[GoneIn4Secs]

someone help me understand why would you want to remove this keyhole?

[Roonan]

Looks better for a clean look.
Otherwise, don't bother.

[SM2]

Originally Posted by Roonan

Looks better for a clean look.
Otherwise, don't bother.

What if the battery dies?

[SM2]

Originally Posted by Ryan@IND

Correct- trim slightly the raised plastic outline in the photo.

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2931/3...075c06b2_b.jpg[/IMG]

If you have to remove the plastic part that locks the cover into place would you be able to install some 3m underneath the cover? Therefore you would be able to remove the cover with a dead car battery?

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by Roonan

Looks better for a clean look.
Otherwise, don't bother.

There is a bit of Darwinism with this mod. It sounds like a great idea until that one time where you least expect (these things always tend to happen in the worst place after all), your key fob fails, battery dies, and you can't get into the car because you did a modification that removes the key hole.

[SConn]

Ya I bought one from a forum member and I haven't put it on yet. It would be just my luck...

[monkeymojo]

How much force you to have to use to remove the cylinder? I completely loosened the bolt and while pulling with the key turned it barely comes out a 1/4" from the door. I pulled as hard as I was comfortable doing. Help!

[particulardude]

A fair amount - as others gave mentioned, putting the key in, turning and pulling helps.

Very stressful for such a simple mod.

[Kattanah]

Originally Posted by Ryan@IND

Correct- trim slightly the raised plastic outline in the photo.

Originally Posted by Ryan@IND

Correct- trim slightly the raised plastic outline in the photo.

[IMG]https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2931/3...075c06b2_b.jpg[/IMG]

Can you share a quick illustration or a detailed write up on how you can remove the cover - in case of a dead battery - to access the lock cylinder? What are your tips?

[PilotxERAU]

Originally Posted by Ryan@IND

We found that F87 utilizes the same keyhole cover as F22/F80/E9X etc, which makes things super simple. Thanks BMW As with the other cars I highly recommend reinstalling the lock cylinder behind the cover in case you ever encounter a dead battery.

Tools needed:
-4mm Allen key or 4mm hex socket with extension
-Box cutter or exacto knife with a sharp blade (if you plan to reinstall lock cylinder)


Step 1:
Pull back the weather stripping trim on the inside of the door to gain access to the 4mm allen bolt.

Step 2:
Unscrew the bolt that holds the keyhole in place. You will not need to completely remove this bolt to release the keyhole.

Step 3:
Remove the keyhole from the door. We found that turning the lock cylinder with the actual key from your FOB helps the release the key hole.

If you plan to not reinstall the lock cylinder please skip to step 7.

Step 5:
Remove the lock cylinder from the OEM keyhole by using a small flat blade screwdriver by prying on the black tabs. The will release the cover.

Step 6:
On your new painted keyhole you will need to trim the cutout on the inside of both black tabs. This will allow a much easier installation.

Step 7:
Insert your painted keyhole with lock cylinder back into the door.

Step 8:
Tighten the 4mm bolt while holding the keyhole in place.

Step 9:
Put the weatherstripping back into place.

Awesome write up just did it easy with the step by step!

[Kattanah]

Originally Posted by PilotxERAU

Awesome write up just did it easy with the step by step!

Did you install the cover on top of the lock cylinder? If so, how can you remove the cover Incase of a dead battery? Do you just pry on the cover and it slips off?

[PilotxERAU]

Originally Posted by Kattanah

Did you install the cover on top of the lock cylinder? If so, how can you remove the cover Incase of a dead battery? Do you just pry on the cover and it slips off?

Thats what AAA is for.

[dtmurf]

Thanks for the DIY instructions, all in all, pretty easy...I thought it was being held by something on the left hand side but I just need to pull harder on the key. The hardest part was shaving down the black clips to hold it on. Be careful to take off just enough material as these clips are what keep the cover on tight. I test fitted it a few times on the lock cylinder mechanism and it turn out perfect.

Word to the wise - don't pull the door handle with the cover/lock cylinder mechanism removed! It will slip right off the opening mechanism. It wasn't too difficult to rectify but it did cause a moment of panic!

[PilotxERAU]

Originally Posted by dtmurf

Thanks for the DIY instructions, all in all, pretty easy...I thought it was being held by something on the left hand side but I just need to pull harder on the key. The hardest part was shaving down the black clips to hold it on. Be careful to take off just enough material as these clips are what keep the cover on tight. I test fitted it a few times on the lock cylinder mechanism and it turn out perfect.

Word to the wise - don't pull the door handle with the cover/lock cylinder mechanism removed! It will slip right off the opening mechanism. It wasn't too difficult to rectify but it did cause a moment of panic!

Ha, I did the same thing with the door handle. Not fun.

[MomoM3]

Excuse the bump.

My lock cylinder was not re-installed when the iND painted keyhole was swapped in. I believe there’s a blank in its place. I’m screwed if something were to happen so I want to remove and re-install the lock.

How challenging will the painted keyhole cover be to remove without a car key after I loosen the 4mm screw to wiggle it out? I gave it a test run but didn’t want to unscrew all the way so I decided to wait and ask here first. I’m scared of the screw falling into the door! Thanks!

[3t3p]

Don't know why BMW couldn't have made it accessible if needed but having a painted cover.

Again like 'lesser' marques have done for many years!

[///M TOWN]

The cover is easier to remove than install

I'm not concerned with getting in my car without a key

I can open the door with my app and my battery is kept in perfect condition by being plugged in when not driven

[MomoM3]

Originally Posted by MomoM3

Excuse the bump.

My lock cylinder was not re-installed when the iND painted keyhole was swapped in. I believe there’s a blank in its place. I’m screwed if something were to happen so I want to remove and re-install the lock.

How challenging will the painted keyhole cover be to remove without a car key after I loosen the 4mm screw to wiggle it out? I gave it a test run but didn’t want to unscrew all the way so I decided to wait and ask here first. I’m scared of the screw falling into the door! Thanks!

Ok so the 4mm screw kinda just sits there on an angle upside down. I was able to balance it in a way where it wouldn’t fall into the door but I can totally see how that can easily happen.

I don’t think I shaved enough of the clips because of how it sits on the door despite the screw being tightened the best I could.

Ya think this will cause an issue with water seeping into the mechanism?

[Golden3ye]

I lost my screw inside the door doing this. Anyone have a link to buy a new screw?

[Kattanah]

Originally Posted by Golden3ye

I lost my screw inside the door doing this. Anyone have a link to buy a new screw?

I think this is the part you should be looking for: 51217133972

You can refer to the diagram here to double check:
https://bimmercat.com/bmw/en/search/...on/USA/51_8406


Link to buy:

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-8...uine-bmw-part/

[dgbattman]

Originally Posted by Golden3ye

I lost my screw inside the door doing this. Anyone have a link to buy a new screw?

Crud, me too.

Hope it stays together while I await my screw.