E46 Ignition Barrel Removal Without Key

[Clarkyman]

What's the easiest way to removal the ignition barrel without the key to install a new one without calling a locksmith out.

[jclausen]

I don't think you can remove it with out the key

[bmwdirtracer]

Remove the steering column plastic surrounds.

Use a chisel and hammer to remove the shear-bolts which hold the steering column in place, and then use the same tools to remove the shear bolts which hold the ignition / steering lock housing in place. (You can use a cutting wheel to cut a slot in these bolts, and remove them with a screwdriver)

Unplug the ignition lock electrical side.

Throw away everything above.

Buy a new lock housing, lock, and key, plus a new ignition switch, from the BMW dealership, and replace all of it.

[Clarkyman]

I have bought a new lock set for the car already I was hoping it would be fairly simple drill the barrel until it collapses and can be removed. Then reinstall new one. Only risk with drilling is if i damaged something else.

[bmwdirtracer]

When at the dealership, I got a car on which the owner demanded we replace JUST the lock. This lock would NOT come out, by sticking the pin in the hole, with key inserted, however much we tried. So I was told to drill it out. Eight top-quality drill bits, and several hours later, the remainders of the lock came out.....and the housing was destroyed.

I don't mess with half measures on this; I replace the lock, the housing, the shear bolts, and preferably the key, too.

Why did you buy a new lock set, instead of ordering a key from the dealership? Is the lock set actually new, or pirated from a different car? Because, you know, you can never order another key, if it came from a different car....

[dsm2002]

bmwdirtracer, I too need to remove the barrel on an E46 to disable a steering lock and weld a quick release spline. The E46 column does'nt seem to have a removable housing like other BMWs eg E36 but there is a little cover near some roll pins. I am thinking I'll have to go at it with violence using drills and or slide hammer.

[Crispt]

Yup, you can pretty much go hard on E46. At least, a locksmith did on mine last time.

[ross1]

Similar housing to E32/34/36? Look around for posts regarding this at the E34 sub forum. A frequent poster there put up some pictures of exactly where to drill a hole in the housing to allow you to push in the retaining button on the lock so it can be pulled out. It can be done in a non-destructive manner. It might have been user "dmetek"?
Even with the key these can be a struggle, I hate 'em, hate 'em, hate 'em!