New BMW's getting stolen using blank BMW keys
Discussion
r999 said:
HoHoHo said:
As mentioned, a quick call out of courtesy would clarify the matter either way.
Are you a BMW spokesperson in disguise? In this country it is the law, not BMW, that dictates what we may or may not do.As you clearly know more than I do I'll leave you to it.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Good practical advice. Theoretically there is an infringement of the brand. Practically the quickest way for BMW to make this much worse would be to enter into litigation which would ensure front page headlines. Whether they win or lose. I agree with Tonker that since this is not for commercial gain but publishing a known brand defect, I think BMW would pay NOT to dispute this in the courts.
Steffan said:
Good practical advice.
Theoretically there is an infringement of the brand. Practically the quickest way for BMW to make this much worse would be to enter into litigation which would ensure front page headlines. Whether they win or lose. I agree with Tonker that since this is not for commercial gain but publishing a known brand defect, I think BMW would pay NOT to dispute this in the courts.
Theoretically there is an infringement of the brand. Practically the quickest way for BMW to make this much worse would be to enter into litigation which would ensure front page headlines. Whether they win or lose. I agree with Tonker that since this is not for commercial gain but publishing a known brand defect, I think BMW would pay NOT to dispute this in the courts.
im happy for anyone to send/flag this to BMW as i would love to engage with their legal over this matter Tim Abbott, is current BMW UK Managing Director tim.abbott@bmw.co.uk (any publicity we can generate regarding this issue is good publicity). Just to clarify: The creation of a window decal for is non profit and for personal use, identifying a non manufacturer modification carried out (not publishing a known brand defect) for use on privately owned including vehicle details both make and date of modification.
meanwhile back to the topic, if local police stations are now putting warnings up to BMW owners (no other marque singled out) in stations then the marque must know as BMW’s UK media relations manager, Gavin Ward said "We have a constant dialogue with police forces to understand any patterns which may emerge. This data is used to enhance our defence systems accordingly. Currently BMW Group products meet or exceed all global legislative criteria concerning vehicle security."
surely its time to collectively aggregate theft numbers and present this to both mp's and mep's and call them on this?
MadAdMan said:
on a side note - as of right now if i could find a suitable non BMW replacement 7 seater 4x4 thats the same length i'd trade the X5 tonight, even if it meant taking a hit!
Well, you could just spend £69 on a Disclok and save losing £000's.I know we shouldn't have to buy such security in the 21st century, but....
not sure how to hyperlink
but some convictions for bmw thefts in the midlands
http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news...
but some convictions for bmw thefts in the midlands
http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news...
Zyp said:
MadAdMan said:
on a side note - as of right now if i could find a suitable non BMW replacement 7 seater 4x4 thats the same length i'd trade the X5 tonight, even if it meant taking a hit!
Well, you could just spend £69 on a Disclok and save losing £000's.I know we shouldn't have to buy such security in the 21st century, but....
It's a s
tty stuation no doubt, but would it make me sell my BMW? No.Would it stop me buying a BMW? No.
I'll just take precautions about it. Since a £300 aftermarket alarm SOLVES this problem 100% (probably) which is the price of 2.5 tanks of fuel. Shame I have to spend that extra money, but in the grand scheme of things car cost wise, it's still buttons compared with buying and running the thing.
On a practical note, I have been offered three solutions so far. Key (hidden) operated immobiliser of the two important wires on the obd fr £100, relocate obd to hidden location £200, and full canbus alarm immobilising the obd and engine with upgraded sensors etc etc for £600.
Other than a diskolok and the stickers, any other ideas out there?
My main indecision is what would be recognised for insurance when it comes to next renewal. Does anyone have any guidance / experience as to whether this is yet reflected in premiums and or what insurers may want as comfort - tracker? My premium is already around the £1k mark, don't really want a massive uplift if it can be mitigated.
Other than a diskolok and the stickers, any other ideas out there?
My main indecision is what would be recognised for insurance when it comes to next renewal. Does anyone have any guidance / experience as to whether this is yet reflected in premiums and or what insurers may want as comfort - tracker? My premium is already around the £1k mark, don't really want a massive uplift if it can be mitigated.
ruz316 said:
some convictions for bmw thefts in the midlands
http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news...
Poetic justice: they got caught in Willenhall, of all places - famous for its locksmiths.http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news...
'The God in whom I do not believe is a just God.' Let's have a bit more such justice. (Though preferably with sentences that are more of a deterrent than community service.)
Edited by r999 on Monday 6th August 19:40
RUSTLE said:
Other than a diskolok and the stickers, any other ideas out there?
You can get immobilisers which disarm using a proximity key fob. So once you unlock the car with your normal key and climb in then the mere presence of the new aftermarket key fob will disarm the new aftermarket immobiliser. I've seen these for about £200-300 installed. Can't find the link at the min though. Seems like a good system which will prevent these "Gone in 60 secs" thefts with the key programmer, since the thief won't have the aftermarket fob for the immobiliser.MadAdMan said:
it was a neat idea... did you also see the OBD PORT OFF SO F**K OFF one? thought that a little too provocative so have tried something plain and straight to the point (also icon of OBD as english isnt first language for some the ringers) hopefully clearly sign posts.
as my X5 is due back from the repair shop i thought id sticker up along with an extra alarm, a couple of mods, disabled OBD, tracker, approach sensor, disklock
Absolutely - it's such a shame that we have to resort to creating our own window stickers. I think you took my post as tongue firmly in cheek - I'd created just such a sticker, not-for-profit, and happy to see a more professional one enter the fold etc etc.as my X5 is due back from the repair shop i thought id sticker up along with an extra alarm, a couple of mods, disabled OBD, tracker, approach sensor, disklock
mrmr96 said:
You can get immobilisers which disarm using a proximity key fob. So once you unlock the car with your normal key and climb in then the mere presence of the new aftermarket key fob will disarm the new aftermarket immobiliser. I've seen these for about £200-300 installed. Can't find the link at the min though. Seems like a good system which will prevent these "Gone in 60 secs" thefts with the key programmer, since the thief won't have the aftermarket fob for the immobiliser.
But the theif will still smash your windows or force the door open??I have fitted a small key operated in line switch to the 12v line of the OPD port which cost about £2.50. The net result will be the same i.e. damage to the car but I have saved £297.50.
dave_s13 said:
mrmr96 said:
You can get immobilisers which disarm using a proximity key fob. So once you unlock the car with your normal key and climb in then the mere presence of the new aftermarket key fob will disarm the new aftermarket immobiliser. I've seen these for about £200-300 installed. Can't find the link at the min though. Seems like a good system which will prevent these "Gone in 60 secs" thefts with the key programmer, since the thief won't have the aftermarket fob for the immobiliser.
But the theif will still smash your windows or force the door open??I have fitted a small key operated in line switch to the 12v line of the OPD port which cost about £2.50. The net result will be the same i.e. damage to the car but I have saved £297.50.
I can't stop someone smashing my window any more than I can stop them dinging the door.
There's an even cheaper fool-proof solution than a disk-lock, although it's slightly more hassle depending on battery location.
http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID012005
£20 including replacement fuses and a spare "kn0b" key.
It's a small gadget that you fix between your battery terminal and mainpower cable with a removable "key". When the key is inserted, everything works as normal. When you remove the key, the circuit is essentially fused to a low enough current that there's enough power to run all the systems on standby, but trying to start the engine will blow it, rendering the car immobilised unless you replace the fuse or bypass the gadget.
http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID012005
£20 including replacement fuses and a spare "kn0b" key.
It's a small gadget that you fix between your battery terminal and mainpower cable with a removable "key". When the key is inserted, everything works as normal. When you remove the key, the circuit is essentially fused to a low enough current that there's enough power to run all the systems on standby, but trying to start the engine will blow it, rendering the car immobilised unless you replace the fuse or bypass the gadget.
youngsyr said:
There's an even cheaper fool-proof solution than a disk-lock, although it's slightly more hassle depending on battery location.
http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID012005
£20 including replacement fuses and a spare "kn0b" key.
It's a small gadget that you fix between your battery terminal and mainpower cable with a removable "key". When the key is inserted, everything works as normal. When you remove the key, the circuit is essentially fused to a low enough current that there's enough power to run all the systems on standby, but trying to start the engine will blow it, rendering the car immobilised unless you replace the fuse or bypass the gadget.
The battery is in the rear right corner of the boot on most BMW's, so wouldn't mean you having to dive under the bonnet to use this thing. Also, the thief i) wouldn't likely look for this kind of thing, and ii) once the fuse blows there would be no power to unlock the boot? (most modern ones being electrically released). iii) I assume that cutting the battery like that would start the alarm? (Although perhaps not, since if it blew whilst starting the car then the alarm wouldn't be armed at that time.)http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID012005
£20 including replacement fuses and a spare "kn0b" key.
It's a small gadget that you fix between your battery terminal and mainpower cable with a removable "key". When the key is inserted, everything works as normal. When you remove the key, the circuit is essentially fused to a low enough current that there's enough power to run all the systems on standby, but trying to start the engine will blow it, rendering the car immobilised unless you replace the fuse or bypass the gadget.
mrmr96 said:
youngsyr said:
There's an even cheaper fool-proof solution than a disk-lock, although it's slightly more hassle depending on battery location.
http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID012005
£20 including replacement fuses and a spare "kn0b" key.
It's a small gadget that you fix between your battery terminal and mainpower cable with a removable "key". When the key is inserted, everything works as normal. When you remove the key, the circuit is essentially fused to a low enough current that there's enough power to run all the systems on standby, but trying to start the engine will blow it, rendering the car immobilised unless you replace the fuse or bypass the gadget.
The battery is in the rear right corner of the boot on most BMW's, so wouldn't mean you having to dive under the bonnet to use this thing. Also, the thief i) wouldn't likely look for this kind of thing, and ii) once the fuse blows there would be no power to unlock the boot? (most modern ones being electrically released). iii) I assume that cutting the battery like that would start the alarm? (Although perhaps not, since if it blew whilst starting the car then the alarm wouldn't be armed at that time.)http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID012005
£20 including replacement fuses and a spare "kn0b" key.
It's a small gadget that you fix between your battery terminal and mainpower cable with a removable "key". When the key is inserted, everything works as normal. When you remove the key, the circuit is essentially fused to a low enough current that there's enough power to run all the systems on standby, but trying to start the engine will blow it, rendering the car immobilised unless you replace the fuse or bypass the gadget.
The issue is whether you can gain access to the boot if you blow the fuse by accident. I assume you can, but if not, it's not an option.
Would be advisable to hide a couple of fuses in the car for accidentally blown fuses too.
youngsyr said:
There's an even cheaper fool-proof solution than a disk-lock, although it's slightly more hassle depending on battery location.
http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID012005
£20 including replacement fuses and a spare "kn0b" key.
It's a small gadget that you fix between your battery terminal and mainpower cable with a removable "key". When the key is inserted, everything works as normal. When you remove the key, the circuit is essentially fused to a low enough current that there's enough power to run all the systems on standby, but trying to start the engine will blow it, rendering the car immobilised unless you replace the fuse or bypass the gadget.
An electronic plip'able version of that would be brillaint, you can buy remote fobs & relays for peanuts, maybe a potentially supurb solution. http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID012005
£20 including replacement fuses and a spare "kn0b" key.
It's a small gadget that you fix between your battery terminal and mainpower cable with a removable "key". When the key is inserted, everything works as normal. When you remove the key, the circuit is essentially fused to a low enough current that there's enough power to run all the systems on standby, but trying to start the engine will blow it, rendering the car immobilised unless you replace the fuse or bypass the gadget.
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