New BMW's getting stolen using blank BMW keys

[ukpolak]

I can’t answer the question directly but there must be two access methods - one using the coding of a blank key, and another using a relay to mimic / amplify the OEM key to get in the car.

I’d understood one of the methods was reliant on the “comfort access” option or package where you don’t have to actually press the key, and as long as it is “on your person” then you can enter the car. So a lot of forums recommend not speccing that option.

Mitigants advised to me:
1. Use a crook lock steering wheel lock - I use this daily and have for 4 years. Dearer cars park next to me etc but at least it puts of anyone wanting to have a go.
2. Blocking the OBD port. I haven’t done but need to somehow “. Apparently vibration activated car alarms or what not atr quickly deactivated by coding via the port Upton breaking in, so locking it closed or covering it increases the chances of unsuccessful theft or the alarm from sounding.

I haven’t read as much about thefts like this for a while now.

[Krikkit]

Anecdotally the remote boosting of "comfort access" type keyless are the current methods. Some family of mine have had other cars get nicked this way from their neighbours (an Alfa Stelvio, Audi S3, Fiesta ST) and have now taken to storing their keys in Faraday pouches etc.

[ashenfie]

ukpolak said:

I can’t answer the question directly but there must be two access methods - one using the coding of a blank key, and another using a relay to mimic / amplify the OEM key to get in the car.

I’d understood one of the methods was reliant on the “comfort access” option or package where you don’t have to actually press the key, and as long as it is “on your person” then you can enter the car. So a lot of forums recommend not speccing that option.

Mitigants advised to me:
1. Use a crook lock steering wheel lock - I use this daily and have for 4 years. Dearer cars park next to me etc but at least it puts of anyone wanting to have a go.
2. Blocking the OBD port. I haven’t done but need to somehow “. Apparently vibration activated car alarms or what not atr quickly deactivated by coding via the port Upton breaking in, so locking it closed or covering it increases the chances of unsuccessful theft or the alarm from sounding.

I haven’t read as much about thefts like this for a while now.

Depending on year of your car, things are a lot better as incremental improvements have been made. No longer can you simply introduce a key or make a key via the obd. This has been blocked. The newest keys don't transmit unless they are moving and therefore your can't be signal boosted to gain entry. Advice would be keep keys away from doors and windows.

Leaves us with the simplest option of stealing the keys from the house and driving off or simply towing away your car and bypassing the security later.

I have no idea about the mobile phone entry systems.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

So does storing keys in a Faraday wallet and biscuit Tim at home a good idea or does the method circumvent that anyway?

[BrownBottle]

Not knocking anyone who uses them but I really couldn't be doing with faffing about with a steering lock every time I got in my car.

Last time I used one was over 2 decades ago in my cavalier Sri 130... it's weird seeing them in cars in this day and age.

[Tea Pot One]

BrownBottle said:

Not knocking anyone who uses them but I really couldn't be doing with faffing about with a steering lock every time I got in my car.

Last time I used one was over 2 decades ago in my cavalier Sri 130... it's weird seeing them in cars in this day and age.

I use one on my X3 M40i and tbh the Stoplock one is a few seconds. The Discklok is a pita and I stopped using it ...

[nomis36]

BrownBottle said:

Not knocking anyone who uses them but I really couldn't be doing with faffing about with a steering lock every time I got in my car.

Last time I used one was over 2 decades ago in my cavalier Sri 130... it's weird seeing them in cars in this day and age.

I was with you.........until my E36 M3 got stolen nearly 4 years ago. The E92 330d I replaced it with is obviously nowhere near as nickable but once bitten twice shy and all that so I use a disklok where I park it at night outside my flat which is where the M3 was stolen from. It’s only a 5 second faff to be honest so worth it for a bit more piece of mind.
I just kick myself when I think about it that I didn’t have one for the M3, much regret.

[nomis36]

Tea Pot One said:

I use one on my X3 M40i and tbh the Stoplock one is a few seconds. The Discklok is a pita and I stopped using it ...

The disklok is a pita but is the only one they reckon that’s worth a toss. Stoplocks are overcome easily but sawing through the very thin metal ring of the steering wheel then bending it slightly to slip the lock off. Seen it done in seconds. Having said that, any deterrent is better than no deterrent.

[AW10]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

So does storing keys in a Faraday wallet and biscuit Tim at home a good idea or does the method circumvent that anyway?

The Faraday pouch is enough; a biscuit tin as well is OTT. And a biscuit tin alone is probably not enough - if in doubt try it and see.

[dasbimmerowner]

I use a disclok on my 340i, there's plenty of other reasonably quick-ish/expensive cars on the estate I live on so my thinking is simply to make it harder to nick than those and thus far I've had no issues (touch wood!).

[Ructions]

AW10 said:

Hugo Stiglitz said:

So does storing keys in a Faraday wallet and biscuit Tim at home a good idea or does the method circumvent that anyway?

The Faraday pouch is enough; a biscuit tin as well is OTT. And a biscuit tin alone is probably not enough - if in doubt try it and see.

Faraday pouches don’t seem to last, at least the couple that I’ve had didn’t. I still use a small biscuit tin, leave it beside the bed.

I have tested the tin beside the car and it would not open, with the pouch it did.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Any experience with this? Otherwise I'll get some biscuits munched in prep...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Small-Faraday-Signal-Bloc...

[Chebble]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

Any experience with this? Otherwise I'll get some biscuits munched in prep...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Small-Faraday-Signal-Bloc...

Based on this:

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.autoexpress.co....

I bought these:

Defender RFID Signal Blocking Pouch - Phone Case Signal Blocking Device - Car Key Signal Blocker Pouch Security Case - Signal Blocking Wallet For Car Keys Mobile Phone Cards (2 x Pack, Black) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07B3R5FLG/ref=cm_sw_r...

Make sure you put the fob in the correct part of the pouch. Won’t start the car, even when you’re sat in the car with the pouch (and fob) sat in the centre console. 2019 Fiesta ST for what it’s worth.

Obviously, make sure the spare is also kept in the pouch!