Worn key on e36?

[ross_jsy]

My e36 has a slight problem. The key won't turn the ignition. Is it common for the keys to wear on these?

And what do you think BMW will charge for a new key? Get the KY out time?

[Raj_p]

On an E36 i used to have, the barrel went twice in 6six years.....

Im not sure if they were know for the barrel issues but a new barrel set me back arround £200 i think.....

[nickso]

it's a common fault i think. not sure if you can move the pins inside to another barrel like with an e30 or if it's the pins that are faulty. my e36 has done it once but never occurred again.

[bss325i]

Yes its very common for E36's barrels to wear out and fail.

[DanThe]

New key will make a world of difference, E36 steering lock innards snap if operated with sticky barrels and hamfists, new key is £36 odd, new steering lock is £120 odd. Barrels can be taken apart and cleaned/greased etc, ive removed a few sets of tumblers from a few ignition barrels in the past as most owners dont consider new parts a cost effective route

[si-]

the usual bit that snaps off is a tiny little pin in the barrel itself, as Dan said hamfisted people tend not to put the key in the whole way and it gets broken off

push the key all the way in (sounds daft i know) then turn, my e36 does the same thing if its not in all the way the barrel just spins if i make sure the key hits the 'stop' then turn she fires up

[ross_jsy]

Ah balls, hope it isn't a barrel. Will try a new key.

It was doing the whole spin the barrel trick when I bought the car. So sounds like it's had some abuse.

You wouldn't have those tumblers knocking around would you dan?

[TheHeap]

We have an e36 compact with this very problem and the dealer is asking £56. for a new key.

[darkchild]

Never had any trouble with the ignition barrel on my old E36 but a new key resolved my problems of unlocking the car so the keys do wear.

Have you only got one key?

[capri_rob]

I bought a new key last year when I had my E36 touring - was about £35 as noted but make sure you take plenty of ID with you when you order it - Proof of ID, Proof of Address and Logbook.

[ross_jsy]

Only one key. We are talking £300 worth of e36 snotter I drive to site in btw. So all this mention of money was getting off putting. Being the ghetto tinkerer, I decided the best option was to remove the switch block off the back of the barrel, and simply operate it with a screwdriver. Simples