Changing door locks on a BMW E30 without the key

How to change the door locks on a BMW E30 3-Series when you’ve lost the keys. Also works on a BMW E34 5-Series. Includes (optional) lock-picking, my newly acquired lockdown superpower.
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Useful links
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Bulldog BDX penetrating/release spray:
lubricantsuppliers.com/produc...
Teach yourself lock-picking kit:
smile.amazon.co.uk/stores/Loc...
Genuine BMW door locks:
www.schmiedmann.com/en/bmw-E3...
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Chapters
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00:00 Introduction
00:24 Getting the door card off
01:38 Removing the door lock
03:16 Dealing with different door lock types
04:52 Finding the key number on the door lock
05:32 Reassembling the door

[@dt7449]

Superb presentation, I like a bit of humour , softens the shitty task.

[@benhooper1956]

1:47 an amazing touch those graphics...

[@teaman7v]

Great tip to get a key cut from the tumbler number. Just hope some joker before you hasn't swapped out all the pins! 😆

[@GrandThriftAuto]

What sort of muppet would do such a thing…oh 😬

[@motorcyclebutslow5967]

I can confirm, I had my keys renewed last year. BMW will sell you a new coded key based on your VIN and proof that you're the owner of the car.

[@fhwolthuis]

Glad you're back, Martin! Top video 👍🏻😀

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Thanks Frank!

[@Rjhs001]

Smashing looking little motor. Look forward to seeing it after the bodywork has been smartened up a bit.

[@benhadley2876]

Very good no nonsense video, liked it alot

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Thanks Ben, glad you liked it!

[@Lot76CARS]

Hi Martin, great update and despite it looking a fiddly job being able to open and lock the doors is a welcome enhancement. My 190 had a driver door lock than spam around but thankfully just a detached vacuum pipe. Good luck with the MOT! Cheers, Simon

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Ah yes, good old vacuum central locking! Glad this doesn't have that to worry about :) Thanks Simon

[@benhooper1956]

5:34 Ah yes, that would be St. Haynes, of the Haynes Book of Lies?

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Indeed! Maybe I should print up a t-shirt with “Refitting is the reverse of removal” on it.

[@benhooper1956]

@@GrandThriftAuto Only if removal involves cutting the sleeves off, and then having to restitch them afterwards back to front...

[@davidwitham5588]

Any progress on the Lotus Elite, Rover SD1 or Lancia Gamma Coupe would be interesting

[@GrandThriftAuto]

I should have updates on the Rover and Lotus before long. The Gamma is likely to be a while, although I do have some other Lancia stories in the pipeline.

[@willwelch5700]

Excellent job sir! It's amazing during these jobs when you find out how many swear words you actually know 😂😂

[@GrandThriftAuto]

It is! Sometimes I find I’ve invented a new one 😬😊

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Good to see a new video from you Sir! Any news on the 2300S?

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Thanks! The 2300S is alive and well, and being used for some local running around. (It’s visible in the background once or twice in this video.) Maybe I should do another video on it? Not sure what the story would be though.

[@jagakuna1989]

Hi, my key can insert in the right door but can’t turn to unlock. It can only unlock the left door. What could be the issue and what do i need to do?

[@aesmilla]

Dead ringer of Knox Overstreet from Dead poets!

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Ah yes - ‘Here comes Mr Overstreet, led by a greater force.’

[@benharrington6723]

BMW supplied a new key for my E30 from the registration number.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Wow, seriously? That would have been useful, but is very scary (and surprising) from a security point of view.

[@realSamAndrew]

@GrandThriftAuto they have always done this for various unit specific items like radio codes and keys. You must show adequate documentation that you are the legal owner of the vehicle. Obviously they won't just sell it to any random buyer.

[@martinparker9249]

doesnt common sense prevail when getting a key for car that has none .....A CODE on the lock !!

[@jagakuna1989]

Hi, my key can insert in the right door but can’t turn to unlock. It can only unlock the left door. What could be the issue and how to fix it ?

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Is this a new situation? It sounds like you have door locks that don’t match, but if it’s suddenly happened then I guess something has failed inside the lock. You can unlock the door from the inside by just pulling on the handle that opens the door. Hope that helps - good luck!

[@jagakuna1989]

@@GrandThriftAuto Hi, yes it doesn't match. Can the odd one be fixed to match or do I need to get a full new set?

[@GrandThriftAuto]

⁠@@jagakuna1989In theory you could make the odd one match if you had the right set of pins and arranged them in the right order - see from 4:21 in the video. But I don’t know if the pin sets are the same and they just need rearranging, or if you need a different set of pins. You could take the two locks apart, see if they match, and reassemble the odd one to match the correct one if they do - but be VERY careful not to lose the order of the correct one!!

[@jagakuna1989]

@@GrandThriftAuto Thank you so much.