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Thread: E30: Telling an aftermarket Master Key from Valet Key

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
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    '87 BMW 325ic

    E30: Telling an aftermarket Master Key from Valet Key

    My car came with 1 aftermarket key. It does not open the trunk, so I think I may have a Valet key, but there is a chance the lock just doesn't work. Is there a way to tell which key mine is by length or other tell so I know if I need to get the lock fixed or a key cut by VIN (assuming the dealer still does that for an E30)
    Oh, this is the worst-looking hat I ever saw. What, when you buy a hat like this I bet you get a free bowl of soup, huh?

    It looks good on you though.


    Lighten Up Francis

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
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    00 E38,01 E38,99 323 is
    Do you have a locking glove box, and if so, does your key work in the glovebox?

    My Oem master is 28.5 mm from the shoulder to the tip (comprising the whole area of cuts). A valet key is going to be shorter than that, because it is not supposed to hit the last four tumblers.

    edit: you can get a key cut by VIN. However, my experience has been that with a car this age, even if you have reason to believe that your lockset is original, the key code may not be correct from BMW. Like the database got buggered.
    Last edited by strad; 05-04-2011 at 04:23 PM.
    9/2004 Chevrolet Suburban Z71, black, purchased March 2016, 270k miles.
    6/99 740i Cosmos Schwartz M Sport, 214k miles, purchased May 2017
    2001 740i OrientBlau M Sport, purchased March 2023
    1984 MasterCraft Stars and Stripes, Blue/White, PCM Ford 351W, PowerSlot, 912 hours, purchased September 2012 (not a car )
    4/99 323is/5. Titansilber, 211k miles. Straight body project.



    past BMWs: 5/1994 325isa (Arktisgrau), 3/1997 328is/5 (cosmosschwartz), 9/1990 535i/5 (calypsorot), 9/1990 318i/5 (brillantrot) 7/93 325i/5 convertible (samoablau) 2/92 325i/5 cabriolet (lagunengruen).
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  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
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    '87 BMW 325ic
    Quote Originally Posted by strad
    Do you have a locking glove box, and if so, does your key work in the glovebox?

    My Oem master is 28.5 mm from the shoulder to the tip (comprising the whole area of cuts). A valet key is going to be shorter than that, because it is not supposed to hit the last four tumblers.

    edit: you can get a key cut by VIN. However, my experience has been that with a car this age, even if you have reason to believe that your lockset is original, the key code may not be correct from BMW. Like the database got buggered.
    I will measure when I get home. If the VIN route is unreliable, is there another way to get a key cut for the lock?
    Oh, this is the worst-looking hat I ever saw. What, when you buy a hat like this I bet you get a free bowl of soup, huh?

    It looks good on you though.


    Lighten Up Francis

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Las Vegas
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    15,428
    My Cars
    00 E38,01 E38,99 323 is
    I imagine that if you got a smart locksmith, he/she could reconstruct the key from looking at a disassembled lock cylinder (driver's door lock cylinder should work, or ignition).

    I had a problem with mine -- had one oem key but wanted two -- and the solution there, after trying and failing the VIN cut method, was to take hi-res pictures of my oem key and send them to BMW's cutter, since there was no way I'd send in my only key. What I got back, basically, was an un-worn, correctly cut master. I assume the cutter was able to look at my key and re-construct the correct original cuts. That's where having a smart lock-smith comes in lol.
    9/2004 Chevrolet Suburban Z71, black, purchased March 2016, 270k miles.
    6/99 740i Cosmos Schwartz M Sport, 214k miles, purchased May 2017
    2001 740i OrientBlau M Sport, purchased March 2023
    1984 MasterCraft Stars and Stripes, Blue/White, PCM Ford 351W, PowerSlot, 912 hours, purchased September 2012 (not a car )
    4/99 323is/5. Titansilber, 211k miles. Straight body project.



    past BMWs: 5/1994 325isa (Arktisgrau), 3/1997 328is/5 (cosmosschwartz), 9/1990 535i/5 (calypsorot), 9/1990 318i/5 (brillantrot) 7/93 325i/5 convertible (samoablau) 2/92 325i/5 cabriolet (lagunengruen).
    SÜNDE REISEN



  5. #5
    Join Date
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    '87 BMW 325ic
    The key doesn't work in the glovebox or the passenger door either, but its 28mm, so I don't know what I have. Its really worn down, so it could be the key itself is a problem. Could someone have replaced the ignition and driver door only?

    I was told yesterday the passenger lock ofter has the key number on it. I have to replace that window regulator this weekend, so I will see if its there then.
    Oh, this is the worst-looking hat I ever saw. What, when you buy a hat like this I bet you get a free bowl of soup, huh?

    It looks good on you though.


    Lighten Up Francis

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Burien, WA, USA
    Posts
    1
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    84 325e, 89 325i
    The valet key is thicker than the regular key.. and sometimes the last two cuts are cut deeper.. When I say thicker, I mean when you hold the key in your hand and point the end of it towards your eye, the valet key will be a little thicker... The regular key is about .199 mm and the valet is about .230 mm Thats why it won't fit into the door or glovebox lock.
    If you take one of the door locks to a locksmith, or pull the ignition lock out and give them the numbers off the side, a good locksmith can cut a key for you.
    Good luck

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Salt Lake City, Utah
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    1,174
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    87 Cabrio
    I had a replacement key cut by BMW using VIN and did not experience a problem, therefore 100% success for me :-)

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