Catch a car thief in my car with a key! How??
Discussion
It was a normal Sunday evening, putting the kids to bed, on my way downstairs when I swear I could hear my car alarm. I opened the door to see a guy in my car trying to get it started! Having chased him down the road with a plant pot in hand bare foot (it's all I could find!) I was left wondering how this guy got into my car in the first place as there was absolutely no sign of damage!
On the advice of a friend I rang BMW customer service to find out that someone had obtained 2 keys this year once in July courtesy of a fake Irish V5, driving license and utility bill, the second one from a different garage 12 days ago where they produced another V5, documents and contact details........!
Now, am I being completely bonkers here, but this is all waaaaay to easy for someone to rock up and gain a key for my prize E46 M3?
I have requested that all of these 'additional' keys be removed from the key chain and having had a polite 'heated debate' with customer services they have agreed to put a 'note' on my record to advise any future 'parts managers' to make sure that if anyone else in future requests a key to double check the documents, leaving me very confident that this thing won't happen again!!! NOT
As a BMW 'customer' I genuinely feel like i've been hung out to dry on this one. Due to their failure to carry out the right checks I cannot understand how when presented with a V5 document they cannot check it against the inhouse system to see that the details are not the same. On top of everything I am going to have to pay for the re-programming of all of the keys as well as potentially change my locks at great expense, how is that fair when the mistake or lack of rigorous process at the manufacturers side means I am left feeling very nervous everytime I step foot out of my house expecting the car to be gone!
I would really welcome people's comments on this as to what rights do we have when this happens and who should pick up the bill to protect the car from it happening again, I have seen one already on PH with a very similar story. I am definitely not letting this one go with the manufacturer, this is all too easy for criminals who can get hold of fake documents to then walk away with your car which you have worked hard to buy.....
On the advice of a friend I rang BMW customer service to find out that someone had obtained 2 keys this year once in July courtesy of a fake Irish V5, driving license and utility bill, the second one from a different garage 12 days ago where they produced another V5, documents and contact details........!
Now, am I being completely bonkers here, but this is all waaaaay to easy for someone to rock up and gain a key for my prize E46 M3?
I have requested that all of these 'additional' keys be removed from the key chain and having had a polite 'heated debate' with customer services they have agreed to put a 'note' on my record to advise any future 'parts managers' to make sure that if anyone else in future requests a key to double check the documents, leaving me very confident that this thing won't happen again!!! NOT
As a BMW 'customer' I genuinely feel like i've been hung out to dry on this one. Due to their failure to carry out the right checks I cannot understand how when presented with a V5 document they cannot check it against the inhouse system to see that the details are not the same. On top of everything I am going to have to pay for the re-programming of all of the keys as well as potentially change my locks at great expense, how is that fair when the mistake or lack of rigorous process at the manufacturers side means I am left feeling very nervous everytime I step foot out of my house expecting the car to be gone!
I would really welcome people's comments on this as to what rights do we have when this happens and who should pick up the bill to protect the car from it happening again, I have seen one already on PH with a very similar story. I am definitely not letting this one go with the manufacturer, this is all too easy for criminals who can get hold of fake documents to then walk away with your car which you have worked hard to buy.....
Erm, there was another post with someone saying exactly the same thing last week.
ETA: Here you go: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
ETA: Here you go: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Edited by kambites on Monday 23 November 21:15
john_p said:
kambites said:
Would certainly make me a little nervous if I owned any BMW.
EFA
Second identical thread I've read in a week. I too hope it's the same dealer so that a) they can be brought to task, and b) the scam is not more prevalent than first thought.
One query though, why was the alarm going off and he was struggling to start it if he had a key?
Maybe not configured to overcome the immobiliser properly?
One query though, why was the alarm going off and he was struggling to start it if he had a key?
Maybe not configured to overcome the immobiliser properly?kambites said:
john_p said:
kambites said:
Would certainly make me a little nervous if I owned any BMW.
EFA
I think this situation is outrageous. And to top it off they wont payout for new locks, that for me is the worst part! They are not even willing to make right their own mistake.
Write to head office!
Edited by coley20 on Monday 23 November 22:46
kambites said:
You mean not only do BMW give out keys to just about anyone who asks for them, but they also do it badly?
In all seriousness, it's probably a yes. In the other similar thread, they failed to reprogramme it all correctly, as the local Audi dealer did with my mate's A4 that was stolen/recovered with the keys last month (the keys were taken in a break-in, not cloned in this instance)Presumably the insurance company, if they paid out on the claim if the car were infact stolen, would sue the car maker/dealer for issuing the keys without the correct documentation?
And they might hike up the premiums accordingly?
Are you covered if someone steals your car without any signs of forced entry? Thought one wasn't...
And they might hike up the premiums accordingly?
Are you covered if someone steals your car without any signs of forced entry? Thought one wasn't...
Edited by ceriw on Tuesday 24th November 06:58
Oh dear, the second 'BMW have issued keys to my car to someone other than the owner' thread in a week.
Add that to the 'My 19" alloys have cracked, and BMW won't pay' thread, and all of a sudden, they don't seem like such a good buy...
Why on earth they supply keys that are pre-programmed to the car is beyond me. Most manufacturer's have to supply a key that fits the locks, but has to be programmed to the car by a dealer, using codes that can only be supplied direct to the dealer, and using dealer specific diagnostics.
Now this method might be a bit time consuming for the owner, but at least this way you have to have the car present rather than just 'some paperwork'. I say 'some' paperwork, as it seems like anything will do, fale or not......
BMW - The ultimate driving machine - More like the easiest car in the world to obtain keys for
still, on the plus side, if you have 19" wheels, you know the theif won't get far
Add that to the 'My 19" alloys have cracked, and BMW won't pay' thread, and all of a sudden, they don't seem like such a good buy...
Why on earth they supply keys that are pre-programmed to the car is beyond me. Most manufacturer's have to supply a key that fits the locks, but has to be programmed to the car by a dealer, using codes that can only be supplied direct to the dealer, and using dealer specific diagnostics.
Now this method might be a bit time consuming for the owner, but at least this way you have to have the car present rather than just 'some paperwork'. I say 'some' paperwork, as it seems like anything will do, fale or not......
BMW - The ultimate driving machine - More like the easiest car in the world to obtain keys for
still, on the plus side, if you have 19" wheels, you know the theif won't get far
coley20 said:
kambites said:
john_p said:
kambites said:
Would certainly make me a little nervous if I owned any BMW.
EFAI think this situation is outrageous. And to top it off they wont payout for new locks, that for me is the worst part! They are not even willing to make right their own mistake.
Write to head office!
Edited by coley20 on Monday 23 November 22:46
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