New Diamond Key - Won’t Turn Ignition

[80stech]

Any updates ??

[Clockwork]

Originally Posted by EODguy

Interesting, my e46 (2001) and e53 (2005) have a different key. Mine is groved OUT in the middle of key and flat sides, instead

[E36X5er]

Originally Posted by 80stech

Any updates ??

updates indeed! I had to travel for a few trips + torrential rains in SoCal delayed this process so much. Ordered a plastic valet key which also didn’t work. Locksmith came by and said he has to “drill out the ignition” and replace it $375 +tax. He said he can program the new ignition to match my new diamond key from the dealer. I’m very DIY on all my cars so immediately wondering if this is something I can do? Is it something I would even want to do? If it’s a big headache or requires specialty equipment, $375 doesn’t seem bad. Other option is to tow it to my house and then properly tackle the DIY (would have to get a specialty tow from a company that uses wheel dollies - not sure of cost) - thoughts? opinions welcome

[80stech]

I just re-read some of this and noticed that you said "Parked on a hill." I think there is a cable from the shifter that runs to the ignition mechanism to keep the shifter locked, maybe something going on there?? Otherwise you could order a new lock cylinder from BMW yourself but getting the old one out might be a problem for you. I would agree that the $375 doesn't seem that bad at this point .

[BigBody]

LOL i just ordered a brand new key too! After 19 years and exact same thing, key will NOT turn in ignition... ridiculous, i think key is miscut..

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by BigBody

LOL i just ordered a brand new key too! After 19 years and exact same thing, key will NOT turn in ignition... ridiculous, i think key is miscut..

Does the new key work in the door lock?

Got an old key still, to compare with?

[BigBody]

Originally Posted by wpoll

Does the new key work in the door lock?

Got an old key still, to compare with?

The car has not had door locks since new.

Some quick backstory- my father purchased this car in 2005; it was already his second E53 after purchasing a 3.0 in 2001. At the time, his office was in Jersey City so he commuted in every day and parked in the private corporate parking lot. At the time there seemed to be a pandemic of car break-ins and on more then one occasion, he would return to the car in the so called "secure" garage and find the lock punched in and forcefully twisted out, with everything in the car ransacked. Hes told me before that if you look extremely closely at the door handle, you can see where a PDR effort was done, but he can still see some remnants of the attack. I have no idea and cant see anything. As this was a common enough issue at the time, there were kits online that replaced the door lock with the non-locking cover. I believe it was even OEM as the kit supplied stickers which say "No Key, No Valuables", which are still on the cars windows today! 20 years on, this has proven to be a real PIA. If the car is locked and the battery dies, you are going to have a seriously bad day. And the same goes for if you accidentally lock the keys in the car.

On to chapter 2- the car needs new keys. I dont want to deal with dieing batteries for the reason of potential lockouts and what not, so i did what any BMW diy'er would do. I got an AK90 and programmed several transponders, bought diamond keys from china, which they precut from photos (and the real kicker here is the chinese keys, which are cut soley based on pictures you send them turn in the ignition PERFECTLY!). I spend extra money on eBay for more expensive aftermarkets diamond boards that are rechargeable. Everything goes good until one by one each freaking diamond completly and totally fails. The first time, my father drove the car to the dentist in another NYC boro and found himself unable to open the car. No worries, i came by, used another key and just hit unlock- door opens perfectly. Ok fine.

Keep in mind, i made 2 extra keys and of these boards (labeled EWS-SKS) 1 fails within a week, and chinese seller sends me a new one, so i have 2 boards seemingly working. On my birthday my girlfriend surprises me on a ski trip to Pennsylvania. Awesome! In one of my more wise moments, i decided to take every single damn key i have for this car with me just in the foreseeable chance the key will fail. We drive the E53 for 2.5 hours to PA the first night and settle in. The car did amazing, and at one point i actually hit the 130mph limiter on a stretch of highway that was absolutely empty- i didnt even need to put my hands on the wheel, it just went like nothing was even happening, and it is easily the fastest i have ever been in this car, in fact i dont think since new the car has ever reached that speed. Moreover, we decide to get some food for the night and drive a few miles from our hotel. We grab some food, go back to the car and guess what? Yep! Key is dead. Great. It is freezing outside, i have a light shell jacket on and some pijamas. My girlfriend is wearing a light jacket as well and some gucci boots. We look around, cold, and make the executive decision- lets hike back to the hotel. This is PA- there are no sidewalks and clear signs that say no pedestrians. We hitchhiked along the side of the highway for an hour and a half like some gypsies (in gucci) and that was an experience in its own. At the hotel, i got the original taped together diamond, took a taxi back to the parking lot and of course the car opened.

Fast forward a bit and upon getting home, i broke down and paid the painful cost of a new diamond key. The key came and is absolutely gorgeous. No chinese key can compete with the fit and finish of the OEM diamond. I programmed the key to the lock system- perfect. I put it in the ignition with a excited grin and........... nothing. huh... NOTHING? this has got to be a twisted joke. I jiggle the wheel, flip the key, maybe it needs to be pushed or turned harder??? nope, the key doesnt work. So yea, thats my story.

I havent tested the keys in the glovebox but i guess that would be a good start. Looking at the keys it appears the cut of the pattern on the OEM key is closer to the edge of the blade vs the new key. Ive contacted the dealer who ive purchased from and he has also reported to me that he has a case open with BMW and I am not the first customer of his with this complaint. Then i decide to visit the outpost after a bit of hiatus and see this post at the top!! Anyway, will keep all updated with what the dealer says next.

[80stech]

Yeah that's pretty crazy that BMW isn't cutting the keys properly! I had ordered a second key for my E-70 last year and was told that it would be at least 6 months because BMW was behind with the keys but then got a call a week or 2 after that my key was ready! You gotta wonder how that happens ?? Maybe they have somebody else cutting keys to try to get caught up ?? Not very impressive ;(