New BMW's getting stolen using blank BMW keys
Discussion
AW10,
I also have a Viper alarm fitted to mine. Got it fitted by a chap called Antony and very pleased with the quality of the installation. His website is www.securemycar.co.uk
The basic alarm costs approx £550 IIRC, but there are a ton of options available such as having the alarm linked to your mobile phone, additional sensors etc... Have a look on the M3 Cutters website as securemycar have their own sub-forum.
I also have a Viper alarm fitted to mine. Got it fitted by a chap called Antony and very pleased with the quality of the installation. His website is www.securemycar.co.uk
The basic alarm costs approx £550 IIRC, but there are a ton of options available such as having the alarm linked to your mobile phone, additional sensors etc... Have a look on the M3 Cutters website as securemycar have their own sub-forum.
After purchasing a £30/£40k car why the hell should the owner have to purchase an alarm or indeed any other device to prevent it been stolen, it is an absolute disgrace and the manufacturers should bow their heads in shame.
I don't understand how class actions in the USA have not been brought before now, or is it not a problem over there?
I don't understand how class actions in the USA have not been brought before now, or is it not a problem over there?
Zod said:
There was an article in the Times yesterday about the theft of new Range Rovers and Revokes in and around London - it seems some insurers are unwilling to insure them unless they're garaged. And it's said there's no such thing as bad publicity.Insurance companies run for cover as thieves target new Range Rovers
High-end motor insurers are refusing to cover new Range Rovers in London after a series of thefts.
In what could be a serious blow to Jaguar Land Rover, underwriters are declining to insure Range Rovers unless the owners have underground or secure parking.
The problem has grown so rapidly in the past three months that insurers and insurance brokers have asked to meet Jaguar Land Rover to discuss the issue.
Thieves are targeting vehicles with “keyless” ignition systems as they have found a way to bypass the security using a hand-held electronic device that can be bought on eBay.
Thatcham Research, the motor insurers’ automotive research centre, said that between January and July this year, 294 Range Rover Evoque and Sport vehicles were stolen in London. During the same period, 63 BMW X5s, a rival to the Range Rover, were taken.
Keith Dowley, a commercial property adviser, who bought a Range Rover this month after his previous one was stolen from outside his house in southwest London, said that he was refused cover from AIG because he did not have underground parking. Mr Dowley said: “How many people living in London have that type of parking?”
He said that when he contacted Range Rover, he was told it was an issue he had to resolve. “I had to tell them, ‘No, this is your problem, I have just bought a £100,000 car from you, if I can’t get insurance, I can’t drive it, and if I can’t drive it, I don’t want it’.”
He secured cover from another insurer, after agreeing to transfer all his business to them, including his house insurance.
James Wasdell, co-founder of Quantum Underwriting, said: “If you are an owner of a ‘street parked’ Range Rover [in London], even with the most sophisticated tracker, nine out of ten insurers will now say no. However, we have been able to find a solution by combining the use of physical protection [for the car] and advising clients to insure all their assets with one insurer.”
Ashley Cole, of Aqua Underwriting, said it had recently paid out on four stolen Range Rovers. “With new business, unless there is underground parking or some form of secure parking and a category 5 tracker installed we will not insure Range Rovers,” he said.
A spokesman for AIG said that it may request additional security measures such as private garaging or the installation of mechanically movable bollards.
A spokesman for Jaguar Land Rover said the criminal re-programming of remote-entry keys was an industry-wide problem, adding: “Our line-up continues to meet the insurance industry requirements as tested and agreed with relevant insurance bodies. Nevertheless we are taking this issue very seriously and our engineering teams are actively working in collaboration with insurance bodies and police forces to solve this continuously evolving problem. This has already resulted in a number of prosecutions.”
I like how JLR, like BMW and Audi, say that they're not the only ones affected. As if that makes it OK then.
AW10 said:
I like how JLR, like BMW and Audi, say that they're not the only ones affected. As if that makes it OK then.
I think there is a serious mindset problem in the automotive industry.They appear stuck in the "There is a tick in the box. So it's ok." attitude.
Industry standard = tick. Therefore all is well in the world.
The BBC have even run a story about it now it's Range Rovers in London (yeah I'm a cynic!): http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29786320
I'm not really sure what was wrong with having a key to start a car though? At one point it became very tricky to steal cars (according to my Police Officer neighbour), but now the manufacturers have tried to make keyless entry it's like they've introduced a huge security hole again. It really seems a bit daft.
My E90 still wears a disclok nightly, even with the updated software patch done, in the vain hope that making it tougher to steal than other cars on my street will be enough.
I'm not really sure what was wrong with having a key to start a car though? At one point it became very tricky to steal cars (according to my Police Officer neighbour), but now the manufacturers have tried to make keyless entry it's like they've introduced a huge security hole again. It really seems a bit daft.
My E90 still wears a disclok nightly, even with the updated software patch done, in the vain hope that making it tougher to steal than other cars on my street will be enough.
oldnewbie said:
After purchasing a £30/£40k car why the hell should the owner have to purchase an alarm or indeed any other device to prevent it been stolen, it is an absolute disgrace and the manufacturers should bow their heads in shame.
I don't understand how class actions in the USA have not been brought before now, or is it not a problem over there?
From what I've read before, I understand the left side of the car is better protected by the alarm - the OBD port is on the left for LHD cars.I don't understand how class actions in the USA have not been brought before now, or is it not a problem over there?
dasbimmerowner said:
The BBC have even run a story about it now it's Range Rovers in London (yeah I'm a cynic!): http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29786320
I'm not really sure what was wrong with having a key to start a car though? At one point it became very tricky to steal cars (according to my Police Officer neighbour), but now the manufacturers have tried to make keyless entry it's like they've introduced a huge security hole again. It really seems a bit daft.
My E90 still wears a disclok nightly, even with the updated software patch done, in the vain hope that making it tougher to steal than other cars on my street will be enough.
Was an item on the six o'clock news tonight about if, didn't really say muchI'm not really sure what was wrong with having a key to start a car though? At one point it became very tricky to steal cars (according to my Police Officer neighbour), but now the manufacturers have tried to make keyless entry it's like they've introduced a huge security hole again. It really seems a bit daft.
My E90 still wears a disclok nightly, even with the updated software patch done, in the vain hope that making it tougher to steal than other cars on my street will be enough.
Is this story a rehash of the one doing the rounds for the last few years?
I've looked at some of the coverage and am confused. The BBC says it's an issue with the keyless entry system;
"Keyless entry and ignition typically works by the driver keeping a fob on their person which automatically opens the car and activates it so it can be driven"
To my mind this is a keyless system.
But, the Daily Mail seems to contradict this by saying;
"Kathy’s car — like all recent BMWs — didn’t come with a traditional ignition key, but with a plastic fob containing a computer chip and security code.
When the fob is placed in a slot on the dashboard, the code is detected by the car’s central computer, allowing the driver to start the engine at the press of a button"
This to me is the standard BMW start system.
So which is it?
I've looked at some of the coverage and am confused. The BBC says it's an issue with the keyless entry system;
"Keyless entry and ignition typically works by the driver keeping a fob on their person which automatically opens the car and activates it so it can be driven"
To my mind this is a keyless system.
But, the Daily Mail seems to contradict this by saying;
"Kathy’s car — like all recent BMWs — didn’t come with a traditional ignition key, but with a plastic fob containing a computer chip and security code.
When the fob is placed in a slot on the dashboard, the code is detected by the car’s central computer, allowing the driver to start the engine at the press of a button"
This to me is the standard BMW start system.
So which is it?
uknick said:
Is this story a rehash of the one doing the rounds for the last few years?
I've looked at some of the coverage and am confused. The BBC says it's an issue with the keyless entry system;
"Keyless entry and ignition typically works by the driver keeping a fob on their person which automatically opens the car and activates it so it can be driven"
To my mind this is a keyless system.
But, the Daily Mail seems to contradict this by saying;
"Kathy’s car — like all recent BMWs — didn’t come with a traditional ignition key, but with a plastic fob containing a computer chip and security code.
When the fob is placed in a slot on the dashboard, the code is detected by the car’s central computer, allowing the driver to start the engine at the press of a button"
This to me is the standard BMW start system.
So which is it?
There is a 'comfort access' option on most keyless BMWs that allows access to the car without using the buttons on the fob and allows the car to be started and driven without the fob being inserted into the dashboard slot provided the key is in close proximity.I've looked at some of the coverage and am confused. The BBC says it's an issue with the keyless entry system;
"Keyless entry and ignition typically works by the driver keeping a fob on their person which automatically opens the car and activates it so it can be driven"
To my mind this is a keyless system.
But, the Daily Mail seems to contradict this by saying;
"Kathy’s car — like all recent BMWs — didn’t come with a traditional ignition key, but with a plastic fob containing a computer chip and security code.
When the fob is placed in a slot on the dashboard, the code is detected by the car’s central computer, allowing the driver to start the engine at the press of a button"
This to me is the standard BMW start system.
So which is it?
Dave
Zyp said:
Well my new M3 doesn't even have a slot for plastic 'key'.
You need to press a button on it to lock/unlock but once in the car you can keep the key in your pocket/down your pants etc, and start the car with the dash button.
This is standard.
My other half's X1, purchased in 2013, has a fob which needs to be put into the dash to start.You need to press a button on it to lock/unlock but once in the car you can keep the key in your pocket/down your pants etc, and start the car with the dash button.
This is standard.
I wrongly made the assumption all BMW models had the same "standard" system, i.e. comes with the car. Clearly not.
Watchdog this Thursday at 8:00 pm (30th) has a follow-up article on the keyless theft issue.
From the Watchdog website...The team investigate the major security weakness that leaves hundreds of thousands of popular cars, from around 30 different makes and models, vulnerable to theft. Is your vehicle safe?
From the Watchdog website...The team investigate the major security weakness that leaves hundreds of thousands of popular cars, from around 30 different makes and models, vulnerable to theft. Is your vehicle safe?
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