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