E36 Door Lock Problem

After driving the 318is today the drivers door wouldn't open from the inside. I thought it was just the linkage that had come loose but when I tried the outside handle the door won't open either.
I was able to remove the door card and get my hand in to the lever on the latch itself but when I move it nothing seems to be happening.
So the door is stuck closed with what seems to be a broken latch, and to undo the bolts to replace the latch the door needs to be open.
Doe's anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Any help would be appreciated, I don't mind having to buy a new latch but I'd prefer not to have to go the extreme of breaking apart the old one while it's still inside the door to remove it

Did you try it with the window down abit????

Yeah Johnny I the dropped the window down when it first wouldn't open. It had been getting harder to open lately but I thought it just needed adjustment

I had the same issue with mine when I sold it. I found if the window was down abit and if I rattled the door while pulling the handle it would open. Not a long term solution but it would make it easier to work on if you got it open.

I might give that a try, thanks Johnny