Aftermarket Keyless Entry?

I've been daily driving the E30, and the old and worn out locks are starting to bother me. The trunk lock is the only good one, the driver's door takes some work to open. Are the cheapo keyless entry systems on eBay any good? I'm not stupid enough to get one of those ghetto alarms, but just being able to unlock the doors with a remote would be convenient and save the locks wear and tear.

I'd be wiring it myself, BTW. I don't trust alarm installers. Too many scotch locks and not enough wiring diagrams.

Tommy, If the key is worn, take it and the car to a local locksmith and have him cut you a new key. I work for a locksmith co in Dallas, and a lot of times a worn key is the problem. The reason for taking the car is that if the key is worn to the point where it is difficult to read, he can file a new key based on the door and ignition (you need both to make a fully working key). I can't remember what year your car is but if it's an 91 or earlier, it's not a high security key so any automotive locksmith would be able to make the key. Also, it probably wouldn't hurt to lube the locks a little bit. Use a teflon based lube and you'll be ok. To get back on topic, don't know about the cheapo aftermarket keyless remotes.

last week I looked at a 01 M that had the door handles removed . In theory you push a button on the remote and the door pops open. I say in theory because it took the dealer 15 minutes to find the manual release because the damn things kept killing the battery. I guess it is too much trouble to pull a handle? Needless to say I ren the other way.

I too am interested in this as I think power/remote locks would make the NA Miata way better for DD duty with the hardtop on...

A number of the e28 guys have used a keyless entry system from J.C. Whitney, of all places, but it's supposed to work very well. I don't know the model, but I believe it's the cheapest one they sell. It's pretty simple to install, you can hook it up to the trunk lock mechanism. I would imagine installation in an e30 would be pretty similar.

As far as the key lock goes, I believe you can still get a factory steel key (not the cheap brass ones from the hardware store); just give the guy at the parts counter your VIN and it will come pre-cut. The old style keys without chips or anything in them aren't all that expensive. If it's the lock itself that's sticking you can probably take off the inner door panel and do some cleaning and lubing to make it work better.

edit: I found this brief writeup for installing a J.C. Whitney system in an e30: http://www.mydig.com/auto/articles/keyless/

Mine is the third vote for a new key cut from code first, but there are lots of remote systems out there that will work fine for lock/unlock. I'm sure your car already had central locking, so its just a matter of a receiver and a couple of wires to trigger the factory system. I just remembered- lots of Euro cars run the locking system from the door key, meaning there may be no lock motor in the drivers door. Quick trip to the wrecker for the mechanism from another door may be needed.

Its the handle removal solenoid door popper guys that have the trouble.

In my home made trailer i used a alam kit from AutoZone and door lock solinods off E-bay. Anyone cuts my pad locks they still can't get in as doors have latches inside too that the solinod pulls

I've got to look in to doing this on my new trailer

P71 wrote: I too am interested in this as I think power/remote locks would make the NA Miata *way* better for DD duty with the hardtop on...

Don't know about e30's but Moss has this kit for Miata NA's.

http://www.miatamania.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=73020&SortOrder=1

I installed the JC Whitney one in my E28 M5 that I had in the past, worked well, I think it was 2 or 3 wires to connect. search at mye28(dot)com for the wiring diagram, it's likely the same for your e30

Heck, Mazda has a kit for Miatas - the last few years of the NB came with keyless entry.

If it's like my e30s, it's not a worn key. More likely its the switch in the tumber: fixable, I'm told...but like so many E30 owners, I walk to the trunk to unlock the car. I've been talking about installing keyless entry (or fixing the switch!) for 3 years.....

Nathan

Tommy,
I have been considering the same trunk mounted remote for my recently purchased '87 325is.
My understanding is that any lock (driver door, passenger door, trunk) should both lock and unlock all 3.
My driver door can lock and unlock itself only.
My passenger door key is hard to turn and work only some times.
My trunk works every time at unlocking all 3.

Here is a write-up i found on the topic.
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=46332

Here is the ebay item mentioned in the above link
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Omega-Research-Keyless-Entry-Easy-4-wire-Install_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem53e0398229QQitemZ360244150825QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
$37 includes shipping

njansenv wrote: If it's like my e30s, it's not a worn key. More likely its the switch in the tumber: fixable, I'm told...but like so many E30 owners, I walk to the trunk to unlock the car. I've been talking about installing keyless entry (or fixing the switch!) for 3 years..... Nathan

Yep. That's my problem. I figure keyless entry will kill two birds with one stone.

I found this product when I was looking for a RFID based keyless entry and engine start "kit".....it isn't cheap, but looks to be OEM quality.

http://www.auto-hub.com/stardrive_push_start_ignition.html

FYI, planning to use this for my TVR, thinking about retrofitting it to the Fiero first since it will be a while until I get to that stage of work with the TVR.........

I have used this product twice in different E30s and it worked great. Very easy to install in the trunk.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Omega-Research-Keyless-Entry-Easy-4-wire-Install_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem53e04c2dc3QQitemZ360245374403QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

I used to work at a Tier 1 supplier of RKE for a few major OEMs, I will say this. The aftermarket stuff isn't as good or reliable as the OEM stuff, and it really is quite cheesy looking and feeling.

jrw1621 wrote: Tommy, I have been considering the same trunk mounted remote for my recently purchased '87 325is. My understanding is that any lock (driver door, passenger door, trunk) should both lock and unlock all 3. My driver door can lock and unlock itself only. My passenger door key is hard to turn and work only some times. My trunk works every time at unlocking all 3. Here is a write-up i found on the topic. http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=46332 Here is the ebay item mentioned in the above link http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Omega-Research-Keyless-Entry-Easy-4-wire-Install_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem53e0398229QQitemZ360244150825QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories $37 includes shipping

Today I got around to actually installing this trunk mounted remote. I followed the directions in the link above and all was real easy and works just fine. Money well spent and a positive buying experience via ebay.

I would think the grassroots solution is cutting your own key. I've done it before and it's not a big deal. Then again, I was into recreational lockpicking for a few months. REALLY made me feel unsafe in my house that was locked up with Kwikset locks...

Getting a key cut isn't the problem (I knows peoples!). I was just thinking keyless entry would be nice.

I tried lockpicking for a while, too. It was real useful to get into project cars and stuff, but I stopped when a kid at school asked me to help him commit a crime, as he knew I could pick locks.

VanillaSky wrote: was into recreational lockpicking for a few months.

You do hobbies like I do!