Keys

[MikeO]

Just read this on ADVRider - which may mean that those of you who only got the one metal key with your 1200 might be able to get a second for free...

Mike

 

[peterh]

Unfortunately not.

I pointed this out to BMW UK, as part of a short set of exchanges on this, that included the reasons why I felt this was a corporate mistake and why I thought it unfair to expect dealers to pick up the tab for their cost savings. The final email from Customer Service included this:

"We can confirm that this situation remains as described in our previous communications and that BMW have made the decision to supply only one key as standard with our motorcycles and this decision has not been taken in error.

We would again suggest that you may wish to discuss your unhappiness with the BMW dealership handling your order and should the dealership feel that any additional action is appropriate once they have discussed this with you,
then they have the means to contact BMW UK on your behalf to query this or to give consideration to whether they can find a solution for you themselves. Alternatively you may wish to consider purchasing a replacement key for your BMW should you feel it is likely that this would be required at some stage in the future.

Once again, we appreciate that this is not the response you would have hoped for and would like to apologise for the disappointment you evidently feel, however whilst any further correspondence on this matter shall be read with interest, no response would be forthcoming."

So that is that.

Unless you know otherwise ....

 

[ktmmark]

I was give a second key from BMW after complaining on its 1st service (my manual says two metal keys so i want 2)

 

[peterh]

I tried pointing out that at least one UK owner had been given 2 sets of keys on complaining and I asked for the same consideration. The reply was as above.

The BMW UK stance appears to be that the current sales position means that it can do much as it pleases - the bikes will continue to sell. That is one view, but I think it is a fundamentally short sighted one.

I have yet to lose a key (there I go tempting fate) but I hope that I will not need to find one quickly as another reply indicates they are individually ordered from Germany.

 

[(RIP) Geriatric Germ]

What is the purpose of the Plastic Lookalike key thingy?

 

[Alphason]

Apparently the plastic one will 'get you home'! Just in time to pay BMW for the 2nd 'real' key you should have had in the first place!

I got two 'real' keys and a plastic one, from Allan Jefferies. Maybe it's changed since October last year?

 

[Fanum]

What is the purpose of the Plastic Lookalike key thingy?

It's sposed to go in your wallet as an emergency key Rob....once upon a time I used to cut those wallet keys at the ideal home exhibition for a fiver each or free to AA members....did a roaring trade......

It's not a bad idea actually

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I believe Germany gets 2 keys and a full toolkit on 2005 bikes.
The weight saving (toolkit deletion) and further cost saving (1 key) seems to be more of a UK thing, augmented by BMW GB

Same response to my written letter of complaint, in the reply rec'd this week

 

[Marty Hill]

JB,

You might be right about only in the UK. I collected another 12GS on wed. of this week. It came with 2 real keys + the plastic one. Tool kit was smaller than last time but had an tool for the oil filler which I had not seen on my other 12GS.

Cheers,

 

[kiwiAdventure]

All BMW cars have a plastic key. I've been told the key is water proof so you can take it swimming with you for security reason's.

 

[MikeO]

All BMW cars have a plastic key. I've been told the key is water proof so you can take it swimming with you for security reason's.

That'd be handy for you Bill...

Mike

 

[Greg Masters]

Anyone ordering a new bike should have written in to the deal that x metal keys and y plastic keys will be supplied by the dealer.

If the dealer signs up to that, how they sort it is up to them.

Greg

 

[Steve]

All BMW cars have a plastic key. I've been told the key is water proof so you can take it swimming with you for security reason's.

I think you'll find the metal keys are waterproof too......

 

[kiwiAdventure]

I think you'll find the metal keys are waterproof too......

I don't think you will find the alarm key is and I would not like to swim with the main key. May be you could try and let us know

 

[nadeem]

I got two keys with mine last October...

 

[Mouse]

The plastic key won't get you home, as it has no immobiliser transponder in it.

I assume it's just a blank for getting spare keys cut from, like Fanum says.

 

[Davel]

Got 2 keys plus plastic one with my GS in january this year.

 

[intensive care]

Perhaps prospective purchasers should insist that the dealer supplies a second metal key and full tool kit for that matter. The approach could be;

NO EXTRA KEY/TOOL KIT = NO DEAL

Realistically how many dealers are going to want to loose a deal for 10 K for the sake of 20 - 30 quid.

If enough people did this it might just focus the mean tight minded approach of BMW UK

 

[wilbjr21]

This is probably caused by some spotty accountant trying to impress his boss in BMW (UK) with another "good idea". It has the opposite effect on customers and is a very stupid unilateral move in the era of instant information spreading. Things like this affect my viewpoint on a company - I am not impressed.

 

[motozen]

As a follow up to my original advrider.com post, even though I will be given a second key, BMW Motorrad Germany has informed BMW Canada that all MARCH 2005 and forward bikes will come with only one metal key and one plastic key..

TOTAL B.S.

Toolkit's gone.. 1 key, what's next? no pillion saddle?

I think if enough people complain and new buyers demand a second key and a full tool kit prior to ordering, we might get something changed..