Breaking into an old broken BMW X5 - how?

[Frimley111R]

My sister has a Mk1 BMW X5, the battery is flat and the driver's door mech is broken meaning it only opens from the inside. The key only works on the driver's door!

So, how the hell do you get into it without smashing a window?

[rfsteel]

Use the exhaust pipe as a ground, then use one of the number plate bulbs to feed a positive to the car

[ingenieur]

I guess not with the X5 but some BMWs of that era have an emergency key hole up under the boot handle.

[Frimley111R]

rfsteel said:

Use the exhaust pipe as a ground, then use one of the number plate bulbs to feed a positive to the car

Unfortunately it is an underground car park

[paulrockliffe]

Frimley111R said:

Unfortunately it is an underground car park

Ground the exhaust to a battery then.

[LunarOne]

Frimley111R said:

rfsteel said:

Use the exhaust pipe as a ground, then use one of the number plate bulbs to feed a positive to the car

Unfortunately it is an underground car park

Underground, not underwater. Electricity should still work!

[Frimley111R]

LunarOne said:

Frimley111R said:

rfsteel said:

Use the exhaust pipe as a ground, then use one of the number plate bulbs to feed a positive to the car

Unfortunately it is an underground car park

Underground, not underwater. Electricity should still work!

Indeed but there's no power there apaprt from the CP lights

[LunarOne]

I have on old 7-Series where the battery tends to go flat after a couple of weeks of not being driven. I can use the key in the boot, , pop out an interior boot light, and then use my Noco Boost 50 with emergency override button pressed (delivers 12V to clamp even when no battery voltage is detected) to clamp onto the connectors. That powers the car up enough to get the door locks to work, and then you can open the bonnet or the battery under the back seat.

Also despite my car needing electricity to operate the door locks, you are supposed to be able to pull the drivers door handle up while turning the key, which will manually move the door locks. Mine is a bit too sticky in winter for that to work, but it does work in summer when it's warmer.

This thing will also supply starting power for up to about 45 seconds. Enough to get almost anything started...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/NOCO-GB50-UltraSafe-Lithi...

Edited by LunarOne on Tuesday 14th March 17:45

[hairy v]

Jump starter from Halfords

[Macron]

hairy v said:

Jump starter from Halfords

fking genius.

[Xcore]

Take a battery down to the underground car park and do the above.

Alternatively use some of those inflatable wedges in the door and hook something around the handle