Where to get E30 keys cut?

[Dex.e30]

-Minor revival-

+1 for Ace Hardware.

$2 to have my 2 OEM blanks done this morning, after trying Lowes and Home Depot last night. Same experience as others.

[Sean]

i know this is old, but wanted to inject this.

When I bought my car, all my keys were copies of copies of copies. They were difficult to get into the keylocks, and didn't flow smoothly.

Went to the dealer, purchased a new OEM key for like $30 - straight from BMW - and it was smooth as butter.

Just keep that in mind when you guys make copies - as copies are made, they begin to get slightly off. So, just make sure you have a master around somewhere. :) Not to say they won't work, but it COULD put unneeded stress on locks.

[BDSax]

$30?!?!?!?! i hope its a lighted key. i got my oem key from the dealer for $7. then $35 for the Lighted Key. also $40 for the ignition lock.

[Sean]

$30?!?!?!?! i hope its a lighted key. i got my oem key from the dealer for $7. then $35 for the Lighted Key. also $40 for the ignition lock.

No, it was just the one black blank. It mighta been like $25, I dunno.

I didn't care, $30 isn't that much for a nice new key. My dealer isn't cheap, and they've never heard of BMWCCA. Yea...we have no active chapter in Boise, so that doesn't help either. lol

[Jscotty]

Also its tough to use copies that are made from a key that is worn down. I am fortunate to have posession of my flat key and thats what I have always made my copies from.

[ColdAccord]

ok I've got a question;

for my e32, i have a switchblade key. the key broke and i got a replacement unit. there is however no screw (it needs one tiny tiny screw to screw the key into the switchblade) and the stealership said they can't get it. where can I find it?

also, any other places besides dealer or ebay to get a key for the e32? if I get an aftermarket alarm I don't need to lug around that switchblade unit too

[BDSax]

what kind of screw is it? try a local hardware store.

[ColdAccord]

its seriously tiny. like 1/10". no hardware store love.

[Midnight Sun]

its seriously tiny. like 1/10". no hardware store love.

go to a jeweler or watchsmith.

[BDSax]

yeah, glasses have some small screws

[AndrewBird]

its seriously tiny. like 1/10". no hardware store love.

www.mcmaster.com is your friend. :)

[Tree18is]

yea a good like mom and pop locksmith will be able to do it.
when i went with matt the only problem with getting the key cut is that it wasnt the brass (soft metal) w/e they use and the only reason we got it cut is because matt knew the guy. they say the keys are hard metal and mess up there cutting wheels.
thats from my experience.
the liquor store at the top of lowell by in and out can do it.. : )

[smooth]

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.

hmm, I like this idea.
Is the process reversable for when we sell the second car?

(I don't know if rekeying something means switching the plates around in the tumbler or actually cutting them).

[doucy2]

My car has two set one to lock and one to start. I have orginals of both + like 3 copies of each and another master key of the ignition key. Man it get confusing sometimes. I have gotten copies of keys at the local DoitBest (hardware) and MasterLock. The best bet is a new OEM lighted key from the dealer ($40 if I recall.) Also if you look at you keys dead on you will notice bends in older keys, our lock and ignition especially bends our keys pretty badly over time, always a good idea to have a spare or 3 ;)