New BMW's getting stolen using blank BMW keys
Discussion
Unfortunaltey last week I woke up to find my 6 month old 330im Sport conveertable had been stolen from my drive in Birmingham. at first i thought i had been burgled, and my spare key had been taken, but i checked and i still had the spare key.
the car hadnt been towed either as the space it was in would be too small to get a truck behind it, and no broken glass. after speaking to the police, it became apparent that a large number of 1 and 3 series BMW's has been stolen using blank BMW keys. i called Sytner where i bought the car, and yep the salesman confirmed that a large number of cars recently purchased from them had recently been stolen ( i bet they dont tell that to new customers)
the police basically told me not to buy another high end BMW as they are very easy to steal using these keys, so if any of you out there think you car is safe, please think again, and use a garage if you have one.
the car hadnt been towed either as the space it was in would be too small to get a truck behind it, and no broken glass. after speaking to the police, it became apparent that a large number of 1 and 3 series BMW's has been stolen using blank BMW keys. i called Sytner where i bought the car, and yep the salesman confirmed that a large number of cars recently purchased from them had recently been stolen ( i bet they dont tell that to new customers)
the police basically told me not to buy another high end BMW as they are very easy to steal using these keys, so if any of you out there think you car is safe, please think again, and use a garage if you have one.
Not good news but I don't think buying another manufacturer will make any difference. I have heard of a number of Mercs being stolen in the same way recently.
I would say most cars are pretty secure against opportunistic theft but a lot of premium cars are stolen to order by some acomplished car thieves. If they've spotted your car and they want it they'll have it. You can only make it as unnatractive a theft as possible.
I would say most cars are pretty secure against opportunistic theft but a lot of premium cars are stolen to order by some acomplished car thieves. If they've spotted your car and they want it they'll have it. You can only make it as unnatractive a theft as possible.
roofer said:
Its key copying, and they need to access the original as far as i am aware to copy it.
I don't think that's right....they just need a blank key, the right type of programming tool/computer which they plug into the socket in the car (in the passnger compartment) and job done. The only issue is opening the car I believe. 
I think if they get into the car they can plug in the equipment and they go from there, watched some videos on youtube not long ago.
I also thought they can get your code by sitting in a nearby car and once you press your remote they get your code with the equipment they have, not sure if I dreamt this one
I also thought they can get your code by sitting in a nearby car and once you press your remote they get your code with the equipment they have, not sure if I dreamt this one
Check the youtube videos, its dead easy with the right kit. Though they do have to get into the car in the first place, but also check youtube for how easy it is to pick the locks!
Once they have access to the obd port its just a case of programming a new key to the car, it takes 2 mins.
Once they have access to the obd port its just a case of programming a new key to the car, it takes 2 mins.
Don't know how easy it is on newer BMWs, but I can disconnect the ODB socket/connector on my E46 from its housing and tuck the wiring up out of the way under the dash really easily (just a few screws to drop the trim panel it sits in).
I guess if you do that, it will confuse whoever is trying to connect their equipment to it to steal your car until the alarm is raised, or they get spooked and give up?
Of course, you'd have to remember to put it back before it was serviced or you needed to do some kind of fault diagnosis :-)
I guess if you do that, it will confuse whoever is trying to connect their equipment to it to steal your car until the alarm is raised, or they get spooked and give up?
Of course, you'd have to remember to put it back before it was serviced or you needed to do some kind of fault diagnosis :-)
What I imagine is the plan of attack is a radio jammer to stop the locking signal.
I've experienced something similar where in a range of about 150m around where I live, there was a loud radio signal that blocked out remotes.
If I drove somewhere else, everything would work fine. The signal lasted for 3-4 days before going back to normal.
It could have been something else, but whatever it was, it had that effect anyway.
I imagine what happens next is a bit of consequence of using a fully electronic key.
On an older car, you'd still need to turn the ignition on to switch on the electrics. Because there isn't a switch like this, there is a system where as long as any key is put into the slot, the electrics will wake up but the engine won't start.
This is the point where you could add keys into the CAS system.
It needs the electronics on so it can sort out any electronic key problems, and must fall back on "being inside the car" as good enough to allow it.
I wouldn't say adding a new key is particularly easy, but I guess there are people out there that have automated the process.
The best tip is to watch the indicators flash when locking, or if you can get to someone with Autologic, they'll be able to switch on an alarm chirp on locking.
I've experienced something similar where in a range of about 150m around where I live, there was a loud radio signal that blocked out remotes.
If I drove somewhere else, everything would work fine. The signal lasted for 3-4 days before going back to normal.
It could have been something else, but whatever it was, it had that effect anyway.
I imagine what happens next is a bit of consequence of using a fully electronic key.
On an older car, you'd still need to turn the ignition on to switch on the electrics. Because there isn't a switch like this, there is a system where as long as any key is put into the slot, the electrics will wake up but the engine won't start.
This is the point where you could add keys into the CAS system.
It needs the electronics on so it can sort out any electronic key problems, and must fall back on "being inside the car" as good enough to allow it.
I wouldn't say adding a new key is particularly easy, but I guess there are people out there that have automated the process.
The best tip is to watch the indicators flash when locking, or if you can get to someone with Autologic, they'll be able to switch on an alarm chirp on locking.
all i can can pass on is what i was told again last night by West Midlands CID. do not buy a BMW, they arent sure if someone from BMW or a main dealership is invloved in the thefts, but over 30 high end BMW's have been stolen from birmingham alone since January. what makes it worse is that the dealershps are still lying to new customers, my collegue went for a test drive this week in a 330i and was told that the thefts are just rumors and in no way can these cars get stolen without the keys. i'm sure thats illegal as CID told me they have been in commuication with BMW UK for over 6 months in connection with these thefts.
i'm actually going to contact the press to let them know about this BMW coverup.
i'm actually going to contact the press to let them know about this BMW coverup.
I can't believe no one has commented on this yet:
" my 6 month old 330im Sport conveertable had been stolen from my drive "
"the police basically told me not to buy another high end BMW"
Ummm... since when has a 1, 3 or even a 5 that doesn't have a M (at the front!) of it's model designation been considered a 'high end BMW'???
I'd consider 1 or 3 to be quite the opposite. Considering 7s start at £56K, M5/M6 are pushing £80-100,000 I don't' think a £20-40K 1er, 3er or 5 is anywhere near 'high end'.
Still, doesn't detract from the main issue of the story, which is quite scary if actually true.
" my 6 month old 330im Sport conveertable had been stolen from my drive "
"the police basically told me not to buy another high end BMW"
Ummm... since when has a 1, 3 or even a 5 that doesn't have a M (at the front!) of it's model designation been considered a 'high end BMW'???
I'd consider 1 or 3 to be quite the opposite. Considering 7s start at £56K, M5/M6 are pushing £80-100,000 I don't' think a £20-40K 1er, 3er or 5 is anywhere near 'high end'.
Still, doesn't detract from the main issue of the story, which is quite scary if actually true.
neilkav said:
Well, I WOULD consider the £42k I spent on my BMW 330im sport convertable to be high end, you moron.
if you have nothing constructive to say, dont say anything.
Welcome to a world where everybody is a multimillionaire company director.if you have nothing constructive to say, dont say anything.
One thing about your previous post though. If the dealers are saying the cars cannot be stolen without a key they are technically correct. A key is still involved. It's just not one of yours! It's why you should believe nothing salesmen tell you about a car except the price. For some odd reason they seem keen that the price is accurate.
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