New BMW's getting stolen using blank BMW keys
Discussion
I absolutely take on board your points, the Police said to me; and I quote: "The 3 Series are a Piece of P!ss to steal, fact."
dkeegan said:
It's not just BMW and its not the car the thieves are after in every case. It's the parts...
Affects Audi, Merc and BMW sport versions of all models. i.e. AMG, S-Line and M-Sport.
Basically the cars are being nicked and then stripped of their body parts to be sold to people in "emerging markets" who can the turn their SE or bog standard spec into one of the above...
£3.5bn estmated market value of this trade...
What then happens is the insurer writes the car off, gets 35% + now of nets book value as opposed to 10% 5 years ago and the salvage is sold to...people from emerging markets, who take the shell, repair the car in their home market with factored parts or indeed the parts that have previously been stripped off your car originall, shipped back to the UK and, in several, cases just days later the car is back on the road and insured with the same insurer that wrote it of originally before they can even update their systems!!
I'll find the links for these and post 'em u
if anyone is interested...!
Affects Audi, Merc and BMW sport versions of all models. i.e. AMG, S-Line and M-Sport.
Basically the cars are being nicked and then stripped of their body parts to be sold to people in "emerging markets" who can the turn their SE or bog standard spec into one of the above...
£3.5bn estmated market value of this trade...
What then happens is the insurer writes the car off, gets 35% + now of nets book value as opposed to 10% 5 years ago and the salvage is sold to...people from emerging markets, who take the shell, repair the car in their home market with factored parts or indeed the parts that have previously been stripped off your car originall, shipped back to the UK and, in several, cases just days later the car is back on the road and insured with the same insurer that wrote it of originally before they can even update their systems!!
I'll find the links for these and post 'em u
if anyone is interested...!
c7xlg said:
I can't believe no one has commented on this yet:
" my 6 month old 330im Sport conveertable had been stolen from my drive "
"the police basically told me not to buy another high end BMW"
Ummm... since when has a 1, 3 or even a 5 that doesn't have a M (at the front!) of it's model designation been considered a 'high end BMW'???
I'd consider 1 or 3 to be quite the opposite. Considering 7s start at £56K, M5/M6 are pushing £80-100,000 I don't' think a £20-40K 1er, 3er or 5 is anywhere near 'high end'.
Still, doesn't detract from the main issue of the story, which is quite scary if actually true.
I can see quite plainly from the information posted previously, and using my expert knowledge in this area I must conclude that you Sir...are a d1ck." my 6 month old 330im Sport conveertable had been stolen from my drive "
"the police basically told me not to buy another high end BMW"
Ummm... since when has a 1, 3 or even a 5 that doesn't have a M (at the front!) of it's model designation been considered a 'high end BMW'???
I'd consider 1 or 3 to be quite the opposite. Considering 7s start at £56K, M5/M6 are pushing £80-100,000 I don't' think a £20-40K 1er, 3er or 5 is anywhere near 'high end'.
Still, doesn't detract from the main issue of the story, which is quite scary if actually true.
Pesty said:
dkeegan said:
It's not just BMW !
no it isn't all makes get stolen but its seems BMW have a particular weakness and a blind spot in the alarm system which has been talked about in this thread.Do you work for BMW by the way
The only people trying to convince the world that it isn't a BMW only issue is BMW themselves and the journo's that are on their 'perks payroll'.
aeropilot said:
Not just the alarm system weakness, but the fact that any old key can be reprogrammed via the OBD port.... unlike Audi and MB, so yes, this is just a BMW issue.
The only people trying to convince the world that it isn't a BMW only issue is BMW themselves and the journo's that are on their 'perks payroll'.
My BMW Salesman friend says that Audi/Merc/BMW are all in the "dont know what you are talking about" mode.The only people trying to convince the world that it isn't a BMW only issue is BMW themselves and the journo's that are on their 'perks payroll'.
But it does seem that BMW are the only ones that are so easy to steal.
I think BMW's will become uninsurable soon without an approved immobilizer, like the old days of hot hatches and Cossies etc, whomever gets that one will be one happy fella!!!
Be a shame if you take precaution now and its not the approved system...
Brummmie said:
My BMW Salesman friend says that Audi/Merc/BMW are all in the "dont know what you are talking about" mode.
But it does seem that BMW are the only ones that are so easy to steal.
I think BMW's will become uninsurable soon without an approved immobilizer, like the old days of hot hatches and Cossies etc, whomever gets that one will be one happy fella!!!
Be a shame if you take precaution now and its not the approved system...
BMWs are always stolen without keys. Audis (apart from one crude method which Audi are urgently tackling) get stolen with keys. That says everything you need to knowBut it does seem that BMW are the only ones that are so easy to steal.
I think BMW's will become uninsurable soon without an approved immobilizer, like the old days of hot hatches and Cossies etc, whomever gets that one will be one happy fella!!!
Be a shame if you take precaution now and its not the approved system...
Interesting reading. Real shame that BMW are choosing not to defend their brand, but presume they will only react when sales are affected.
So is it fair to assume that none of the current models are immune from this problem ?
If so, then is some combination of the following required:
- laminated protection film on front windows to prevent/deter break-in
- upgraded ultrasonic sensors
- installation of secondary immobiliser
??
just wondering where in the London area the above work can be carried out ?
So is it fair to assume that none of the current models are immune from this problem ?
If so, then is some combination of the following required:
- laminated protection film on front windows to prevent/deter break-in
- upgraded ultrasonic sensors
- installation of secondary immobiliser
??
just wondering where in the London area the above work can be carried out ?
Deva Link said:
mollyjester said:
(which has security guards and CCTV)
I guess the security guards didn't see anything (why?) but was the CCTV any more illuminating in terms of how long the thieves were in the car before it was driven away?The CCTV showed the car being DRIVEN off within 2 minutes and appears it was a download computer keys type job. The most twisted part is that as it was a 1 series performance edition which was very distinctive and also only goes up to a 118d they believe that the car drove past the cameras again about 4 hours later with stick on plates and a 120d badge on it
but sadly they haven't caught anyone as they left it 3 weeks to view the footage and the security guards wouldn't let us see it due to data protection! The insurer fraud checked us for over a month and then sent the keys to BMW in Germany for testing which confirmed the doors where locked and never used again after our last reported journey. After weeks of trying to up sell us to a new BMW we finally decided to avoid and purchased something else but when we advised the garage we didn't feel the BMW's were secure etc they admitted they knew there was a problem with the older models which is why they wanted us to go for a brand new to get the key less entry which they say solves the problems! I am appalled they are still selling these cars knowing this is going on!!
When we brought our new car we put it onto our existing policy and was misquoted as having brought another like for like BMW - they premium was massive. When I called I asked if it was because the last one had been stolen and he said no it was because they have had thousands of BMW's stolen over the last few months to the point they were considering withdrawing insurance on certain models to new customers - and this is one of the big insurers so be aware!!
It amazing the looks you get from people when you tell them your new BMW was stolen without the keys its either one of disbelief or one of suspicion and I am sure our claim went on for much longer due to the way the car went and the fact it went so quickly!
Kananga said:
So is it fair to assume that none of the current models are immune from this problem ?
Indeed the suspicion is they arn't, although, it's likely that they are less likely to be targeted at the moment, becuase demand for spares for them isn't yet sufficient. Give it another 12 months and that might not be the case.Kananga said:
If so, then is some combination of the following required:
- laminated protection film on front windows to prevent/deter break-in
- upgraded ultrasonic sensors
- installation of secondary immobiliser
??
Laminated film will help with the 'brick through the window' routine, but won't stop the more 'technical' means of glass penetration being employed by these teams.- laminated protection film on front windows to prevent/deter break-in
- upgraded ultrasonic sensors
- installation of secondary immobiliser
??
Be careful with extra upgraded ultrasonic sensors and secondary immobiliser as you need to make sure they will work with the car's canbus network - some will, some won't.
Better off with a micro switch into the OBD live circuit to stop a key being coded to the car at all.
Until BMW get their arses in gear (if ever!), for now just get one of http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320948497382#ht_4663wt_8... (both 1M and 1.5M are OK for this) and do the following:
Undo the three screws holding the trim in front of the pedals/under the steering wheel in place.
(optional) disconnect speaker/light connections and move trim somewhere out of the way
Undo the two screws holding the panel with the obd socket in place and pull it off
Undo the two screws holding the obd socket in place.
(Optional - the e9X cover has a resistor in place) Remove the obd2 cover and set aside.
Plug the purchased cable into the existing socket.
Route the cable over the top/behind the pedals down to the centre console dash trim
Connect everything back up/fix trim back in place
Connect the cover with resistor to the extension cable.
Tuck up behind centre console trim
10-20 minutes tops.
Take a picture and leave it with the service book so the tech knows where the cable is.
There is enough play in the trim to tuck the socket up behind the trim and pull it out with two fingers. If scrote reaches over into that area the alarm will go off.
Undo the three screws holding the trim in front of the pedals/under the steering wheel in place.
(optional) disconnect speaker/light connections and move trim somewhere out of the way
Undo the two screws holding the panel with the obd socket in place and pull it off
Undo the two screws holding the obd socket in place.
(Optional - the e9X cover has a resistor in place) Remove the obd2 cover and set aside.
Plug the purchased cable into the existing socket.
Route the cable over the top/behind the pedals down to the centre console dash trim
Connect everything back up/fix trim back in place
Connect the cover with resistor to the extension cable.
Tuck up behind centre console trim
10-20 minutes tops.
Take a picture and leave it with the service book so the tech knows where the cable is.
There is enough play in the trim to tuck the socket up behind the trim and pull it out with two fingers. If scrote reaches over into that area the alarm will go off.
Just bought an '09 reg 135i M Sport Coupé a fortnight ago.
This thread makes for very worrying reading. Sleeping isn't going to be easy with my motor parked out on the street all night. I live in South London.
Might look into renting a garage nearby. Otherwise, will get a bit fat wheel lock.
What a mess.
This thread makes for very worrying reading. Sleeping isn't going to be easy with my motor parked out on the street all night. I live in South London.
Might look into renting a garage nearby. Otherwise, will get a bit fat wheel lock.
What a mess.
I've got a 2008 520D M Sport, and what i've done is to remove the OBD port and using a long extension lead I brought from ebay I relocated the port to the boot, where the battery is, you just need to remove a panel to get to it, i'll let the garage know everytime it goes in for service.
I've also put OBD port disabled stickers on the windows and now using a Disklok.
Hopefully this will deter theives.
I've also put OBD port disabled stickers on the windows and now using a Disklok.
Hopefully this will deter theives.
paulrog1 said:
I've got a 2008 520D M Sport, and what i've done is to remove the OBD port and using a long extension lead I brought from ebay I relocated the port to the boot, where the battery is, you just need to remove a panel to get to it, i'll let the garage know everytime it goes in for service.
I've also put OBD port disabled stickers on the windows and now using a Disklok.
Hopefully this will deter theives.
Deterring the thieves is definitely the priority... all this talk about trackers just makes me think about having a car with Stolen/Recovered on the HPI that you'll never be able to sell...I've also put OBD port disabled stickers on the windows and now using a Disklok.
Hopefully this will deter theives.
Mates 330d Convertible stolen last week, W8 RRN in Le Mans blue with full cream leather.
No glass etc etc, but, it had been in a bodyshop 5 weeks prior (Direct Line approved) Police are investigating to see if there's a pattern, but doubt they'll put much effort into it.
Police even explained to mate how they do it in some detail. Call to dealer mate in Notts also revealed how commonplace it is. BMW yet again leaves the punter stranded, would it happen in America without a massive backlash? Does it happen over there???
No glass etc etc, but, it had been in a bodyshop 5 weeks prior (Direct Line approved) Police are investigating to see if there's a pattern, but doubt they'll put much effort into it.
Police even explained to mate how they do it in some detail. Call to dealer mate in Notts also revealed how commonplace it is. BMW yet again leaves the punter stranded, would it happen in America without a massive backlash? Does it happen over there???
roofer said:
Police are investigating to see if there's a pattern, but doubt they'll put much effort into it.
Or maybe if they don't it is down to officers being pulled in all directions to get figures for the governments latest ideas on crime reduction - that don't normally include vehicle crime !Officers are well aware of this problem - but if powers higher than the Chief Constable dictate their resources go elsewhere then that is what happens ... and it is only going to get worse when the Police & Crime Commissioners get elected .... they won't be political at all ... says he cynically !
essexplumber said:
I haven't read this thread yet so excuse my stupidity. I'm seeing lots of newer BM's with the facia piece that covers headlamp wash and tow eyes missing, is this connected to attempted thefts?
No.essexplumber said:
Also I have recently bought a 56 plate X3 2.0d. Would these be a possible target?
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