Question on BMW keys

[Isostar13]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate all of the extra info. that you both provided. I'm still seriously considering trying to cut out an e30 blade from something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Lighted-...-/250374957184

Then also cutting out the blade in there currently, and swapping them. I've never used the 4-40 screws mentioned by TobyB above, but I'll consider any option to help really secure the blade swap.

I also reached out to the people who sold it to me to see if they can just send me two fobs with the e30 key blades inserted instead. I'm waiting on their pricing now.

Thanks again guys.

[TurboJake]

Umm... no, not really. At all.

I'm sitting here looking at the E46 key above, and there's not quite enough metal
to make it into an E30 key. It's too narrow, even if you could
mill the side registration grooves.

The 2-87 E30 key is 8.45mm wide, at the tallest point of the profile, working length 34mm.
The tooth profile is cut onto the periphery. One registration groove is milled into the side.

The 11-94 E36 key is 7.36 wide, overall, working length 38mm.
The tooth profile is milled into the outer corners, with a central registration spine, and one registration groove in the side.

The 7-04 E46 key is 8.26 wide, overall, working length 38mm.
The tooth profile is a milled groove down the side of the key, with each side milled halfway away for registration.

They are completely different.
And yet, they are all made by the same company-
the same company that made the 2002 key!

The 'diamond' key is the only one of the 3 that has the OBD2 EWS chip
in addition to the remote fob. But I have a pre- 95 E36.

OP, looking at them here, I'd just splice an E30 key onto the stub of it with
a couple of 4-40 screws. It wouldn't be hard, and it would look 'good enough'.

What's on my keyring,

t

Okay, I looked it all up. It's all still the same basic key blank. But not. I was wrong about the E46, and the e36 portion, because from there they switched over to the notched setup, as to make the key cutting differently for EWS. It still is the same "basic" key blank, just different grinding afterwards. It's one part to make, and not 20 different parts. BMW was and is all about being cheap where it could be, and that's the cheapest way to do it. One blank to mass produce. grinding down as it comes, and selling the two different grinds as two different part numbers, for more money.

Here's the part usage on REALOEM.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partxref.do?part=51211900893
Then the EWS key blank (No chip)
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partxref.do?part=51218132689


Then they switched over to the FOB in because of the EWS. But it's still the same basic key blank originally.

You will have to measure your E30 key with that notch to see if it will work. IF that notch wasn't there, you probably would have no issues. IF you measure it up and cannot get it to work, grab this, take out insert, get it cut, insert into genuine FOB. Throw Ebay fob away, you only want the metal.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/331163751581?lpid=82

Either way, I was wrong on a few aspects, and do apologize. You might be able to get what you have to work still. Drop by a locksmith and have him take a look. Can't hurt.

[TobyB]

The E21, E28, E30, E34, E36, E38, E39, and E46 ran the same basic blank.

Umm... no, not really. At all.

I'm sitting here looking at the E46 key above, and there's not quite enough metal
to make it into an E30 key. It's too narrow, even if you could
mill the side registration grooves.

The 2-87 E30 key is 8.45mm wide, at the tallest point of the profile, working length 34mm.
The tooth profile is cut onto the periphery. One registration groove is milled into the side.

The 11-94 E36 key is 7.36 wide, overall, working length 38mm.
The tooth profile is milled into the outer corners, with a central registration spine, and one registration groove in the side.

The 7-04 E46 key is 8.26 wide, overall, working length 38mm.
The tooth profile is a milled groove down the side of the key, with each side milled halfway away for registration.

They are completely different.
And yet, they are all made by the same company-
the same company that made the 2002 key!

The 'diamond' key is the only one of the 3 that has the OBD2 EWS chip
in addition to the remote fob. But I have a pre- 95 E36.

OP, looking at them here, I'd just splice an E30 key onto the stub of it with
a couple of 4-40 screws. It wouldn't be hard, and it would look 'good enough'.

What's on my keyring,

t

[TurboJake]

It covers a whole slew of chassis'. The E21, E28, E30, E34, E36, E38, E39, and E46 ran the same basic blank. And I'm pretty sure some of the X3's did too. The narrow part in the middle will line up with a part of the key teeth that is intended to be that small. It's a "length check" so to speak.

And, along with that, the center line is the margin for where you ground down the sides in opposing fashion. Take it to a good locksmith with your key, and they'll say no prob.

[Isostar13]

Yeah, it's an RU58 key blade. I think it covers e36, e39, and few other more recent models. My original intention, since it was sent in error, was to cut it out with a hot knife, cut out an e30 blade from one of the lighted keys, and try to swap it in. The fob itself will work with my keyless entry (just need to program it), but I don't think the key would. Even if a skilled locksmith could cut it, I'm not sure they could thin it out; this one is roughly 2x the thickness of an e30 blank.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

[TobyB]

That's an E46 key...

t

[15Michaeljoseph]

Question on BMW keys

Got it, thanks. I didn't even consider this as an option. Do you know if the narrow part in the middle has any affect on the function of the key? Or would the e30 "key part" exist solely on the top half of this blade?

I'm no locksmith, and I've never seen this kind of key in person to actually know the size of it and everything, but if you compare your current key next to it, does it look like it interferes with the pattern?


--sent from my igloo via carrier penguin

[Isostar13]

right, so the locksmith would also be thinning the key out so that it matched.


--sent from my igloo via carrier penguin

Got it, thanks. I didn't even consider this as an option. Do you know if the narrow part in the middle has any affect on the function of the key? Or would the e30 "key part" exist solely on the top half of this blade?

[15Michaeljoseph]

Are you sure about this? They're sold as e36 key blades and for a few models beyond. It's not just the size/shape of the key, but also the thickness. It's roughly 2x thicker than the e30 light key I have.

Thanks.

right, so the locksmith would also be thinning the key out so that it matched.


--sent from my igloo via carrier penguin

[Isostar13]

But, the thing is. That key will work for the E30... Any locksmith worth their salt can grind those surfaces down to work. They can do more than just the teeth.

Are you sure about this? They're sold as e36 key blades and for a few models beyond. It's not just the size/shape of the key, but also the thickness. It's roughly 2x thicker than the e30 light key I have.

Thanks.

[rex]

Would love a flip key fob that also worked keyless entry a la the kits German engineering used to have for sale


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Raxe]

I've seen them made up for E30's before, quite a bit of work but kind of neat if you're into that sort of thing. The one I saw had a generic aftermarket key blade inserted the fob.

Something like this but cut down and modified:

[TurboJake]

It's made the same as any other key fob. molded cavity inside the FOB, And then lightly glued to the cavity. Removing it will be a colossal pain in the dick, IF you can remove it without damaging the FOB. Which is unlikely.

It's not either or, it's both the things you're thinking.

But, the thing is. That key will work for the E30... Any locksmith worth their salt can grind those surfaces down to work. They can do more than just the teeth.

[Isostar13]

I know the fob comes apart in two pieces. However, the key blade itself is either glued in or molded into the bottom half of the fob.

What I'm hoping to do is remove it somehow (hot knife maybe), and glue in instead an e30 key blade.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[glnr13]

the plastic fob is glued together. i just dismantled one for a friend to replace the battery.