[DavyNM]

am I being stupid for only carrying my phone or plastic key card? (not the key fob)

for the last several months, I only used my phone to get into the car and drive off. I used to also carry the actual key fob in my pocket, but decided it wasn't really necessary. However, I do keep the plastic key card in my wallet, but it has never been used.

[Mason Hatcher]

I don't think so. I have been thinking about doing the same. I am down to only carrying the fob in my pocket. I don't carry any other keys.

[RockCrusher]

No not if you are comfortable with your system of vehicle access.

I've never set up my iPhone to access my car. I only use my iPhone -- better sit down for this -- for phone calls and not many of those. I buy 1500 talk minutes a year. No apps. Very limited use of it for email and texting. Just a phone.

With my M2 I did set up the card but it was inconvenient to have to open my wallet to get it out. And I didn't like carrying a card in my pants pocket. I'm used to a small key chain -- with house and mailbox keys -- and a car keyfob connected to nothing else. A card just didn't feel right. And with the card I feared it could fail to work and as back up I carried a keyfob anyhow to have handy -- just in case -- the integrated key to allow vehicle access.

[Vindicator3]

Originally Posted by DavyNM

am I being stupid for only carrying my phone or plastic key card? (not the key fob)

for the last several months, I only used my phone to get into the car and drive off. I used to also carry the actual key fob in my pocket, but decided it wasn't really necessary. However, I do keep the plastic key card in my wallet, but it has never been used.

I do the same. iPhone is my primary. Card is in my wallet as a backup in case I lose the phone or it dies or gets stolen or whatever. I would use the card for valet too, though I don't valet much. Fob is in a cabinet at home and never leaves except when I take the car in to the dealer.

[ctcarbonari]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

I only use my iPhone -- better sit down for this -- for phone calls and not many of those.

I like it!!!

Years ago when I was one of the old guys who still had a flip phone strapped to his hip, the younger guys that I worked with used to give me a hard time. I'd take my phone out, toss it across the room, watch it bounce off the wall and onto the floor. Then I'd look at the youngings and say "go ahead, are you willing to do that with your phone?". Never had any takers.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by DavyNM

am I being stupid for only carrying my phone or plastic key card? (not the key fob)

Until you need it, no. But when that day happens that you need the fob, you're going to be really stupid for not carrying the keys.

I would never rely on just my phone and a plastic card in this age of OTA updates. A buddy of mine did that in his Rivian and was locked out of his truck in the rain away from home cuz it picked up an OTA that didn't work quite right off the bat. No thanks. Especially when it's literally nothing to carry the fob.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

Until you need it, no. But when that day happens that you need the fob, you're going to be really stupid for not carrying the keys.

I would never rely on just my phone and a plastic card in this age of OTA updates. A buddy of mine did that in his Rivian and was locked out of his truck in the rain away from home cuz it picked up an OTA that didn't work quite right off the bat. No thanks. Especially when it's literally nothing to carry the fob.

That is the exact reason why I always carry my fob!

[mustiej]

Yes because if i have to log in to my profile one more time im selling the car

Most annoying dogshit quality control by bmw

[BWBike]

I thought I read that the key fob stores information about the car status, etc. Maybe that is a reason to actually carry the fob.

[ubercruise]

Haven't carried the fob in 18 months and don't even know where the backup card is anymore. Phone works just fine, watch is redundancy. NFC is different from using the actual app, so software updates shouldn't ever really affect it. I'd probably carry the card as a redundancy if I knew where it was, but so far zero issues with just my phone.

[Vindicator3]

Originally Posted by BWBike

I thought I read that the key fob stores information about the car status, etc. Maybe that is a reason to actually carry the fob.

As I understand it, this is an excellent reason to bring the fob when taking the car in for service, but otherwise is irrelevant. I welcome being corrected if this is wrong.