[x3foo]

Hi all,

This is kind stupid, but life is like that.

My wife lost the key to my car inside it and after countless searches we cannot find it anywhere! She doesn't remember dropping it or anything so I don't even know where to focus. It's driving me crazy.

I know the key is inside the car because if I leave it unlocked I can start it and drive away. I left home with my phone, to lock/unlock the car with bmw connected, and drove the car all day without issues.

I've looked in all the obvious places like the glove box, bellow the seats, armrest, ... doors. I've also looked at some not so obvious places, like the plastic vents beneath the seats, and as far as i can put my hand inside i cannot feel it there.

Any idrive feature that can pinpoint the location of the key inside the car?

Can anyone give me some hints on where the hell can this key be hidden?



Thanks alot

[asyvan]

Hmm...
Usually you can't lock the car if the key is detected inside the vehicle.

[x3foo]

Originally Posted by asyvan

Hmm...
Usually you can't lock the car if the key is detected inside the vehicle.

Sh*t. But can I start the car and drive away without key? For hours? I really don't think so, it gives that message about key not being in the car.

[asyvan]

You can run the car without the key, but you can't start the car without it.

[nyalpine90]

i dont think you can shift into D if the key is not present.
you cant lock the car if key is inside the car.

[x3foo]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

i dont think you can shift into D if the key is not present.
you cant lock the car if key is inside the car.

Maybe the locking part depends on the options? The car doesn't have those slim buttons on the doorhandles because it doesnt have comfort access. I'm locking it via either the bmw connected app or the key fob.

I can start the engine without having any key in the car.

[nyalpine90]

did u check slot in center console by cup holders, above usb port

[tonyb15re]

look around under the seats theres lots of holes in the carpets where cables and other bits pull through, it may have found its way in a holes somewhere.

[kevinkay]

Keep us informed - curious where it tuns up.

FYI, I have tossed my jacket with the key in the pocket into the rear cargo area and car still started, thus it could be anywhere in the car.

Sometimes we empty our hand when we need to open, hold something. So not in the glove compartment but putting the key down to open the glove compartment.

My back seats are almost always down, I found something that fell into the cack between the cargo floor and the collapsed seats. I forgot how I retrieved it, but it did not end up on the seat when folded back up.

[dkreidel]

The seats remove fairly quickly; I'd pull the front seats first, look closely, and if not found pull the rear seat out.

[suby01]

Wait. Can you lock your car doors with another remote? You should not be able to lock the doors from the outside if the key is inside. Also are when you are in the car are you able to start the car or do you get a insert key message?
Also keep in mind the key could possibly be outside on the ground maybe close proximity to the car where it reads it?
Good luck. But this is interesting.

[freshxdough]

Trust me it's in there somewhere. There is no easy way to find it other than really digging around. You may need to remove the seats. Check under the rear seat as well. It IS somewhere in that vehicle If you can start it.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by suby01

Wait. Can you lock your car doors with another remote? You should not be able to lock the doors from the outside if the key is inside. Also are when you are in the car are you able to start the car or do you get a insert key message?
Also keep in mind the key could possibly be outside on the ground maybe close proximity to the car where it reads it?
Good luck. But this is interesting.

If you use the second key you should be able to lock the vehicle from the outside. In your theory it would prevent you from locking the vehicle if your friend/partner had a second key in their bag inside the vehicle. It should disable that key though until the vehicle is unlocked again with the key that locked it.

For example if you left key 1 in the cup holder and locked the car with key 2, you should theoretically not be able to break the window and grab key 1 and start the vehicle and drive off.

I would actually like to try this sometime as I have never actually verified this feature.

[BatMeoW]

I know of at least one place in the car where small things like coins and keys can easily get lost without any trace. The ISOFIX points in the rear seats have a cover that lifts up but it's all hollow inside. My kid accidentally dropped a coin in there and I wasn't able to recover it. The coin is obviously under the rear seat but there's no rattle and no trace of it whatsoever. It would have to be a stroke of (bad) luck, if somehow your key got dropped in there. You can possibly recover it by removing the rear seat but I have not tried that on mine.

[suby01]

OP so where is you key?

[x3foo]

Originally Posted by suby01

OP so where is you key?

hi!

Sorry for the lack of updates, but so far I've had no luck.

I didn't invest a lot of time but i did check the isofix points and the space between rear seats and cargo bay.

I'll update when i get some new developments on this breaking story.

[justanotherx3]

I had a new stereo installed, and the installers found a key under the underseat subwoofers of my CPO X3. The previous owner must have had a similar situation

[ramparts]

try in the air vents under the seats. they are pretty big and things can do into them. other than that, do you have the little cubby hole next to the steering wheel / a sunglasses holder

[Philip]

Originally Posted by x3foo

hi!

Sorry for the lack of updates, but so far I've had no luck.

I didn't invest a lot of time but i did check the isofix points and the space between rear seats and cargo bay.

I'll update when i get some new developments on this breaking story.

I have exactly the same problem! I put my key down next to me on the passenger seat. I heard a thump when I pulled away (it was dark) and assumed the key was on the mat at the front. It has almost been a week and I still can't find it. I have left my door unlocked when I park so far. There is no problem starting and driving the car.

Please let me know if you found your key. I have checked in every nook and cranny (except the one the key is in

[kevinkay]

Meaning NO offense but you do know the front part of the seat manually pulls out - find lots of stuff in there

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by Philip

I have exactly the same problem! I put my key down next to me on the passenger seat. I heard a thump when I pulled away (it was dark) and assumed the key was on the mat at the front. It has almost been a week and I still can't find it. I have left my door unlocked when I park so far. There is no problem starting and driving the car.

Please let me know if you found your key. I have checked in every nook and cranny (except the one the key is in

You're gonna have to start removing seats and getting down in there

[383vett]

The space between the seats and the console is a black hole.