[javapro]

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/globa...es-summer-2025

I couldn't find a US specific article on bmwusanews.com but may be it will show up in a few days.

A few things of interest for the iX owners:

1. BMW Digital Key: smartphone used as key enables many additional functions.

The BMW Digital Key will soon become the tool of choice to unlock and lock many BMW models, courtesy of a simplified set-up process. The BMW iX was the first to be updated in March 2025, and many model series will follow from July 2025: the BMW 1 Series, BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé, BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, BMW X1, BMW X2, BMW 5 Series Sedan, BMW 5 Series Touring, BMW M5, BMW M5 Touring and BMW 7 Series. The BMW X5, BMW X5 M, BMW X6, BMW X6 M, BMW X7 and BMW XM models will follow from August 2025. The BMW X3 will come with the new set-up process in the US from August 2025 and in South Africa from September 2025.

The feature will then include a physical key, a Setup Card and a Service Card. The new Setup Card makes it easier than ever to set up the BMW Digital Key on smartphones from all major manufacturers by simply holding the card to the mobile phone or scanning the QR code on the back. The next step takes the user straight into the My BMW app. After authorisation via the Setup Card, the BMW ID is linked to the vehicle and the BMW Digital Key is then activated. After activation, the customer can easily share the Digital Key with other people by sending them a text message. Activation is possible on up to 18 devices. Owners can define various roles and permissions for each vehicle user. A particularly useful function ideal for novice drivers is limiting acceleration and top speed, for example. If a physical key does need to be handed over, for example in the workshop or in the event of a breakdown, the new Service Card can be used. This should always be carried deactivated so it can be activated as a fully-fledged key when needed, via a click on the central display.

2. Individual paintwork finishes at a glance, in the BMW Configurator.

Customers appreciate the BMW Individual paintwork colours as a way to add a personal touch to their new BMW. Special paintwork finishes which previously required looking up in the BMW Individual Visualiser can be selected within the BMW Configurator. With just a few exceptions, this applies to all BMW models.

3. BMW BEV models: free extended warranty for high-voltage batteries.

Since 1 April 2025, BMW has offered a global complimentary extended warranty for the high-voltage batteries in all-electric BMW models. The new warranty applies up to a vehicle age of eight years or a maximum mileage of 160,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. Should a high-voltage battery’s capacity drop below 70 per cent during the warranty period, BMW will remedy this loss of capacity at no extra cost to the customer. This applies to all new and used all-electric BMW models from 1 April 2025.

As far as #1 goes, this was already noted by one of the MY26 owners, i. e. 2026 iXs now come with a new service card and no second key fob. I am not sure if #2 will apply to the US configurator. Also, it's not clear to me what "from 1 April 2025" means in #3. Does it mean manufactured "from 1 April 2025"?

[deutsch100]

My genius knew, but the sales guy did not when taking delivery and setting up my new car.

New BMWs no longer will come with 2 key fobs. You now get 1 fob, 1 set up card and 1 keep in your wallet/purse service card.

[exxxviii]

Originally Posted by deutsch100

New BMWs no longer will come with 2 key fobs. You now get 1 fob, 1 set up card and 1 keep in your wallet/purse service card.

This little tidbit underscores the root problem that BMW may never stop thinking like a legacy automaker… Until now, PaaK setup required 2 fobs in the car. Now, it probably needs the setup card. That is just a software change. It should have been retroactively available to everyone. But no, it is trapped to a model year boundary. Until they can escape this rigid model year concept, they will never move forward.

[mnx5er]

Based on the software glitches in BMWs, #1 makes me nervous as they go even more "digital". The combo of relying on BMW and Apple to not screw something up is scary. I cannot imagine how they track and test their code with the way they deploy new features.

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by exxxviii

This little tidbit underscores the root problem that BMW may never stop thinking like a legacy automaker… Until now, PaaK setup required 2 fobs in the car. Now, it probably needs the setup card. That is just a software change. It should have been retroactively available to everyone. But no, it is trapped to a model year boundary. Until they can escape this rigid model year concept, they will never move forward.

Yes, Digital key now needs just the setup card and it easily and quickly touches your smartphone. It was fast and simple, and then the genius quickly linked my 1 key fob to my BMW ID too.

[javapro]

Originally Posted by deutsch100

Yes, Digital key now needs just he setup card and it easily and quickly touches your smartphone. It was fast and simple, and then the genius quickly linked my 1 key fob to my BMW ID too.

So, the setup card is just like a regular key card for pre-LCI? You can use it to unlock/lock and start the car, right? It’s weird that they call it a setup card then.

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by javapro

So, the setup card is just like a regular key card for pre-LCI? You can use it to unlock/lock and start the car, right? It’s weird that they call it a setup card then.

It is different. You still have the "regular" key card that you can carry with you or give to service.

The set up card essentially replaces the 2nd key fob that used to come with the car. Setting up Digital key now simply just requires one to touch your smartphone with the new set up card.

[deutsch100]

This is what will now come with cars. This is what my 2026 iX has!

[javapro]

Originally Posted by deutsch100

It is different. You still have the "regular" key card that you can carry with you or give to service.

The set up card essentially replaces the 2nd key fob that used to come with the car. Setting up Digital key now simply just requires one to touch your smartphone with the new set up card.

Yes but the “regular” key card is now called a service card, and BMW says that you should only activate it for service appointments, valet parking, or towing, and then it should be deactivated. So, the service card should be kept deactivated in the car most of the time. This is not the same recommended usage for the pre-LCI key card.

[kwickag]

The "Setup" card also works as a key card.

[javapro]

Originally Posted by kwickag

The "Setup" card also works as a key card.

Can you say the same about the service card?

[kwickag]

Originally Posted by javapro

Can you say the same about the service card?

It does, but it is set to activated and deactivated in the car to use as a servie or valet key. The video above shows how. Mine is deactivated and sitting in the manual packet in the glove box.

[chanders]

Originally Posted by javapro

3. BMW BEV models: free extended warranty for high-voltage batteries.

Since 1 April 2025, BMW has offered a global complimentary extended warranty for the high-voltage batteries in all-electric BMW models. The new warranty applies up to a vehicle age of eight years or a maximum mileage of 160,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. Should a high-voltage battery’s capacity drop below 70 per cent during the warranty period, BMW will remedy this loss of capacity at no extra cost to the customer. This applies to all new and used all-electric BMW models from 1 April 2025.

I always believe companies are willing to give this "extra" to customers because it appears as an "extra" but in fact comes at no cost to them. I am pretty sure they have data showing that the probability of a battery dropping to less than 70% in the stated period is almost insignificant.

[mnx5er]

Originally Posted by chanders

I always believe companies are willing to give this "extra" to customers because it appears as an "extra" but in fact comes at no cost to them. I am pretty sure they have data showing that the probability of a battery dropping to less than 70% in the stated period is almost insignificant.

Great point. Plus a battery that charges only to 75% becomes pretty useless in a number of use cases. I'd feel better with a 85% warranty.