Key fob modification by Gates Innovations

BMW DIY Guy · 02-07-2021, 04:02 PM

Hey yall, I wanted to share my latest video, though not model specific. The only (very mild) disappointment of buying my F87, was when they slid the key fobs across the desk.

I had seen some of the newer //Ms and X3 and X5 with the newer style fob, new shape, metal and much more substantial. I was rather surprised to see that the F87 was still the same design as my 2014 F32.

Well after looking around I found Gates Innovations that I know has been mentioned on the forums through several threads, reached out George, and sent off my key!

It just came back this weekend, which is interesting timing since I had just handled the OEM X3M and X8c keys for immediate comparison. In brief it rocks and is totally worth it.

Yeah, purely a cosmetic change but I feel completely worth it! Plus, make sure to check them out as they are working on a clone of the OEM BMW display key! They are still in development, but the initial work looks spot on!

For me, absolutely worth it.

smrtypants44 · 02-08-2021, 10:47 PM

I hear that the x5 key has significantly degraded battery life. You'll have to let us know how that turns out.

DarkF30 · 02-08-2021, 11:49 PM

How much did it cost?

BMW DIY Guy · 02-09-2021, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkF30

How much did it cost?

its 175 to do the conversion

435gc · 02-19-2021, 11:27 AM

How long did it take?

BMW DIY Guy · 02-19-2021, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 435gc

How long did it take?

Roughly a week total, but depends on shipping speed of course

aps · 02-21-2021, 12:28 PM

been waiting for mine for a month now. order placed 1/21 and shipped to him same day. wasn't picked up from his P.o. box for a few days and then there were multiple delays after that. he's been responding to emails, but I've had to bug him about it over and over. overall disappointed in turn around time honestly. finally shipped out and now there's a delay with USPS so that's fun. hope it's worth the wait.

EDIT: i finally received the key a couple weeks ago and while I was annoyed with the delay, I have to say, it definitely was well worth the wait. the new style key is awesome! He is offering paint matched and black button sets now too, so I'm going to be ordering a black button set once they're available.

02-07-2021, 04:02 PM	#1
BMW DIY Guy Brigadier General 3090 Rep 3,035 Posts Drives: 2019 M2 Competition Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Maple Valley WA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2024 BMW M2 [9.80] 2017 BMW X1 [10.00] 2001 BMW X5 [10.00]	Key fob modification by Gates Innovations Hey yall, I wanted to share my latest video, though not model specific. The only (very mild) disappointment of buying my F87, was when they slid the key fobs across the desk. I had seen some of the newer //Ms and X3 and X5 with the newer style fob, new shape, metal and much more substantial. I was rather surprised to see that the F87 was still the same design as my 2014 F32. Well after looking around I found Gates Innovations that I know has been mentioned on the forums through several threads, reached out George, and sent off my key! It just came back this weekend, which is interesting timing since I had just handled the OEM X3M and X8c keys for immediate comparison. In brief it rocks and is totally worth it. Yeah, purely a cosmetic change but I feel completely worth it! Plus, make sure to check them out as they are working on a clone of the OEM BMW display key! They are still in development, but the initial work looks spot on! For me, absolutely worth it. __________________ Check out my BMW DIY Channel on YouTube! E, F and G series projects from Active Autowerke, Bimmertech, Kies Motorsports, AvinUSA, Karbonius Composites and more! YouTube BMW DIY Guy 'Nimona' G87 M2 Build Thread 'Lillith' F87 M2 Competition Build Thread
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02-08-2021, 10:47 PM	#2
smrtypants44 Captain 519 Rep 894 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Tulsa, OK iTrader: (2)	I hear that the x5 key has significantly degraded battery life. You'll have to let us know how that turns out. __________________
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02-08-2021, 11:49 PM	#3
DarkF30 Second Lieutenant 54 Rep 250 Posts Drives: F30 328i Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	How much did it cost?
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02-19-2021, 11:27 AM	#5
435gc Lieutenant 174 Rep 461 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Gran Coupe xdrive Join Date: May 2019 Location: Charlotte iTrader: (0)	How long did it take?
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02-21-2021, 12:28 PM	#7
aps Captain 337 Rep 963 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 ZCP Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: NC iTrader: (6)	been waiting for mine for a month now. order placed 1/21 and shipped to him same day. wasn't picked up from his P.o. box for a few days and then there were multiple delays after that. he's been responding to emails, but I've had to bug him about it over and over. overall disappointed in turn around time honestly. finally shipped out and now there's a delay with USPS so that's fun. hope it's worth the wait. EDIT: i finally received the key a couple weeks ago and while I was annoyed with the delay, I have to say, it definitely was well worth the wait. the new style key is awesome! He is offering paint matched and black button sets now too, so I'm going to be ordering a black button set once they're available. __________________ 2018 Azurite Black F80 M3 ZCP 2019 Phytonic Blue G05 X5 2013 Glacier Silver F30 335i (sold) Last edited by aps; 03-25-2021 at 09:36 AM..
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