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View Full Version : Funny thing happened in my 335xi



MrOffshore
03-28-2008, 09:31 PM
I was in a bit of a hurry the other day, I was running late for work and knew I had to stop for gas...I didn't want to risk running out of gas on the way in to work. We just had an ice storm roll through our area and after getting on the roads called my wife (bluetooth enabled...wow, I love that option) and told her to stay home and not take the kids to school after their two hour delay had expired.

Before departing the house I cleaned the windows of my wifes Suburban (forced to stay outside right now because I have priority of our two spaces inside)...it was a wet snow coming down so my jacket was soaked...I changed coats before departing the house.

Well, I arrive at the gas station and pull up, turn off the car, fueled up and paid at the pump. Got back into the car and put my foot on the brake and pushed the start button (Comfort Access...another great option) but nothing happened. Uh oh...my keyfob was in my other coat....20 miles away with ice covered streets.

I had to call my wife and have her drive on the roads I had just told her weren't safe enough to take our kids to school on...they were all asleep taking advantage of some extra rest with the two hour delay. She was helpful, loaded all three kids and braved the conditions in the Suburban (4WD of course).

The owner of the station was a bit upset with me for blocking his pump...I explained to him that I didn't have my key...he stated I should call the police and have them come down and slim jim it to get it. I told him the door wasn't locked...I just didn't have my keyfob to start the car...he had no idea what I was talking about and again told me he would call the police to get me into the car. I walked away and sat down in his little coffee section and ignored him and his ignorance. The roads were bad and most people were staying home so there weren't any cars battling for my occupied spot...besides there were 5 other lanes they could use.

My wife made it to the gas station and I got back on the road. If I had called the BMW assist would they have been able to help me with this or do you think I was just out of luck? It sucked, but was funny at the same time...I guess I didn't recognize the icon on the dash that tells me I don't have my keyfob with me...I was watching the roads too much.

aftp302
03-28-2008, 10:04 PM
I assume you don't have NAV. The warning for the fob not being in the car splashes across the entire NAV screen so you really can't miss it!

Glad to hear you had a sense of humor about the situation and that everyone remained safe despite the road conditions!

JunkStory
03-28-2008, 11:14 PM
Happened to me once. Dropped off girlfriend somewhere, but key fob was in her purse. Doh!!

MrOffshore
03-29-2008, 12:38 AM
No nav for me...wouldn't mind it, but the I bought the car off the lot and just worked with what they had at the time...sucked when it happened, but you can't get all worked up over something you can't control.

IR DOC
03-29-2008, 03:50 AM
Your point about utilizing BMW assist is interesting. I believe you could call them on the phone and ask them to unlock the door, but I don't think they can start the car. Also, I don't know if the BMW assist button works without the car's power being on or your fob in the vicinity. Anyone know?

johnnymu
03-29-2008, 10:35 AM
Your point about utilizing BMW assist is interesting. I believe you could call them on the phone and ask them to unlock the door, but I don't think they can start the car. Also, I don't know if the BMW assist button works without the car's power being on or your fob in the vicinity. Anyone know?


Not sure, but it worked in the movies. (Die Hard) ;)

Ty Vil
03-29-2008, 02:06 PM
They cannot start the car remotely.

This has happened a few times at the BMW Center where I work. A customer will pull in and leave their car for service and then walk off with the key.

UFOGUY
03-29-2008, 02:13 PM
glad to hear you got out of your predicament.

buy your gas at another station, that dude sounds like a real jerk.

Takashi
03-30-2008, 02:23 AM
glad to hear you got out of your predicament.

buy your gas at another station, that dude sounds like a real jerk.

Well, he has 'limited' reasons to sound like a jack in the box.
1. He doesn't own a BMW so he won't know what comfort access is.
2. He probably still use the old school 'key' start driver, not push button driver.
3. He mistaken you for being difficult. Even if he calls the police, there is nothing the police can do other than charge you for illegal parking. However, unless you are robbing the gas station, I don't think they will brave the snowy weather just to get you; if I was the police officer who run into this situation, I would charge the gas station attendant for wasting police officer's time.

steve99m3
03-30-2008, 10:06 AM
I don't have nav, but my 335i does give a warning on the dash display if it is running and the key is removed from the cabin. Your car doesn't do this? It even 'dings' like you don't have your seatbelt on.

E92!Dreier
04-20-2008, 08:02 PM
I hate to break it to you guys, but I have been employed by a few gas stations (very sad), and if you block the typical owner's pump, for any reason for any anmount of time, and refuse to move the car or say that you can't, out comes the tow truck, drag your car across the lot, block it in, and charge you 150 for the tow. Yes it sucks you had this predicament, but put yourself in the owner's shoes. Blocking his pump is like taking a nap on the conveyor belt at the super market -- you are blocking his principle means of income.

Blocking pumps is one of the things that drives any gas station owner mad -- if you really want to see him pissed, try the same trick and block his underground tanks -- then he might charge you double, or ask the tanker driver to "nudge" your car out of the way. If it is not busy some owners will give you a break. ONe guy I worked for prosecuted (successfully) one particularly arrogant gentleman who was recorded refusing to move his car away fromt he pumps because he wasn't done wiping down his wheels. He panicked when we pulled over the tow rig, but didn't leave before the police showed up. He was arrested for disorderly conduct, his car was locked up and put off to the side of the lot for him (by the police) and he was given a ticket for trespassing. Just food for thought.

brokenbimmer
04-20-2008, 09:22 PM
Wow. Now I'm kinda glad I don't have comfort access. Who knew?!

TeaRoy
04-21-2008, 12:25 PM
Seems to me the warning should be more than what it is...I had my car valet parked the other day, and had the key in my pocket - needless to say when I finished and they went to get my car they were SOL. I had completely forgot that I had the key. The situation of being stuck somewhere without the key is a real concern. The seatbelt alarm is rediculously annoying...why shouldn't this be the same.