New BMW's getting stolen using blank BMW keys
Discussion
While at the dealer I picked up a brochure for the BMW Trackstar system. I was amused to read inside "Your BMW offers comprehensive security systems that protect against most types of potential car theft as standard, however the increasing levels of sophistication in car/key theft mean you don't always know what's around the corner." I read it as saying something along the lines of "despite all the fancy electronics we've fitted into your premium German car we're not sure we can stop it being nicked so we'd be only too happy to sell you some more electronic trickery".
j80jpw said:
In the back were our two kids car seats, both Recaro which weren't particularly cheap and a pushchair, i don't expect they'll be covered?
gutted to say the least.
Sorry to hear of this. I had the same when my 535d was taken, left buggy in boot that night which I never normally do, plus car seats, sunglasses, iPod in glove box etc. My policy paid a max of £100 for 'contents' so I sent them my amazon receipt for the iPod and they paid. I probably lost £1000 on the contents. Check your insurance small print but generally you won't get a lot.gutted to say the least.
My car was found by tracker and although they'd taken all that lot, they left the isofix base - probably couldn't work out how to take it out
eastsider said:
Sorry to hear of this. I had the same when my 535d was taken, left buggy in boot that night which I never normally do, plus car seats, sunglasses, iPod in glove box etc. My policy paid a max of £100 for 'contents' so I sent them my amazon receipt for the iPod and they paid. I probably lost £1000 on the contents. Check your insurance small print but generally you won't get a lot.
My car was found by tracker and although they'd taken all that lot, they left the isofix base - probably couldn't work out how to take it out
Was your taken without keys?My car was found by tracker and although they'd taken all that lot, they left the isofix base - probably couldn't work out how to take it out
Mine were both Isofix so hopefully the same, however the Police have now text me to confirm no further lines of enquiry, the crime will be filed pending further development so looks like it wont be found.
I have the assessor visiting tomorrow night, I have read through the policy and it seems to contradict itself as to if the contents is covered or not having never had to claim I haven't really read in to the small print before, have got a bit blasé with insurance having never had to use it. Lesson learned! Never take any of the never ending list of options either..... maybe I should have?
Really cant decide what to get next, the car was perfect for the miles I do/running cost and the practicality, really put off another BMW with this same security issue. Not sure I could afford the newer model which isn't affected.
j80jpw said:
I have spoken with the dealership this morning who have confirmed the security update hadn't been carried out on my car, I was very clearly told by the salesman that it had. Not happy in the slightest when it seems it could have been avoided.
Stupidly I hadn't taken the gap insurance so I expect I will be pretty screwed just 4 months in to ownership on a 4-year BMW finance deal.
I wouldn't get too hung up on the 'security' update being done or not, my E92 335d had the update and still got stolen without the keys.Stupidly I hadn't taken the gap insurance so I expect I will be pretty screwed just 4 months in to ownership on a 4-year BMW finance deal.
The crooks seem to be several steps ahead of BMW on this.
Car was never recovered (taken around July time).
j80jpw said:
He also told me that the security update isn't on the mandatory list of updates from BMW UK that they are required to do !? It is only performed at the request of a customer. WHY?
When they initially put this fix in place it was an "enhancement" and thus not mandatory. If it had become a recall I think that would have opened a legal can of worms for BMW....i.e. that would have perhaps deemed the security faulty and thus made them liable.It also meant that they weren't obliged to tell owners....I doubt dealers would have been able to cope with thousands of owners desperate to get their cars security updated.
Just so that you're not being misinformed,the new models ie F* series are also vulnerable to keyless theft.Software to reprogram keys for these models has been in circulation for months now...
New Audis,Range Rovers,Jaguars,Focus RS and all bmw models are high risk vehicles at the moment.
New Audis,Range Rovers,Jaguars,Focus RS and all bmw models are high risk vehicles at the moment.
Edited by Billyray911 on Thursday 17th July 01:43
I've seen mention of it in the newest versions of INPA available on t'interweb. Not sure if it's ok to mention here as I don't know the legality of INPA software re piracy.
The blurb in the eBay adverts mentions coding of keys. I assume this is what they mean, but I've not paid much attention as my cars are too old to be vulnerable to this type of attack.
Another option is the dealer, but I don't imagine that will be cheap. An independent BMW service guy will probably have the sotware to do it.
Once done, you probably won't be able to get a new key from BMW, so you need to ask the right questions before you do anything drastic.
HTH
The blurb in the eBay adverts mentions coding of keys. I assume this is what they mean, but I've not paid much attention as my cars are too old to be vulnerable to this type of attack.
Another option is the dealer, but I don't imagine that will be cheap. An independent BMW service guy will probably have the sotware to do it.
Once done, you probably won't be able to get a new key from BMW, so you need to ask the right questions before you do anything drastic.
HTH
BullyB said:
Can somebody just say again what the BMW Update is?
I'm a bit behind on this topic and can't seem to find the info.
I just purchased a E70 2008 X5 so assume I'm now at risk....
The BMW security update is an updated file that BMW download into your CAS Module. It is free if you ask but they didn't issue a recall. I'm a bit behind on this topic and can't seem to find the info.
I just purchased a E70 2008 X5 so assume I'm now at risk....
It basically does two things. The first is to stop the windows from dropping if someone shoves a screwdriver into your car door lock and twists and holds it onto the stops. The windows will still drop on your key fob. You can test if your car already has the update by putting your metal key (from your key fob) into your door and then turn and hold the lock against the stops. If your windows drop you do not have the update.
The second feature it is supposed to install is to not allow another spare/blank key to be assigned to the car without one of the originals being inserted into the dash. I cannot confirm the veracity of this feature though.
t8cmf said:
The BMW security update is an updated file that BMW download into your CAS Module. It is free if you ask but they didn't issue a recall.
It basically does two things. The first is to stop the windows from dropping if someone shoves a screwdriver into your car door lock and twists and holds it onto the stops. The windows will still drop on your key fob. You can test if your car already has the update by putting your metal key (from your key fob) into your door and then turn and hold the lock against the stops. If your windows drop you do not have the update.
The second feature it is supposed to install is to not allow another spare/blank key to be assigned to the car without one of the originals being inserted into the dash. I cannot confirm the veracity of this feature though.
Thanks for the info!It basically does two things. The first is to stop the windows from dropping if someone shoves a screwdriver into your car door lock and twists and holds it onto the stops. The windows will still drop on your key fob. You can test if your car already has the update by putting your metal key (from your key fob) into your door and then turn and hold the lock against the stops. If your windows drop you do not have the update.
The second feature it is supposed to install is to not allow another spare/blank key to be assigned to the car without one of the originals being inserted into the dash. I cannot confirm the veracity of this feature though.
I have not collected it from the dealers yet so will give them a shout and get it done.
I'm also looking at the VIPER kit.
eastsider said:
j80jpw said:
In the back were our two kids car seats, both Recaro which weren't particularly cheap and a pushchair, i don't expect they'll be covered?
gutted to say the least.
Sorry to hear of this. I had the same when my 535d was taken, left buggy in boot that night which I never normally do, plus car seats, sunglasses, iPod in glove box etc. My policy paid a max of £100 for 'contents' so I sent them my amazon receipt for the iPod and they paid. I probably lost £1000 on the contents. Check your insurance small print but generally you won't get a lot.gutted to say the least.
My car was found by tracker and although they'd taken all that lot, they left the isofix base - probably couldn't work out how to take it out
All,
I tried my key on the door handle lock and turned it anticlockwise. The windows don't roll. Does it mean that my car has security update? How else could I check please? bought it from a car supermarket and the guys there dont have a clue.
The windows roll down and up using the remote.
thanks,
Trumpethead
I tried my key on the door handle lock and turned it anticlockwise. The windows don't roll. Does it mean that my car has security update? How else could I check please? bought it from a car supermarket and the guys there dont have a clue.
The windows roll down and up using the remote.
thanks,
Trumpethead
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