E30 Zone

ive lost my keys, i can get in the car but can not start or get the steering lock off my car, what options have i got people???

dealers with the chassis numbers and wait ....or a lot of effort breaking in and swopping all locks last key i got cost me £9

^ Only reasonable option really. You could break the steering lock and hotwire it if you really need to drive it. I wouldnt though unless its a complete shitter

Don't you have a spare set? Everyone has a spare set! don't they?

i had the same problem with the steering locka couple of weeks ago after the key snapped in the ignition then slid further in so the stub didnt start it. unfortunately i was in a rather dubious place so had to smash the ignition barrel then break the steering lock with a scaffold tube to move the car asap. the car can be started easily without the key by removing a few bits and bobs but the steering lock cant be unlocked without the key. the steering wheel will not come of the column either whilst the steering lock is engaged.new key needed but hopefully it hasnt been changed already by a previous owner. its a waiting game unless you take the route i did but that unfortunately could result in a new steering column.

oakey wrote:^ Only reasonable option really. You could break the steering lock and hotwire it if you really need to drive it. I wouldnt though unless its a complete shitter

no need to hotwire anything. no need to disrupt any wires at all in fact to start it. the steering lock is the problem.

can the ignition barrel be changed???

gazza wrote:dealers with the chassis numbers and wait ....or a lot of effort breaking in and swopping all locks last key i got cost me £9

so if i get the chassis number, a bmw dealer could cut me a key??

yes but it will be locked in position atm. big hammer/big chisel= mess
unless someone else knows of a way around it that i couldnt work out at the time?

fuzzy wrote:yes but it will be locked in position atm. big hammer/big chisel= mess
unless someone else knows of a way around it that i couldnt work out at the time?

sorry talk to me like im stupid,do u mean yes i can change the barrel, or get a new key?? thanx

he means removing the lock without the key will mean brute force with a chisel and hammer

Hi mate have you tryed any other keys to get into your motor?i have a spare ignition barrel with key and i think i have the housing awell but will have to check.Tony

toby wrote:he means removing the lock without the key will mean brute force with a chisel and hammer

yes, due to the steering lock being on.the steering lock locks the ignition barrel and the steering wheel onto the steering column .

i cut through the steering lock on scrap cars if i dont have the key and need the wheel off. it makes a mess of the steering column but it doesnt make nearly as bad a mess as a hammer and chisel would. and it leaves your steering wheel intact.

take off the top plastic cover and cut through the rectangular bit directly behind the wheel.

edit: i didnt know it locked the barrel too. at least you can move the car if need be.

I'd tried the long bar approach to breaking the steering lock on a car at a scrappys to get at the indicator switches.

The tube the steering column sits in and the lock etc is attached to ended up breaking free from its mounts with the lock still intact!

Dealers will want the V5c as proof of ownership.
I ordered a key from the chassis number and couldn't find the V5. They wouldn't give me the key even after I found the original and drove the car there to collect the new key. Can't really blame them, I guess.

thanx for your help people.