Found my very first car ('86 325es)

[Garageaholic]

So... I found my very first car today... a car that I sold about 4 years ago (i'm 25 years old)... I sold this car for $1400 and the car hasn't been used more than 3 miles since then. It's been sitting in the guys' driveway since 2002. Anyway, I have a chance to take the car off their hands.... for free.

The only problem is that the car's keys have been lost and are un-recoverable. How do I hotwire the car and drive it in order to swap the locks later? Any ideas guys? help me out here! help me get my baby back!

[atomic]

Call a rollback to pick it up .....


hotwiring it might be one thing but you will have to break the steering lock doing more damage than good IMHO ...

[SchnellerVert]

Goto Dealer with title and 15 bucks 2 days later you have a key for the vin number and lock.

[Garageaholic]

I forgot about the steering lock actually. that's gonna suck.



If i find a way to get into the car. is there a way to change the lock on the ignition in order to start it up and do it from there?

Then the question becomes... how do I get in the car without breaking a window?

[SchnellerVert]

Have AAA come out. They can get into it explain the situation to them.

[atomic]

Goto Dealer with title and 15 bucks 2 days later you have a key for the vin number and lock.

providing the ignition hasn't been changed sometime in the lifetime of the car that is .... but worth a shot for sure

[SchnellerVert]

Well sitting in one place and likely hood that it has? It's worth 15 bucks correct to get in and out of doors?

[rThor432]

Goto Dealer with title and 15 bucks 2 days later you have a key for the vin number and lock.

Ding ding ding!

This is the solution to your problem.

[JasonC]

Damn, i wish i knew where my first car got to.

[AlarmedBread]

You could have the keys, locks and ignition out of my old car. It ended up at a local junkyard several weeks ago :(

[jw 325ic]

sounds pretty cool man. there are ways around it other than breaking in and hotwiring. id honestly take the title to the dealer and get a key...

[Garageaholic]

Good idea. I think i'll take it to the dealer and get the key made. Thanks alot for the advice guys. i actually never thought of that route. Thanks!

[Ray Smoodiver]

Breaking in without smashing glass:

Get some plastic box tape (the stuff they wrap around multiple boxes to make them easier to load)

make a loop of it, slide it into the door and pull one end toward you until its looped snugly over the door lock mechanism.

Start pulling upwards, the tape will grip the extended top of the lock plastic top thingy, and voila!

[Hick]

Good idea. I think i'll take it to the dealer and get the key made. Thanks alot for the advice guys. i actually never thought of that route. Thanks!

Only if the title/registration is in your name. If not the dude that owns it now will have to go in.

[schmidty]

Only if the title/registration is in your name. If not the dude that owns it now will have to go in.

also, if the ignition has been replaced your SOL with the dealer. You can get them to cut you a new ignition and key to match the VIN but its gonna cost you time and money... and you still have to get the old ignition out.

a good locksmith will be able to cut you a key by trial and error within the hour for about $100