New BMW's getting stolen using blank BMW keys

[HoHoHo]

Guvernator said:

Kuroblack350 said:

HoHoHo said:

Are they having the same problem in the US?

That's a good question. I've done a very quick trawl and found very little, most threads talk about the 1M theft, or direct back to this thread.

They aren't having the issue because LHD cars don't have the blind spot in the alarm on that side. This has been confirmed by owners doing tests on US forums. This is a RHD car issue due to BMW cheaping out and not bothering to fit a properly designed sensor to the right hand side of the car to save on costs.

That's interesting.

I've read on another forum BMW have now got a fix in accordance with Thatcham and dealers are aware.

Anyone had this 'fix' done yet?

[sinizter]

HoHoHo said:

That's interesting.

I've read on another forum BMW have now got a fix in accordance with Thatcham and dealers are aware.

Anyone had this 'fix' done yet?

Link ? Haven't seen or heard anything yet.

[Kuroblack350]

HoHoHo said:

Guvernator said:

Kuroblack350 said:

HoHoHo said:

Are they having the same problem in the US?

That's a good question. I've done a very quick trawl and found very little, most threads talk about the 1M theft, or direct back to this thread.

They aren't having the issue because LHD cars don't have the blind spot in the alarm on that side. This has been confirmed by owners doing tests on US forums. This is a RHD car issue due to BMW cheaping out and not bothering to fit a properly designed sensor to the right hand side of the car to save on costs.

That's interesting.

I've read on another forum BMW have now got a fix in accordance with Thatcham and dealers are aware.

Anyone had this 'fix' done yet?

That makes sense. Any more info on the 'fix'..?

[Guvernator]

Yep if this was a LHD issue effecting Europe and more importantly the US, you can bet your bottom dollar that something would have been done about it by now as the US customers don't take stuff like this lying down. Unfortunately because it's a RHD, mainly UK only issue it's been easier for them to just ignore it.

Not heard anything about a fix though. Interesting if it happens. I await with baited breath. The way BMW handle this issue WIll have a huge bearing on whether I consider buying another BMW again.

[MadAdMan]

Kuroblack350 said:

That makes sense. Any more info on the 'fix'..?

The Dealer still have my car (nearly 3 weeks now) apparently its having a huge firm ware 'fix' overnight to night direct from germany! (have no idea how this is going to fix blind spot (but have asked the question on every call) bmw now have now told me "the latest software and firmware upgrade is bullet proof sir" somehow doubt it.

re right hand drive bmw, there is no blind spot OBD issue (so breaking and entering is still possible in blind spot - just no access to OBD port) but the live reprogrammable OBD is port is still accessible - that is a WW bmw/merc/audi issue.

You can run an extender OBD lead tucking the live one somewhere only you know and dummy plate the old one. Or put a lockable cover over existing (obviously this means drilling into your facia - so not ideal) if you do move it, sticker your window with OBD port disabled!

[smashy]

This on the front of a Chiswick ,west London Community site.

http://www.chiswickw4.com/default.asp?section=info...


Blow up the image of the Police sign and you can see the BMW roundel they have kindly stuck on it to make sure you realise its just one Marque only ....BMW's.


....and still BMW say its a problem for all makes.

Edited by smashy on Thursday 2nd August 17:47

Edited by smashy on Thursday 2nd August 17:49

[Steffan]

smashy said:

This on the front of a Chiswick ,west London Community site.

http://www.chiswickw4.com/default.asp?section=info...


Blow up the image of the Police sign and you can see the BMW roundel they have kindly stuck on it to make sure you realise its just one Marque only ....BMW's.


....and still BMW say its a problem for all makes.

Edited by smashy on Thursday 2nd August 17:47

Edited by smashy on Thursday 2nd August 17:49

BMW are protecting their business. They have not and will not admit the fault. There will be no recall or modification. BMW will I think, correct the problem in the next range of cars. But they may not.

The stonewalling is working for BMW. I detest their callous disregard, for the owners who were sold an inferior and very insecure vehicle. But BMW are not interested. BMW will not accept responsibility or blame. Their line is that the car met all the relevant security and EU requirements. That is their defence.

As I said before the only real options are to avoid the affected cars or take the risk. Others have put forward security measures which may reduce the risk. I hope so, because that is and remains the only realistic option with continued ownership of the affected cars.

[aeropilot]

Guvernator said:

Kuroblack350 said:

HoHoHo said:

Are they having the same problem in the US?

That's a good question. I've done a very quick trawl and found very little, most threads talk about the 1M theft, or direct back to this thread.

They aren't having the issue because LHD cars don't have the blind spot in the alarm on that side. This has been confirmed by owners doing tests on US forums.

However, a LHD 1M owner from Belgium posted that he's also tested his car and confirmed the blind spot existed on his car.......?

[stroberaver]

aeropilot said:

However, a LHD 1M owner from Belgium posted that he's also tested his car and confirmed the blind spot existed on his car.......?

Maybe, but surely on a LHD car, the OBD port is on the left hand side where there is no blind spot, and thus the blind spot on the right hand side is of zero benefit to thieves?

(I'm just presuming here, I don't own the affected cars. Either way, BMW's disregard for the situation is appalling).

[sinizter]

aeropilot said:

However, a LHD 1M owner from Belgium posted that he's also tested his car and confirmed the blind spot existed on his car.......?

But, they cannot make a key in under 3 minutes as the OBD port is all the way on the other side of the vehicle.

[r999]

MadAdMan said:

re right hand drive bmw, there is no blind spot OBD issue (so breaking and entering is still possible in blind spot - just no access to OBD port) but the live reprogrammable OBD is port is still accessible - that is a WW bmw/merc/audi issue.

Please don't take offence, but I don't understand what you are saying here. Could you very kindly put it more clearly? The devil is in the detail, as they say.

[sinizter]

r999 said:

MadAdMan said:

re right hand drive bmw, there is no blind spot OBD issue (so breaking and entering is still possible in blind spot - just no access to OBD port) but the live reprogrammable OBD is port is still accessible - that is a WW bmw/merc/audi issue.

Please don't take offence, but I don't understand what you are saying here. Could you very kindly put it more clearly? The devil is in the detail, as they say.

Clearly meant left hand drive and typed right hand drive instead.

[Pesty]

When is top gear on again?

pretty sure BMW would sort the problem if they did a feature on how easy they are to steal.

[Steffan]

Pesty said:

When is top gear on again?

pretty sure BMW would sort the problem if they did a feature on how easy they are to steal.

They will not do the program. BMW comply with all the EU and security requirements. Where have BMW failed? This just will not happen IMO.

[Pesty]

I am not suggesting BMW are not complying. But the fact remains it does seem with the correct equipment BMWs' can be taken quite easily.

It seems to me this is exactly the type of thing TG would cover in the news section at least.

[Steffan]

Pesty said:

I am not suggesting BMW are not complying. But the fact remains it does seem with the correct equipment BMWs' can be taken quite easily.

It seems to me this is exactly the type of thing TG would cover in the news section at least.

I do hope you are correct. That would shoot the bolt on the BMW disregard for the owners of the affected cars. I really hope this happens. Unless it does I think we have stalemate in publicity causing a change in the BMW stance..

[r999]

Pesty said:

It seems to me this is exactly the type of thing TG would cover in the news section at least.

They might well do. But it's a long time to wait until January, which is when Clarkson says TG will be back. (He might be wrong.)

[JimmyTheHand]

Steffan said:

Where have BMW failed? This just will not happen IMO.

in basic computer security - if you have a known easily exploitable flaw it will be exploited

[Steffan]

JimmyTheHand said:

Steffan said:

Where have BMW failed? This just will not happen IMO.

in basic computer security - if you have a known easily exploitable flaw it will be exploited

I must apologise. My remarks were meant in a sarcastic way. The question of how any of this could be BMW's failure was meant to illustrate the complete absence of any responsibility or acceptance of failure by BMW.

The BMW line is that the cars comply with all the legal requirements and security standards. Which is all that they are required to do in the opinion of BMW.

So in BMW's opinion BMW cannot be responsible. They are that puerile. There is no acceptance that the car should actually function so long as it complies with the legislation. Hence my post.

Clearly this IS actually BMW's responsibility and cannot be anyone elses. The security systems on these cars are obviously fundamentally flawed and ineffective.

I hope TG run such an article. BMW could not then continue hiding behind the " The car complies with ....... legislation." defence when faced with specific make failures.

But until TG does run the story or a major media player specifically identifies these cars as very specifically weak in security protection and very bad risks for being stolen, then BMW will hide behind the "Where have BMW failed? The cars comply with all the security requirements" defence. As they are doing currently.

[JimmyTheHand]

Steffan said:

I must apologise. My remarks were meant in a sarcastic way.

No problem