New BMW's getting stolen using blank BMW keys

[AndyM31]

Myself as well I have contacted BMW at both the Customer Services and Dealership level, the result has been that if I am concerned about the security of my vehicle that I should approach the dealer. I approach the dealer and they say that they have to approach the headquarters. I see a "dog chasing tail" situation here.

Short of going to the dealer and showing them the evidence that is on youtube and other source, I am not sure what else can be done. I hope that the inquiry of others bears more fruit than my tree shaking exercise. I look forward to reading any updates that come with time, any updates i'll post.

[eliot]

write into watchdog?

[TX1]

I think my Disklok Steering Lock is gonna come out of hibernation, hope it fits to this wheel.

[neilkav]

Bmw sytner are denying any such thefts still, obviously if they
Tell the truth their sales would go down dramatically.
Everyone i speak to in birmingham who owns a BMW is currently
Aware of these thefts its that widespread. The police are still knocking
On doors if they see a bmw in the drive to tell them to be carefull.
I did write in to watchdog but im guessing they wait until a large
Number of people complain.

[R60EST]

If BMW could program the ecu not to release the code details to the blank key for a stipulated amount of time , say 3 hours, this would go a long way to minimizing the problem. In legitimate situations leaving the car hooked up to a code reader / scanner for this length of time would not be a problem. I know it wouldn't solve the theft problem completely but it would significantly reduce the 'gone in sixty seconds' type of thefts

[Deva Link]

neilkav said:

Bmw sytner are denying any such thefts still, obviously if they
Tell the truth their sales would go down dramatically.
Everyone i speak to in birmingham who owns a BMW is currently
Aware of these thefts its that widespread. The police are still knocking
On doors if they see a bmw in the drive to tell them to be carefull.
I did write in to watchdog but im guessing they wait until a large
Number of people complain.

Presumeably this must be going on in other countries too? Places like Sweden are pretty bad for car theft, and surely it would be rife in the US.

[AndyM31]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

And hopefully reduce insurance premiums in the future for this type of vehicles.

[spud989]

They're never going to acknowledge this as a problem. Can you imagine how much it would cost to fix?

(However, if they do you can bet the arse will fall out of the BMW share price!)

[eastsider]

Thanks to the Tracker my car was found parked in West London and has been recovered by the police apparently undamaged, I haven't seen it yet.

I will be buying the best steering wheel lock that fits the wheel the day I get it back.

Sadly will quite possibly have to get rid as my insurance renewal is going to be astronomical as a result of this. Also have kind of lost faith in BMWs of this era and certainly not sure that I want to keep this exact car long term having had this experience.

ETA: if others are complaining to BMW UK/ Dealer / Watchdog then I will do the same. Best if anyone that experiences this problem focuses all complaints to one point I guess, might get more attention that way.

[TX1]

Glad to hear you got your car back eastsider, hope no damage is done.
Managed to find my old Disklok Steering Lock underneath plenty of boxes in my lockup and it has fitted perfectly on to my present car.
I think they come in 2-3 sizes and mine is labeled as "small" however it still fits.
Have to say after all the stuff on this thread I shall prob sleep better tonight.

[mercGLowner]

eastsider said:

Thanks to the Tracker my car was found parked in West London and has been recovered by the police apparently undamaged, I haven't seen it yet.

I will be buying the best steering wheel lock that fits the wheel the day I get it back.

Sadly will quite possibly have to get rid as my insurance renewal is going to be astronomical as a result of this. Also have kind of lost faith in BMWs of this era and certainly not sure that I want to keep this exact car long term having had this experience.

ETA: if others are complaining to BMW UK/ Dealer / Watchdog then I will do the same. Best if anyone that experiences this problem focuses all complaints to one point I guess, might get more attention that way.

Glad to hear you gt your car back. May i ask, If it's undamaged why would it effect your insurance premium if there has been no cost to the insurer?

[stuart-b]

mercGLowner said:

Glad to hear you gt your car back. May i ask, If it's undamaged why would it effect your insurance premium if there has been no cost to the insurer?

It was still stolen and reported. The fact is that the insurer will rate this car higher now. Just because it was found by the Police doesn't change the risk rating.

[Johnboy Mac]

AndyM31 said:

.

Short of going to the dealer and showing them the evidence that is on youtube and other source

Does it show how the car is opened and the alarm made inop?

[AndyM31]

I have been told by someone involved in security how easy it would be to get the car open (have not seen it personally). What was suggested was that the car could be opened but then when you plug in the equipment in the OBD pug then that could allow manipulation of the vehicle.

My point was that surely if the BMW technicians saw what was available on the web as to how to get hold of the vehicles then they might do something or refer upward for a solution.

On another point, earlier tonight spoke to a friend in Norway and they seem to be having similar problems with cars going missing but with 5 series by enlarge. The market for these being the baltic states.

[Johnboy Mac]

AndyM31 said:

I have been told by someone involved in security how easy it would be to get the car open (have not seen it personally). What was suggested was that the car could be opened but then when you plug in the equipment in the OBD pug then that could allow manipulation of the vehicle.

My point being, once the car is opened the alarm system activates before anybody gets to the OBD port. So, I would suspect that the key used to open the door is also shutting off the alarm system. If I'm correct, where is the coded key coming from?, as accessing the OBD port has really nothing to do with the initial actions required to get into the vehicle.

[AOK]

Johnboy Mac said:

My point being, once the car is opened the alarm system activates before anybody gets to the OBD port. So, I would suspect that the key used to open the door is also shutting off the alarm system. If I'm correct, where is the coded key coming from?, as accessing the OBD port has really nothing to do with the initial actions required to get into the vehicle.

read the earlier posts on this thread as they will enlighten you... there are 2 theories - jamming devices (thief hides around the corner and sends a jamming signal while you 'think' you're locking you car. And number 2, some form of wave receiver that picks up your frequency while you're locking the car and then can recreate it

[spud989]

Johnboy Mac said:

AndyM31 said:

.

Short of going to the dealer and showing them the evidence that is on youtube and other source

Does it show how the car is opened and the alarm made inop?

They use a jamming device as you walk away so that the car is never locked and the alarm never activated in the first place.

[Johnboy Mac]

AOK said:

read the earlier posts on this thread as they will enlighten you... there are 2 theories - jamming devices (thief hides around the corner and sends a jamming signal while you 'think' you're locking you car. And number 2, some form of wave receiver that picks up your frequency while you're locking the car and then can recreate it

I find it very hard believe all these BMW's are stolen using a jamming device or such like. Possible, no doubt but not as pratical as one might think imo.

[Johnboy Mac]

spud989 said:

They use a jamming device as you walk away so that the car is never locked and the alarm never activated in the first place.

Yes, I understand that. So, in reality the thieves are hanging around at people houses waiting for the BMW drivers to arrive home?

[AOK]

Johnboy Mac said:

I find it very hard believe all these BMW's are stolen using a jamming device or such like. Possible, no doubt but not as pratical as one might think imo.

Yes I agree.. it would be insane to think a high-end car thief would invest £60 into a device like this, or similar: http://www.bestofferbuy.com/315mhz-car-wireless-re...