DIY: Make your key FOB look new! Replacing your Key FOB Housing (Non-CA or CA)

Bmw doubles · 03-01-2015, 11:53 PM

Nice this going down. I guess this would also be a good time to put in a new battery.

dkdelrey · 03-19-2015, 12:38 PM

New key fob does not need programming?

Augster · 03-19-2015, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDE93

New key fob does not need programming?

This DIY is just for the plastic housing: no new electronics is involved thus no "programming" is needed.

dkdelrey · 03-19-2015, 12:42 PM

10-4 Thanks!

By the way, how do you post pictures here? Also how do you delete a thread?

Nitrousbird · 03-19-2015, 02:58 PM

This should be labeled for a non comfort access key in the title.

tflynn6693 · 06-10-2015, 12:05 PM

Scott Smith did a really good job of showing us how to open our fob and use a 3rd party copy shell to renew our keys...

Think about it, if China is making copies of a BMW key fobs then BMW should wonder what they are doing wrong... In fact you can say that about any gray or copied part... if demand is high enough to copy something or the part is way out of line expensive (mmmm) then the part is either failing too often and/or the part is too expensive (something should be changed about it) .... the demand that you are experiencing reflects a substandard part... (my chrome plating was peeling on my fob) The best way for BMW to stamp out third party parts is to build them well in the first place then you won't need a third party part.... I digressed...

Some of you complained about the quality of the Chinese copy... and balked at the price of a new fob... and I tend to agree...

So you want BMW quality at a Chinese price....

Get on Ebay and buy a used BMW fob... a real one and look at the pictures real close so you get a nice one...

I just bought a used (you can't tell though) CA fob for $16.00... and yes I went through the withdraw symptoms of why I can't code the key to my car and even contemplated buying one of those ODBII to USB key coders...

Don't bother... know the difference between a CA and non CA key (CA=comfort access), order a pristine "used" key and carefully crack it open like Scott showed you... Swap out the guts and super glue it together.... take your time and let it set for more than 30 seconds..... what you will have in your hand is all the quality of a genuine BMW part without the hassles of and cost of a new key fob key and associated reprogramming etc. at the same price of a delivered Chinese copy...

good luck

Mr. Tasty · 06-01-2016, 04:35 PM

bumping for info on a decent case.

Larrye90 · 06-07-2016, 12:20 AM

Bump any recommendations for a good key fob

Mr. Tasty · 06-17-2016, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larrye90

Bump any recommendations for a good key fob

I bought this one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281940135825...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I got it in 7 days and it is pretty well built. No need for modification to the casing.

Larrye90 · 06-21-2016, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Tasty

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larrye90

Bump any recommendations for a good key fob

I bought this one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281940135825...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I got it in 7 days and it is pretty well built. No need for modification to the casing.

Cool thanks. I need one without the comfort access. I don't have the battery tap in the back

Mr. Tasty · 07-06-2016, 04:23 PM

could someone let me know if they have an additional silver SMD Capacitor in the circled location? I have a Comfort Access Fob and my unlock function doesn't work. I changed the outside case and I might have accidentally removed a capacitor. There are little indentation that looks that there was something there previously. Thanks!

View post on imgur.com

Mr. Tasty · 07-08-2016, 04:42 PM

bumpp

the dope steez · 08-03-2016, 01:50 PM

This thread is pretty old but I thought I'd provide some insight on a decent eBay knockoff fob I purchased.

I got mine from ebay seller 'Krat17' (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Smart-Key-Sh...3D281940135825)

Took a bit of time to get here but I wasn't in a rush, came in a pretty dodgy looking envelope from Bulgaria, but the key was nicely wrapped in bubble wrap so not damaged. On first inspection this thing is very very good quality, it actually looks and feels as good as the stock key. The metal key that comes with it fits fractionally better than my original metal key, but this isn't enough to bother me in the slightest. It snaps together without the need for glue which is also a bonus.
The biggest difference is the button press. The buttons are firmer and have a softer click to them. It is borderline too hard to press the buttons, but the buttons feel high quality and less flimsy than the OEM key, just harder to depress.
Overall, very happy with this product and the price point. Would definitely recommend to anyone who is doing a fob case refresh.

Mr. Tasty · 08-03-2016, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the dope steez

This thread is pretty old but I thought I'd provide some insight on a decent eBay knockoff fob I purchased.

I got mine from ebay seller 'Krat17' (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Smart-Key-Sh...3D281940135825)

Took a bit of time to get here but I wasn't in a rush, came in a pretty dodgy looking envelope from Bulgaria, but the key was nicely wrapped in bubble wrap so not damaged. On first inspection this thing is very very good quality, it actually looks and feels as good as the stock key. The metal key that comes with it fits fractionally better than my original metal key, but this isn't enough to bother me in the slightest. It snaps together without the need for glue which is also a bonus.
The biggest difference is the button press. The buttons are firmer and have a softer click to them. It is borderline too hard to press the buttons, but the buttons feel high quality and less flimsy than the OEM key, just harder to depress.
Overall, very happy with this product and the price point. Would definitely recommend to anyone who is doing a fob case refresh.

I got the Comfort Access version from that vendor for $21 shaped. It was a great replacement.

the dope steez · 08-03-2016, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Tasty

I got the Comfort Access version from that vendor for $21 shaped. It was a great replacement.

Ya the purchase was based on your recommendation - so thanks for that!

ccraig13 · 08-04-2016, 10:41 AM

Can't wait till we can 3D print these types of things more easily

Mr. Tasty · 08-04-2016, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the dope steez

Ya the purchase was based on your recommendation - so thanks for that!

CTID · 08-06-2016, 05:44 AM

I'm looking to do this too. Do the new shrouds have the same feel as OEM? Is it as hard wearing?

sKruPz · 08-18-2017, 05:18 PM

Super old post, but does anyone have the photos from the original post? I can't see them

03-01-2015, 11:53 PM	#45
Bmw doubles Dream crusher 984 Rep 2,421 Posts Drives: Fast Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: westside iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 535 [0.00]	Nice this going down. I guess this would also be a good time to put in a new battery. __________________ 535i MIssion Performance, PS2, Helix HPFP Kit, Wagner FMIC, Spec 3 clutch, Steel SMF, Wolf Racing CP, UUC SSK, GFB dv, SprintBooster, Custom Dynomax Exhaust, M5 Sways, Eibach OE Springs, Koni Sports Adjustable, Custom Short Ram CAI IG: @bmwdoubles
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03-19-2015, 12:38 PM	#46
dkdelrey New Member 2 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Calgary Alberta iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i Cabri ... [9.50] 2002 Celica GT [0.00]	New key fob does not need programming?
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03-19-2015, 12:42 PM	#48
dkdelrey New Member 2 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Calgary Alberta iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i Cabri ... [9.50] 2002 Celica GT [0.00]	10-4 Thanks! By the way, how do you post pictures here? Also how do you delete a thread?
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03-19-2015, 02:58 PM	#49
Nitrousbird Banned 432 Rep 1,602 Posts Drives: '07 E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Powell, OH iTrader: (2)	This should be labeled for a non comfort access key in the title.
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06-10-2015, 12:05 PM	#50
tflynn6693 Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2016 M4 Vert Austin Yellow Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Allen, Texas iTrader: (0)	Make your key FOB look new! Replacing your Key FOB Housing (Non-CA or CA) Scott Smith did a really good job of showing us how to open our fob and use a 3rd party copy shell to renew our keys... Think about it, if China is making copies of a BMW key fobs then BMW should wonder what they are doing wrong... In fact you can say that about any gray or copied part... if demand is high enough to copy something or the part is way out of line expensive (mmmm) then the part is either failing too often and/or the part is too expensive (something should be changed about it) .... the demand that you are experiencing reflects a substandard part... (my chrome plating was peeling on my fob) The best way for BMW to stamp out third party parts is to build them well in the first place then you won't need a third party part.... I digressed... Some of you complained about the quality of the Chinese copy... and balked at the price of a new fob... and I tend to agree... So you want BMW quality at a Chinese price.... Get on Ebay and buy a used BMW fob... a real one and look at the pictures real close so you get a nice one... I just bought a used (you can't tell though) CA fob for $16.00... and yes I went through the withdraw symptoms of why I can't code the key to my car and even contemplated buying one of those ODBII to USB key coders... Don't bother... know the difference between a CA and non CA key (CA=comfort access), order a pristine "used" key and carefully crack it open like Scott showed you... Swap out the guts and super glue it together.... take your time and let it set for more than 30 seconds..... what you will have in your hand is all the quality of a genuine BMW part without the hassles of and cost of a new key fob key and associated reprogramming etc. at the same price of a delivered Chinese copy... good luck
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-01-2016, 04:35 PM	#51
Mr. Tasty Captain 428 Rep 707 Posts Drives: AW 335i Mperformance Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Gilbert iTrader: (0)	bumping for info on a decent case.
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06-07-2016, 12:20 AM	#52
Larrye90 Second Lieutenant 50 Rep 276 Posts Drives: 2010bmwe90 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Hollywood iTrader: (0)	Bump any recommendations for a good key fob
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07-06-2016, 04:23 PM	#55
Mr. Tasty Captain 428 Rep 707 Posts Drives: AW 335i Mperformance Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Gilbert iTrader: (0)	could someone let me know if they have an additional silver SMD Capacitor in the circled location? I have a Comfort Access Fob and my unlock function doesn't work. I changed the outside case and I might have accidentally removed a capacitor. There are little indentation that looks that there was something there previously. Thanks! View post on imgur.com
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-08-2016, 04:42 PM	#56
Mr. Tasty Captain 428 Rep 707 Posts Drives: AW 335i Mperformance Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Gilbert iTrader: (0)	bumpp
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08-03-2016, 01:50 PM	#57
the dope steez Captain 403 Rep 808 Posts Drives: F30 335i M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Shredmonton, Illberta iTrader: (0)	This thread is pretty old but I thought I'd provide some insight on a decent eBay knockoff fob I purchased. I got mine from ebay seller 'Krat17' (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Smart-Key-Sh...3D281940135825) Took a bit of time to get here but I wasn't in a rush, came in a pretty dodgy looking envelope from Bulgaria, but the key was nicely wrapped in bubble wrap so not damaged. On first inspection this thing is very very good quality, it actually looks and feels as good as the stock key. The metal key that comes with it fits fractionally better than my original metal key, but this isn't enough to bother me in the slightest. It snaps together without the need for glue which is also a bonus. The biggest difference is the button press. The buttons are firmer and have a softer click to them. It is borderline too hard to press the buttons, but the buttons feel high quality and less flimsy than the OEM key, just harder to depress. Overall, very happy with this product and the price point. Would definitely recommend to anyone who is doing a fob case refresh.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-04-2016, 10:41 AM	#60
ccraig13 Lieutenant 54 Rep 484 Posts Drives: '07 E92 328xi 6MT Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Can't wait till we can 3D print these types of things more easily __________________ 2007 328xi E92 6MT Jet Black/Coral Red \| Tracks: NJMP
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08-06-2016, 05:44 AM	#62
CTID Registered 2 Rep 2 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: France iTrader: (0)	I'm looking to do this too. Do the new shrouds have the same feel as OEM? Is it as hard wearing?
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08-18-2017, 05:18 PM	#63
sKruPz Man Man 24 Rep 242 Posts Drives: TiAg E90 330i Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Des Moines, IA iTrader: (2)	Super old post, but does anyone have the photos from the original post? I can't see them __________________ E90 330xi
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