Getting a key cut for the E30

Rukus

Rukus

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Does anyonw know how i can telll if my car has the bouble lock feature? I can't rotate the drivers laock to 90 degrees, i also can't puch the lock down to lock the car when the drivers door is open, so something must be bent. i CAN however, double lock my trunk, so that when locked, when i unlock the car from the 2 door, the lock at the trunk stays locked.

Anyways, the main problem here is i need to cut a key and all i have is a copy of a copy of a... etc.... and i was wondering if there was any way i could find a key code for my car. I heard its on the trunk lock cylinder... but i don't wanna rip that apart until i confirm this. CAn i call BMW and get it from my VIN? can i read my vin and get it myself?

Thanks.

P.S, i read a similar article in here, but i am also confused on what key to get.... am i suppsoed to have 2 keys? a Master which is longer (5 digits) and a valet key (4 digits) which is shorter (that doesn't double lock or doesn't unlock glove box)???

any input would be appreciative, especially the key code.
 
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Kilomph

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2 days ago I called up King BMW (an NJ dealership), gave them my vin, and they cut me a key and had it ready the next day. All your need is your registration and proof of ID. Costed $37.27. I think all BMW keys are cut in NJ, although I have no proof, that's just what I heard.
 
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Big Daddy

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Any BMW dealer can cut you a key with like you say, vin number, registration and photo ID. The newer driveway coded keys take longer and cannot be "made" at the dealer. You are not supposed to be able to lock the door when it is open, a feature designed to keep you from locking the keys in the car.
 
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epj3

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Woaaah $37!?!? It cost me $15.00 even at my dealer!! That was for a REAL laser cut copy.

You should have double locking - you can lock yoru car normally turning the drivers door key about 45 degrees, but to double lock Keep turning form that position till you hit 90 degrees to the right. Now it's double locked.
 
jrt67ss350

jrt67ss350

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epj3 said:
Woaaah $37!?!? It cost me $15.00 even at my dealer!! That was for a REAL laser cut copy.

You should have double locking - you can lock yoru car normally turning the drivers door key about 45 degrees, but to double lock Keep turning form that position till you hit 90 degrees to the right. Now it's double locked.
Click to expand...
But, the double lock feature doesn't work if you are using a copied key. You have to use a BMW key to get the double lock feature to work. At least, that's the way it works on my car.
 
Rukus

Rukus

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cool thanks guys! there is no BMW dealer around here, and the best i can do for keys is like 10 for $10 bucks ilco keys....... i am gonna look around. but for now i only have 1 key, as i NO LONGER let friends unloick my car for me, they keep on breaking my keys off in ignition... doors.. etc... (ilco brand) .... my car is an 84.. i hear the double lock feature never came until 85..?? but i can double lock the trunk, so it stays locked when i unlock driver or passenger door.

i can't get the key to a 90 degree position.. mainly don't try too hard as i am scared that i will break the key....

do i need a valet key? would i have one? who knows... i think master is fine?
 
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epj3

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jrt67ss350 said:
But, the double lock feature doesn't work if you are using a copied key. You have to use a BMW key to get the double lock feature to work. At least, that's the way it works on my car.
Click to expand...
Yes. I went to the dealer, said "I need a new key for my car", he said "can i see your registration and license?", I said Yes, handed it to him, paid him $15 even, and he said "it'll be here in 2 days".

2 days later I went back and picked up my key. Exact copy with the bmw roundel, black rubbery fob, etc. 100% exact and real OEM copy, worked to double lock everything. I'm absolutely positive it was $15 too.

Rukus - the whole reason I got the OEM key mentioned above is becuase I had an ilco copy that broke off in the door one very cold night (locks weren't frozen..it was just a crappy copy, and the keys for e30's have a VERY narrow neck about a quarter of an inch from the fob). That ilco copied key did work for double lock too.
 
jrt67ss350

jrt67ss350

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epj3 said:
Yes. I went to the dealer, said "I need a new key for my car", he said "can i see your registration and license?", I said Yes, handed it to him, paid him $15 even, and he said "it'll be here in 2 days".

2 days later I went back and picked up my key. Exact copy with the bmw roundel, black rubbery fob, etc. 100% exact and real OEM copy, worked to double lock everything. I'm absolutely positive it was $15 too.
Click to expand...
Yeah, if you get your key from the BMW dealer, it will obviously operate the double lock feature. I was just pointing out to Rukus that if you use a copy like an ilco key, they won't operate the double locking.
 
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epj3

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Rukus said:
cool thanks guys. i am gonna phone BMW on monday. $20 for the proper key is better than $20 for 10 improper keys.
Click to expand...
Most definitely. The e30's key design is very very stupid IMO. It's SO narrow at one point, and the key itself isn't very thick. If you put the key on the edge of a table, the metal part is about the thickness of one quarter. My e34's key is about the thickness of 2 quarters on top of each other, and it doesnt get narrow like the e30's.
 
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Beemur

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I took my crappy copied key that came with my car when I bought it, which wasn't even close to symetrical, to a good lock smith. All he did was look at the old key and use a reference book that he had to decode it. Took him 20 min. to make a new one. He never asked for VIN, registration, anything. $15, and it works perfectly.
BTW I highly recommend paying to have it done right, and then making a copy or two.
 
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