E30 OEM KEY OCD Thread

[bradnic]

S vs I key

I took the 4th ("S") and 3rd ("I") Hartge keys from the first post and compared them below. I had heard that the valet key was shorter and that's clearly the case. Also looks like only the part of the key to the right of the line is used by the valet key. The one thing I couldn't confirm was that the center channel is supposedly wider on one compared to the other. That doesn't appear to be the case.

UPDATE: check post 35 below



Anyone know for sure?

[bradnic]

Key blank update:

Looks like your favorite BMW online dealer can get you every key blank and key accessory shown in the first post except for the standard (valet?) key. I did find an overseas seller for 32321109801 on ebay though.

And yeah I picked a couple of the infamous key holder..

UPDATE: Ship notice from Egypt.. booyah.

[bradnic]

this looks damn cool - if it works with a REC43T remote setup.. awesome

http://www.amazon.com/KEY-BLANK-FOLDING-REMOTE-UNCUT/dp/B00FG9G5DG

UPDATE: Kinda pricey but I ordered one anyway. Will let you know how it works out.

Interested in the results of this. Just bought one of the REC43T setups and I'd love a more OEM-looking fob

Arrived about a week ago. Definitely a brass key unfortunately (it can bend or even break in your lock so caveat emptor). On the plus side:

-- your local hardware store can cut it.

-- the unit is programmable for several different types of remotes. Haven't gotten around to trying it out yet but I will.

[15Michaeljoseph]

Good call. Thank you.

Thought that leather key holder was at least 450.

Hahahahaaha I got you guys bad!!

When my mother bought the 87 325is in 1986, it didn't come with a lighted key... just the general plastic, valet, and wallet keys. hmmmm. Maybe I should head on down to the dealer and file a 28 year old complaint.


--Mike

[bradnic]

Score! Local BMW dealer set me up.

Spoke with the shop foreman who said "We have a key cutting machine but it hasn't been used in 8 years.... we'll have to set it up". Nobody but him had ever used the machine :-)

Anyway I have 2 brand new illuminated keys cut from wallet masters... they work and look great.

[bradnic]

my "original" key that came with my car on the left and the one i acquired from the yard on the right. you can clearly see the I and the S respectively.

Thanks for posting! that's great validation.

Have been driving and calling around for steel key locksmiths in Chicago West burbs. Same story on every call from 5 different locksmiths:

- "oh no we don't cut steel keys."
- "they'll burn right through a $200 key cutting wheel in one try"
- "I don't know of any locksmith in the area that cuts steel keys"

Pretty sure this is a North America thing. Found a *great* article about steel key retrofitting for locksmiths:

http://www.locksmithledger.com/article/10704673/rytan-has-a-steel-key-solution

For the North American market, locksmiths have been cutting softer metal key blanks, mainly brass and some aluminum. The only steel key blanks I can remember from many years ago are automotive. Most of them were gold plated presentation key blanks. Some were special orders for European model vehicles and only available in steel.

North American cylindrical key machines - originating and duplicating - are designed for brass key blanks. Most of these key machines operate at about 800-1000 revolutions per minute (rpm) for high speed steel cutters.

Steel content key blanks can dull or break the teeth of a key machine’s rotary cutter operating at about 900 rpm. A key machine that cuts key blanks containing ferrous metal should operate between 1600 and 2000 (about twice the rpm) equipped with a carbide cutter.

Just need to keep hunting for the right locksmith I guess.

[Silver Wagon]

yup.. as designed. would you mind posting a pic of your valet key? If it's original, does it have an "I" on it?

my "original" key that came with my car on the left and the one i acquired from the yard on the right. you can clearly see the I and the S respectively.

[Northern]

this looks damn cool - if it works with a REC43T remote setup.. awesome

http://www.amazon.com/KEY-BLANK-FOLDING-REMOTE-UNCUT/dp/B00FG9G5DG

UPDATE: Kinda pricey but I ordered one anyway. Will let you know how it works out.

Interested in the results of this. Just bought one of the REC43T setups and I'd love a more OEM-looking fob

[agent]

Steel cut keys are among the first things I ordered for each of my E30s.

[bradnic]

I need to buy a new keys for my e30's so bad. I was just gonna buy them from garagistics

Those are great guys.. They sell the BMW illuminated key blank that's shown on the first post. Looks like a good price too.

[bradnic]

my E30 only came with the valet key. no wonder why i wouldn't work the glove box.

yup.. as designed. would you mind posting a pic of your valet key? If it's original, does it have an "I" on it?

[Silver Wagon]

i must be lucky, my E30 only came with the valet key. no wonder why i wouldn't work the glove box. i thought it was from the gallon of glue the PO used to keep it together. good thing i got a full lock set from the yard with a key.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

I need to buy a new keys for my e30's so bad. I was just gonna buy them from garagistics

[Gary Yogurt]

Mine came with one lighted and two plastic "S" keys. The OCD in me is definitely bothered about not having at least the valet key, and it would never be used because I wouldn't let one drive my car or pay the ridiculous fee.

[bradnic]

this looks damn cool - if it works with a REC43T remote setup.. awesome

http://www.amazon.com/KEY-BLANK-FOLDING-REMOTE-UNCUT/dp/B00FG9G5DG

UPDATE: Kinda pricey but I ordered one anyway. Will let you know how it works out.