RE: Stranded BMW.. and owner

["Ron Buchalski" <rbuchals@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Alex writes:
>From: "Fadeev, Alex" <alex.fadeev@domain.elided>
>To: "'Ron Buchalski'" <rbuchals@domain.elided>, centuri@domain.elided
>CC: bmw-digest@domain.elided
>Subject: RE: Stranded BMW.. and owner
>Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2000 14:32:53 -0600
>
>Ron Buchalski [mailto:rbuchals@domain.elided] wrote:
> >
> > When the driver's door lock cylinder on my E30 318i became
> > worn, it would not allow me to single lock the car, and
> > would only double lock it.  Of course, this can result in
> > the situation that you describe, where no other locks can
> > be opened with the key.
>
>Same experience here: the regular 45 degree locking failed first and I was 
>double locking the E30 for a few weeks while the dealer was special 
>ordering a rebuild lock cylinder kit.
>However, you CAN get into the car even if it was double locked and the 
>driver lock failed! Go the front passenger door and attempt to open the 
>double locked cylinder with the key _as_ you are pulling on the door 
>handle. Eventually you will hit the sweet spot and the door will open. This 
>features is there just for such a case: the car is double locked and the 
>driver lock cylinder is dead.

Yes, but I wouldn't want to rely on the emergency method every time I unlock 
the car.  Locking from the trunk or passenger door will keep it from double 
locking until you get the lock replaced.

>
> > Your ultimate solution is to replace the driver's door lock
> > cylinder, which is not a difficult thing to do, and will only
> > cost you $30 or so for the parts.  Having a dealer replace
> > it will probably cost you at least $100 in labor, probably more.
>
>I remember being quoted 2-3 hours of labor to re-key the new cylinder. 
>Which is roughly how long it takes for a DIY mechanic first time around 
>(not including getting the cylinder out of the door).

2-3 hours to just re-key one cylinder?  That's BULLSHIT!  I was a first time 
DIY mechanic on my driver's door lock cylinder, and I had never worked on 
ANY lock cylinder in my life, and I was able to take apart the old cylinder, 
write down the tumbler sequence, key the new cylinder to match it, and 
re-assemble the new cylinder, in less than 15 minutes.  In fact, I was so 
surprised at how easy it was, that I was SURE that I must have screwed 
something up.

The 2-3 hours had to include disassembly and reassembly of the door.

Locksmiths (and BMW mechanics) are really making a killing...

- -rb

_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

------------------------------