Twelve days ago when my 1975 CSi rolled off the transport and into my possession, the driver handed me the keys. I was surprised to see two antique looking keys with dimples cut into the key blade, like a golf ball. I've never seen keys like this before. Pebra or dimple keys were adopted by BMW beginning in 1968 with their two high-end models including the E9.
With only one set of keys in my possession, making copies was placed on my "to do" list. I went online to see where people were getting their dimple keys made. I found much anguish and difficulty many were experiencing in getting copies made. Some were sending their keys overseas and paying hefty amounts to do so. Yikes!
Now, I am lucky. Two miles away is a brick-and-mortar family locksmith that has been in business for over 50 years. I've been there once before to get copies made for a 1967 IKA Torino 380. It took them 45 minutes of searching through catalogues to find a blank that would work. It did. When I called them asking if they can make dimple keys, they said "certainly."
Yesterday, I went to Broadway Locksmith to get two copies of dimple keys made. Although they use CNC key cutting machinery to make most keys, dimple keys are a manual process. The cost was $50 per key, but I was happy to pay the price. Not only was this an easy solution, but the quality of the keys is really impressive. They almost have a billet look to them but are made of steel. Anyone looking for a dimple key solution, here is one in my neighborhood... Long Beach, CA.
With only one set of keys in my possession, making copies was placed on my "to do" list. I went online to see where people were getting their dimple keys made. I found much anguish and difficulty many were experiencing in getting copies made. Some were sending their keys overseas and paying hefty amounts to do so. Yikes!
Now, I am lucky. Two miles away is a brick-and-mortar family locksmith that has been in business for over 50 years. I've been there once before to get copies made for a 1967 IKA Torino 380. It took them 45 minutes of searching through catalogues to find a blank that would work. It did. When I called them asking if they can make dimple keys, they said "certainly."
Yesterday, I went to Broadway Locksmith to get two copies of dimple keys made. Although they use CNC key cutting machinery to make most keys, dimple keys are a manual process. The cost was $50 per key, but I was happy to pay the price. Not only was this an easy solution, but the quality of the keys is really impressive. They almost have a billet look to them but are made of steel. Anyone looking for a dimple key solution, here is one in my neighborhood... Long Beach, CA.
