STOLEN BMW 335d - YH11 HJD - East London
Discussion
I have just had my black BMW 335d - YH11 HJD stolen from my drive way this morning.
I am one hundred percent it was locked cause I drove home, took out my golf clubs and other bits from the car. I then checked it was locked as my Mrs constantly reminds me. Went to bed at 12am last night, car was still there and woke this morning to go to work only to find the car is gone. Having read through various threads and others I am amazed how BMW aren't doing anything about this.
Both keys are with me. They made virtually no sound and the alarm did not go off. Not sure how they got into the vehicle?
Feel quite sick about this. Not sure I want another BMW even when the insurance pays out.
I am one hundred percent it was locked cause I drove home, took out my golf clubs and other bits from the car. I then checked it was locked as my Mrs constantly reminds me. Went to bed at 12am last night, car was still there and woke this morning to go to work only to find the car is gone. Having read through various threads and others I am amazed how BMW aren't doing anything about this.
Both keys are with me. They made virtually no sound and the alarm did not go off. Not sure how they got into the vehicle?
Feel quite sick about this. Not sure I want another BMW even when the insurance pays out.
I can't believe how many people have been effected by this. Makes me feel worse as I am not the only one suffering at the moment. Definitely won't be getting another Beemer any time soon, to much evidence going against them on how easy they are to steal.
I have emailed watchdog, you never know if enough people complain it might get high enough profile for them to take notice.
Sad sad day
I have emailed watchdog, you never know if enough people complain it might get high enough profile for them to take notice.
Sad sad day
giggity said:
I dont understand this.
How are they getting into the car? You are certain the car was locked, so either they are code grabbing (what's up with this BMW its 2012, has the rolling code algorithm been broken also?)
If the car is broken into then the key programmed would the alarm not sound at first?
Exactly! I just couldn't understand how they got into my car. The funny thing is that I got out of the car. Emptied the boot of my golf gear (apart from my expensive golf shoes), the Mrs says "babe you locked your car". I confirmed it was locked by trying the door handle. She then checks later as she is extra careful then the car is gone the next day. How are they getting into the car? You are certain the car was locked, so either they are code grabbing (what's up with this BMW its 2012, has the rolling code algorithm been broken also?)
If the car is broken into then the key programmed would the alarm not sound at first?
If they broke into the car via the lock then why on earth didnt the alarm go off? If there is ablind spot in the alarm them I am sure BMW would rectify this very quickly surely? I think the criminals have found a way of making keys and unlocking the cars remotely. Maybe they can open the car remotely but have to cut the key inside the car.
Thatcham Security called me this afternoon in regards to my email I sent them. They told me that they are aware of the issue and looked at the cases I pointed out to them on the Internet.
They have created specialist teams to look at this situation and have other teams working on other cars with similar issues. They are working with police and the car manufacturers to try and plug these wholes but ultimately criminals steal the cars to order and find new technology to get around the security.
I feel better that they have contact me but at the end of the day my car is gone due to a massive flaw in the alarm system and car. Fingers crossed watchdog get on this.
They have created specialist teams to look at this situation and have other teams working on other cars with similar issues. They are working with police and the car manufacturers to try and plug these wholes but ultimately criminals steal the cars to order and find new technology to get around the security.
I feel better that they have contact me but at the end of the day my car is gone due to a massive flaw in the alarm system and car. Fingers crossed watchdog get on this.
BMW have given me their official response.
Dear JonJay
Thank you for your email dated April 19 and 20, 2012 addressed to Mr xxx and Mr xxx, Corporate Communications and Managing Director of BMW UK which has been forwarded to me for a response. I was sorry to read of the recent incidents involving your BMW 3-Series, which has given you cause to contact us under such circumstances.
I can assure you that BMW products comply with all global safety and security requirements. However there are likely to be instances where a determined criminal can establish methods to gain entry into a BMW vehicle – regrettably this is outside of our control. I am sure you will appreciate that BMW cannot be held responsible for any incidents of this nature. However, BMW and its partners continue to monitor all methods of vehicle theft to ensure our products remain in the hands of the rightful owner.
Nonetheless, any incident of this nature requires the attention of your local Police authority. We will, of course, provide support to the Police should they require our assistance.
I can confirm you that we are aware of claims that our vehicles can be stolen using electronic devices such as the ones discussed on the forums you have attached and this is an area still under internal investigation. All car manufacturers work in partnership with the requisite official organisations to ensure vehicles offered for sale meet all the legislative requirements including Block Exemption Regulations. All BMWs comply with current legislation and we constantly review the level of vehicle security to ensure our products remain in the hands of the right owners. EU legislation allows keys to be reprogrammed without forcing an owner to always visit a manufacturer’s authorised dealership.
The On-Board Diagnostics port is a method our engineers use to access the car’s data bank and carry out routine servicing. It has to be in a location that allows for the day to day servicing of a vehicle. The alarm systems of a car are designed to protect the vehicle and alert the owner should there be an intrusion. It is also an EU legislative requirement to have the OBD port accessible in the passenger compartment.
As all of our cars comply with all legislation, since the introduction of coded keys and other measures the highest method of vehicle theft remains cases of keys being stolen from a house or off a person, not through key cloning or other electronic measures of crime. Car crime is not unique to BMW either. All manufacturers of premium products are targeted because there is a market for such vehicles either elsewhere in the world or as parts to a disreputable seller.
I wish to assure you that we are doing our utmost to work with the Police to assist in the capture of these extremely organised gangs and also to ensure that our vehicle stand up to the most robust form our attack. Once again, I am sorry you have had cause to contact us under such circumstances.
Yours sincerely
BMW UK
Extremely interesting.
1) They are aware of the recent thefts (I think everyone thought as much really)
2) They are aware of these devices that cut new keys
3) Although not directly saying they have a security flaw in their BMWs there is admission there. They state EU legislation as a reason why they leave ODB port access etc...
Keen to have everyones thoughts.
If I do buy another BMW which is a possibility still then looks like I have to disable the ODB port which isn't a problem. Also get a tracker!
Dear JonJay
Thank you for your email dated April 19 and 20, 2012 addressed to Mr xxx and Mr xxx, Corporate Communications and Managing Director of BMW UK which has been forwarded to me for a response. I was sorry to read of the recent incidents involving your BMW 3-Series, which has given you cause to contact us under such circumstances.
I can assure you that BMW products comply with all global safety and security requirements. However there are likely to be instances where a determined criminal can establish methods to gain entry into a BMW vehicle – regrettably this is outside of our control. I am sure you will appreciate that BMW cannot be held responsible for any incidents of this nature. However, BMW and its partners continue to monitor all methods of vehicle theft to ensure our products remain in the hands of the rightful owner.
Nonetheless, any incident of this nature requires the attention of your local Police authority. We will, of course, provide support to the Police should they require our assistance.
I can confirm you that we are aware of claims that our vehicles can be stolen using electronic devices such as the ones discussed on the forums you have attached and this is an area still under internal investigation. All car manufacturers work in partnership with the requisite official organisations to ensure vehicles offered for sale meet all the legislative requirements including Block Exemption Regulations. All BMWs comply with current legislation and we constantly review the level of vehicle security to ensure our products remain in the hands of the right owners. EU legislation allows keys to be reprogrammed without forcing an owner to always visit a manufacturer’s authorised dealership.
The On-Board Diagnostics port is a method our engineers use to access the car’s data bank and carry out routine servicing. It has to be in a location that allows for the day to day servicing of a vehicle. The alarm systems of a car are designed to protect the vehicle and alert the owner should there be an intrusion. It is also an EU legislative requirement to have the OBD port accessible in the passenger compartment.
As all of our cars comply with all legislation, since the introduction of coded keys and other measures the highest method of vehicle theft remains cases of keys being stolen from a house or off a person, not through key cloning or other electronic measures of crime. Car crime is not unique to BMW either. All manufacturers of premium products are targeted because there is a market for such vehicles either elsewhere in the world or as parts to a disreputable seller.
I wish to assure you that we are doing our utmost to work with the Police to assist in the capture of these extremely organised gangs and also to ensure that our vehicle stand up to the most robust form our attack. Once again, I am sorry you have had cause to contact us under such circumstances.
Yours sincerely
BMW UK
Extremely interesting.
1) They are aware of the recent thefts (I think everyone thought as much really)
2) They are aware of these devices that cut new keys
3) Although not directly saying they have a security flaw in their BMWs there is admission there. They state EU legislation as a reason why they leave ODB port access etc...
Keen to have everyones thoughts.
If I do buy another BMW which is a possibility still then looks like I have to disable the ODB port which isn't a problem. Also get a tracker!
Edited by jonjay on Wednesday 25th April 08:05
My insurance company came and gave me an evaluation of my stolen car yesterday. It was a pretty good offer. What he told me during the course of the meeting was very worrying however. He said currently he is making 3 visits a week for stolen BMWs and it won't be long now till the underwriters just say BMWs are just to high risk to insure and premiums go through the roof. Apparently this is a very contentious issue with big name insurers who have spent 25m on payouts to BMW owners alone, much higher than other makes of cars being stolen.
He is full aware of the security issues with BMWs as are the insurance companies. He has seen a lot of cases of them being stolen without keys. Only recently a chap bought a brand new 5 series, took it home to show his family and next morning it vanished!
This problem just isn't there with other manufacturers he went on to say. There is the odd Mercedes here and there going missing. He recommended to me that Audi is the most secure cars, hardly ever get stolen on the same scale as others especially in the same manner we are seeing with BMWs.
So from what the insurance chap told me face to face this will be my first and last BMW. I have done everything to get in touch with right people at BMW to assure me of there security and or give me some indication the problem with get fix to no avail. They lost me as a customer for a good while.
Next car - current short list is Megane RS 250 cup, Audi S4 and Audi S3.
He is full aware of the security issues with BMWs as are the insurance companies. He has seen a lot of cases of them being stolen without keys. Only recently a chap bought a brand new 5 series, took it home to show his family and next morning it vanished!
This problem just isn't there with other manufacturers he went on to say. There is the odd Mercedes here and there going missing. He recommended to me that Audi is the most secure cars, hardly ever get stolen on the same scale as others especially in the same manner we are seeing with BMWs.
So from what the insurance chap told me face to face this will be my first and last BMW. I have done everything to get in touch with right people at BMW to assure me of there security and or give me some indication the problem with get fix to no avail. They lost me as a customer for a good while.
Next car - current short list is Megane RS 250 cup, Audi S4 and Audi S3.
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