New BMW's getting stolen using blank BMW keys
Discussion
eastsider said:
Its not a comfort access issue, its something to do with the door key (who uses that anymore) / alarm that can be easily made to drop all two/four windows if you know how. On all models whether CA fitted or not. This also disarms the alarm, hence quiet entry leaving them to code key without being disturbed.
Ahh, I got you now. Hopefully BMW cover their arses by releasing a viable firmware fix. If they have delivered a half-arsed update that doesn't actually disable the OBD port then the thieving scumbags out there will find a way around it again. BMW will be back to square one with another big headache.
Rotten Egg said:
I've this afternoon received a call from a nice sounding young lady at S****r (won't name and shame ) to book in my E92 330D
She assures me that the upgrade is a software fix and it is something to do with disabling the OBC port to prevent key cloning.
I'll feedback more after next Wednesday when it will supposedly be theft resistant . . . . .
SMP
Cool, I'm in the same boat and same car What's your build date out of interest?She assures me that the upgrade is a software fix and it is something to do with disabling the OBC port to prevent key cloning.
I'll feedback more after next Wednesday when it will supposedly be theft resistant . . . . .
SMP
pingu393 said:
Are the insurance companies paying for these thefts or are they being compensated by BMW?
No in a word.If this continues (which I fervently hope it will not for all the BMW owners) then the insurance companies will decline all such business and the models affected will become uninsurable except at stratospheric premiums.
I do suspect this is much more of a problem in urban areas where there are rich pickings for the toe rags. If you live on the Isle of Skye I cannot see much of a threat. I suspect the insurers will take the same view.
The real culprits in this are the toe rag thieves. Nothing effective has been done about these scrotes in my lifetime and I doubt it will. Therefore I think for very desirable cars, this will become an ongoing problem. I do think the BMW brand will take a battering, which given the appalling inadequacy of the security on these cars, and the dreadful failure by BMW to be honest about the extent of the problem, will damage the brand. With good reason.
But the failure of law enforcement to prevent these thefts is the real problem.
Steffan said:
But the failure of law enforcement to prevent these thefts is the real problem.
Short of deploying a police officer to guard every car I don't see how the police can be blamed in any way. I'm under the impression they've already been putting out 'bait cars' to see if they can catch the people doing it. The root cause of the problem is the 'security' the car provides in the first place making it easy for any Tom, Dick or Harry to drive the car off in 2 minutes flat.I lay that firmly at BMW's door.
youngsyr said:
Swervin_Mervin said:
Do we really think they'll be hit more than other manufacturers? Colleague of mine had his Scirocco broken into the other night and emptied. No damage done at all to get in. And it was one of 8 cars done on the street that night without damage.
I believe the local plod are currently investigating a recent spate of thefts from VWs, BMWs, Mercs and Audis that have been done without forced entry, so they're finding a way into all of these permium brand German vehicles.
I know a BMW M3 that was recently broken into on a street that hadn't had a reported car crime in the past 10 years. Plenty of other nice cars on the street too, Audis, Mercs, even some newer but lower spec. BMWs. His was the only car targetted.I believe the local plod are currently investigating a recent spate of thefts from VWs, BMWs, Mercs and Audis that have been done without forced entry, so they're finding a way into all of these permium brand German vehicles.
Anecdotal obviously, but just more support for the fact that it's only BMWs of a certain age and model type that are being targetted.
SOLUTION NOW AVAILABLE.
There was an announcement made to our dealership this afternoon that re-programming is now available for ALL models from 2005 onwards.
It is a 20 minute programming job that all main dealers will have the software for. The programming is also completely free of charge regardless of age. It adds a new layer to the encryption that is unaccessable to anyone except a BMW dealer.
It has been announced that work will be carried out ONLY when requested by customers, so don't expect your local dealer to be on the phone to you on Monday morning (unless you have already contact BMW customer services, at which point you are already on a "to contact" list).
Spread the word.
There was an announcement made to our dealership this afternoon that re-programming is now available for ALL models from 2005 onwards.
It is a 20 minute programming job that all main dealers will have the software for. The programming is also completely free of charge regardless of age. It adds a new layer to the encryption that is unaccessable to anyone except a BMW dealer.
It has been announced that work will be carried out ONLY when requested by customers, so don't expect your local dealer to be on the phone to you on Monday morning (unless you have already contact BMW customer services, at which point you are already on a "to contact" list).
Spread the word.
my x6 was stolen without the keys earlier this year. unfortunately recovered minus seats and all interior panelling. £15k of damage and no claims bonus cratered - my insurance went up 4 x at renewal. the scum struck again last week but fried the cas unit and couldn't drive off - still cost £1.5k to fix though. this time they got in by somehow opening all the windows (last time a smashed drivers window). final straw for me and taking the advice of the police to get rid of it and not buy another bmw have just part exchanged it for new range rover - good riddance! spoke to BMW customer services a lot this week - their attitude is appalling and I hope the disgraceful way they are dealing with this damages their undeserved reputation.
BMWTech said:
It adds a new layer to the encryption that is unaccessable to anyone except a BMW dealer.
How can that be, when the EU laws that are at the heart of this issue stipulate that people other than main dealers must have access to create new keys?Is there a service bulletin you can refer us to? Or some fuller explanation?
I'm afraid that after the months of rumour from all and sundry, vast amounts of inadequate information in this and other places, and outright denials from BMW, anyone posting new claims about a solution needs to provide some evidence and detail if they are to be believed.
five50 said:
Is this relevant to minis?
This has been raised a few times before, was last discussed 2 pages ago http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...B10BRW said:
Just been to my local BMW dealer Cooper, yes sir the "update" only takes an hour, but we need to have it all day in case we Cock it up, and have to try again
Why am I not surprised, has anyone else been told their dealer wants it all day.
Looking for another dealer to do it now
This is quite normal. If the car has not had software updates for quite some time, it may require many others before the latest one gets applied. Consider yourself lucky they did not say it might go into a second day, as updates sometimes have to be left running overnight.Why am I not surprised, has anyone else been told their dealer wants it all day.
Looking for another dealer to do it now
If you don't like it, go back to the 1980s and get yourself a software-free car.
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