How do they steal BMWs so easily? (no dodgy info requested)
Discussion
I'm not after learning the exact method of stealing a BMW but my wife's MY10 black X5 was stolen from our drive this morning (appropriate stolen thread updated above) without the keys.
How can they do this? More to the point, what should I have done to prevent it?
Wife's understandably upset as we'd not had it long.
Not going to rant about it - it's upsetting and rather violating of our lives but nothing in the context of the world's other issues.
How can they do this? More to the point, what should I have done to prevent it?
Wife's understandably upset as we'd not had it long.
Not going to rant about it - it's upsetting and rather violating of our lives but nothing in the context of the world's other issues.
If it's the same issue that was highlighted a year or so ago, then they smash the drivers side window, and it's possible to reach down to the OBD port without setting off the alarm.
They then plug in a computer with software and hardware capable of re-programming a blank key for the car.
They then use the key to drive the car off in to the sunset.
They then plug in a computer with software and hardware capable of re-programming a blank key for the car.
They then use the key to drive the car off in to the sunset.
t thing to happen. 
Just found the BMW thread. Thanks for the pointer. Very scary that it's so easy to do, that people have found out how to do that, that BMW haven't bothered to formally recall them all (I listened to a R4 programme where they claimed they had but in interviewing a number of people, it seems they haven't tried very hard to contact owners), and that BMW dealers were denying there was a problem to prospective buyers (that may have changed now).
The car has gone now. Not sure we'd want it back although it was a good one, and we'd just had £500 of new front brakes fitted and a full tank of fuel, which is rather gutting. We're grateful for little things though - like the fact that my wife brought her iPod into the house for the first time in ages last night, and that they don't need to break into the house to steal the key (not such a little thing).
Assuming we don't get the car back, we won't buy another BMW. I'm not saying the ML we've also got isn't as easily taken (although there doesn't appear to be such an easily exploited flaw) but we've had that for over 3 years as opposed to less than 2 months for the X5.
The car has gone now. Not sure we'd want it back although it was a good one, and we'd just had £500 of new front brakes fitted and a full tank of fuel, which is rather gutting. We're grateful for little things though - like the fact that my wife brought her iPod into the house for the first time in ages last night, and that they don't need to break into the house to steal the key (not such a little thing).
Assuming we don't get the car back, we won't buy another BMW. I'm not saying the ML we've also got isn't as easily taken (although there doesn't appear to be such an easily exploited flaw) but we've had that for over 3 years as opposed to less than 2 months for the X5.
Watchman said:
we won't buy another BMW.
Good. Unless they wholeheartedly apologise for such a shambolic state of affairs and their promise that post 2011 cars are not so afflicted is turning out to be true. Any affected BMW not upgraded should become a top-risk insurance premium, because I don't want to carry any part of that risk on my premium thank you very much. I too know someone who has had a BMW driven away.It is horrible to have your car driven away, but I do think that there is an element of naievety in thinking that a keyless entry/starting system is going to be robust, let alone a good idea. I simply wouldn't buy a car with keyless entry or keyless start for the same reason, why make things more 'convenient' when they are actually less secure? Most things that are 'convenient' are victories of marketing over common sense. Like driving out of town centres (when we used to still have them) to a supermarket and spending the same amount or more on the same things with added petrol cost and added money going to the faceless/foreign corporate machines rather than the local economy/individuals who have kept the heart and soul of towns together for years.
Another win for the marketing dept to convince us we are better off paying extra money on our cars to avoid us having to insert a key, which is in fact absolutely no hardship whatsoever.
Cars should really be almost impossible to steal by now, and electronics on their own will never be the answer.
Lets get one thing straight, the issue with BMWs being stolen with blank keys is one that should not happen, however it does, and it can be prevented, quite easily
They all come from the factory with the ability to have up to 10 keys coded, why they need this amount I have no idea.
What you need to do is get any dealer/Indy to remove the option to code the extra keys, that way they may well be able to break into your car but it won't be going anywhere. I have had this done on my 2011 E90 M3.
The only issue in doing this is if you lose both keys you need to replace the CWS (I think this is the correct term) module, keys can still be coded to your car, but one of the original keys must be present.
They all come from the factory with the ability to have up to 10 keys coded, why they need this amount I have no idea.
What you need to do is get any dealer/Indy to remove the option to code the extra keys, that way they may well be able to break into your car but it won't be going anywhere. I have had this done on my 2011 E90 M3.
The only issue in doing this is if you lose both keys you need to replace the CWS (I think this is the correct term) module, keys can still be coded to your car, but one of the original keys must be present.
My pal has had his E60 M5 attempted to be stolen 3 times out side his house, 1st time the alarm went off after they smashed the window, he then had a separate immobilser fitted, this stopped it going the 2nd and 3rd time but they still damaged the door by slide hammering the lock. It now sits on my drive while he try's to sell it.
Apparently Clifford do an integrated EOBD system for BMW now
Apparently Clifford do an integrated EOBD system for BMW now
Twincharged said:
The fix was put onto new cars a while ago, and the updated software was available for earlier cars about 6 months back. Still doesn't make it better for you at this juncture, of course.
Overlooks the points that, AIUI:- BMW have never admitted there was a problem (some of the notes from them posted in the big thread are pretty dismissive of the fact that there was ever a problem).
- There's not been a recall of affected cars - you need to know about the issue (which some owners clearly don't) in order to be proactive about getting it fixed .
Just my opinion, but all companies face the occasional issue. BMW (and dealers) would have been much better facing the issue head on, not taking their customers for mugs, and getting on with a proper fix. I'm no longer on their mailing list as a direct consequence.
martin mrt said:
Lets get one thing straight, the issue with BMWs being stolen with blank keys is one that should not happen, however it does, and it can be prevented, quite easily
They all come from the factory with the ability to have up to 10 keys coded, why they need this amount I have no idea.
What you need to do is get any dealer/Indy to remove the option to code the extra keys, that way they may well be able to break into your car but it won't be going anywhere. I have had this done on my 2011 E90 M3.
The only issue in doing this is if you lose both keys you need to replace the CWS (I think this is the correct term) module, keys can still be coded to your car, but one of the original keys must be present.
This seems the easiest way of doing it.They all come from the factory with the ability to have up to 10 keys coded, why they need this amount I have no idea.
What you need to do is get any dealer/Indy to remove the option to code the extra keys, that way they may well be able to break into your car but it won't be going anywhere. I have had this done on my 2011 E90 M3.
The only issue in doing this is if you lose both keys you need to replace the CWS (I think this is the correct term) module, keys can still be coded to your car, but one of the original keys must be present.
I'm not sure BMW are denying it though? When I heard about the problem maybe 9 months ago, I called BMW head office who took my details, and said they'd contact me when the fix was available for my car Z4. I got a call a few weeks later, car went in, came out and job done with no drama. It was very simple and they never denied anything to me personally throughout the entire process.
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