[Liandri]

Just wanted to post up a review of the Gates X5M fob as I got it back today. Previously this was a nearly impossible mod, due to the need to swap the PROM from a stock F series key into the X5M fob (requires a rework station and skill), and only one person in Japan was doing it but he was not advertising or even reachable.

A few weeks ago, I noticed pynacl post about it over at f30post. He found someone named George was doing it and posted a link to the website here:

https://gatesinnovations.com/collect...cation-service

I was pretty excited, so jumped right on it. $150 seemed to be an unbelievable deal for a new OEM fob/battery + the labor to swap the prom over, so we talked a bit over email. He just started doing it 2 months ago, and said he gets the fobs in bulk through a locksmith. They are OEM, and he uses hot air/soldering to transfer the chip. So I sent mine to him, and today it came back.

TLDR: It's great! Functions the same as the fob I sent him (same RF range), it's easily twice the weight with lots of metal, looks 10x better, and is noticeably thinner in your pocket. The buttons are also much more clicky, whereas the factory key is longer travel with less tactile feedback (feels mushy). It comes with a new battery because the battery for the X5M fob is actually different. The only caveat is the actual milled backup key part is blank, you'll have to get it cut to use it. Someone on F30post said roughly $40 for that through a local locksmith. I'm still debating doing that as no one has reported a comfort access module failure yet, which is the primary scenario I think you'd need it for, but that's a personal decision. He returns your factory key to you, so you have the milled part to take to a locksmith.

I didn't get a deal in any way to put a review up, I'm just really impressed this guy is going out of his way to offer this service at what seems like a very low price point. He's definitely filling a niche for F series car key fob alternative. I thoroughly believe changing the things you constantly touch or feel is one of the best mods on a car, and this goes well with my billet Nelson paddles and silver start stop button covers. Cheers

[BimBimM2]

Originally Posted by Liandri

Just wanted to post up a review of the Gates X5M fob as I got it back today. Previously this was a nearly impossible mod, due to the need to swap the PROM from a stock F series key into the X5M fob (requires a rework station and skill), and only one person in Japan was doing it but he was not advertising or even reachable.

A few weeks ago, I noticed pynacl post about it over at f30post. He found someone named George was doing it and posted a link to the website here:

https://gatesinnovations.com/collect...cation-service

I was pretty excited, so jumped right on it. $150 seemed to be an unbelievable deal for a new OEM fob/battery + the labor to swap the prom over, so we talked a bit over email. He just started doing it 2 months ago, and said he gets the fobs in bulk through a locksmith. They are OEM, and he uses hot air/soldering to transfer the chip. So I sent mine to him, and today it came back.

TLDR: It's great! Functions the same as the fob I sent him (same RF range), it's easily twice the weight with lots of metal, looks 10x better, and is noticeably thinner in your pocket. The buttons are also much more clicky, whereas the factory key is longer travel with less tactile feedback (feels mushy). It comes with a new battery because the battery for the X5M fob is actually different. The only caveat is the actual milled backup key part is blank, you'll have to get it cut to use it. Someone on F30post said roughly $40 for that through a local locksmith. I'm still debating doing that as no one has reported a comfort access module failure yet, which is the primary scenario I think you'd need it for, but that's a personal decision. He returns your factory key to you, so you have the milled part to take to a locksmith.

I didn't get a deal in any way to put a review up, I'm just really impressed this guy is going out of his way to offer this service at what seems like a very low price point. He's definitely filling a niche for F series car key fob alternative. I thoroughly believe changing the things you constantly touch or feel is one of the best mods on a car, and this goes well with my billet Nelson paddles and silver start stop button covers. Cheers

Sigh...

Ordered.

Damn you OP!!

[MLJR235]

FCK..... SAME!! Too good to pass up guys.

Thanks OP for the awesome find.

[BEM-S4]

Son of a bitch...

[dradernh]

[BrettKA7]

This is awesome! Definitely on the to do list

[1triple5]

Ordered....

[WolfGTI]

Ordered - wayyy cool.

[Liandri]

😂👍

[chattanooga240]

Maybe if it opened the convertible top from further away...

[bthomas518]

That is fantastic! What was the turnaround time? I only have one fob, was thinking could just use the physical key while the fob is out.

Edit: I just learned that we cannot start the car with the physical key. Bummer.

[morphomeman]

No keyhole in ignition

[Liandri]

I told George to take his time as it's my second key and I didn't care, so I had it back in a week.

It's going to be tough if you only have one key, but he has an expedited option at least

[nelsdvn]

Excellent find. I too have ordered. I have this fob on my X5 and have always been chuffed that it is sooooo much nicer than the one with the M2. The M stripes are a great bonus. Thanks for the share although that $150 could have gone elsewhere.. . .

[KevM2]

Originally Posted by Liandri

Just wanted to post up a review of the Gates X5M fob as I got it back today. Previously this was a nearly impossible mod, due to the need to swap the PROM from a stock F series key into the X5M fob (requires a rework station and skill), and only one person in Japan was doing it but he was not advertising or even reachable.

A few weeks ago, I noticed pynacl post about it over at f30post. He found someone named George was doing it and posted a link to the website here:

https://gatesinnovations.com/collect...cation-service

I was pretty excited, so jumped right on it. $150 seemed to be an unbelievable deal for a new OEM fob/battery + the labor to swap the prom over, so we talked a bit over email. He just started doing it 2 months ago, and said he gets the fobs in bulk through a locksmith. They are OEM, and he uses hot air/soldering to transfer the chip. So I sent mine to him, and today it came back.

TLDR: It's great! Functions the same as the fob I sent him (same RF range), it's easily twice the weight with lots of metal, looks 10x better, and is noticeably thinner in your pocket. The buttons are also much more clicky, whereas the factory key is longer travel with less tactile feedback (feels mushy). It comes with a new battery because the battery for the X5M fob is actually different. The only caveat is the actual milled backup key part is blank, you'll have to get it cut to use it. Someone on F30post said roughly $40 for that through a local locksmith. I'm still debating doing that as no one has reported a comfort access module failure yet, which is the primary scenario I think you'd need it for, but that's a personal decision. He returns your factory key to you, so you have the milled part to take to a locksmith.

I didn't get a deal in any way to put a review up, I'm just really impressed this guy is going out of his way to offer this service at what seems like a very low price point. He's definitely filling a niche for F series car key fob alternative. I thoroughly believe changing the things you constantly touch or feel is one of the best mods on a car, and this goes well with my billet Nelson paddles and silver start stop button covers. Cheers

So when I send the oem fob to him, can i take out and keep the physical key so he doesn't have to send that back to me with the new fob?

And can the physical key be easily cut by most locksmiths?

EDIT: nvm, seems he doesn't ship to Canada :

EDIT 2: just got in touch with George and they do ship to Canada! Ordered! Can't wait!

[VisualEcho]

Looks so awesome.

[Liandri]

Originally Posted by nelsdvn

Excellent find. I too have ordered. I have this fob on my X5 and have always been chuffed that it is sooooo much nicer than the one with the M2. The M stripes are a great bonus. Thanks for the share although that $150 could have gone elsewhere.. . .

I won't argue you there, the money I've spent on this car definitely could have gone elsewhere. But it puts a big smile on my face every time I get in it, all in all worth it

[jkoral]

Originally Posted by KevM2

So when I send the oem fob to him, can i take out and keep the physical key so he doesn't have to send that back to me with the new fob?

George told me our choice, since obviously he doesn't need it. I will keep mine and not bother sending.

[ahass]

this looks amazing! is the frequency of the 2 series key 315MHz?

[BimBimM2]

Originally Posted by chattanooga240

Maybe if it opened the convertible top from further away...

Get a SmartTop module. No convertible owner should be without it. Extends range massively and gives you one touch operations for opening and closing windows/top etc.

[srasulov]

Looks sooo coool

[Liandri]

Originally Posted by ahass

this looks amazing! is the frequency of the 2 series key 315MHz?

Mine was 434...if you lift up/remove the physical key, it's printed on the edge of the fob