New BMW's getting stolen using blank BMW keys

[CMOS]

Zyp said:

Problem is as I see it, even if there is an upgrade you'll still end up with a smashed window/buggered lock/lots of inconvenience, as the people doing this won't know you've had the upgrade until they're actually in the car.

Still means we'll have to keep fitting the Disclok all the time.

EXACTLY! Plus for every attempt of theft or total loss the insurance premiums will increase for you personally and a blended premium uplift for everyone else.

[CMOS]

smashy said:

Someone on the Alpina forum says BMW Milton Keynes have no idea about any upgrade of any kind.

Just a heads up.

Correct, Sytner's head office has also confirmed that there is "No scheduled release from BMW'.

[msingh1]

I have an E92 M3 which is affected by this.

Servicing department at BMW Park Lane London say they have no knowledge of a fix for the problem, but the BMW UK customer service rep I spoke to afterwards acknowledged there was an issue and that a fix was in the works - he couldn't tell me when it would be available, or whether it was a software/hardware fix though.

[t8cmf]

All this scullduggery by BMW makes me wonder that if they do come up with a fix (I'm not sure if they will) then how are they going to announce it or inform us BMW owners of its existence?

I don't think they will advertise nationally as that will send out a message that there is something to fix with their security in the first place, something they categorically state complies to regulations.

This "fix" will become known to owners by word of mouth on forums like this I reckon.

[clived]

CMOS said:

And, if you check with BMW CS and your car is still under warranty - you have just invalidated it

So you're disputing that GTSJOE's discussion with BMW discused above in this thread is accurate then? ("I spoke to BMW about the implications of disconnecting the OBD from the Ecu , I wanted to know if it would impact the warranty . Sukh Bramba at BMW told me that it would not impact the warranty for the car ex any problems with the OBD").

The above notwithstanding, it's common knowledge that making a modification to one part of your car does not and cannot result in blanket invalidation of the warranty in any case.

Perhaps, "Before you pass off the cuff comments I would recommend that you really dig far deeper into this" is good advice after all, just aimed in the wrong direction?

[Mr-B]

t8cmf said:

All this scullduggery by BMW makes me wonder that if they do come up with a fix (I'm not sure if they will) then how are they going to announce it or inform us BMW owners of its existence?

I don't think they will advertise nationally as that will send out a message that there is something to fix with their security in the first place, something they categorically state complies to regulations.

This "fix" will become known to owners by word of mouth on forums like this I reckon.

They won't announce it. I mentioned ages ago that IMHO BMW could well just do any updates as part of a normal service. When you go to collect your car they will just casually drop into the conversation "oh by the way we have done a software update FOC. There were "a few" rumours of thefts via the OBD, this is now cured. Here's your bill, cash or VISA?"

[CMOS]

clived said:

So you're disputing that GTSJOE's discussion with BMW discused above in this thread is accurate then? ("I spoke to BMW about the implications of disconnecting the OBD from the Ecu , I wanted to know if it would impact the warranty . Sukh Bramba at BMW told me that it would not impact the warranty for the car ex any problems with the OBD").

The above notwithstanding, it's common knowledge that making a modification to one part of your car does not and cannot result in blanket invalidation of the warranty in any case.

Perhaps, "Before you pass off the cuff comments I would recommend that you really dig far deeper into this" is good advice after all, just aimed in the wrong direction?

Read the thread PROPERLY Clive, 1's 3's, 5's & 6's! I was not talking about X5's although why would the OBD movement be different? What is the point of winding people up on the forums where we either have been, or will be subject these situations. Why don't you speak to BMW CS and get your own clarification before you pass off the cuff comments.

Edited by CMOS on Saturday 1st September 16:09

Edited by CMOS on Saturday 1st September 16:11

[mrmr96]

CMOS said:

Read the thread PROPERLY Clive, 1's 3's, 5's & 6's! I was not talking about X5's although why would the OBD movement be different? What is the point of winding people up on the forums where we either have been, or will be subject these situations. Why don't you speak to BMW CS and get your own clarification before you pass off the cuff comments.

This thread's been running for longer than you've been around. You telling me you've read the whole thing "PROPERLY" ?

There's clearly been a poster who's agreed with BMW that disabling the OBD socket wouldn't affect the warranty.
There's been another poster who has had BMW do the disabling FOR them!
Finally there's been (in the past) proof that modification to one area of the car will not invalidate the warranty in its entirety.

Maybe you could stop being so confrontational and maybe back up some of your claims with some proof?

[CMOS]

mrmr96 said:

This thread's been running for longer than you've been around. You telling me you've read the whole thing "PROPERLY" ?

There's clearly been a poster who's agreed with BMW that disabling the OBD socket wouldn't affect the warranty.
There's been another poster who has had BMW do the disabling FOR them!
Finally there's been (in the past) proof that modification to one area of the car will not invalidate the warranty in its entirety.

Maybe you could stop being so confrontational and maybe back up some of your claims with some proof?

Like I said speak to BMW CS, and have you? Mr "Nearly 10,000 posts".

Dear Mr xxx,

Further to our recent telephone conversations, I am writing to you to confirm our position regarding the movement of the On Board Diagnostics Port on your 3 Series E92 BMW.

I would like to start by apologising that you remain dissatisfied with our position in relation to the recent theft of your vehicle.

I can confirm that on our first call dated 13/08/2012, you were transferred through to me by our front line team. At this time you requested a definitive response on two specific questions:

1. Is there is firmware fix for the OBD port for the E92
Response: I advised you that there is not currently a fix, however, BMW, the Police and other leading industry manufacturers are working together to resolve this issue.

2. Can I get a BMW Authorised Dealer to move the port to a hidden location?
Response: Advised that we are not authorising any Authorised Dealers to move the OBD ports on any of our vehicles. Moving the port will currently invalidate the warranty and any work carried out on the vehicle would therefore be chargeable within the first three years of the date of delivery and registration.

I trust that this clarifies our position, as discussed if I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Yours sincerely

BMW UK
XXXXXX
Customer Service Manager XXXXXXXXX
Ellesfield Avenue
Bracknell RG12 8TA
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
URL: http:www.bmw.co.uk



--
This email was sent from an email account of BMW (UK) Limited which is a company registered in England and Wales with company number 1378137 and has its offices at Ellesfield Avenue, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 8TA. The contents of this e-mail are confidential and may be privileged and subject to internal monitoring. If you are not the addressee indicated in this message, you may not copy, forward, disclose, deliver or otherwise use it or any part of it in any form whatsoever. You should then kindly notify the sender by replying to this message and destroy it thereafter. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do not relate to the official business of any BMW Group Company shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by them.

Edited by CMOS on Saturday 1st September 17:09

Edited by CMOS on Saturday 1st September 17:10

Edited by CMOS on Saturday 1st September 17:11

[Zyp]

[mrmr96]

CMOS said:

Like I said speak to BMW CS, and have you? Mr "Nearly 10,000 posts".

Look mate, you may have a point and you may even be right - but there's ways of making your point which don't rub so many other posters up the wrong way. As BMW owners we're in this together, trying to find a solution. I think you just find a better choice of language to put your point over.

Zyp said:

Exactly.

[CMOS]

mrmr96 said:

CMOS said:

Like I said speak to BMW CS, and have you? Mr "Nearly 10,000 posts".

Look mate, you may have a point and you may even be right - but there's ways of making your point which don't rub so many other posters up the wrong way. As BMW owners we're in this together, trying to find a solution. I think you just find a better choice of language to put your point over.

Zyp said:

Exactly.

That's comical - listen, you have point also, but FFS, there's no point in arguing - if you want to argue have a go at the tossers from BMW.

[andyroo]

Elroy Blue said:

Unfortunately, the courts keep releasing them.

Why's that? Is it because of the way the gangs work that no one person can be tied down to the theft?

[GTSJOE]

I agree with Mr B's comments. I booked my car in for the OBD to be disconnected , the dealer pointed out that I also needed a service . I went ahead with the service . When I picked the car up he told me that BMW had just come up with a software upgrade that would get around the OBD key programming issue, he went ahead with the upgrade at zero cost . BMW didn't admit any liability relating to the security issue. You might just find that BMW will carry out the upgrade as part of your regular service .
The dealer told me that BMw will go ahead with a marketing campaign but I am yet to see any evidence of that. Will keep you posted if I do.

[Elroy Blue]

andyroo said:

Why's that? Is it because of the way the gangs work that no one person can be tied down to the theft?

Nope. Just the way our criminal justice system works

[DSM2]

Elroy Blue said:

andyroo said:

Why's that? Is it because of the way the gangs work that no one person can be tied down to the theft?

Nope. Just the way our criminal justice system works

Or doesn't.........

[andyroo]

Elroy Blue said:

Nope. Just the way our criminal justice system works

Oh excellent! How frustrating!

[CMOS]

The OBD Connector arrived today, I wanted to see what the part looked like, happy to post pics if anyone wants to see it.

[dufctubs]

Post away ^^^^^^^^

[outnumbered]

If B!MW do come up with a software change to remove the ability to simply add new keys, what's to stop the thieves from reflashing the appropriate control unit(s) with the old software and carrying on as normal ? I suppose that would make the whole process quite a bit longer to do, so may reduce incidence at least due to increased risk of discovery on the job.