Do you still have to insert the key fob without comfort access?

[hyde]

Now that comfort access is part of a useless package (personally) I am trying to find out if I can live without it. I think I can certainly live without door handle sensors (it frustrated me time to time but I still loved it) but I am not sure if I can handle having to insert the keyfob to start the car.

I have a bad feeling about this.. please tell me, do I have to?

[MattBianco]

I've been keyless since 2006 on Mercedes, and now on BMW. It is a must have for me. Merc never required key insert. The '14 X5 too does not require a key insert for start, and neither does the '13 loaner we have at the moment.

BTW, so far the only two places Merc has exceeded BMW are in keyless (much better tuned sensitivity for lock/unlock) and adaptive cruise, where Merc had much smoother adjustment despite being a 2008; I find the X5 ACC to be overreacting with slow down and acceleration.

[Shorty Shorty]

No insertion required on any f15 model.

[opasha]

Originally Posted by Shorty Shorty

No insertion required on any f15 model.

Had to re-read the OP's message. Like you said, there is no key insertion for any F15 X5. It's just keyfob that sits in your car holder/pocket with or without comfort access.

[Baunton]

Originally Posted by Golden Horn

Now that comfort access is part of a useless package (personally) I am trying to find out if I can live without it. I think I can certainly live without door handle sensors (it frustrated me time to time but I still loved it) but I am not sure if I can handle having to insert the keyfob to start the car.

I have a bad feeling about this.. please tell me, do I have to?

Think you are referring to the E70 not the F15...no 'key insert' required on latest model.

[Kzang]

So the comfort access on the F15 is just for opening the door with touch?

[sward]

Originally Posted by Kzang

So the comfort access on the F15 is just for opening the door with touch?

Yes

[NPickles]

Originally Posted by Kzang

So the comfort access on the F15 is just for opening the door with touch?

And is an essential in my book!

[Baunton]

Originally Posted by sward

Yes

Out of interest with CA how do you lock the car when you exit?

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by MattBianco

Merc never required key insert.

I had two 2010 MB's and both required the key to be inserted into the ignition, since they didn't have "Keyless Go." I'm assuming you didn't mean "never?" (obviously in say, 1926, this didn't exist ).

I think BMW started the "keep it in your pocket" thing (with or without comfort access) on all models in 2010 if I'm not mistaken.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by Baunton

Out of interest with CA how do you lock the car when you exit?

touch the handle. Grabbing unlocks, touching just the sensor (there are little raised bars to show where it is) locks. Very easy and convenient. Another feature is the trunk. Same thing as far as unlocking, just push the open button on the tailgate, or use the kick feature (which I admittedly never do on either of our cars, but hey, it's there….).

[Baunton]

Originally Posted by chrisny

touch the handle. Grabbing unlocks, touching just the sensor (there are little raised bars to show where it is) locks. Very easy and convenient. Another feature is the trunk. Same thing as far as unlocking, just push the open button on the tailgate, or use the kick feature (which I admittedly never do on either of our cars, but hey, it's there….).

Nice feature. Thanks Chrisny.

[HansRobert]

Originally Posted by chrisny

touch the handle. Grabbing unlocks, touching just the sensor (there are little raised bars to show where it is) locks. Very easy and convenient. Another feature is the trunk. Same thing as far as unlocking, just push the open button on the tailgate, or use the kick feature (which I admittedly never do on either of our cars, but hey, it's there….).

The kick feature! What is that?

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by HansRobert

The kick feature! What is that?

You kick under the trunk to activate a sensor that opens the trunk/tailgate. It takes some getting used to in order to avoid looking like a jackarse kicking a dozen times with no results..

[MattBianco]

Originally Posted by chrisny

I had two 2010 MB's and both required the key to be inserted into the ignition, since they didn't have "Keyless Go." I'm assuming you didn't mean "never?" (obviously in say, 1926, this didn't exist ).

I think BMW started the "keep it in your pocket" thing (with or without comfort access) on all models in 2010 if I'm not mistaken.

Correct. I have a 2006 and 2007 both with "Keyless Go" and no insertion was required. If you really want to insert, you pop out the start/stop button on those, and the insertion slot is under them. I have not tried to see if the X5 button is removable.

[Kzang]

I have CA on my current X5 and I will admit it I thought it was just crap in the beginning, but now I love this feature and I would get it regardless what package it is combined with.

I sometimes forget when I drive rentals while on vacation or business and I just grab the handle to try to unlock the car... or I need to pull out the key and insert it to the keyhole in order to start the car.

With a premium brand like BMW this feature should be standard across all their cars.. I just don't understand why BMW would allow to have their cars image be cheapened while other "cheap" cars have this feature as standard. Same goes for the halogen headlight on BMW's base model sedan cars... Luxury cars should have high end luxury features.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by MattBianco

Correct. I have a 2006 and 2007 both with "Keyless Go" and no insertion was required. If you really want to insert, you pop out the start/stop button on those, and the insertion slot is under them. I have not tried to see if the X5 button is removable.

I was wondering that same thing about BMW's with CA. Our X3 (traded in on the X5) did not have CA, and thus key slot at all. I'm trying to remember what you do then if the battery on the fob dies. I recall something about putting the key next to where there would normally be a key slot on the steering column, but not sure how that helps if the battery is actually dead. So the button must pop-off the same way MB's do.

Then again, in 10 years of having cars with some sort of battery and chip inside (maybe 15, I don't remember if there was a battery in my '99 E46 or '02 A4), I've never had even a rarely used spare key have a dead battery.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by Kzang

I have CA on my current X5 and I will admit it I thought it was just crap in the beginning, but now I love this feature and I would get it regardless what package it is combined with.

I can say having had this for a few years, then having 3 cars without it (between my wife and I) and now 2 with it again, I'll never go back. We had both of our kids during part of the time we were without "keyless go"/CA and were VERY happy to have it again on the cars we have now. What a bonehead move not getting it when we were carrying them to and from the car in the infant carrier car seats. The MB's were a matter of what was available on the lot, scarified this option in favor of others we wanted more. But the X3 was our own fault, as it was ordered. I think that was one of the few options that wasn't available stand alone on the '11 X3, so I was just being stubborn, as I didn't want leather with a toddler and an infant and CA would have meant the premium package.

Originally Posted by Kzang

With a premium brand like BMW this feature should be standard across all their cars.. I just don't understand why BMW would allow to have their cars image be cheapened while other "cheap" cars have this feature as standard. Same goes for the halogen headlight on BMW's base model sedan cars... Luxury cars should have high end luxury features.

I agree 100%. At this point, I find I have a 50% chance of my mid-sized rental cars when I travel having smart keys. Those cars all carry price tags under $25,000. The first car I had that had a smart key was a 2004 Infiniti. 10 years ago it was understandable that it was an option. At this point, BMW and others give you the ignition part free, and it's just silly that it stops there.

[HansRobert]

Originally Posted by chrisny

You kick under the trunk to activate a sensor that opens the trunk/tailgate. It takes some getting used to in order to avoid looking like a jackarse kicking a dozen times with no results..

Thanks! Somehow I wasn't aware (or forgot) that this was a feature of the X5. A pleasant surprise, especially of my wife, when we pick our X5 up in SC next week.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by HansRobert

Thanks! Somehow I wasn't aware (or forgot) that this was a feature of the X5. A pleasant surprise, especially of my wife, when we pick our X5 up in SC next week.

Just be warned though, it may not be as useful as you hope. I at first was good at getting it every time on my 335, then started being less consistent and now rarely use it. Not sure if it's the sensor or me doing it too fast, etc.. just gave up. As a result, I don't think I've even tried it once on the X5. However, this thread has inspired me to give it another try lol. It's really that more more useful for an X5, considering what you load into an SUV vs. sport sedan…. I never really had the need on my car, just did it because it was there (and therefore felt that much more silly kicking my car in the office parking lot with nothing but a laptop bag to put in the trunk (i.e. 2 free hands) lol.

[AEC]

Originally Posted by chrisny

Just be warned though, it may not be as useful as you hope. I at first was good at getting it every time on my 335, then started being less consistent and now rarely use it. Not sure if it's the sensor or me doing it too fast, etc.. just gave up. As a result, I don't think I've even tried it once on the X5. However, this thread has inspired me to give it another try lol. It's really that more more useful for an X5, considering what you load into an SUV vs. sport sedan…. I never really had the need on my car, just did it because it was there (and therefore felt that much more silly kicking my car in the office parking lot with nothing but a laptop bag to put in the trunk (i.e. 2 free hands) lol.

I think the reason that you are having poor results getting it to work on the X5 is because there is no kick feature on the vehicle. You can keep trying if you like, though.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by AEC

I think the reason that you are having poor results getting it to work on the X5 is because there is no kick feature on the vehicle. You can keep trying if you like, though.

Like I said, I've never even tried it on the X5. Now I'm glad I didn't lol. The inconsistent results, as I mentioned, were with my 335, which does have this feature.

Sorry if I've confused anyone, thought it was on the X5 too (you know, since it certainly should be ….).