I've searched everywhere I can think of in my car and I can't find the wheel lock key. I don't necessarily need it at the moment, but I would eventually like to take my wheels off to give them a thorough cleaning. Does anyone have any recommendations as to where I can get a replacement?

Should I take it to a local performance shop (AtSpeed, Forced Induktion, etc?) to get them to take a look at it? Or would any tire replacement shop (Mr. Tire, Goodyear, etc) be able to do that for me?

 

I'll bet any tire shop has a method or the skills.

If I lost mine I'd be buying some normal lug nuts and get out the cold chisel.

 

Any mechanic can tear these out for you. Some guys have the right lug setup to remove, but most likely not reuse. Just as you are thinking, call around. You should hit the jackpot somewhere. Or just yank em.

 

They can be drilled or cut out like a stuck bolt or rivet.... If the shop doesn't have the key, a tire shop may be more likely to have wheel lock keys....probably like to call around.

 

If they are BMW factory optional locks, then your best bet might be a BMW dealer... They should either have the right key, or be able to order you one

 

Chris, did you check the tool kit in the trunk?

 

Yup! I literally checked every nook & cranny in the car. Glove box, center console, under the seats, trunk, tool kit, "spare tire well" (in quotes because there's no spare tire), and the storage compartments in the trunk.

Maybe I'll talk to someone at Agile Auto while we're there tomorrow.

 

Check with the guys in the service bays at BMW, Most mechanics tend to have a good collection of keys miraculously accumulated over time.
If BMW cant help find a key, Then you could find a shop that has this kit. Typically, we would replace all the locks with a new kit if you lost the key.

This is the kit that most shops would use last time I was a tire tech.



http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Design-ATD-3060-Locking-Remover/dp/B000OUUGJG

You need an air gun to do it well. You find the right size smooth wall socket in the kit and spin it fast on the locking lug to get it hot. Then you pop it a few time with the BFH so it is on there good and let it cool. Then take the airgun and carefully apply torque until they break loose.

 

May be a dumb question, but did you check the paperwork from when you bought it? There should be a small index card with the key code on it. This happened to me and Ford next day aired a key to me. I paid for a second so I could keep it in the garage for this exact reason.

 

I forgot to update this thread...I talked to Mr. Tire who I've gone to for about 10 years now on my previous cars. They said they won't have a selection of keys and they recommended going to a BMW dealership because most likely, they're BMW locks or aftermarket ones that BMW dealerships use.

Good info, thanks.

I will check through the owners manual but I don't remember seeing anything like that when I first bought the car and looked through everything.

 

Chris: I think the code numbers are double-digit for OEM BMW.

 

Thanks for the help everyone! I ended up finding out what they are and ordered a replacement key.

 

^^^ Tonk bro why did you announce this on a public forum, which type of key, and the number? .... are you looking to file an insutrance claim at some point for a group buy on fikses...LOL

 

Didn't even think of that. I edited my post. Thanks man.

 

no problem bro...just lookin out for ya