[vkk]

I remember reading somewhere, and now I can't find where, that the battery doesn't charge for the CA key like the non CA. I know the non-CA charges if you put it in the aperture. Any one know for sure?

[Ninjaneer]

CA fob = battery needs replacement eventually (not rechargeable)
Non-CA fob = rechargeable when placed in the fob slot

[bmwexecutive]

Nope. CA fobs do not recharge. They have a removable battery. A couple months after I got my car I noticed that my fob only worked about 10 feet away from the car to lock and unlock so I took it to the dealer. They said, nope, have to order a new fob because there's no removable battery and that the 10 feet thing isn't because the battery's low---it's a safety feature. Yeah..... riiiigggghhhtt.

Ended up figuring out that the back comes off the fob with not too much difficulity. Took out the small flat battery, went to Lowes and got a new one for like $5 (expensive battery) and poped it in and closed up the fob. Worked perfectly from there on out. Now I have a range of about 30 feet or more. And the good news is that it won't work inside my house so I can't push the unlock button by accident when I'm inside. Or gasp, accidently hold down the unlock button and come back out the next morning to discover all my windows down like what happened to some other members.

[vkk]

Thanks guys, the recharging is more important to me than CA so I won't opt for it

[Ninjaneer]

Originally Posted by vkk

Thanks guys, the recharging is more important to me than CA so I won't opt for it

You're fine with paying $500 for CA, but because it doesn't recharge you'll skip it?

Your call, but I enjoy it

[vkk]

Good point, but I always find it really annoying when my batteries die and I've to do things manually. The recharging is a great feature and it's a tradeoff of one convenience vs another. Individual tastes vary on which convenience is more imporant.

[Shäferhunde]

the recharging is more important to me than CA so I won't opt for it

In my opinion CA is the best thing since "sliced bread". If you didn't opt for CA because of a concern about a $5 battery I'd be shocked.

[Shäferhunde]

Originally Posted by vkk

Good point, but I always find it really annoying when my batteries die and I've to do things manually. The recharging is a great feature and it's a tradeoff of one convenience vs another. Individual tastes vary on which convenience is more imporant.

If it bothers you, when you pick up the car buy 4 or 5 replacement batteries and keep them in the glove box.

[vkk]

Good ideas, thanks, I might go for it

[doublearon21]

Originally Posted by bmwexecutive

Nope. CA fobs do not recharge. They have a removable battery. A couple months after I got my car I noticed that my fob only worked about 10 feet away from the car to lock and unlock so I took it to the dealer. They said, nope, have to order a new fob because there's no removable battery and that the 10 feet thing isn't because the battery's low---it's a safety feature. Yeah..... riiiigggghhhtt.

Ended up figuring out that the back comes off the fob with not too much difficulity. Took out the small flat battery, went to Lowes and got a new one for like $5 (expensive battery) and poped it in and closed up the fob. Worked perfectly from there on out. Now I have a range of about 30 feet or more. And the good news is that it won't work inside my house so I can't push the unlock button by accident when I'm inside. Or gasp, accidently hold down the unlock button and come back out the next morning to discover all my windows down like what happened to some other members.

Just one more way that the dealers try to screw ya...bastards

[Ninjaneer]

Originally Posted by vkk

Good point, but I always find it really annoying when my batteries die and I've to do things manually. The recharging is a great feature and it's a tradeoff of one convenience vs another. Individual tastes vary on which convenience is more imporant.

I see where you're coming from, but consider this: you're going to "manually" reach for your fob and press the button each time you enter/exit the car, every day. With a dead CA fob you're going to manually remove the key and use it for a few days before you buy a new battery.

OTOH prior to having CA we've all had to do that for our previous cars, so it's not like you'd feel burdened doing anything you weren't already doing.

Anyway congrats on your future purchase

[doublearon21]

Originally Posted by Shäferhunde

In my opinion CA is the best thing since "sliced bread". If you didn't opt for CA because of a concern about a $5 battery I'd be shocked.

Definetly an awesome feature, my friends Infiniti has it and I drove it for a few days while he was out of town and got me sold on it. Definetly up there with sliced bread.

[SoYank]

doublearon21, wonderful signature line.

[MB330]

Originally Posted by Shäferhunde

In my opinion CA is the best thing since "sliced bread". If you didn't opt for CA because of a concern about a $5 battery I'd be shocked.

+1 ! I LOVE CA - best option in my car!

[Bimmeration]

:rocks: Glad that I got mine with the option!

[Mr. Smith]

how long does the battery last in the Comfort Access fobs?

[E90T]

I'd rather pay for a $5 battery to have such an awesome feature

[bmwexecutive]

Dude, you have absolutely got to get Comfort Access. Out of every feature I've got on my car, it has to be in my top five. And it's something that I use every single time I get in my car. To be honest, after using it, the feature of CA is worth three times what I paid for it. And don't fret about the battery. Since putting a new one in five months ago, it's still good as new. I'm betting it will last another seven months or so---a year per battery. Small price to pay for such a great feature.

[JackMac]

Originally Posted by Mr. Smith

how long does the battery last in the Comfort Access fobs?

Difficult to answer, as CA has only been available for about 1 year. I replaced 1 of my 2 batteries last month (10 month's old) but the other one is fine.

Dealer parts dept charged only about $2 for replacement. At the time he told me life expectancy is around 2 years, and that If I go over to service dept, that they would warantee it (since just 10 month's old). For $2, it wasn't even worth it for me to go across to service, submit a request, get the paperwork, etc. I just paid for the new one and left.

[Snowman811]

I find myself driving my wifes car which doens't have CA and I always leave the keys in my pocket (getting too used to CA for my 330). PITA to lean back, dig out the keys and manually put them into the ignition. Its like the microwave to me - you can live without it, but once you've used it, you'll wonder how you ever did. Anyone who goes grocery shopping can appreciate CA when your hands are full.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by Ninjaneer

I see where you're coming from, but consider this: you're going to "manually" reach for your fob and press the button each time you enter/exit the car, every day. With a dead CA fob you're going to manually remove the key and use it for a few days before you buy a new battery.

OTOH prior to having CA we've all had to do that for our previous cars, so it's not like you'd feel burdened doing anything you weren't already doing.

Anyway congrats on your future purchase

Why reach for the fob when entering the vehicle? Why not just pull the handle and get in?

I dunno, I never replaced the battery on my 98 Nissan's remote controller and it even went through the wash once. That's nearly 9 years of use. I'm not saying CA will last that long, just that I don't worry about it, if it happens, it happens. So you call BMW Assist.

[Mr. Smith]

ok, thanks