Three things

[keen mini]

Sorry But I cannot get the image off my desktop onto this page so it will have to be the questions only. I have 2005 MCS
1st question what are the clips in the glove box on the lid above the recess for? and if its a pen where do you get such a thin one from? or does the factory supply one when new?
2ND question what is the. what appears to be a clip on the passengers side of the foot well just in front of the seat for? and if its for an umbrella what one fits it?
3rd question if the remote key packs up through I suspect the batt as the other key still works. And I have done a trip with the non working one to charge it up.As this is not a batt replaceable key ( you cannot get into it because its glued together) should the dealer supply a new one for free given that it is maintenance free and should last the life of the car?

[Sportspack Mark]

Hi there

I think it is for a pen, it is adjustable so a Bic pen fitted in mine no problem, there is no pen supplied when new

I dont know what the clip is for, I didnt have it on mine

I think the battery can be replaced, just the dealer needs to do it as I think it needs coded

[mini_cal]

The owner manual tells you how to replace the battery in your remote.

It says to replace it with a CR 2032 battery. It's on page 22 on my manual. Give your manual a browse. It's on the page about your keys.

[keen mini]

Thanks for the reply, I did try a thin pen and pushed it hard and it clicked in. I was a bit ginger about it as the clips being plastic I thought might break.
The key is another matter. The manual is a 2005 print and there is no referance to the key battery being able to be replaced.They refer to it being long life and recharging it in the car on trips which i did to no avail.So I have photographed a process i used to open it and are waiting for a batt VL2020 to be delivered to me and I can assemble the key glue it together and reinitialise it. This is the reason for me asking that if the key battery fails should not BMW supply a free one? They have made it so you cannot get into it by sealing the key together. All coments would be appreciated.

[simontay]

A VL2020 is wrong on two counts.

One, it's thinner than the CR2032 specified, so won't fit very well, second it's a rechargeable (secondary) cell, rather than the primary cell specified. So, it won't have much charge anyway, won't be recharged and if it works at all, will fail pretty quickly.

You would be able to get a CR2032 at Maplin or any jeweller on the high street.

You should always get the specified battery unless you understand the differences in what you are fitting.

If it wasn't a CR2032 and you are trying to replace a non-replaceable battery, good luck!

Do you have comfort access (replaceable battery) or a sealed key?

[keen mini]

I have a feeling that we are talking about two different keys here, the battery VL2020 that I quoted was not one I plucked out of the air. it was the battery that I removed from the key supplied with the car. It appears that the keys, and I have two of them are made sealed so you can't get into them. yes you are correct that they are rechargeable as that is what happens when they are in the ignition, the car recharges the key as stated in the manual page 22. Judging by some of the comment, the manual is a revised addition 2005 hence the fact that it does not state the key has a replaceable battery and yes it is sealed. But I have managed to open it with great difficulty. My nearest supplier available is in Australia so there will be a couple of days delay while it is posted out. then i will solder it back in and glue the key shut to reverse the process of opening it.

[simontay]

Ok then, but I suspect the key was faulty to start with. I have an older BMW with remote keys, no problems with either key. Let us know how you get on. Standard keys are sealed, comfort access have a replaceable battery as they won't get recharged in use.

[keen mini]

will do as soon as the battery arrives I will try it and let you all know what happened. I have photographed the stages I went through for others if they have the same problem. And if successful would save a lot of money against buying a new key.