891&epid=21032510785

How did you open/cut both fob key cases? What are some tips or images that you can share?

Thanks!

[MFNATIK]

All metal

[Kattanah]

Originally Posted by kerdos

Hey guys so i hated the fob too, bought a cover and it did nothing but make it bulky, so i read this thread along with a few others and finally went with it, i noticed a few of the links for the fob people bought on ebay are no longer active so heres the link for the one i bought, also i have a 2016 f80. I took the fob apart myself and just went to a computer tech guy and told him what i wanted desoldered and resoldered (just the 28 IC chip, which is the longest chip on the board) but yea, everything works as it should, the distance seems normal, only thing i had to do was replace the battery in the new fob cause the informant was saying it had a low battery, but all and all for the $25 fob, $20 solder job and $5 little emblem, well worth the $50! thanks everyone for the guidance!

Edit: forgot to add link for the fob!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Silver-Smart-Remote-key-Fob-4-Button-434Mhz-for-2011-2017-BMW-F-Series-CAS4-FEM/232488780558?pageci=ac2bf1a1-b835-478e-ade5-6fe8f2548891&epid=21032510785

Can you check your PM please

[Ferg]

Originally Posted by flausatu

Hello people! How is battery life of new key for you? For me is terrible for both keys, it takes maximum one week ☹️. Also the range is much shorter then original one. I bought them from AliExpress here: https://a.aliexpress.com/_mOmY6fn and an electronics man moved those chips to me.

I'm going on months now, no issue. Range is same as before.

[MFNATIK]

Originally Posted by flausatu

Hello people! How is battery life of new key for you? For me is terrible for both keys, it takes maximum one week ☹️. Also the range is much shorter then original one. I bought them from AliExpress here: https://a.aliexpress.com/_mOmY6fn and an electronics man moved those chips to me.

I just replaced the battery this weekend as I got a low battery warning. Not a big deal as I had some Energizer 2032s spares. The one that came out of the key is a generic Chinese 2032. My experience with those is they are close to expiration even when new so I always stick with name brand replacements. But the first battery did last about 6 months which is pretty short. I'm gonna keep an eye on it but mostly likely it was a cheap cell.

[jzhu625]

Originally Posted by kerdos

Hey guys so i hated the fob too, bought a cover and it did nothing but make it bulky, so i read this thread along with a few others and finally went with it, i noticed a few of the links for the fob people bought on ebay are no longer active so heres the link for the one i bought, also i have a 2016 f80. I took the fob apart myself and just went to a computer tech guy and told him what i wanted desoldered and resoldered (just the 28 IC chip, which is the longest chip on the board) but yea, everything works as it should, the distance seems normal, only thing i had to do was replace the battery in the new fob cause the informant was saying it had a low battery, but all and all for the $25 fob, $20 solder job and $5 little emblem, well worth the $50! thanks everyone for the guidance!

Edit: forgot to add link for the fob!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Silver-Smar...id=21032510785

got mine from your ebay link and did what you did! work perfectly!!!!!!!!

TTL cost breakdown
ebay key $25
transfer chip over $30 labor
i found someone can cut the key. $25
TTL cost only $80

[Kattanah]

Just did mine today..
Got my key from eBay, had the chip transferred and the key cut. Costed me less than $60

[MisterF80M3]

Are all the eBay ones practically the same?

[Kattanah]

Originally Posted by MisterF80M3

Are all the eBay ones practically the same?

I wouldn't say so.

I ordered exactly a similar key to this for my F87 M2C

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/330385...531e4eda3ymE7r

[Ferg]

Originally Posted by Kattanah

Just did mine today..
Got my key from eBay, had the chip transferred and the key cut. Costed me less than $60

Be aware, this is not the metal one.

[11LMBiSTT]

Originally Posted by Ferg

Be aware, this is not the metal one.

Where can we get the metal one? Link, please.

[kerdos]

Originally Posted by 11LMBiSTT

Where can we get the metal one? Link, please.

the link is...in my post...