No keyhole door handle surrounds

Amazing what you learn installing a HK Traffic Pro. The person from NY City mentioned that some people are using these as a theft deterrent. I like them for the cleaner look, especially in body color.
Received one today. It comes with a new gasket. Looks like you will have to remove the lock cylinder for it to fit.
Just like getting left and right convex mirrors, you purchase the right hand one from a left hand drive car and vice versa.

For the E36 M3's the part numbers are 51 21 8 205 301/2 L/R

Yeppers, people have done the same thing on E46s.

51 21 8 400 395/6 L/R $16.40 retail each.

Removed the lock cylinder from the passenger side. The no keyhole surrounds won't fit unless you do.
Found a 9/16 inch nylon plug for the hole. Same style plug I used to plug the front license plate holder holes. Probably not necessary since the surround gasket seals around the opening.

Originally posted by Ron Stygar
Removed the lock cylinder from the passenger side. The no keyhole surrounds won't fit unless you do.
Found a 9/16 inch nylon plug for the hole. Same style plug I used to plug the front license plate holder holes.

Ron, I got some of these plugs for the lic. plate holes. Did you have any problem with them chipping when painted? Did you have to add a flex agent of some kind?

Originally posted by AndyM
Ron, I got some of these plugs for the lic. plate holes. Did you have any problem with them chipping when painted? Did you have to add a flex agent of some kind?

They claim that they do on all of the plastic stuff they have done for me. No chipping yet. When I have something painted I bring along a some extra plugs just in case. When I have the surrounds painted I will do two sets so that I have a spare. They usually wait until they get a job on a white car and do my stuff with it.
I have the bumper off. Will be having the plugged holes filled along with the bumper lights and probably the tow hook cover.
Also will be filling the light holes on the front fenders.
Have a design for the Z4 like roundel light that doesn't look stuck on to take its place.
If anyone with a white Z3 wants the painted plugs I have, let me know. I have three sets.

For those that like to torque things, this is one reason why you need more than one torque wrench.

Ron

My IR MC goes into the body shop on Monday March 3rd to get a replacement hood. While there I thought I could have them paint the door handle surrounds too now that I've just seen this thread. The problem is getting the keyless surround for the passenger side. Do you or the $tealer you use have them in stock?

Cheers

Originally posted by alpina22
Ron
The problem is getting the keyless surround for the passenger side. Do you or the $tealer you use have them in stock?
Cheers

I have a spare set but they are already painted white.
The passenger side is easier to get since it is used over here.
The drivers side has to come from a right hand drive car.
Give Paul McLaughlin a call. 1-800-883-7278.

Um...sorry to be dumb here but how do you unlock the car without the key hole. Will it souly rely on the buttons on your key?

Originally posted by AmericanPsycho
Um...sorry to be dumb here but how do you unlock the car without the key hole. Will it souly rely on the buttons on your key?

No buttons on the M coupe key. I use an aftermarket 4 button remote interfaced to John F 's controller. If that fails the key will open the trunk. Instead of crawling in, I will be adding wiring to pulse the unlock line.

Originally posted by Ron Stygar
No buttons on the M coupe key. I use an aftermarket 4 button remote interfaced to John F 's controller. If that fails the key will open the trunk. Instead of crawling in, I will be adding wiring to pulse the unlock line.

On the Roadsters, unlocking the trunk with the key will also unlock the doors at the same time.
If you lock the car/set the alarm with the (BMW Alarm) remote, unlocking it with the key will set off the alarm.

Although it would be worth a good laugh to see Ron climbing through the back of his Coupe...

Are the surrounds for the rear doors on an E36 (or E34) compatible?

Externally, those on my wagon (E34) look the same as those on my Coupe. If they are the same, seems like you could just use one from the drivers-side rear door of a sedan/wagon.

If you'd like me to check, I could pull them off and find out.

Originally posted by Daver
Are the surrounds for the rear doors on an E36 (or E34) compatible?

Externally, those on my wagon (E34) look the same as those on my Coupe. If they are the same, seems like you could just use one from the drivers-side rear door of a sedan/wagon.

If you'd like me to check, I could pull them off and find out.

Don't know. Different part numbers. Would have to try and see.
It won't go on where there is a lock cylinder. The E34 ones are around $7 more for some reason.