What does reading the key tell the service advisor?

MountainStone · 02-20-2013, 10:12 PM

Recently bought the car and took it in to the service department to have them fill in some paint chips, polish the headlights and replace the rubber molding at the top of the windshield.

When I picked up the car, I was chatting with the service advisor and he mentioned that by reading the 'key,' he downloads the car's mileage, fuel level, and can even tell whether I have been wearing my seatbelt. This got me wondering: what else is the key logging about my car? Does it record top speed, throttle opening, rpm/time, traction control or anti-lock activation, boost pressure, etc?

Seems like even if one were to remove a tune/tuner, BMW could prove one was used by referencing such evidence. Does anyone have knowledge of what these cars are recording/reporting about us?

oshusttoley · 02-20-2013, 10:40 PM

My service rep read my key and knew I was low on windshield washer fluid. Didn't even tell him lol. So that kind of amazed me lol. Idk how far they download with info, but my car used to have jb3 on first owner, and since I bought the car(w/o jb3) and brought it numerous times to dealer and they NEVER said I used to have tune. I still have catless downpipes on and they never said anything about them. And I've had a lot of work done when I had my warranty.

VTECaddict · 02-20-2013, 10:55 PM

Not sure, maybe someone who works at BMW can shed some light. I think it's mostly just the CBS data and any stored errors in the computers.

Richurd · 02-20-2013, 11:28 PM

I seen a key readout. It does not show anything about seatbelt being used or not. It shows technical data and recalls and services needed.

PR3CI5N · 02-20-2013, 11:37 PM

Subscribed. I'm interested as well

BOBKUR · 02-20-2013, 11:38 PM

Also shows odometer reading, any fault codes, service needed, vin#, etc.

Quasimodem · 02-20-2013, 11:47 PM

All the thoughts you had while you were driving, well unless you were wearing a tin foil hat. That would block the car's thought recorder.

E90bedi · 02-20-2013, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oshusttoley

My service rep read my key and knew I was low on windshield washer fluid. Didn't even tell him lol. So that kind of amazed me lol. Idk how far they download with info, but my car used to have jb3 on first owner, and since I bought the car(w/o jb3) and brought it numerous times to dealer and they NEVER said I used to have tune. I still have catless downpipes on and they never said anything about them. And I've had a lot of work done when I had my warranty.

damn lol what dealer do you go too. I put my angel eyes in and they started bitching...

1QuikWS6 · 02-21-2013, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90bedi

damn lol what dealer do you go too. I put my angel eyes in and they started bitching...

Time to go to a different dealer

oshusttoley · 02-21-2013, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90bedi

damn lol what dealer do you go too. I put my angel eyes in and they started bitching...

Wow. I go to JMK BMW

E90bedi · 02-21-2013, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oshusttoley

Wow. I go to JMK BMW

oh i know where that is. im more north lol.

John 070 · 02-21-2013, 04:46 PM

He downloads the videos from the mirror cam to see what you've been doing in the car. It used to be only for leased cars but it's all cars after '05...

Agentphish · 02-21-2013, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John 070

He downloads the videos from the mirror cam to see what you've been doing in the car. It used to be only for leased cars but it's all cars after '05...

LOL. Hilarious. Make sure you cover the light sensor in the auto-dimming mirror with a piece of black tape. Thats where they hide it....

N55 · 02-22-2013, 03:32 AM

I asked my SA awhile ago and he showed me his screen.

-Car model and year
-build date - delivery date
-build location
-gas
-fluids
-all maintenance intervals and countdowns that you would see on I Drive
- oil level
- faults
- software version
- TPMS
and thats all I could remember. I didn't see anything on RPM, Top Speed, etc etc.

eamon · 02-22-2013, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N55

I asked my SA awhile ago and he showed me his screen.

-Car model and year
-build date - delivery date
-build location
-gas
-fluids
-all maintenance intervals and countdowns that you would see on I Drive
- oil level
- faults
- software version
- TPMS
and thats all I could remember. I didn't see anything on RPM, Top Speed, etc etc.

This is correct
The only way they can see everything else is by connecting to the OBD port

Healey3000 · 02-22-2013, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N55

I asked my SA awhile ago and he showed me his screen.

-Car model and year
-build date - delivery date
-build location
-gas
-fluids
-all maintenance intervals and countdowns that you would see on I Drive
- oil level
- faults
- software version
- TPMS
and thats all I could remember. I didn't see anything on RPM, Top Speed, etc etc.

It also shows the coolant temperature. Not sure if it's an average over a certain time period or the last value at shutoff.

John 070 · 02-22-2013, 11:21 AM

It also contains your dating history, which BMWNA compiles and sends to their marketing division. If you are married, they do allow the feature to be turned off, if you sign the waiver form.

02-20-2013, 10:12 PM	#1
MountainStone Private First Class 23 Rep 105 Posts Drives: 08 335i Sedan Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Tejas iTrader: (0)	What does reading the key tell the service advisor? Recently bought the car and took it in to the service department to have them fill in some paint chips, polish the headlights and replace the rubber molding at the top of the windshield. When I picked up the car, I was chatting with the service advisor and he mentioned that by reading the 'key,' he downloads the car's mileage, fuel level, and can even tell whether I have been wearing my seatbelt. This got me wondering: what else is the key logging about my car? Does it record top speed, throttle opening, rpm/time, traction control or anti-lock activation, boost pressure, etc? Seems like even if one were to remove a tune/tuner, BMW could prove one was used by referencing such evidence. Does anyone have knowledge of what these cars are recording/reporting about us?
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02-20-2013, 10:40 PM	#2
oshusttoley Captain 45 Rep 676 Posts Drives: 2008 335i sedan Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	My service rep read my key and knew I was low on windshield washer fluid. Didn't even tell him lol. So that kind of amazed me lol. Idk how far they download with info, but my car used to have jb3 on first owner, and since I bought the car(w/o jb3) and brought it numerous times to dealer and they NEVER said I used to have tune. I still have catless downpipes on and they never said anything about them. And I've had a lot of work done when I had my warranty. __________________ // JB4 ISO // Running Meth // Full FBO // E85 user //
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02-20-2013, 10:55 PM	#3
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 479 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	Not sure, maybe someone who works at BMW can shed some light. I think it's mostly just the CBS data and any stored errors in the computers. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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02-20-2013, 11:28 PM	#4
Richurd Captain 16 Rep 639 Posts Drives: Too slow. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: nyc iTrader: (6)	I seen a key readout. It does not show anything about seatbelt being used or not. It shows technical data and recalls and services needed. __________________ 07 e92 335i \| BSM \| SB \| Gray Poplar Wood Trim \| 6MT \| Premium \| Sport \| Cold Weather \| iDrive \| Logic7 \| Comfort Access \|
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02-20-2013, 11:37 PM	#5
PR3CI5N need4speed 510 Rep 1,903 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 M 335i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: West Coast iTrader: (24)	Subscribed. I'm interested as well __________________ N54
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02-20-2013, 11:38 PM	#6
BOBKUR Major 20 Rep 1,361 Posts Drives: 2008 E 90 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: CALIFORNIA iTrader: (2)	Also shows odometer reading, any fault codes, service needed, vin#, etc.
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02-20-2013, 11:47 PM	#7
Quasimodem Colonel 147 Rep 2,383 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: California iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 335d US [0.00]	All the thoughts you had while you were driving, well unless you were wearing a tin foil hat. That would block the car's thought recorder. __________________ Speakers: CDT Audio HD-42 comps--front doors (RAAMmat deadened), CDT ES-06 6.5" woofers--kickpanl Pods, Hertz EBX202R dual 8" ported trunk sub. Amps: Phoenix Gold RSd 500.4 (comps & pods). PG RSd 600.1 (sub). Power & Ground: 4AWG Streetwires w/RockFosgt RFDB1 distro blocks. Input: HU lineout--Kicker KISL RCA adapters--RockFosgt RFIT-6 cables--Audiocontrol Matrix--Monster cables--RSd 500.4--lineout Monstr Cabl to RSd 600.1.
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02-21-2013, 04:46 PM	#12
John 070 Lieutenant General 1705 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	He downloads the videos from the mirror cam to see what you've been doing in the car. It used to be only for leased cars but it's all cars after '05...
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02-22-2013, 03:32 AM	#14
N55 ⒸⒺⓇⓉⓘⒻⒾⒺⒹ✬ⓃⒾⓃⒿⒶ 137 Rep 1,475 Posts Drives: 🚀 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (3) Garage List 2015 BMW M4 [0.00] 2012 BMW 335IS (SOLD) [6.84] 2011 BMW 335XI (SOLD) [4.66] 2008 BMW 335xi (SOLD) [10.00]	I asked my SA awhile ago and he showed me his screen. -Car model and year -build date - delivery date -build location -gas -fluids -all maintenance intervals and countdowns that you would see on I Drive - oil level - faults - software version - TPMS and thats all I could remember. I didn't see anything on RPM, Top Speed, etc etc. __________________ 2008 335xi E90 - Sold - > 2011 335xi E90 - Sold - > 2012 335IS E92 Crimson Red - SOLD > 2015 M4 Yas Marina Blue SOLD> 2019 McLaren 570s SOLD 2015 Lamborghini Huracan
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02-22-2013, 11:21 AM	#17
John 070 Lieutenant General 1705 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	It also contains your dating history, which BMWNA compiles and sends to their marketing division. If you are married, they do allow the feature to be turned off, if you sign the waiver form.
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