New BMW's getting stolen using blank BMW keys
Discussion
cptsideways said:
Well, 10 mins of googling & its fairly obvious the CAS units can reprogrammed with relative ease it would appear. There are some youtube videos which show how its done & have they've accessed the relavant chips on the board etc.
It would appear BMW have the left the front door open & unlocked ready for anyone to walk in & do what they want. So a software fix is'nt going to be the solution as any software can simply be overwritten.
There is also programming available that bypasses the CAS unit so the key directly sends the signal to the starter relay! Completely bypassing the BMW security system & its all software driven.
I'm no tech geek but some quick googling reveals how simple all this stuff is! google for yourself & I'm sure some techy types can explain just what is going on here & what is possible.
Confirms my point. If the possibilities of altering and amending the software is on the web there will be no easy fix for BMW. Looks to me like the whole system is liable to corruption and inherently insecure.It would appear BMW have the left the front door open & unlocked ready for anyone to walk in & do what they want. So a software fix is'nt going to be the solution as any software can simply be overwritten.
There is also programming available that bypasses the CAS unit so the key directly sends the signal to the starter relay! Completely bypassing the BMW security system & its all software driven.
I'm no tech geek but some quick googling reveals how simple all this stuff is! google for yourself & I'm sure some techy types can explain just what is going on here & what is possible.
This may well be why BMW cannot admit the truth of their responsibility in this. It is probably because without recalling all the cars affected and major updates there is no cure. Hence the absolute refusal to admit any responsibility. I am sorry to say this does explain how this thread has been going on for some three months. All credit to the OP and contributors. I am deeply sorry for the owners and losers in this. I fear this could run and run.
Had my 2009 M3 Cabrio stolen from Birmingham on Sunday. Same MO - smash the glass, plug in the OBD device, mate a blank key to the car, disable the alarm and immobiliser and drive away. Luckily my car was found apparently abandoned few hours later.
Was shocked to read how quickly and easily it could be done thanks to the flaws and weaknesses in BMW’s system. According to police reports, 30-40 BMWs are being stolen a month in the Midlands region alone!!!!
Spoke to BMW Customer Services. They are fully aware of the problem but don’t have an answer. BMW dealers in the Midlands know about the thefts but can’t provide a permanent or robust solution either.
Read some of the posts here and they talk about owners contacting BBC Watchdog, BMW, motoring press etc and unsurprisingly they haven’t received a reply. I think we should take another approach - BMW have a Facebook page and Twitter account which are public. Why not do as I did, send messages/posts to those accounts as well? Or maybe set up a #BMWthefts on Twitter to get the word out there? I was lucky to get my car back, as I know the majority of vehicles will never be found.
Question – Zim Zimma….who got da keys to my Bimma?
Answer – Apparently every crook in the Midlands!
Was shocked to read how quickly and easily it could be done thanks to the flaws and weaknesses in BMW’s system. According to police reports, 30-40 BMWs are being stolen a month in the Midlands region alone!!!!
Spoke to BMW Customer Services. They are fully aware of the problem but don’t have an answer. BMW dealers in the Midlands know about the thefts but can’t provide a permanent or robust solution either.
Read some of the posts here and they talk about owners contacting BBC Watchdog, BMW, motoring press etc and unsurprisingly they haven’t received a reply. I think we should take another approach - BMW have a Facebook page and Twitter account which are public. Why not do as I did, send messages/posts to those accounts as well? Or maybe set up a #BMWthefts on Twitter to get the word out there? I was lucky to get my car back, as I know the majority of vehicles will never be found.
Question – Zim Zimma….who got da keys to my Bimma?
Answer – Apparently every crook in the Midlands!
As a Z4M owner and a avionics engineer this thread has concerned and shocked me in equal measure! A little googling has taken me to a site offering the units, jammers and blank keys for E60/ E61 /E63 /E64/ E65/ E70/ E71/ E87/ E90/ E91/ E92/ E93 cars!
Looking at that and the connected youtube videos the logical deterrent would be to prevent the OBD port from working or hinder access to it. Several options there, switched wires, relays, pins removed or physical barriers to the port. Alternatively, as others have said, devices to prevent the car being driven away or engine cut out devices.
BMW have a major problem here and we will as insurance renwals come thorugh! Thanks!
Looking at that and the connected youtube videos the logical deterrent would be to prevent the OBD port from working or hinder access to it. Several options there, switched wires, relays, pins removed or physical barriers to the port. Alternatively, as others have said, devices to prevent the car being driven away or engine cut out devices.
BMW have a major problem here and we will as insurance renwals come thorugh! Thanks!
I am about to pick up an E91 320d ES on Thursday and whilst not the most glamorous cars and quite basic it is still mine and I want to keep it. I have read through the majority of this thread and there is talk of disconnecting the OBDII plug, fitting an extra immobiliser and the like but to be honest a lot of it sounds a bit too technical for me. I don't want to take it to an auto electrical place as I have just moved to Essex and work in East London and don't know who to trust yet.
Now I can follow instructions quite well and although as I said I have little technical knowledge of cars, I am willing to give the OBDII isolation a go. The only thing I want to know where are the best instructions (pictures and words please) and what would be the worst thing that could happen if I make a mistake?
Now I can follow instructions quite well and although as I said I have little technical knowledge of cars, I am willing to give the OBDII isolation a go. The only thing I want to know where are the best instructions (pictures and words please) and what would be the worst thing that could happen if I make a mistake?
I'm sure the obd plug will simply unmount easily from its location, it'll be connected to the wiring loom anyway. All OBD plugs use a standard wiring system so finding which wire to cut/splice & add a switch inline or two is all thats needed. Probaly the power supply & earth to the unit will do the trick.
A quick google reveals all 1 & 16 will easily disable it.
Other option is to fit or modify an OBD extension cable, so just put that in the OE location instead & hide the OE one out the way & disable it.
A quick google reveals all 1 & 16 will easily disable it.
Other option is to fit or modify an OBD extension cable, so just put that in the OE location instead & hide the OE one out the way & disable it.
The Black Duke said:
Thanks for that mate. I had no idea what to put into google to get the result, I appreciate your help. I am going to print that out now.
Whilst I fully appreciate the need for such detail and the considerable help that this has given to worried owners, it also confirms what I have been thinking for some time.BMW have made a huge mistake in allowing the security systems of their cars to be amended, altered and varied in the way that this method creates. Doubtless other manufacturers will have seen the consequences and immediately stopped any designs along the same lines that they were considering.
The technology has defeated BMW rendering the cars affected ridiculously easy to steal. There appears to be no simple fix available. The systems are inherently insecure. I am sorry to say, with BMW in total denial, and no quick fix available, I think the cars affected, will remain at risk unless the owners take matters into their hands.
Which is a disgraceful state of affairs. BMW have let their customers down appallingly and prefer not to admit it. Publicity is the only answer, but in the meantime it does seem to be down to the actions taken by the owners.
Steffan said:
Whilst I fully appreciate the need for such detail and the considerable help that this has given to worried owners, it also confirms what I have been thinking for some time.
BMW have made a huge mistake in allowing the security systems of their cars to be amended, altered and varied in the way that this method creates. Doubtless other manufacturers will have seen the consequences and immediately stopped any designs along the same lines that they were considering.
The technology has defeated BMW rendering the cars affected ridiculously easy to steal. There appears to be no simple fix available. The systems are inherently insecure. I am sorry to say, with BMW in total denial, and no quick fix available, I think the cars affected, will remain at risk unless the owners take matters into their hands.
Which is a disgraceful state of affairs. BMW have let their customers down appallingly and prefer not to admit it. Publicity is the only answer, but in the meantime it does seem to be down to the actions taken by the owners.
This appears the case, the system is inherrently "open" & can easily be manipulated. The problem is going to get a LOT worse as more & more criminals catch on to the issue & how simple it is with some tech knowledge. It will not simply go away until either a 3rd party or additional dealer fit system is added. BMW have made a huge mistake in allowing the security systems of their cars to be amended, altered and varied in the way that this method creates. Doubtless other manufacturers will have seen the consequences and immediately stopped any designs along the same lines that they were considering.
The technology has defeated BMW rendering the cars affected ridiculously easy to steal. There appears to be no simple fix available. The systems are inherently insecure. I am sorry to say, with BMW in total denial, and no quick fix available, I think the cars affected, will remain at risk unless the owners take matters into their hands.
Which is a disgraceful state of affairs. BMW have let their customers down appallingly and prefer not to admit it. Publicity is the only answer, but in the meantime it does seem to be down to the actions taken by the owners.
If I were a BMW owner (or other marque owners who are also effected by the same security flaws) I'd be fitting a seperate immobilzer system ASAP & seeking authorisiation from BMW that the warranty will not be voided because of it.
Reading up on the system, its seems a simple additional secured interlock system on the post CAS line to the ECU/Starter relay might solve the issue. It would be aftermarket or dealer fit, effectively an immobiliser in-line.
I'd still like to know why the alarm system does'nt go off with a broken window though??
Fitting an aftermarket immobiliser won't invalidate your warranty.I have had a Blackjax fitted for over two years and have had warranty work completed at two dealerships without issue.
Also ,on some occassions,owners have been "double pressing" their key fobs in the mistaken belief that this deadlocks the car.
The second press on the fob disables the interior sensors.Therefore,the smashing of glass won't trigger the alarm.
Also ,on some occassions,owners have been "double pressing" their key fobs in the mistaken belief that this deadlocks the car.
The second press on the fob disables the interior sensors.Therefore,the smashing of glass won't trigger the alarm.
Mr Bimmer said:
TheEnd said:
Yep, remember people, it's YOUR car, YOUR responsibility.
It's no good bleating about how they are a premium brand and a lot of money when you won't pay £200-300 quid on another immobiliser.
Absolutely spot onIt's no good bleating about how they are a premium brand and a lot of money when you won't pay £200-300 quid on another immobiliser.
Apparently, all you need to do is to put your fingers into the left kidney grill! I would elaborate, but I don't want another poorly worded, grammatically incorrect e-mail from the PH moderators telling me off for re-posting info in the public domain. If you would like to know more, google MB UK forums and dig a bit.
JimmyTheHand said:
Mr Bimmer said:
TheEnd said:
Yep, remember people, it's YOUR car, YOUR responsibility.
It's no good bleating about how they are a premium brand and a lot of money when you won't pay £200-300 quid on another immobiliser.
Absolutely spot onIt's no good bleating about how they are a premium brand and a lot of money when you won't pay £200-300 quid on another immobiliser.
MercScot said:
Apparently, all you need to do is to put your fingers into the left kidney grill! I would elaborate, but I don't want another poorly worded, grammatically incorrect e-mail from the PH moderators telling me off for re-posting info in the public domain. If you would like to know more, google MB UK forums and dig a bit.
That information is wrong, based on some mistruths and not understanding airbags.TheEnd said:
Maybe see if you can scratch together a few hundred quid, and then it'll be unstealable.
So what else would you be happy to buy after market alternatives for new car if BMW are incapable of providing something fit for purpose? -Wheels? Seats? Engines? Edited by JimmyTheHand on Monday 25th June 06:52
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