[BravoJohny33]

Lost the damn key again so I want to remove them and replace them with normal lugs. But I don't want to pay BMW for another key. Any easy way to get them off. I don't have power tools but I don't care if I break the locks.

[e90yyc]

One method I’ve heard works well is described in the video below.

I take you have BMW OE locks though, which are frankly a bit of a joke. There aren’t many unique keys for them, and their very design makes them easy to remove. So, there may be better or easier ways to get them off. I don’t know.

During my time at the dealership, we had a full set of wheel keys. If someone came in looking to have their locks removed, so long as they could show proof of ownership for the vehicle, it wasn’t a problem. Your dealer may be different though so it’s worth checking first.

[BravoJohny33]

Originally Posted by e90yyc

One method I’ve heard works well is described in the video below.

I take you have BMW OE locks though, which are frankly a bit of a joke. There aren’t many unique keys for them, and their very design makes them easy to remove. So, there may be better or easier ways to get them off. I don’t know.

During my time at the dealership, we had a full set of wheel keys. If someone came in looking to have their locks removed, so long as they could show proof of ownership for the vehicle, it wasn’t a problem. Your dealer may be different though so it’s worth checking first.

I heard about the hammer a socket on method. But I have no vice grip so I don't know how I would reclaim the socket from the key. Yeah, I dunno each dealership is different. I know I read about some dealers that will charge a 30 min labor charge to remove the keys. I think for me to buy another is 40 bucks.

[e90yyc]

Hmm... It might be tricky in that case.

That’s shocking the key is $40! Holy shit. I would have expected $20, or maybe $30 on the outside. Might be worth checking, unless you’re pretty sure that’s the price.

Not sure what other options you have TBH

[Ferris]

Depends on the lock. There are two types of locks 1 has a collar that spins those require a special tool to break the collar since no matter what you put on it will never bite the actual bolt. The other type a 12 point socket hammered on works well, but there are also reverse fluted sockets that bite as you tighten, obviously these work best.

[Donutz]

I've used these before. They're cheap quality but did the job when I needed them; eventually one of them broke. They'll also destroy the outer edge of the lug. FWIW, I tried to hammer a socket on before I used these and didn't have any success. Princess Auto is similar to Harbor Freight...

https://www.princessauto.com/en/deta...et/A-p8320954e

[DJtoad]

Did you call your local dealership's service department and ask? A lot of dealerships will remove the locks for free, especially if you purchased the car from them, or they'll check the key number and sell you a new one for around $15. There are only 20 different keys for the old style BMW locks and I'm sure every service department has a wheel lock key kit. You can even pick one up on Amazon for under $75.

[Pladi]

Originally Posted by Donutz

I've used these before. They're cheap quality but did the job when I needed them; eventually one of them broke. They'll also destroy the outer edge of the lug. FWIW, I tried to hammer a socket on before I used these and didn't have any success. Princess Auto is similar to Harbor Freight...

https://www.princessauto.com/en/deta...et/A-p8320954e

gone down that road. Those did NOTHING for me. The special lug nut has a wider diameter head that doesn't fit in any of those adapters.

Ended up paying the dealer 130 bux to remove them with their key.. ridiculous.

[AXS-7]

21mm 12 point socket from Lowes. Sledge hammer. Breaker bar. That’s all you need. Goodluck

[Bilbofraggins]

Or invest in a set of bullet proof (steel) keys...which is what I ended up doing...after the dealer over-torqued two of mine.

http://www.cannontools.co.uk/product...oductid=id3987

https://www.ebay.com/itm/10PC-BMW-MA...MAAOSwWxNYodbW

Any of these 3 do you?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/CT3541-3PC-....c100005.m1851

See the difference!

[Bilbofraggins]

Or...

[BravoJohny33]

Originally Posted by Pladi

gone down that road. Those did NOTHING for me. The special lug nut has a wider diameter head that doesn't fit in any of those adapters.

Ended up paying the dealer 130 bux to remove them with their key.. ridiculous.

Oh yeah you are the guy I read about in one of the threads. You went to the dealer and asked them to remove them and they charged you a freaking hour of labor or some crap.

[Efthreeoh]

What brand of lock do you have? Craftsman sells a left-hand fluted socket (meant for an impact gun) that works pretty well.

[Pladi]

Originally Posted by BravoJohny33

Oh yeah you are the guy I read about in one of the threads. You went to the dealer and asked them to remove them and they charged you a freaking hour of labor or some crap.

yes i am exactly that guy. but dealers are all different. some might do it for less

the good thing is thats the only time i have asked a dealer to work on my car.

[nsjames]

Originally Posted by BravoJohny33

I heard about the hammer a socket on method. But I have no vice grip so I don't know how I would reclaim the socket from the key. Yeah, I dunno each dealership is different. I know I read about some dealers that will charge a 30 min labor charge to remove the keys. I think for me to buy another is 40 bucks.

you stick a screwdriver through the square socket hole and bang screwdriver and socket on the shop floor.

like mortaring a rifle open.

[hassmaschine]

These locks are so stupid. Nobody wants to steal a 12 year old stock BMW wheel, and it just makes working on the car a pain in the ass.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

These locks are so stupid. Nobody wants to steal a 12 year old stock BMW wheel, and it just makes working on the car a pain in the ass.

I do something really scary with my Lexus. The snow tires/rims have their own lug nuts that came with them, so all winter long, I drive along without wheel locks. Thank goodness nobody noticed and hasn't tried to steal my snows!

(for the OE rims, they came installed at the port on Lexus' and every car marked up by maybe $79--my 335i doesn't have them, so I assume optional on BMW? I have seen almost all loaners that I noticed as having them)

edit just thought of this, my mom bought a used Acura from my sis in-law. Wouldn't you know they didn't know where the key went, so the dealer charged my mom for 1 hr. labor to remove...

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by John 070

I do something really scary with my Lexus. The snow tires/rims have their own lug nuts that came with them, so all winter long, I drive along without wheel locks. Thank goodness nobody noticed and hasn't tried to steal my snows!

(for the OE rims, they came installed at the port on Lexus' and every car marked up by maybe $79--my 335i doesn't have them, so I assume optional on BMW? I have seen almost all loaners that I noticed as having them)

edit just thought of this, my mom bought a used Acura from my sis in-law. Wouldn't you know they didn't know where the key went, so the dealer charged my mom for 1 hr. labor to remove...

The E90 has a spot in the tool kit for the wheel lock key. Discipline.