so who is lying

[x5x3]

I saw BBC Watchdog last night covering the theft of BMWs without keys, and thought finally BMW have sorted things out - the presenter quite clearly quotes BMW as saying they can "extend the protection to other models free of charge" - apparently they only offer it to X5 and X6 built before September 2009.

So I phoned their special Customer Service number - 0800 0834397 - and waited for around 15 minutes before it was answered.

Then I was told that they have not in fact made this statement but they are looking into it - but I have to wait 8 weeks just to be told if my model will be covered!

My car is always garaged overnight so I'm not unduly worried by this and I do take BMWs point that this theft method was introduced after the cars were made. I know enough about encryption to know that the processing power available now is more than enough to brute force crack what I assume to be pretty puny encryption used in the ECU.

I'm tempted to just rip out the data port to be honest - that will stop it, or maybe be more subtle and cross a couple of the contacts?

[magnum555]

A Dislok steering lock would be a good deterrent.

[DivideBYZero]

There is a 100+ page long thread about this in the main BMW section.

[julians]

I rang them today, if your car is affected, they are taking your details including your preferred dealer, and will be contacting you within 8 weeks to have a fix applied at no cost.

mine is a 2008 M3

[thepony]

What about a 2006 M3 ?
Does that Subject to the recall ?

[E30M3SE]

E46?

No. Has a conventional key to start the car.

[Boogsie]

I called and was told categorically that my 56 M5 (with comfort access) is not affected.
I don't believe them and will call later

[sumo69]

If your car uses a regular key that you have to insert into a barrell to start then it is NOT effected.

Cars with the push button start are.

David

[Skrambles]

thepony said:

What about a 2006 M3 ?
Does that Subject to the recall ?

I just spoke to BMW Customer Service and they say that the fix is applicable to cars built between March 2007 and September 2011.

(The rep said that the software vulnerability doesn't affect cars built before/after that.)

[Boogsie]

I know that I don't trust the rep
The other post lists people with 05 E60/1/3 that have been stolen using this method.