Plastic BMW key & pannier...

[WindyChuffer]

Just managed to snap the plastic BMW key whilst putting my panniers on....its snapped almost flush with the lock so will be interesting fishing it out. Right now, cant get the RH pannier on the bike !

ARSE !

Moral of that story - don't use the plastic key when its on a heavy set of keys.

 

[RJT_Berlin]

I was surpised and shocked when I bought my GSA, that the sh1tty bit of plastic was my spare key!!!!

13 grand for a bike and not even a metal spare!!

Have used it once, but wasnt feeling too confident putting it in the panniers either!

 

[fatbaldbob]

Why use the plastic key I got two metal keys and a plastic key with my bike. I thought the plastic one was just a blank template to have a new metal key made if you lost one. Or is there more to it

 

[Goose]

Why use the plastic key I got two metal keys and a plastic key with my bike. I thought the plastic one was just a blank template to have a new metal key made if you lost one. Or is there more to it

+1

 

[NI Phil]

Why use the plastic key I got two metal keys and a plastic key with my bike. I thought the plastic one was just a blank template to have a new metal key made if you lost one. Or is there more to it

+2 - When I picked my new GSA up from Motorrad Central they had already ordered up a spare metal key for me.

 

[desertyellow]

The plastic key is an emergency wallet key!

 

[adventurecrv]

For 2008 BMW shipped the bike with one metal and one plastic key. They changed it for 2009...two metal keys.

It was a cost savings measure of course.

I was warned not to use the plastic key in the panniers...

Yeah you think for what the cost of the bike is BMW could ship two metal keys...

Twits.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I got 1 metal key and 1 plastic wallet key with my GSA back in 06 but on my request the dealer put in a claim for a 2nd metal key through the warranty system and it arrived FOC in about 10 days

 

[EggChaser]

Why use the plastic key I got two metal keys and a plastic key with my bike. I thought the plastic one was just a blank template to have a new metal key made if you lost one. Or is there more to it

The plastic key still has the immobiliser chip in it and as someone else has said is to be kept in your wallet so that if you lose you main key when away from home you can still use your bike.

Oh and when I got my '08 the dealer at the time made sure I had 2 standard metal keys and the plastic key, I am not 100% whether this was a bit of dealer common sense or BMW practice at the time.

 

[bod]

And don't forget the plastic key comes in handy if you need to do the antenna ring workaround to get home!

I think the plastic wallet key is a pretty darn good idea. It isn't going to rust either.

 

[ihandyman247]

The plastic key is an emergency wallet key!

+1

 

[itspilsbury]

And don't forget the plastic key comes in handy if you need to do the antenna ring workaround to get home!

I think the plastic wallet key is a pretty darn good idea. It isn't going to rust either.

Yes, don't throw the broken plastic key away as the chip end of it will still work with the ring antenna work around. I broke mine as it got bent slightly, brittle as anything! I went to order a new one and found a metal key was only 2 or 3 quid more, about £37 I think. Apparently BMW have 8 keys made for each bike and the spares are kept in Germany locked away.

 

[MikeP]

Apparently BMW have 8 keys made for each bike and the spares are kept in Germany locked away.

Fingers-crossed that Hans doesn't try using the spare plastic (emergency) key to open the box they're kept in.

 

[WindyChuffer]

Yeah yeah I know its an emergency dont use unless you have to key. But was being lazy....my fault I know.

Managed to extract it after 10 mins of long nose plier jiggery pokery.

Replacement metal key ordered...fekkin expensive at close on £40 delivered !

 

[MikeP]

Well done.

Maybe you should have bought a BMW wallet at the same time (as they have a little hidden pocket in them for the key)?

 

[Martian]

Certainly sounds like a good idea in practice!

Feeling a little left out as I didn't get a plastic key, (but Adventurecrv suggests this practice may have been discontinued in 2009 - I have just 'acquired' a 2009 GSA).

Although purchased for a very reasonable price, (especially when considering she is 'fully loaded' and has full luggage and all of the additional guards and lights), she doesn't have her tool roll, rear mud guard or 'The Cat'!

I suspect that these items will cost far less, to replace, than the 'extras' included in the price, (possibly excepting the 'Cat' of course)!

Apologies for the slight diversion 'off track'!

 

[Gossy]

Feeling a little left out as I didn't get a plastic key, (but Adventurecrv suggests this practice may have been discontinued in 2009 - I have just 'acquired' a 2009 GSA).




I got one with my 2099 GS and 2011 GSA

 

[JayC]

Feeling a little left out as I didn't get a plastic key, (but Adventurecrv suggests this practice may have been discontinued in 2009 - I have just 'acquired' a 2009 GSA).




I got one with my 2099 GS and 2011 GSA

Perhaps you'd like to share your experience of this bike and maybe provide pictures?

I had two steel and one plastic key for my 2012 GS but the plastic one now resides in France... somewhere!