E90 M3 convertible easy to steal?

[sprint1050]

Just had my car stolen from a railway train station. Car caught on anpr on its way into London, I have all keys, car locked alarmed and immobilised. How is that possible?

[Sir_Dave]

Sorry to hear of your woes

It will have been stolen via this method: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=112...

[whp1983]

Software update from dealer should sort this, I've put secondary key code start on mine for good measure!

[sprint1050]

damn, wish I had known this, should have checked out the forums before I bought one, will definitely do that for my next car. Lost faith in BMW I'm afraid, may have to go for a Porsche

[jon-]

Bit of a sad first post after 8 months of lurking

[DazNich]

I'm surprised some BMW owners don't know this major flaw in BMW security!

My M3 was stolen just as it started hitting the headlines last year, luckily mine was recovered within a couple of hours via the Tracker but since then I've had a Viper fitted, also the BMW security update and I've moved my OBD port.

All cars can be taken if the thieves really want them, you just need to make sure you're one step ahead.

Did you get it back?

[sprint1050]

no not yet, Ins co and police are assuming it has gone for good. Kicking myself for not knowing about this, honestly had heard nothing about it, cant help but think that BMW should do a recall/warn people. I gueess they think only a small % will get nicked and dont want the bad publicity.

[Cheib]

sprint1050 said:

no not yet, Ins co and police are assuming it has gone for good. Kicking myself for not knowing about this, honestly had heard nothing about it, cant help but think that BMW should do a recall/warn people. I gueess they think only a small % will get nicked and dont want the bad publicity.

Has your car been near a BMW dealer this year? They should have told you. When did you buy it?

If BMW should have told you and haven't you might have some redress. Might be worth a chat with SMMT.

Officially as far as BMW are concerned this is an "enhancement"....their party line is becuase it's not a recall they don't have to tell you. If it was a recall they'd have to admit their was a fault and thus I suspect would be liable for losses...utter bks obviously

[sprint1050]

bought it just over a year ago from a BMW dealer, has had a service since at another bmw dealer, no mention of any security issues from either.

I blame the thieving scum bags not BMW, as pointed out earlier, any car can be stolen. Having said that, I would have appreciated a warning from the dealer and would have paid for an "enhancement".

thx all for your posts,

[Cheburator mk2]

whp1983 said:

Software update from dealer should sort this, I've put secondary key code start on mine for good measure!

software update from dealer doesn't sort this...

the scumbags are always one step ahead of the game...

it is so bad, that in places like Bulgaria (dad lives there and drives an M3) the insurance companies would refuse to insure modern BMWs unless BMW Bulgaria fits an aftermarket immobiliser/alarm and the OBD port has its pins swapped...