E30 Zone

Hi, new to bmw's. Just bought an E30 320i for sod all, taxed, tested, in a poor state but a great project ...... all was working fine until today when I jacked the car up to view the underneath and work out the anti-rust requirements, put the car down and the steering lock won't budge at all now, nothing will move, the key won't shift in the ignition...... HELP.

According to other on line advice, I can only get to the steering lock pin to by turning the key, which I can't. I also don't have the pin hole to put a wire down and therefore have to take the steering wheel off, which again I can't while the bloody steering lock is on...... Anyone know how to get out of this hole?

Jason

Can you get the key out? Oil down the key hole and carefully try turning the key, wriggling it about and rocking the steering at the same time.
IIRC, there's a different method of securing the lock (roll pin??) on early cars.

if nothing works to release it then cowling off & very sharp chisel & hammer to cut through the lock housing, & new lock & key! Maybe thats why you got it for free!

Thanks to both of you who helped the other day.... the gentler version worked before resorting to chisel, thanks anyway.
What an excellent E30 forum, you guys really know your stuff out there.

Lock is working now, but I've removed the pin as I don't want a repeat......
& on a £200 car, what's the point. I have a new(ish) Audi A3 and I have to say I prefer the E30 for everything.

Anyone know where I can get quality or genuine pattern front left and right wing panels?
I take it that rust around this front area is a common problem?
Is there anything else I should be looking out for?

What a beauty of a 6 cylinder though, bloody A1 quality, sound and performance.

gixxertrix wrote: I have a new(ish) Audi A3 and I have to say I prefer the E30 for everything. .

My parents have a newish A3 as well which I drive fairly often, and I know which I prefer as well!