[DavyNM]

I have a 2025 BMW 330i and a 2024 BMW X1.

Inside the keyfob, there's a mechanical key that can be pulled out.

under what circumstances will I ever need to use it? (besides the car battery completely dead and using the mechanical key to open the car door)

I'm asking because I'm thinking about getting one of those rugged metal/leather keyfob cases. To close the case, there are 2 to 4 mini hex screws, which makes opening the case to get to the keyfob impossible, unless I carry around a tiny hex screwdriver.

[tturedraider]

Pretty much the scenario you gave is the only one. In fact, BMW considers it so unlikely they put a cover over the keyhole in the door handle that would have to be removed to use the physical key.

[MaxVO2]

Originally Posted by DavyNM

I have a 2025 BMW 330i and a 2024 BMW X1.

Inside the keyfob, there's a mechanical key that can be pulled out.

under what circumstances will I ever need to use it? (besides the car battery completely dead and using the mechanical key to open the car door)

I'm asking because I'm thinking about getting one of those rugged metal/leather keyfob cases. To close the case, there are 2 to 4 mini hex screws, which makes opening the case to get to the keyfob impossible, unless I carry around a tiny hex screwdriver.

****It is basically there as a means to get in the car in case the battery is dead. I've never used the one in my BMW but have used it on my Benz when the AGM battery died at one point. I keep a portable jump charger in my car and hooking that up allowed me to start my car and get it home versus having to have the thing towed.

I'm good about maintenance on my cars but still carry a jump starter and other repair stuff in case something goes wrong unexpectedly.

Scan of the jump starter I have in my cars below.. The mechanical key allowed me to get in the car so I could get the jumper to start my car. Other than that I have never needed to use that key...

[BMWbiker]

Originally Posted by DavyNM

I have a 2025 BMW 330i and a 2024 BMW X1.

Inside the keyfob, there's a mechanical key that can be pulled out.

under what circumstances will I ever need to use it? (besides the car battery completely dead and using the mechanical key to open the car door)

I'm asking because I'm thinking about getting one of those rugged metal/leather keyfob cases. To close the case, there are 2 to 4 mini hex screws, which makes opening the case to get to the keyfob impossible, unless I carry around a tiny hex screwdriver.

You also use it to open the keyfob to replace its button battery.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by BMWbiker

You also use it to open the keyfob to replace its button battery.

Of course, in that case he would have to take the fob out of the holder anyway.

[erickonphoenix]

I separate the key from the FOB when I go for a run so I don't have to run with my whole key chain.

[No one]

Originally Posted by erickonphoenix

I separate the key from the FOB when I go for a run so I don't have to run with my whole key chain.

You might have misinterpreted the quote "It is not daily increase but daily decrease, hack away the unessential.". Others add some burden to increase the avail of the run. To put it the simplest, they (reportedly ) won't let you drop the gun to run in the army.

[Mason Hatcher]

Originally Posted by No one

You might have misinterpreted the quote "It is not daily increase but daily decrease, hack away the unessential.". Others add some burden to increase the avail of the run. To put it the simplest, they (reportedly ) won't let you drop the gun to run in the army.

WTF does any of that mean?

[brianeck]

If you do a femto unlock and accidentally leave your doors locked when you disconnect the battery to get your ECU out and leave your work back in the passenger seat.

[No one]

Originally Posted by Mason Hatcher

WTF does any of that mean?

All of that means you can't understand. It's all right, don't worry.

[smrtypants44]

I've had 3 BMW's with comfort access for 10+ years and I've never used the aux key in the fob.

[aktif8]

Solution: carry a tiny Keychain screwdriver. I have a metal case as well, and keep the screwdriver with me at all times just in case.

[eleven11]

There is also the glove compartment box. It can be locked with the mechanical key, and held when giving the car to a valet, etc.

[chowser51]

On my fourth BMW and have never had to use the physical key.

[MADBMWX5MC]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Pretty much the scenario you gave is the only one. In fact, BMW considers it so unlikely they put a cover over the keyhole in the door handle that would have to be removed to use the physical key.

So true....

[MMnut]

Not much of use of the key these days I would say. It can only lock /unlock the driver's door and other mechanism locks in the car (i.e glove box) but not anything else, cannot start the car like the old days as no hole to put in.

In the other hand, you have plenty of other means to lock /unlock the car and start / drive the car : fob (if battery still), key card, digital key on phone, phone app etc....

[Efthreeoh]

I just used my physical key today.