Attempted theft of BMW M3
Discussion
All - I awoke this morning to my BMW M3 2008 coupe sitting outside with both windows wound down, doors unlocked and the cover removed from data port in driver footwell sitting next to the peddles. I keep no valuables in the car so nothing missing. Lots of condensation on the glass so it happened late at night / early hours. Also (and I know this sounds whacky) but there is a spider living in my wing mirror and he spins a new web between my door and the wing mirror at around dawn and that was in place, so this was pre dawn time, so pre about 5 am. Not exactly CSI but an indicator on timings
I assume there was an attempt to nick it. Since it is a pretty secure and immobilised car I do wonder how the f??? they got the car open - any thoughts ? Should I mention it to BIB and my insurer ? There is actually no claim to make since the car is still there and will only give cause to hike my premium. I was wondering if they opened her up to see if there is an extra fuse fitted for the tracker and then left ?
Is there anyway I can interrogate the car to see if the data port was used looked in to during the night ?
I assume there was an attempt to nick it. Since it is a pretty secure and immobilised car I do wonder how the f??? they got the car open - any thoughts ? Should I mention it to BIB and my insurer ? There is actually no claim to make since the car is still there and will only give cause to hike my premium. I was wondering if they opened her up to see if there is an extra fuse fitted for the tracker and then left ?
Is there anyway I can interrogate the car to see if the data port was used looked in to during the night ?
I'm no detective, but it sounds like a theft attempt.
Have you had the car security updated under the recall that was performed by BMW recently? If not, I'd give your dealer a call and get this done.
Oh yes, until then I'd probably block the car in at night or park it at a friend's house. Looks like someone tried to take it, but failed. Scary stuff!
I probably wouldn't mention anything to insurance. However, if you do mention it to plod, you may then have to do this. Sorry, don't know a lot about the process around this.
In answer to your question about theft via the ODBC, just google this. There were a load of BMW thefts recently because of access to the ODBC. I think this problem was even picked up by a TV channel.
Have you had the car security updated under the recall that was performed by BMW recently? If not, I'd give your dealer a call and get this done.
Oh yes, until then I'd probably block the car in at night or park it at a friend's house. Looks like someone tried to take it, but failed. Scary stuff!
I probably wouldn't mention anything to insurance. However, if you do mention it to plod, you may then have to do this. Sorry, don't know a lot about the process around this.
In answer to your question about theft via the ODBC, just google this. There were a load of BMW thefts recently because of access to the ODBC. I think this problem was even picked up by a TV channel.
Edited by funkyrobot on Friday 23 August 08:07
unfortunately I cant give much info about regarding that etc, but id maybe look to moving the car to a diff location for now, they may have been disturbed etc, especially as they left it blatantly obvious theyd been there - you would perhaps think if they had the know-how to unlock the car and so forth they may know what they are doing - but of course im no car thief so don't know how it works lol glad you still have it though OP
Check out the Stolen Without Keys thread in the BMW section: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
funkyrobot said:
I'm no detective, but it sounds like a theft attempt.
Have you had the car security updated under the recall that was performed by BMW recently? If not, I'd give your dealer a call and get this done.
Oh yes, until then I'd probably block the car in at night or park it at a friend's house. Looks like someone tried to take it, but failed. Scary stuff!
I probably wouldn't mention anything to insurance. However, if you do mention it to plod, you may then have to do this. Sorry, don't know a lot about the process around this.
In answer to your question about theft via the ODBC, just google this. There were a load of BMW thefts recently because of access to the ODBC. I think this problem was even picked up by a TV channel.
Thanks Funkyrobot - I am aware of the data port security weakness, though min is a main dealer car nothing has been offered from BMW to do a fix on this. Also I thought in the E92 like mine the data port was in the rear boot area, not the front driver footwell - though clearly there is a DIN type socket in the driver footwell for some purpose. Really need a BMW savvy person to tell me if I can interrogate the port and car's computer to see if this was in fact a theft using this method. If so it did fail after all, though that could be because they got rumbled part way through rather than a technical constraint. I will speak to BMW as soon as they open. Probably try and flog me an M5 like last time !Have you had the car security updated under the recall that was performed by BMW recently? If not, I'd give your dealer a call and get this done.
Oh yes, until then I'd probably block the car in at night or park it at a friend's house. Looks like someone tried to take it, but failed. Scary stuff!
I probably wouldn't mention anything to insurance. However, if you do mention it to plod, you may then have to do this. Sorry, don't know a lot about the process around this.
In answer to your question about theft via the ODBC, just google this. There were a load of BMW thefts recently because of access to the ODBC. I think this problem was even picked up by a TV channel.
Edited by funkyrobot on Friday 23 August 08:07
LooneyTunes said:
Check out the Stolen Without Keys thread in the BMW section: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Thanks for this, read it. Mine is a Sytner car, late 2008 and so fits with the weakness described in the thread. Since the front foot well data port was used I recon they were scared off mid theft.Read the thread linked above. It sounds like they have programmed a new key to your car using the ODB. A BMW dealer (and maybe your cars dashboard) will tell you how many keys the car has. Have a look and check there isn't an additional one now. Might be worth blocking it in or fitting some additional security such as Blackjax for if/when they come back.
Cyrus1971 said:
Thanks Funkyrobot - I am aware of the data port security weakness, though min is a main dealer car nothing has been offered from BMW to do a fix on this. Also I thought in the E92 like mine the data port was in the rear boot area, not the front driver footwell - though clearly there is a DIN type socket in the driver footwell for some purpose. Really need a BMW savvy person to tell me if I can interrogate the port and car's computer to see if this was in fact a theft using this method. If so it did fail after all, though that could be because they got rumbled part way through rather than a technical constraint. I will speak to BMW as soon as they open. Probably try and flog me an M5 like last time !
No worries.My dad runs a new(ish) X5 and BMW didn't offer to do the recall work to fix the OBD port issue. I had to ring his dealer (as he didn't know anything about it) and they confirmed it was an update for this vehicle. It seems like the customers have to do the chasing with this one.
VX Foxy said:
Have a think about your house security and where you keep your keys...
This is always good advice.However, in this case it doesn't matter where you keep your keys.
Incidentally, I know some people on here have said that they keep their keys somewhere easily accessible. This is so that if someone breaks in, they find the keys quickly and won't then threaten people in the house.
Small update - spoke to BMW and they said they have a security update available that limits the car to the 2 keys I have. Getting this done today though this may already be in place on my car already (hence the theft failing this time) around. Crook lock has a useful extra delay deterrent effect and is worth consideration. Preventing cloned keys sound great but probably increases the chance of a break in for the real keys, so not too sure which way to go on this.
Your car is currently at risk due to OBD port vulnerability and possibly the comfort access vulnerability. BMW should patch against both when you visit it.
As already said, there is a strong possibility that an extra key was coded and something spooked them and they made a hasty exit leaving the car in its current state. When at the garage give them all your keys and ensure no other keys are coded for the vehicle.
When all that is done have a look at moving the obd port somewhere else in the vehicle using an extension cable (10 quid). It takes about 15 minutes to do with a screwdriver.
Don't tell your insurer about what happened, as technically all you found was your windows down....
As already said, there is a strong possibility that an extra key was coded and something spooked them and they made a hasty exit leaving the car in its current state. When at the garage give them all your keys and ensure no other keys are coded for the vehicle.
When all that is done have a look at moving the obd port somewhere else in the vehicle using an extension cable (10 quid). It takes about 15 minutes to do with a screwdriver.
Don't tell your insurer about what happened, as technically all you found was your windows down....
funkyrobot said:
It seems like the customers have to do the chasing with this one.
Which is entirely unacceptable, especially since most of the general public (i.e. those without an interest in cars) will be blissfully unaware of the issue until their car has already been stolen. That, along with some of their responses to owners (see the thread), is the reason I won't be buying a BMW for some time to come.
) I had similar with my 1 Series, came outside to find the front windows down (poverty spec with keep fit rear windows). Turns out I sat on the key. If you hold the unlock button it lowers the windows!
Doesn't explain the OBD port cover being on the ground though, unless they were opportunists who didn't know what they were doing!
Doesn't explain the OBD port cover being on the ground though, unless they were opportunists who didn't know what they were doing!
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