E30 Zone

I just realised the locks on my E30 were changed and i didnt have a key for the bootlock - it was permanently open when i locked the rest of the car but the other day i pushed the central locking rod down and closed the boot.....

now i cant get to the boot and the more importantly, the spare and jack.....

Anyone help as to how to get back in with minimal fuss? I know im going to have to change the locks-

Cheers R

Mini grinder?

Why doesn't the lock open again when you operate the central locking?

To get in the boot -

Take the rear seats out and cut/kick out the ski hatch (assuming there is one). Then climb through the hatch into the boot with a torch (you might need to get someone small to do this as it's a tight squeeze) and sort out the opening of the catch - no damage done.

Or drill out the centre of the lock.

toby wrote:Why doesn't the lock open again when you operate the central locking?

To get in the boot -

Take the rear seats out and cut/kick out the ski hatch (assuming there is one). Then climb through the hatch into the boot with a torch (you might need to get someone small to do this as it's a tight squeeze) and sort out the opening of the catch - no damage done.

Or drill out the centre of the lock.

Im guessing that the lock position is just that - in lock position - from what i remember, if you turn the lock a certain way - it remain locks regardless of what you do with the central locking...

I only bought the car a few weeks ago so wasnt aware of the boot issue till recently - the locks must have been cahnged as i have one key that opens the door and another that starts it - none of the keys fit the passenger lock or the boot!!

You maybe able to take your passenger lock barrel out of the door and to a key makers. They can make a key to fit that, then you can use that key on the boot.

n1tr0_9 wrote:You maybe able to take your passenger lock barrel out of the door and to a key makers. They can make a key to fit that, then you can use that key on the boot.

Good idea - but thats if both these locks are still the same!

If the original locks were in the car then you can take your chassis number and owners documents down to BMW and get a new key cut (and hope that the boot lock is the original).

A locksmith may be able to get in the boot too.

Going through the ski hatch isn't hard really.

cool - i'll try the ski hatch - all i need now is a new set of locks on one Key...

Cheers

This car must have a chequered history to have so many different locks! Have you tried the glove box lock? Your E30 originally came with four keys - three of the same pattern that fitted all the locks, and one that fitted the doors and ignition, but not the glove box and boot, so it's possible that this is the key you have and may be part of the problem.
Did the ski hatch thing the other day on an E36, but fortunately I had my well trained eleven year old handy, who dismantled things to my instructions! On an E30 there is a 13mm adjustment nut on the hook that engages with the lock that you should be able to get at when inside the boot. Slacken this off until it comes loose completely.

Brianmoooore wrote:On an E30 there is a 13mm adjustment nut on the hook that engages with the lock that you should be able to get at when inside the boot. Slacken this off until it comes loose completely.

About to be my input there...