Key broke off inside the ignition cylinder

[e34john]

If you can get the key half out do that and order a new key from the dealer. You only have 1 key? I have atleast of them around the house.

[McGyver]

I get VIN keys cut at the dealer for about $15.

They require proof of ownership, ID, etc.

Hustle your ass down there.

Luke

i went to the dealership today and they were going to charge me $70 to order a new key, how did u get one for $15?

[george graves]

locksmith

[Van Westervelt]

You guys do know this was a problem thread from like 3 months ago right? lol

Silly Luke

[brokenbimmer533]

3 months old but it just happened to me this week. lol Got a locksmith out here. Had the key pulled out of the ignition and a new cut key in my hand in under an hour for $50.

[alas]

Happened to me tonight... in my driver door. I was luckily able to get it out, but it's my only key. I bought the car three days ago so it's not even registered yet in my name.

Will I have to do the DMV shenanigens before getting a key from BMW?

[Kershaw]

No, just take the broken key to a locksmith and have them make you a new one. Only the dealership requires proof of ownership to cut you a new key based on the VIN. A locksmith just needs the broken key, they don't care about proof of ownership.

[AndrewBird]

I would get one cut from a locksmith for right now, then get a new BMW key from the dealer once you have proof of ownership.

[Miwi]

Buy a lockpick set and fish it out. Or if you're really cheap then buy a hand saw blade and grind it down a bit and insert it backwards to where the points are facing your hands and use that to fish out the remaining part of the key.

[Poopie]

lol one of my first threads on my first e30. I'm back in the game and my current e30 has a ruined rear key hole. I have a new one that was going to repin, but i just bought a keyless entry instead.

[cory58]

So run-of-the-mill locksmiths have key blanks that fit old BMW's? That's good news.

[TheKingdomOfShenan]

Thread from the dead

Hey everyone, this is my first post on here since I just got my '87 325is delivered last night. I bought the car in Houston and had it delivered to SLC, UT. When I test drove it, it had the key broken off in the ignition and started easily with a butter knife. I just figured I'd pop the lock cylinder out and get a new key cut and reinstall it. When it showed up, the PO had tried to do that but broke some wire off in the channel used to release the lock cylinder then proceeded to go full Hulk smash on it. I have a locksmith coming to look at it on Monday but am not optimistic. Do I have any options besides drilling it out? If not, any recommendations on where/what to drill on the lock cylinder?

Also, I'm not sure what the thread revival etiquette is around here. If it is preferred that I start a new thread, just let me know and I'll bump it.

Thanks!

[E30335i]

Swap out the whole ignition column, you’ll finish that a lot faster than sitting there drilling out that small whole which will no guarantee take it off.

You’ll see a smooth head with a shiny center, put a slit in it and take the screwdriver and take it off. Take off steering wheel and etc,.


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[TheKingdomOfShenan]

Swap out the whole ignition column, you’ll finish that a lot faster than sitting there drilling out that small whole which will no guarantee take it off.

You’ll see a smooth head with a shiny center, put a slit in it and take the screwdriver and take it off. Take off steering wheel and etc,.

I may end up going that route but I'm hoping to not have to especially since I haven't found any local junkyards with parts cars.
BTW this is what I'm working with:

[E30335i]

Your close, but still lots of work to go, or well drilling


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