Breaking into an E34.....

[Rigmaster]

So, I locked the one and only key I have for my "new" '92 525iT in the car yesterday- the tailgate only works with the key (more questions about that later), so I was trying to get some stuff out of the rear cargo area. I put the key in the lock, turned it (the wrong way) and the doors locked- so I turned it the other way, and the hatch opened. I lifted up the hatch, unloaded a few things that I was after- then closed the hatch- with the key sitting on the rear floor!!!

I decided I was not going to be defeated. I gathered up a long screwdriver and a coat hanger and went to work. I pulled the upper rear corner of the right front door window fram away from the body of the car a bit, then carefully inserted the screwdriver in the gap. Then I bent the coat hanger into a long "L shape, with a loop at the end. I fished it thru the opening, careful to not tear the weatherstrip around the door opening. I had to rebend the hanger one time, but I quickly got the loop around the door lock knob inside the car, and with a slight tug- the knob came up and all the doors unlocked!! WOOHOO.

Now, I am going to be extra careful with the one key that I have for this car, until I can get another key from the dealer.

I was somewhat surprised, but relieved in this case, at how easy it was to break into this car. I imagine professional car thieves could have gotten inside the car in about 10-15 seconds. Something to keep in mind next time you park your car with some expensive item in plain view inside your locked car. If you are concerned about this, I think installing some smooth (i.e- no "head") door lock knobs would probably at least slow down a thief- they would not have anything for the coat hanger to grab using this method.

Bret.

[uscharalph]

So, I locked the one and only key I have for my "new" '92 525iT in the car yesterday- the tailgate only works with the key (more questions about that later), so I was trying to get some stuff out of the rear cargo area. I put the key in the lock, turned it (the wrong way) and the doors locked- so I turned it the other way, and the hatch opened. I lifted up the hatch, unloaded a few things that I was after- then closed the hatch- with the key sitting on the rear floor!!!

I decided I was not going to be defeated. I gathered up a long screwdriver and a coat hanger and went to work. I pulled the upper rear corner of the right front door window fram away from the body of the car a bit, then carefully inserted the screwdriver in the gap. Then I bent the coat hanger into a long "L shape, with a loop at the end. I fished it thru the opening, careful to not tear the weatherstrip around the door opening. I had to rebend the hanger one time, but I quickly got the loop around the door lock knob inside the car, and with a slight tug- the knob came up and all the doors unlocked!! WOOHOO.

Now, I am going to be extra careful with the one key that I have for this car, until I can get another key from the dealer.

I was somewhat surprised, but relieved in this case, at how easy it was to break into this car. I imagine professional car thieves could have gotten inside the car in about 10-15 seconds. Something to keep in mind next time you park your car with some expensive item in plain view inside your locked car. If you are concerned about this, I think installing some smooth (i.e- no "head") door lock knobs would probably at least slow down a thief- they would not have anything for the coat hanger to grab using this method.

Bret.

I'm glad it worked out for you. Moral of the story, don't leave any desirable items in your BMW.

[Torque]

Now, if you had double-locked the car, you would have been SOL.

[uscharalph]

Now, if you had double-locked the car, you would have been SOL.

Maybe that's why I can't double-lock it from my trunk.

[Torque]

Maybe that's why I can't double-lock it from my trunk.

Reading > me.

I appologize.

[DaCan23]

Was this in a car with a factory alarm? Even if you have an alarm, if you lock the doors with the key from the outside, can u pull up on the lock knob? Cause using any alarm button I know you can't.

[Qsilver7]

your story is the VERY reason that I always leave the trunk lock (on my sedan) in the vertical ( | ) position . If for some chance I laid the keys down inside the trunk while retrieving or arranging items, then slammed the trunk down before thinking about it...the trunk could still be opened by pressing the trunk's lock. If you leave your trunk lock in the horizontal ( -- ) position (disconnected from the central locking system) ...you're doomed because the trunk can now only be opened with a key!! And if you only have one set of key (which are now locked in the trunk)...the problem is now compounded!

When securing the car, I use the remote or key and when I know that I'm done...I use the remote... which means the key is in my hand!

My Touring's tailgate is different in that I can lock all the doors etc with the key....but only the tailgate "unlocks" when using the key in its lock cylinder...so I always make sure that I only lock the Touring with the remote when I'm at the tailgate (which wasn't an option in your case).

[Qsilver7]

Was this in a car with a factory alarm? Even if you have an alarm, if you lock the doors with the key from the outside, can u pull up on the lock knob? Cause using any alarm button I know you can't.

depends on what year...I believe up to the 1993 model year...the door locks sitll had two lock positions....a single lock...and double lock. In 1993, BMW changed the locks to unlock/double-lock only...so in your case...yes, if you lock the door with the key from outside...then the car is automatically double locked.

[Paul in NZ]

although can you double lock the later cars from the trunk or tailgate.I cannot double lock ny early car from my boot.....perhaps its meant to be like that

[Booster]

[QUOTE=Rigmaster]

I was somewhat surprised, but relieved in this case, at how easy it was to break into this car. I imagine professional car thieves could have gotten inside the car in about 10-15 seconds.

More like 1 second with the smashing of the side glass !!I've had at one time or another all four of my drivers broken into this way. They don't even let the honking or flashing lights deter them.
I've only had the satisfaction once of breaking one of the theives head open once caught. Oh man......did he ever get the brunt of ALL that pent up anger, and I TOLD him so too.The jerk tried to sue me later for medical costs. Good thing I was smart enough to take the broken glass in my hand and cut my face and arm to look like a struggle of self defense for the cops to see ! MAN did I F--k him up good. The cop was suprised I didn't finish him off. I think he was fishing for my response in the negative.
.....................Vinny