Huh? that sounds pretty freaky. Aye...

That key-reader thingy, what's the technical name?

I had a picture somewhere. It's small blue box with a slot in front of it.

VinceTopasBlau3 said:

Huh? that sounds pretty freaky. Aye...

That key-reader thingy, what's the technical name?

Click to expand...

Big Brother

VinceTopasBlau3 said:

Huh? that sounds pretty freaky. Aye...

That key-reader thingy, what's the technical name?

Click to expand...

LOL!

here's the picture

Clem said:

Big Brother

Click to expand...

Great pic!

So let me get this right. The tech placed your E46 key into the slot and the current mileage and VIN are known?

What about other info?

Alex Baumann said:

LOL!

here's the picture

Click to expand...

Well, frankly, I haven't seen anything else. But the VIN and the current mileage was definitely there, to my surprise.

VinceTopasBlau3 said:

Great pic!

So let me get this right. The tech placed your E46 key into the slot and the current mileage and VIN are known?

What about other info?

Click to expand...

Do I smell another project for Vince:dunno: :yikes:

VinceTopasBlau3 said:

Great pic!

So let me get this right. The tech placed your E46 key into the slot and the current mileage and VIN are known?

What about other info?

Click to expand...

Perhaps the key encoded protection system chip keeps record of these things?

The E65/66 key will store data such as mileage to next service and condition of several wear items. It also allows the dealers to pull up any fault codes without actually having the car. On the older models, it does not store this info but it will still store the VIN and the mileage.

Each key is coded for a specific car so it would make sense to use the VIN as no two vechicles have the same one. The VIN stored on the key needs to match the VIN stored on a chip on the car or no start.

KP said:

Perhaps the key encoded protection system chip keeps record of these things?

Click to expand...

I was implying that this would also keep record of the mileage itself

ERK said:

Each key is coded for a specific car so it would make sense to use the VIN as no two vechicles have the same one. The VIN stored on the key needs to match the VIN stored on a chip on the car or no start.

Click to expand...

I read somewhere in some E65 tech info that the self-charging style key on other current models store the VIN and mileage at the least. WIth that, and the fact that the odometer reading is stored in the cluster and the light switch, rolling back the odometer would be pretty tough...

But my key is not self-charge

Kaz said:

I read somewhere in some E65 tech info that the self-charging style key on other current models store the VIN and mileage at the least. WIth that, and the fact that the odometer reading is stored in the cluster and the light switch, rolling back the odometer would be pretty tough...

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The two "main" keys both have batteries in them, to power the remote funtions and keep the chip memory intact. The batteries recharge when you drive with them in the ignition. The manual says you should use each key at least once a year to keep the battery alive.

Alex Baumann said:

But my key is not self-charge

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Not mine (8/1999). I must replace the batteries, didn't have to till yet, though.

ERK said:

The two "main" keys both have batteries in them, to power the remote funtions and keep the chip memory intact. The batteries recharge when you drive with them in the ignition. The manual says you should use each key at least once a year to keep the battery alive.

Click to expand...

Huh?

Ya, I would buy that key-reader thingy, walk around town and ask Bimmer owners to insert their keys. And say "Ah-ha! Your mileage is XXXX! Congrats!" :lmao:

I am just a bit paranoid, y'know. Perhaps there is a nano-GPS chip in the key. And a centralised tracking system somewhere at BMWNA. Ok, time to stop visiting those adult bookstores already...j/k!

PM 325xiT said:

Do I smell another project for Vince:dunno: :yikes:

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No not buy one.................build your own:tsk: I thought it was the challenge that kept you going:dunno:

Be careful not to stop by a Mercedes dealer wither they really frown on comparison shopping:lmao: Oh and we all believe the j/k :bigpimp:

VinceTopasBlau3 said:

Huh?

Ya, I would buy that key-reader thingy, walk around town and ask Bimmer owners to insert their keys. And say "Ah-ha! Your mileage is XXXX! Congrats!" :lmao:

I am just a bit paranoid, y'know. Perhaps there is a nano-GPS chip in the key. And a centralised tracking system somewhere at BMWNA. Ok, time to stop visiting those adult bookstores already...j/k!

Click to expand...