Where to get E30 keys cut?

[RobertK]

Thanks for the offer though I found a local Ace Hardware close to me in Knoxville. I'm going to swing by there this evening to see if they have the blanks or the ability to cut a set for me.

[FL318is]

No prob. They should be able to.

[bala_eos]

I tried Ace Hardware and didn't have any luck. They messed one blank that I had bought from BMA :-( But, they had their own key blanks too and no luck with that either. So, ask them to cut in their blank, try it in your car and then get the OE blank.

[gm9142l]

Im wondering why you dont just go to an actual locksmith? Ive been able to get any random key I have needed at the same decent locksmith (they had blanks in stock for my old 71 MGB). Shouldnt be too hard to find one close to you in the yellow pages, and you will waste less time going to one place than trying all the chain sores that only have automatic machines for common blanks.

[Jand3rson]

Any place that cuts keys can do it. Shit, I got my last one done at Home Depot.

[euroshark]

Update: Walmart and Lowes = Worthless

Ace Hardware got it done though.

[Jscotty]

I guess as our cars get older, the key blanks are less common for the lower budget key cutting operations- Like in the mall kiosks will never have the blank nor will they have the equipment to cut it.. but take it to a locksmith that has had his shop for over 20 years, and I can assure you that he keeps every type of blank imaginable. I went to a locksmith like that and they were even able to cut me a key for my club steering wheel lock.

[DarkWing6]

I just went to a locksmith. I got 2 keys and them cut for $5. I needed some cheap copies cause I have been having problems with my locks. I need to do a full lockset replacement one of these days soon.

[BDSax]

my car had the same thing, seperate key for the ignition and then the doors. i went to the dealer and got a regular cut key for my vin # (need your registration) and it only cost $7. then when it came i tested it out on the doors to make sure it was the correct key for the whole car. then i ordered the ignition lock and then a light up key for $70, both came from Germany pretty quick. i hate lugging around 2 keys for 1 car, reminds me of a chevy

[e34john]

How come these were so hard to get? Its not like the thicker ones that came on later cars.

[E30Driv3R]

I bought mine off Ebay and then took it to the true value i worked at and they cut it shouldnt be that hard. (Mine was a thick one)

[edbd1]

Yeah.. I need someone I can give my key to and just have them make a copy from it. Dealer said my only other option was to let them order and install a new tumbler based on my VIN. $65 for the tumber, $45 for ONE KEY, and $85-$160 labor. I really need a copy of both keys. I've been eyeballing a complete lockset in the FS forums but I would still need to eventually have an extra copy on hand for emergencies.

Surely someone has to know if Lowes or some other place can cut these bastards.

Best place is a locksmith that is knowledgeable with BMWs. I had an idiot try to break into my trunk last year and destroyed the lock. Never got in though. I replaced the lock, and took it to a locksmith who "re-keyed" it to work with the existing key I had. Was in the neighbor hood of $25-$30 including a new spare I also had cut. Bought the key blank there as well.

[RobertK]

Went to Ace Hardware and got both keys cut for $5 ironically he was slightly off on the ignition key that was not broken so I have to go back and have them redo it. The copy of the broken key works like a charm.

[Simon S]

i hate lugging around 2 keys for 1 car, reminds me of a chevy

+1 (wtf?)
I've had ebay blanks cut at a mom/pop hardware store store like a chicken wang

(as in "ain't no thang")

[Jscotty]

i hate lugging around 2 keys for 1 car, reminds me of a chevy

How about the concept of having 1 key for 2 cars?

I had 2 GM cars that I eventually had re-keyed to the same set to avoid the constant fumbling of sticking the wrong key in the lock when its dark or the weather is bad. When I get my other E30 on the road, I am going to do the same thing and have the locks keyed identically so that 1 key will fit both cars.