BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Today's Posts


Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > E90/E92 M3 Technical Topics > Cosmetic/Visual (Exterior + Interior) Modifications
 
BPM
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      09-20-2012, 11:55 AM   #1
tbone28
vvvvvvvvvvvvvv
tbone28's Avatar
United_States
333
Rep
2,305
Posts

Drives: ^^^^^
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Bay Area, CA

iTrader: (18)

Key hole delete cover - How hard is it to break off?

I'd like to do this simple cosmetic mod. I'd leave the locking mechansim in place behind the cover as I don't have a trunk key hole to use should the battery die.

Scenario: Out on the town, end of the night and ready to go home... battery's dead and I need to break off the cover. How easy (or hard) is it to break off? Not at home so I don't have any tools. If I do this mod, will I need to carry tools in the trunk to account for this situation?
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2012, 11:58 AM   #2
THE TECH
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
THE TECH's Avatar
307
Rep
13,093
Posts


Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kansas

iTrader: (45)

Garage List
I did the same thing. Just hope the day never comes. As far as breaking it, not sure what it would take.
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2012, 12:02 PM   #3
6spdg37s
Captain
70
Rep
753
Posts

Drives: none
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: dirty jerz

iTrader: (3)

you said u cant get into your trunk either ? so having the tools with you would not help u
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2012, 12:18 PM   #4
BLACK OPS
Major
BLACK OPS's Avatar
United_States
109
Rep
1,102
Posts

Drives: E92 M3 6MT
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: CO, USA

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 6spdg37s View Post
you said u cant get into your trunk either ? so having the tools with you would not help u
+1

I think if you are fortunate to have something to break off in the first place this is fortunate, no matter how hard it is. Not having the option at all is another whole dilema!
__________________

2011.75 Jet Black E92 ///M3: ZCP|6MT|FR|EVOLVE 600 SUPERCHARGER|DINAN|BBS|VORSTEINER|BMW PERFORMANCE|IND EDITION|TMS|LUX 5K|
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2012, 12:44 PM   #5
tbone28
vvvvvvvvvvvvvv
tbone28's Avatar
United_States
333
Rep
2,305
Posts

Drives: ^^^^^
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Bay Area, CA

iTrader: (18)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 6spdg37s View Post
you said u cant get into your trunk either ? so having the tools with you would not help u
oh yeah, lol

OK, so new question: How hard is it to get the cover off w/o the use of any tools? Is there a way to use a key to pry the cover off, for example?
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2012, 12:47 PM   #6
THE TECH
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
THE TECH's Avatar
307
Rep
13,093
Posts


Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kansas

iTrader: (45)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by tbone28 View Post
oh yeah, lol

OK, so new question: How hard is it to get the cover off w/o the use of any tools?
Hard enough that it will require some sort of "tool" to get it off. Whether that's a screwdriver, hammer, etc. I am not sure. I know one user had to break theirs off at one point. You could try searching the threads for it.
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2012, 12:57 PM   #7
tbone28
vvvvvvvvvvvvvv
tbone28's Avatar
United_States
333
Rep
2,305
Posts

Drives: ^^^^^
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Bay Area, CA

iTrader: (18)

Quote:
Originally Posted by THE TECH View Post
Hard enough that it will require some sort of "tool" to get it off. Whether that's a screwdriver, hammer, etc. I am not sure. I know one user had to break theirs off at one point. You could try searching the threads for it.

I saw that smash job! And I wouldn't mind doing so as long as it can be done somehow if I'm out and about. Doesn't seem possible though...

may have to pass on this mod
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2012, 01:07 PM   #8
Templar
Lieutenant Colonel
Templar's Avatar
United_States
268
Rep
1,883
Posts

Drives: 2011 E92 M3
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: One of the coasts...

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2011 BMW M3  [10.00]
The mod isn't worth it to me... I mean yea it looks "clean" and all, but I'd rather have the ability to use the key hole in the event something happens.
__________________
'11 BMW E92 ///M3 - ZCP and DCT
'15 Ford F-250 - Lariat, 6.7 Powerstroke Turbo-diesel
Appreciate 0
      09-26-2012, 07:00 PM   #9
M3_FJ
Captain
United_States
51
Rep
883
Posts

Drives: ///M
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Long Island, NY

iTrader: (9)

i actually had to break mine off to get in. lucky for me i was at my girls house at the time. one whack with a flat head screwdriver and a hammer and it broke off. however having to do this with say a rock or something you can find on the ground may prove unsuccessful without possibly damaging your door, handle, etc
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 03:45 PM   #10
tbone28
vvvvvvvvvvvvvv
tbone28's Avatar
United_States
333
Rep
2,305
Posts

Drives: ^^^^^
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Bay Area, CA

iTrader: (18)

Quote:
Originally Posted by M3_FJ View Post
i actually had to break mine off to get in. lucky for me i was at my girls house at the time. one whack with a flat head screwdriver and a hammer and it broke off. however having to do this with say a rock or something you can find on the ground may prove unsuccessful without possibly damaging your door, handle, etc
That's what I'm afraid of. I'm going to pass on this mod.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 04:03 PM   #11
BMW Fanatic
Banned
Canada
135
Rep
3,293
Posts

Drives: slow
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Calgary

iTrader: (11)

I'd pass on this mod too, to be honest, it's not worth the hassle that could arise. Now if you break it off, you'd have to either replace it with a new one or find your old cover. Too much going on for my liking.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 05:12 PM   #12
Blindside_137
Lieutenant General
Blindside_137's Avatar
United_States
6701
Rep
10,597
Posts

Drives: 2011.75 SSII E90 M3 ZCP
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Raleigh, NC

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Templar
The mod isn't worth it to me... I mean yea it looks "clean" and all, but I'd rather have the ability to use the key hole in the event something happens.
+1

It's nowhere near the level of eye soreness created by an orange reflector. Leave the keyhole
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 06:12 PM   #13
Longbow64
_______
Longbow64's Avatar
169
Rep
1,088
Posts

Drives: 15 M3, 13 X3 35i MSport
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Orlando

iTrader: (4)

The locking mechanism does fit under the hole delete without modification. As far as breaking the cover, if you we're going for a long drive away from everyone you know, bring tools. Otherwise just call a friend to come get you if your stranded and come back with a Dremel tool to cut a hole to the lock.
__________________
'13 35i M-Sport X3 | JB4 Stage 1 | BMS Intake | H&R Springs | Gloss black grill | CF Wrap and Coded by me | Recaro Child Seats
'15 M3 DCT AW/SO | JB Stage 1 | RKP Diffuser | P3 | M Perf Spoiler | iND Exterior Trim | Recaro Child Seat
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 06:16 PM   #14
tbone28
vvvvvvvvvvvvvv
tbone28's Avatar
United_States
333
Rep
2,305
Posts

Drives: ^^^^^
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Bay Area, CA

iTrader: (18)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Longbow64 View Post
The locking mechanism does fit under the hole delete without modification. As far as breaking the cover, if you we're going for a long drive away from everyone you know, bring tools. Otherwise just call a friend to come get you if your stranded and come back with a Dremel tool to cut a hole to the lock.
The issue with bringing tools is not being able to access them if the battery dies. The trunk doesn't have a keyhole in newer MY. And calling a friend at 1 or 2 in the morning to come with a dremel for a non-emergent situation isn't something I'd want to do.

The mod isn't worth the trouble should the battery die when away from tool access.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 10:35 PM   #15
Longbow64
_______
Longbow64's Avatar
169
Rep
1,088
Posts

Drives: 15 M3, 13 X3 35i MSport
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Orlando

iTrader: (4)

Yes it's quite a conundrum. I'm living on the edge with mine. I don't even have rear folding seats. I'm sticking with my Dremel plan.
__________________
'13 35i M-Sport X3 | JB4 Stage 1 | BMS Intake | H&R Springs | Gloss black grill | CF Wrap and Coded by me | Recaro Child Seats
'15 M3 DCT AW/SO | JB Stage 1 | RKP Diffuser | P3 | M Perf Spoiler | iND Exterior Trim | Recaro Child Seat
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 10:38 PM   #16
tbone28
vvvvvvvvvvvvvv
tbone28's Avatar
United_States
333
Rep
2,305
Posts

Drives: ^^^^^
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Bay Area, CA

iTrader: (18)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Longbow64 View Post
Yes it's quite a conundrum. I'm living on the edge with mine. I don't even have rear folding seats. I'm sticking with my Dremel plan.
you can probably fit one of those in your pockets
Appreciate 0
      05-13-2013, 04:06 PM   #17
PandaM3
Captain
470
Rep
988
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Apr 2008

iTrader: (6)

I have a brand new AW IND keyhole cover that I just got, and am debating as to wether or not I want to install it. The risk of getting locked out of my own car puts me off.

I'd want something like this, but molded so it matches better with the door handle keyhole shape so it sits more flush rather than just being a cover

https://www.bumperplugs.com/index.ph...gory&path=1_12

Maybe I can hack the IND Keyhole cover and just cut out the shape of the keyhole itself... then attach that to a standard keyhole plug... hmmm

Last edited by PandaM3; 05-13-2013 at 04:19 PM..
Appreciate 0
      05-13-2013, 05:52 PM   #18
Powerbeast
Lieutenant General
Powerbeast's Avatar
United_States
5410
Rep
10,825
Posts

Drives: F80 M3 RarriRot
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (4)

Dont assume the worst and just do it man it looks great.
Appreciate 0
      05-13-2013, 06:38 PM   #19
Parkanzky
Private First Class
3
Rep
162
Posts

Drives: '10 SGM M3
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Grand Rapids, MI

iTrader: (0)

You could carefully pre-score the cover before you install it so that it is thin enough that you are confident that you could tear it off by hand if necessary.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:56 AM.




m3post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST