E30 Zone

My touring can only be opened via remote, as the only key I have works in ignition but doesn't work in the doors. While the battery was ok this was working, but now the car has been left for a longer period over holiday the battery is dead. Remote still bleeps but the car doesn't have enough juice to pop the locks open.

Normally it would be a case of opening the bonnet from outside and charging/changing the battery, however being the bright young man that I am I've left the car facing the wall (so no space to get to bonnet release) and gearbox in P.

Putting aside my overly optimistic attitude toward a 22year old car for a minute - does anyone have any ideas on how I can get into the car, short of breaking a window?

I know I'm not the sharpest tool in the box, no need to remind me

Any chance of getting at the main terminal on the starter motor solenoid from underneath? LH side of engine bay.
Alternatively, go to your BMW dealer and get a key! It's probably the ignition one that has been changed.

Another possibility is to get someone to drag it back away from the wall for you.

Thanks for the ideas Brianmoore, helpful as ever!

I'll try the BMW route, hopefully a copy of V5 will be a sufficient proof of ownership.

Getting underneath is problematic to say the least as the car is boxed in from three sides by brick walls and there's only a foot or so of space on driver's side.

Are you sure that it can be dragged without harming the transmission? I've heard that even parking on an incline with auto gearbox in P without using a handbrake is not a great idea - if that's true surely dragging it (even for a foot or so) could potentially break something in the gearbox? By the way handbrake is off as the top of the drive is level.

Trolley jack under the diff!
Couldnt a 12v charger be connected to say a number plate light to get power to the car?

Trolley jack under diff?

Doh^^^^^^

Either get some of the flat pastic stuff that holds carboard boxes toghter and slip down the side of the driver door to hook onto the pin and pull up.

Failing that

Pop the front screen out. Remove the trim in the middle of the rubber. Then carfully prise the screen from the top away from the car. Frist way is the best option though.

May not be such a good idea to drag it if it's an auto and in 'P', but if the handbrake is off, just lifting one rear wheel off the ground with a trolley jack will do. The wheel in the air will turn forwards as it's dragged backwards.
No live feeds to any of the rear lights, etc. that you can connect to, I'm afraid.
V5 and I.D. should get you a key from BMW.

if you can get a charger / jump the battery, the bonnet can be opened & you should be away

Take the windscreen out.

Jacking up the diff is a great idea should I need to drag it - I can then simply put something like plastic trays underneath.

As for attempting to open the door from outside - I'm afraid I have all the mechanical aptitude of a drunk gorilla combined with complete lack of confidence, so that's out for me.

Thanks for suggestions everyone. I'll try the BM route first as I'll still need the keys anyway, hopefully the door locks haven't been changed.

How about RAC or AA?

PM sent mate.

Mart.

bobbin1982 wrote:How about RAC or AA?

Not too keen on calling out AA, too many callouts already after water pump failed, then a coolant hose burst. The joys of having an older car and being a numpty.

Mart, thanks for the PM!

Id jack the rear end and drag it back enough to pop the bonnet.

sweep wrote:Take the windscreen out.

i'd suggest this also... take the filler strip out and get a sucker or kitchen sink plunger and gently pull out the top corner of the windscreen. It shouldn't crack unless you have a few good size stone chips on it.

Chris

toptints wrote:

sweep wrote:Take the windscreen out.

i'd suggest this also... take the filler strip out and get a sucker or kitchen sink plunger and gently pull out the top corner of the windscreen. It shouldn't crack unless you have a few good size stone chips on it.

Chris

I agree it's not a difficult job, but a little over the top for just a flat battery!
A lot simpler just to wait for a key from BMW, or drag it back and pop the bonnet.