New BMW's getting stolen using blank BMW keys

[paulrog1]

I rang the number too, gave the woman down the phone my registration number, mines a 2008 520D, she said the fix should be out in 8 weeks and she's forward my details onto my nearest dealer for them to contact me.

[dtiom]

ArsE92 said:

Out of interest, how did you do that? The internal sensors don't arm if you lock the car with the windows down.

Regarding the testing of the dead space by the OBD port, I cut a piece of card put this in the hole with tape around the edges where the window should be (window wound down), locked the card with the fob, waited a minute or two for it to arm and removed the card. The alarm didn't activate when I removed the card and didn't activate when I put my arm in towards the OBD port. After much waving around the area of the drivers seat the alarm did finally sound, but not until I had my head in and almost touching the passenger seat!

bracken78 said:

Was the LCI software introduced in March 2007?

LCI was March 2007, the Msport got the LCI update but retained the pre LCI bumpers. The LCI update included new Idrive menus and graphics along with the engine and emissions stuff so I guess the software for the entire car was updated.

Brummmie said:

Its the key, or the lack of one that is the problem.
Pre LCI have KEYS.

The push button start and key fob was introduced 09/05 as an option I think so I would expect to see some 05 and early 06 cars with a proper key.

Edited by dtiom on Thursday 13th September 15:04

[aeropilot]

dtiom said:

ArsE92 said:

Out of interest, how did you do that? The internal sensors don't arm if you lock the car with the windows down.

Regarding the testing of the dead space by the OBD port, I cut a piece of card put this in the hole with tape around the edges where the window should be (window wound down), locked the card with the fob, waited a minute or two for it to arm and removed the card. The alarm didn't activate when I removed the card and didn't activate when I put my arm in towards the OBD port. After much waving around the area of the drivers seat the alarm did finally sound, but not until I had my head in and almost touching the passenger seat!

I did the same thing with mine.

Cut out a piece of window shaped card with an arm size whole in the area down by the door mirror. Stuck a piece of paper over this hole and then placed in the open window. Locked up and then removed paper and fed my arm down through the whole and popped off the obd cover.
Alarm didn't go off, even without being that careful with my arm movement once inside car.
Interior motion sensors are positively useless.

[youngsyr]

no8080 said:

Thats the worry I have with my wifes M3, it was built 2 weeks ago, but a private plate means no one knows this model does not work with the current method.

So I would end up with a damaged M3 left if they tried to steal it. So a visual deterent is the only way to stop this or at least minimise it, it would seem. As even removing the OBD port still means you would end up with a damaged car, better than a stolen car though.

As far as I know, the late 2012 models are no different to all M3s post 2009 in terms of the electronics, so if they can fix it on a 2012 M3, they can fix it on any M3 built post 2009.

Again, as far as I'm aware there is no fix for 2007 to late 2012 M3s, so that makes me question whether there is actually a fix for the recent 2012 models.

Edited by youngsyr on Thursday 13th September 15:51

[Panda76]

bracken78 said:

Just called BMW. I seem to have been told something slightly different.

BMW have advised or rather, ‘they believe’ that they will only change/updated the software on cars built (regardless of model) from March 2007 over the next 8 weeks. My BMW was registered in December 2006 so will apparently not have the ‘fix’ but I fail to see how my car is any different to one built 4 months later.

I am sure that I have read about BMW 3 series being stolen which were built during 2005, 2006 & 2007.

I shall give my local BMW dealer a call at some point and see what they have to say.

Same story here,I was told my build date of Dec 2006 is not affected.
No reason why given.
I suspect that the efficent dynamics engines might have come in around March 2007 and possible they have different software.
Just a guess.

[mrmr96]

aeropilot said:

dtiom said:

ArsE92 said:

Out of interest, how did you do that? The internal sensors don't arm if you lock the car with the windows down.

Regarding the testing of the dead space by the OBD port, I cut a piece of card put this in the hole with tape around the edges where the window should be (window wound down), locked the card with the fob, waited a minute or two for it to arm and removed the card. The alarm didn't activate when I removed the card and didn't activate when I put my arm in towards the OBD port. After much waving around the area of the drivers seat the alarm did finally sound, but not until I had my head in and almost touching the passenger seat!

I did the same thing with mine.

Cut out a piece of window shaped card with an arm size whole in the area down by the door mirror. Stuck a piece of paper over this hole and then placed in the open window. Locked up and then removed paper and fed my arm down through the whole and popped off the obd cover.
Alarm didn't go off, even without being that careful with my arm movement once inside car.
Interior motion sensors are positively useless.

But ArsE92 said that the sensors are off?

[ashway]

Just called the 01344 number, answered immediately and advised my wifes 11plate Z4 is affected, my 12 plate X5 is not. Asked which was my preferred dealer added to their database, will be contacted in around 8 weeks for a free of charge enhancement, will take about 40 minutes to perform the update.

[TX1]

Just rung the number regarding my 2006 e92 and was told it is not effected as the problem is for models after march 2007, saying that my disklok is going to stay on as I do not have 100% faith in what BMW have to say.

[paulrog1]

On BMW Land -

Have called the hotline though as I have a Dec 2006 56 plate E60 with push button start.

They are adamant anything pre-March 2007 IS NOT affected. When I told them my mates 535d on a 56 plate was taken seemingly using the same method he was tad flummoxed!

Even though I'm apparently not affected - I'm to be called in for the 'fix' (due within 8 weeks) or confirmation 'I'm safe' by Sytner free of charge.

So - if you're not sure, phone em up. Doesnt cost nowt.

0800 083 4397.

When I said where I was based - he said we're getting loads of calls from Birmingham. Any wonder I told him when I live 3/4 mile from the bloke with the 1 series on Watchdog last night and my pals 535 was only another mile away as well!!!!!


So it does seem that builds Sept2005> are affected, best thing to do is to call and goto your dealer.

[TX1]

As I suspected Paul, car is due for a brake fluid change next month so I shall see what they have to say while I am there.

[ArsE92]

mrmr96 said:

aeropilot said:

dtiom said:

ArsE92 said:

Out of interest, how did you do that? The internal sensors don't arm if you lock the car with the windows down.

Regarding the testing of the dead space by the OBD port, I cut a piece of card put this in the hole with tape around the edges where the window should be (window wound down), locked the card with the fob, waited a minute or two for it to arm and removed the card. The alarm didn't activate when I removed the card and didn't activate when I put my arm in towards the OBD port. After much waving around the area of the drivers seat the alarm did finally sound, but not until I had my head in and almost touching the passenger seat!

I did the same thing with mine.

Cut out a piece of window shaped card with an arm size whole in the area down by the door mirror. Stuck a piece of paper over this hole and then placed in the open window. Locked up and then removed paper and fed my arm down through the whole and popped off the obd cover.
Alarm didn't go off, even without being that careful with my arm movement once inside car.
Interior motion sensors are positively useless.

But ArsE92 said that the sensors are off?

Interesting. I learned from this thread that the sensors wouldn't arm if a window was open. But two stories above seem to contradict that.

[schueymcfee]

youngsyr said:

Again, as far as I'm aware there is no fix for 2007 to late 2012 M3s, so that makes me question whether there is actually a fix for the recent 2012 models.

Edited by youngsyr on Thursday 13th September 15:51

Just rang them about my 08 M3 Convertible.

Car is affected and got the 8 week wait at which point they're calling me back.

[mr_fibuli]

paulrog1 said:

They are adamant anything pre-March 2007 IS NOT affected. When I told them my mates 535d on a 56 plate was taken seemingly using the same method he was tad flummoxed!

I guess they mean that you won't be "affected" by the fix - because they can't be bothered to rewrite the software for these older cars.

I'm just banking on my 320d with 16 inch wheels and no fancy M-Sport bits being highly undesirable to thieves.

[Zyp]

I spoke to BMW Customer Services who told me they don't think the 'fix' will be compatible with my car.

Apparently BMW aren't officially affiliated to Alpina anymore and have no jurisdiction over security fitted to Alpina's.

What a load of bullst - its exactly the same electrical gubbins that any 3 series has.

The adviser also told me that my car won't be affected anyway, as this doesn't affect September 2011 onwards built cars.
He was a bit flustered when I tried to point out it was only registered at the end of September so most probably built in August.

Muppets.

[randlemarcus]

Out of interest and curiousity, with all the talk of repositioning the OBD port, would it be possible to locate a second OBD port wired to the permanent 12V supply? Won't stop them breaking in, but might break their little black box for the next person's benefit.

[DivideBYZero]

Both my cars are logged into the system. Now I await the call from my dealer.

[JimmyTheHand]

randlemarcus said:

Out of interest and curiousity, with all the talk of repositioning the OBD port, would it be possible to locate a second OBD port wired to the permanent 12V supply? Won't stop them breaking in, but might break their little black box for the next person's benefit.

I doubt 12v would damage box - and if it did, the next trip to dealer might leave you with an expensive bill for breaking dealer's box.

personally I like the idea of creating a small box with ODB port that pretended to be the car, so when they programmed new key it would take it but obviously not do much (or keep sending error messages to make them think box broken )

[R60EST]

JimmyTheHand said:

randlemarcus said:

Out of interest and curiousity, with all the talk of repositioning the OBD port, would it be possible to locate a second OBD port wired to the permanent 12V supply? Won't stop them breaking in, but might break their little black box for the next person's benefit.

I doubt 12v would damage box - and if it did, the next trip to dealer might leave you with an expensive bill for breaking dealer's box.

personally I like the idea of creating a small box with ODB port that pretended to be the car, so when they programmed new key it would take it but obviously not do much (or keep sending error messages to make them think box broken )

Relocate the genuine OBD to another location. Replace the one in the existing location and wire the pins to a 12 V -240V inverter that would give them a nice surprise

[Ocdbeemer]

The reason BMW are not updating pre march 2007 cars is because they believe newer cars are being targeted and therefore have decided to impose a cut off date.

Forget lci or pre lci, it's as simple as that. If you own a 56 reg your not on the list, but may still be effected !

[richtea78]

Band0 said:

The kit to do Audi is coming on the market very soon - don't bother
I'd get a Merc....

Wont they just get a kit to do a Merc as well?

If there is a flaw they will find it in anything eventually and I dont believe anyone can design a system that is perfect.

Failing that, they will kick your door in and rob you while you sleep.