Take Caution When Selling... Please Read
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Evening guys, just wanted to post what's just happened to a mate of mine.
Few day ago he decides he wants to sell his BMW 320d M Sport 2011 and buy a Freelander 2 as a more family friendly car as he has now has 2 little ones and a dog etc.
I spoke to him about not trading it in and loosing a load of money, so instead he put it on Autotrader and Pistonheads yesterday. He called me yesterday afternoon to say that a guy had called, seemed really interested and was coming round yesterday evening to see it. It got to about 9. o clock and he text to say he hadn't turned up - oh well, time wasting git we thought as usual, no harm done.
He calls this morning to say the BMW was stolen last night, he literally cannot believe it, his bedroom is at the front directly above the drive, he had the window open as it was warm and to top it all off he has a gravel driveway - which obviously aren't the quietest anyway! But there is no glass anywhere, so no window broken, but there are large drag marks in the gravel and it looks like they may have used a truck and winched it or picked it up - all without him or anyone hearing a thing!
obviously whatever scum did this called him and had a chat and then got the address and arranged to see it as anybody would. Just goes to show that it may be worth always insisting on meeting them up the road at somewhere private and with cameras, like a pub or petrol garage, before letting them follow you back to your house hey?
Really would not not want that to happen to anyone on here!
Few day ago he decides he wants to sell his BMW 320d M Sport 2011 and buy a Freelander 2 as a more family friendly car as he has now has 2 little ones and a dog etc.
I spoke to him about not trading it in and loosing a load of money, so instead he put it on Autotrader and Pistonheads yesterday. He called me yesterday afternoon to say that a guy had called, seemed really interested and was coming round yesterday evening to see it. It got to about 9. o clock and he text to say he hadn't turned up - oh well, time wasting git we thought as usual, no harm done.
He calls this morning to say the BMW was stolen last night, he literally cannot believe it, his bedroom is at the front directly above the drive, he had the window open as it was warm and to top it all off he has a gravel driveway - which obviously aren't the quietest anyway! But there is no glass anywhere, so no window broken, but there are large drag marks in the gravel and it looks like they may have used a truck and winched it or picked it up - all without him or anyone hearing a thing!
obviously whatever scum did this called him and had a chat and then got the address and arranged to see it as anybody would. Just goes to show that it may be worth always insisting on meeting them up the road at somewhere private and with cameras, like a pub or petrol garage, before letting them follow you back to your house hey?
Really would not not want that to happen to anyone on here!
ackbullchang said:
Gutted for your mate, but it is a rising trend for keyless entry BMWs. The scumbags have got the ECU diagnostic software and reversed engineered it to re programme keyfobs that can start and drive the car. Usually they have to break a window to access the ODB port to programme the keyfobs. Generally if it is a secluded area, but outside of someone's house, they will push the car away quietly to programme the fob out of site. Never heard of one where there was no forced entry, but I guess they may have now found a way.
Read this:
http://www.zdnet.com/hackers-steal-keyless-bmw-in-...
I always felt that the foibles of a tvr would generally prevent it getting nicked. If the scum took it, it would probably only break down 5 miles down the road.
I remember seeing that video, and it makes sense completely, as if you keep your arm tight close to the door card then it doesn't trigger the ultrasonics and sound the alarm. But as you said, to push it away and start it or bond a keyfob to it then they do need to break into it and my mate has literally crawled round the gravel and swears there isn't a piece of glass anywhere - it must have been lifted, but the noise from a truck just beggers belief really!Read this:
http://www.zdnet.com/hackers-steal-keyless-bmw-in-...
I always felt that the foibles of a tvr would generally prevent it getting nicked. If the scum took it, it would probably only break down 5 miles down the road.
Edited by ackbullchang on Thursday 28th August 21:19
ianwayne said:
I'm not sure what relevance the car being advertised for sale was, since you say the caller never turned up. It could have just been spotted on the drive, couldn't it?
Fortunately, most of the people round here wouldn't even know how to get in a TVR, or out for that matter if they shut the door.
The police said that this is happening more and more where the scum use the ads to find exactly what they want and then act as a buyer to get the address, then return later to take it. They said they obtain a few addresses as a plan b and c etc, so if they do turn up to find it blocked in or garaged then they go to the next one.Fortunately, most of the people round here wouldn't even know how to get in a TVR, or out for that matter if they shut the door.
Edited by ianwayne on Thursday 28th August 22:16
Wouldn't you just love to catch them!
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