[_ink]

Does the dealer need to code this to the car? Or is there a DIY?

[Barrancos]

Originally Posted by _ink

Does the dealer need to code this to the car? Or is there a DIY?

You buy it and in 10 days (in Spain) arrives coded for your car. Can not be recoded to another car. Then the dealer has to activate it in a minute.

[freshxdough]

Today I had a customer purchase a new Display key for an X7 (the glass screen on the original one was broken). So supposedly with the new replacement display key an activity key was also ordered.

The activity key is considered a regular key, unlike a digital key which is NFC based. The activity key needs to be taught in with a test plan and can not just be purchased and "taught" manually.

The activity key has no buttons and works purely via comfort access and Comfort Go. Essentially it's all you need to get in the vehicle and start it. Activity key accessory box comes with a clip, a key ring, and a watch band to be able to attach it in different ways.

[Alias1431]

I'd love it if BMW engineered some kind of slim, sturdy metal one that I could keep in my wallet.

[TheusBimmer]

Originally Posted by Barrancos

You buy it and in 10 days (in Spain) arrives coded for your car. Can not be recoded to another car. Then the dealer has to activate it in a minute.

Did you buy it on bmw.es?

[Blacktemplar]

Doesn’t seem to be available on BMW.uk although oddly you can buy a Montblanc accessory for it set at a very modest £350

I don’t think it’s available for the G01 at the moment anyway.

[hinckley]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

The activity key is considered a regular key, unlike a digital key which is NFC based. The activity key needs to be taught in with a test plan and can not just be purchased and "taught" manually.

So does that mean that the activity key will work with our X3/4s? How is the activity key "taught" to work with the car?

On a side note freshxdough, it's great to have your expertise on our forum. Thanks for all your great posts.

[Barrancos]

Originally Posted by TheusBimmer

Did you buy it on bmw.es?

Does not appear there. Called my dealer.

[Barrancos]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

Today I had a customer purchase a new Display key for an X7 (the glass screen on the original one was broken). So supposedly with the new replacement display key an activity key was also ordered.

The activity key is considered a regular key, unlike a digital key which is NFC based. The activity key needs to be taught in with a test plan and can not just be purchased and "taught" manually.

The activity key has no buttons and works purely via comfort access and Comfort Go. Essentially it's all you need to get in the vehicle and start it. Activity key accessory box comes with a clip, a key ring, and a watch band to be able to attach it in different ways.

Thanks for the detailed explanation. The band is strong enough for me to go paddle surfing, mtb, skiing and do not lose it ?

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by hinckley

So does that mean that the activity key will work with our X3/4s? How is the activity key "taught" to work with the car?

On a side note freshxdough, it's great to have your expertise on our forum. Thanks for all your great posts.

Theoretically it should. It is a 433mhz transponder just like normal keys. You would have to order VIN specific from the dealer with proof of ownership of course. I personally don't see why it couldn't work with our vehicles considering it's not NFC based in any way. It would be like only using your regular key via comfort access and comfort go and never pulling it out to press buttons. In the manual for the Activity key it still suggests you at least have a mechanical key on you in case the door won't unlock or something (probably just their way of making sure you can still get in the vehicle in the event of dead battery or something, it's not a bad idea honestly).

The activity key has to be taught using a test plan to teach in the new key.

At this time though I can't guarantee that it will work but I don't see why it wouldn't.

This is from BMW Canada stating model compatibility


https://www.bmw.ca/en/topics/offers-...ivity-key.html

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by Barrancos

Thanks for the detailed explanation. The band is strong enough for me to go paddle surfing, mtb, skiing and do not lose it ?

It would be like using an Apple Watch with a band that clips on at the sides instead of the middle. It has two pins on either side that latch into holes. I would say it's just as good as any watch link

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by Alias1431

I'd love it if BMW engineered some kind of slim, sturdy metal one that I could keep in my wallet.

That's what a BMW Digital Key is for. Although the X3 does not have that capability. This X7 now has all 4 key options. 1 regular key, 1 Display Key, 1 Digital Key, and 1 Activity key.

I've never seen them all before for one vehicle and also I've never seen the activity key until now.

[hinckley]

All very interesting. It's a bit surprising that the activity key isn't better known. OTOH, it's pretty bulky. Not much or any smaller than the regular key fob, so its usefulness is questionable. I presume it's waterproof, so that provides some utility over just putting the regular fob on a chain around your neck for athletic activities. Jag's execution is much better imo.

[TrackDad87]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

Today I had a customer purchase a new Display key for an X7 (the glass screen on the original one was broken). So supposedly with the new replacement display key an activity key was also ordered.

The activity key is considered a regular key, unlike a digital key which is NFC based. The activity key needs to be taught in with a test plan and can not just be purchased and "taught" manually.

The activity key has no buttons and works purely via comfort access and Comfort Go. Essentially it's all you need to get in the vehicle and start it. Activity key accessory box comes with a clip, a key ring, and a watch band to be able to attach it in different ways.

@freshxdough - is the 'Key' the little black box with the BMW roundel or is the key inside the little black box? I ask as the box needs to attach to the keyring or the band in the accessory pack. Is it waterproof?

Thx!

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by TrackDad87

@freshxdough - is the 'Key' the little black box with the BMW roundel or is the key inside the little black box? I ask as the box needs to attach to the keyring or the band in the accessory pack. Is it waterproof?

Thx!

Please google BMW Activity Key. It is the black box. The attachments can be fitted to it like the keychain and the watch band or clip. I believe it is waterproof but not sure to what extent.

[huggy509]

its the new key fob, BMW's answer to prevent the boot lid opening when button is pressed in your pocket.

[Marmugmotleocay]

I called the dealer and they had no idea this was available. They looked it up and were shocked. I was told it will work on my 2020 X3 M40 and only take a day to arrive. They also said the service department doesn't have to do anything to activate it. I don't think Service has any idea how this works.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by Marmugmotleocay

I called the dealer and they had no idea this was available. They looked it up and were shocked. I was told it will work on my 2020 X3 M40 and only take a day to arrive. They also said the service department doesn't have to do anything to activate it. I don't think Service has any idea how this works.

There most definitely is. It was a pain to get it to teach in via the test plan

[Marmugmotleocay]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

There most definitely is. It was a pain to get it to teach in via the test plan

I called another dealer today and the Service dept. told me that you do it yourself. You hold the new key to the steering column and that's it. How was yours done?

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by Marmugmotleocay

I called another dealer today and the Service dept. told me that you do it yourself. You hold the new key to the steering column and that's it. How was yours done?

Maybe that's how it's normally supposed to work. We had to use the test plan and hold it against the steering column. Regular keys you hold to steering column. Not sure if this key is specifically different. If it doesn't work holding it against the steering column then you will need to take it to service and have them teach in the key.

[Marmugmotleocay]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

Maybe that's how it's normally supposed to work. We had to use the test plan and hold it against the steering column. Regular keys you hold to steering column. Not sure if this key is specifically different. If it doesn't work holding it against the steering column then you will need to take it to service and have them teach in the key.

Thanks, Im not really sure if the Service dept. has any idea about this thing. It sounds like they are feeding me BS.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by Marmugmotleocay

Thanks, Im not really sure if the Service dept. has any idea about this thing. It sounds like they are feeding me BS.

To be fair I don't think ANYONE knows much about this Activity key. BMW didn't do much for advertising it as a feature or option. The digital key got more publicity than this Activity key and in my opinion is more useful and practical.

Theoretically it "should" be able to be taught in on the steering column like a regular key fob with buttons. But in my case it did not work.