Wheel problem!

silver · Post by **silver** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 11:42 pm

Hi folks, I have a 2000 B3 3.3 which I purchased a few months ago as a replacement for my M3 Evo convertible. Great car and I love it. But...noticed a slow puncture and today took it to local Shell for some inflation. Disaster - 3 locking wheel keys were present, but the relevant one (naturally) is nowhere to be found. And you can't get at the valve, as you all know, without unlocking...Previous owner drawn a blank. Is there any solution? To be incapacitated because of a slow puncture seems a bit silly. Do I just call Alpina and wait 4-6 weeks (or whatever) for Buchloe to send a new key? Any better solutions much appreciated, after Porsches and Ms this is my first Alpina and my first such strangely designed wheel!!

Post by D4 » Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:13 am

quickest bet would be to drill out the lock and get a new lock (probably Â£20 at the most and it'll come with a new key.

though i'm surprised that each of your locks have different keys.. shouldn't they all be the same?

Post by D4 » Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:15 am

also... you should be able to get a replacement key in less than 4-6 weeks.. probably a fortnight at most

Minimark · Post by **Minimark** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:51 pm

Just for information. I've got 4 keys for the centers on my car.

I can't imagine them keeping a record of what locks were fitted to each wheel on a car, but you never know. Not knowing your model but if the centers are the same or similar constrction to the ones on my car. You can buy the parts individually (they (BMW) call them accessories !)

From memory the pieces are.

Lock
Tab (locking arm) and nut (I think come together)
Cover
O-ring

I'd drill out the lock myself and buy the part. Good Luck.
M

martin b3 · Post by **martin b3** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 1:39 pm

Just as a note my B3 has the same key for each wheel

silver · Post by **silver** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 1:50 pm

Thanks everyone for these very useful replies. You probably worked out that I'm about as mechanically minded as my two year old! (Or less...) They keys look different, but maybe the lock's just seized. I'll try WD-40 when I get home tonight. Don't have equipment or talent to drill, sadly. Will let you know - & thanx again...

Minimark · Post by **Minimark** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 2:56 pm

Silver mine are a sod, and on three of them you feel like you about the bend/snap the key.....after having the wheels off a few times cleaning them (before I owned the car) I learnt to press the cap next to the lock where the tab will be on the inside at the same time, as this helped/helps alot. (This must cause the o-ring to compress giving more play for you to turn the lock)

M

Real Thing · Post by **Real Thing** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 3:58 pm

1 key should fit all 4 Wheel locks
I snapped a key in my E36 and ended up drilling the lock out (Because of a puncture as well) replacement barrel + 2 keys was about Â£30 over six years ago I use to give the locks a squirt of oil/WD 40 every couple of weeks after that, because as you are finding out they are sods to remove (Worth getting some extra keys cut just in case you snap one)

silver · Post by **silver** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 4:52 pm

It's nice to know I'm not alone...! Much as I love the intuitive brilliance of the car, this hardly encourages us to check our tyre pressures cos we'll get a) dirty and b) frustrated - how many Alpinas are out there on low tyre pressure I wonder?? Thank you everybody so far...will get down and dirty tonight...

alpina46 · Post by **alpina46** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 6:20 pm

my car is at sytners at the moment they called me at lunch to say i needed new locks as they had broken my key in one of the locks when i said they were brand new last year and i had them off last week they finally offered to put four new locks on.

as they should as they broke the key then drilled the lock and tried to get me to pay !

Post by **neil** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 9:45 pm

alpina46 wrote:
as they should as they broke the key then drilled the lock and tried to get me to pay !

the bl**dy cheek of it !

sward · Post by **sward** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 11:20 pm

The best way, I find, to keep the locking centres easy to remove and replace, is to rub a little BMW rubber cleaner on the rubber O ring when you have them off. It helps the disc to seat into the wheel better, and so takes the pressure off the lock. I know that's no help when you can't get the lock undone, but once you do, try this. If you don't have BMW rubber cleaner (comes in a toothpaste type tube) then vaseline would do.
Simon

alpina46 · Post by **alpina46** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 7:48 pm

four new locks fitted free of charge courtesy of sytners nottingham
i was quick to moan about them so i should also be just as quick to praise them.

very happy with service
thank you sytners (nottingham)

Chas · Post by **Chas** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 12:20 am

Both of my cars have one key for all 4 wheels but, because they are the older design with 'normal' valves, the centre caps are even more difficult to remove/replace. They don't get taken off on a regular basis when checking the tyre pressures so they are much less keen to be disturbed

nixB10 · Post by **nixB10** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 2:22 am

Lets face it the centre caps are a pain in the a***. I learnt early on to remove the things before getting any tyre changes done. I`d rather take them off and put them back on myself than watch someone, shall we say `unaccustomed` trying it.

While we are on the subject how do the tyre pressure sensors work and how much variation in pressure does it take to activate them?

Sometimes mine come on when I start the engine and then it goes off as soon as I drive a short way.

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