New BMW's getting stolen using blank BMW keys
Discussion
I got through first thing and vented my disgust. Was told the same as quoted here and i also mentioned the fact that smashing the quarterlight and it not triggering the interior monitor was also a massive security flaw on these vehicles. The lady said it was not just confined to BMW and to be fair she does probably have a point but it's the BMW cars that are targeted more than most.
I am so happy that so many people are going to register their complaint and the more that do it will undoubtedly mean a fix for us.
I am so happy that so many people are going to register their complaint and the more that do it will undoubtedly mean a fix for us.
Band0 said:
The main areas in the country to have the issue is Birmingham and London - and there's yet to be a suitable explanation to to why just these areas. Other counties are suffering, but only with single and small double figures compared with WELL into triple figures with those 2 areas mentioned above.
Interesting to note a colleague of mine had his E90 330i convertible broken into last night/this morning on his drive in Bournemouth. Both doors open, nothing stolen from inside but a torch left in the drivers foot well.Interesting timing given last nights show.
Sounds like they were disturbed and legged it but that they left the torch does it possibly suggest a hornets nest has been opened and amateurs are now having a go and they were trying to locate the port? After all if you know where it is the interior lights are enough.
Agent Orange said:
Sounds like they were disturbed and legged it but that they left the torch does it possibly suggest a hornets nest has been opened and amateurs are now having a go and they were trying to locate the port? After all if you know where it is the interior lights are enough.
Interior light would have woken the car up and set the alarm offdtiom said:
Morning all, I've been lurking for a while now and have followed this topic from day one. Today I called BMW customer services regarding the security issue and was told by the person on the other end of the telephone that my car is not affected by this issue and the update will not apply to my car. My car is a 56 plate (December) E60 523i Msport with the push button start. I explained to the guy that I have tested the dead spot on the alarm and confirmed that you can reach into the car and down to the OBD without the alarm activating. You could probably wind the windows down with a readily available tool but I don't want to test that due to the damage it would cause.
So what next? I already use a disklock and have secured the OBD port. I suppose I'll look at disabling the comfort windows and write to BMW asking for confirmation that my car is safe.
Finally, if your car has a build date from March 2007, the update will apply to you and you will be contacted by BMW in 8 weeks (according to BMW)
I'm not so sure BMW is telling you the truth, my understanding is any push button starts from 2006 are affected, I think BMW are telling you porkys, I'd wait a week and goto your nearest 3 dealers and see what they all say.So what next? I already use a disklock and have secured the OBD port. I suppose I'll look at disabling the comfort windows and write to BMW asking for confirmation that my car is safe.
Finally, if your car has a build date from March 2007, the update will apply to you and you will be contacted by BMW in 8 weeks (according to BMW)
Anyone considered Smartwater as a cheap addition to their security?
I've used it before on bikes - allows you to invisibly mark lots of parts on the car and comes with various stickers - possibly useful where parts are being sold on after theft...
Costs around £30-£35 per year, 10% off at this link too https://www.mycrimeprevention.co.uk/crime-preventi...
Will be added to my soon to arrive 135i Coupe!
Cheers
Matt
I've used it before on bikes - allows you to invisibly mark lots of parts on the car and comes with various stickers - possibly useful where parts are being sold on after theft...
Costs around £30-£35 per year, 10% off at this link too https://www.mycrimeprevention.co.uk/crime-preventi...
Will be added to my soon to arrive 135i Coupe!
Cheers
Matt
mrmr96 said:
E500 TAT said:
If you have a private plate how will the thieves know the build date?
No plate tells you the build date, only the registration date.As for Anne Robinsons outfit - that could be a Watchdog program in itself.
Ok just got through and I think its a similar story to what people have posted this morning. The 'measure' will be available in 8 weeks time, possibly sooner but at the moment they are testing the so called fix.
Asked her about mine not having the windows smashed and she said by picking the lock it drops the windows, at which point I asked her why the alarm didn't go off and she said when they test the vehicles and the alarm system its based on someone grabbing a handbag from the seat - hmmmm, so basically they are not admitting to the blind spot!
I then went on to explain my car is in with the dealer awaiting insurance approval and if I get this back before the measure, the chances are it will be stolen again so can I get the OBD relocated? She said as a manufacturer they cannot approve this (something to do with it not complying with EU legislation) but it was my car and there is nothing stopping me from arranging it (basically if I read between the lines she is saying BMW wont do the work).
Asked her about mine not having the windows smashed and she said by picking the lock it drops the windows, at which point I asked her why the alarm didn't go off and she said when they test the vehicles and the alarm system its based on someone grabbing a handbag from the seat - hmmmm, so basically they are not admitting to the blind spot!
I then went on to explain my car is in with the dealer awaiting insurance approval and if I get this back before the measure, the chances are it will be stolen again so can I get the OBD relocated? She said as a manufacturer they cannot approve this (something to do with it not complying with EU legislation) but it was my car and there is nothing stopping me from arranging it (basically if I read between the lines she is saying BMW wont do the work).
Just called BMW. I seem to have been told something slightly different.
BMW have advised or rather, ‘they believe’ that they will only change/updated the software on cars built (regardless of model) from March 2007 over the next 8 weeks. My BMW was registered in December 2006 so will apparently not have the ‘fix’ but I fail to see how my car is any different to one built 4 months later.
I am sure that I have read about BMW 3 series being stolen which were built during 2005, 2006 & 2007.
I shall give my local BMW dealer a call at some point and see what they have to say.
BMW have advised or rather, ‘they believe’ that they will only change/updated the software on cars built (regardless of model) from March 2007 over the next 8 weeks. My BMW was registered in December 2006 so will apparently not have the ‘fix’ but I fail to see how my car is any different to one built 4 months later.
I am sure that I have read about BMW 3 series being stolen which were built during 2005, 2006 & 2007.
I shall give my local BMW dealer a call at some point and see what they have to say.
I suspect the LCI software is different from the pre-LCI. Perhaps with some pressure they may look at the pre LCI cars?
How would a thief know the car is "fixed"? They would still need to gain access and would probably cause damage doing so. In the meantime I'll still be using my disklock and may look at an additional alarm.
How would a thief know the car is "fixed"? They would still need to gain access and would probably cause damage doing so. In the meantime I'll still be using my disklock and may look at an additional alarm.
dtiom said:
I suspect the LCI software is different from the pre-LCI. Perhaps with some pressure they may look at the pre LCI cars?
How would a thief know the car is "fixed"? They would still need to gain access and would probably cause damage doing so. In the meantime I'll still be using my disklock and may look at an additional alarm.
Was the LCI software introduced in March 2007?How would a thief know the car is "fixed"? They would still need to gain access and would probably cause damage doing so. In the meantime I'll still be using my disklock and may look at an additional alarm.
dtiom said:
I explained to the guy that I have tested the dead spot on the alarm and confirmed that you can reach into the car and down to the OBD without the alarm activating.
Out of interest, how did you do that? The internal sensors don't arm if you lock the car with the windows down.Good to have this highlighted on Watchdog though, even though it is generally a shambles of a program.
dtiom said:
I suspect the LCI software is different from the pre-LCI. Perhaps with some pressure they may look at the pre LCI cars?.
Very likely this.No way am I using a disklock or a wheel clamp though. Sod that. If it gets nicked, it gets nicked. The hassle and downright sheeiteness of using such a device outweighs the risk....for me anyway.
Anyone noticed how many E60/E61 part are on Ebay btw? Surely that's not purely from legitimately broken vehicles.
dtiom said:
I suspect the LCI software is different from the pre-LCI. Perhaps with some pressure they may look at the pre LCI cars?
How would a thief know the car is "fixed"? They would still need to gain access and would probably cause damage doing so. In the meantime I'll still be using my disklock and may look at an additional alarm.
Its the key, or the lack of one that is the problem.How would a thief know the car is "fixed"? They would still need to gain access and would probably cause damage doing so. In the meantime I'll still be using my disklock and may look at an additional alarm.
Pre LCI have KEYS.
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