Firearms dealers are notorious for snagging magazines or other accessories from the box to keep for inventory before delivering the gun to the purchaser. I wonder if this is one of those. The dealer snags the E-key for another customer, or to put back into the parts room for future sales as they may be a bit hard to get. This comes to mind as the 40 mm torx wrench was also missing from the tool kit. The recall story may be industry smoke. I don't want to talk smack about my dealer (yet), so far they've been pretty good. And, I don't know if an E-key can even be repurposed. Speculation only.
I had another thought. The antenna for the E-key is supposed to be under the front part of the rear seat. I can't determine if there's an antenna in that location or not. If it's not there, then this bike will never have an E-key solution. Does anyone know what it looks like, if anything? If the bike was built with no intention of implementing an E-key, there may well be a conversation with BMW. There is ample documentation that the keyless system has a recovery option and that needs to be provided.
At the end of the day, this isn't the biggest deal in the world. I know to stash a spare fob battery and if I need an E-key, I have roadside assistance via BMW during warranty and Progressive regardless. Pain in the backside I know. But cost wise, a lost fob (or defect out of warranty) is the same. However, it would be monumentally preferable to salvage a ride if the fob goes missing or dead.
I had another thought. The antenna for the E-key is supposed to be under the front part of the rear seat. I can't determine if there's an antenna in that location or not. If it's not there, then this bike will never have an E-key solution. Does anyone know what it looks like, if anything? If the bike was built with no intention of implementing an E-key, there may well be a conversation with BMW. There is ample documentation that the keyless system has a recovery option and that needs to be provided.
At the end of the day, this isn't the biggest deal in the world. I know to stash a spare fob battery and if I need an E-key, I have roadside assistance via BMW during warranty and Progressive regardless. Pain in the backside I know. But cost wise, a lost fob (or defect out of warranty) is the same. However, it would be monumentally preferable to salvage a ride if the fob goes missing or dead.