How to steal a BMW?
Discussion
No I'm not looking for tips........but I thought this marque has good security features.
It turns out that in the Midlands area there has been a sharp increase in the theft of new plated BMW models. Unlike instances where the owner has been releived of the keys and the car taken, of late vehicles are being stolen by unknown means. The use of trailers/recovery vehicles have been ruled out.
This tends to suggest that there exists the means to bypass the security features of the vehicle to enter and drive away. Of the vehicles that have been recovered no damage corresponding with a forced entry has been found.
BMW have been consulted and although aware of this emerging trend have not been able to assist. I have read the post on this site of the poor chap whose car was taken after a dealership in Wiltshire gave repleacement keys to a plausible thief without the correct identity. Our investigations have ruled out this as a method of theft as BMW do keep records of the replacement keys offered.
So...if you have one be aware. If you can shed any light I would be interesting to read your reply.
Thanks
It turns out that in the Midlands area there has been a sharp increase in the theft of new plated BMW models. Unlike instances where the owner has been releived of the keys and the car taken, of late vehicles are being stolen by unknown means. The use of trailers/recovery vehicles have been ruled out.
This tends to suggest that there exists the means to bypass the security features of the vehicle to enter and drive away. Of the vehicles that have been recovered no damage corresponding with a forced entry has been found.
BMW have been consulted and although aware of this emerging trend have not been able to assist. I have read the post on this site of the poor chap whose car was taken after a dealership in Wiltshire gave repleacement keys to a plausible thief without the correct identity. Our investigations have ruled out this as a method of theft as BMW do keep records of the replacement keys offered.
So...if you have one be aware. If you can shed any light I would be interesting to read your reply.
Thanks
This is a post onanother forum from an alpina D3 3 series owner::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
On 25th Jan 2012 it was stolen from my driveway at exactly 3.55am. The reason I know this is from seeing CCTV footage of the entire theft from my neighbours CCTV camera.
There was no broken glass, I have all the keys. The thieves managed to take the car in 15mins from the moment they started working on it to when they pushed it off the drive and started it 20yds down the road, presumably to avoid making any noise when driving away.
The theft involved a gang of four white men in a Ford Focus (silver / white). It looked like they knew exactly what they wanted as they drove past my house and then reversed back after seeing the house numbers (my opinion). They paused and looked at the car then drove off.
After 20 mins they returned and parked the Focus out of sight. Three men approached my house, one standing watch just outside on the road while the other two worked on the car for about 5-6mins. They all walked away and then stop to exchange something. Two men walk out of sight while the other one who has received something goes back to the Focus.
The guy who went to the Focus returns after 3-4mins and the other two join him. They exchange something again and they proceed in the same way, one stands watch while the other two work on the car. The indicators flash and then shortly afterwards the headlights go on and off. Then the watchman walks away and the car is pushed from the drive and up the road by one guy, the other guy is presumably in the drivers seat. Once the car is about 20 yds up the road the pusher jumps into the car and they drive away.
3 mins later the two guys from the focus return, look into the drive. I presume they are checking that nothing has been left behind as evidence. they both quickly walk away.
I have very mixed emotions about the whole situation, most importantly though i'm glad nobody was hurt as I don't think these guys would have taken kindly to someone confronting them.
On 25th Jan 2012 it was stolen from my driveway at exactly 3.55am. The reason I know this is from seeing CCTV footage of the entire theft from my neighbours CCTV camera.
There was no broken glass, I have all the keys. The thieves managed to take the car in 15mins from the moment they started working on it to when they pushed it off the drive and started it 20yds down the road, presumably to avoid making any noise when driving away.
The theft involved a gang of four white men in a Ford Focus (silver / white). It looked like they knew exactly what they wanted as they drove past my house and then reversed back after seeing the house numbers (my opinion). They paused and looked at the car then drove off.
After 20 mins they returned and parked the Focus out of sight. Three men approached my house, one standing watch just outside on the road while the other two worked on the car for about 5-6mins. They all walked away and then stop to exchange something. Two men walk out of sight while the other one who has received something goes back to the Focus.
The guy who went to the Focus returns after 3-4mins and the other two join him. They exchange something again and they proceed in the same way, one stands watch while the other two work on the car. The indicators flash and then shortly afterwards the headlights go on and off. Then the watchman walks away and the car is pushed from the drive and up the road by one guy, the other guy is presumably in the drivers seat. Once the car is about 20 yds up the road the pusher jumps into the car and they drive away.
3 mins later the two guys from the focus return, look into the drive. I presume they are checking that nothing has been left behind as evidence. they both quickly walk away.
I have very mixed emotions about the whole situation, most importantly though i'm glad nobody was hurt as I don't think these guys would have taken kindly to someone confronting them.
- Use a jammer to prevent the "lock" signal from the remote
- When the owner is out of sight open the door just enough that it won't relock itself (not sure if this is required)
- Return when it's nice and quiet and get into unlocked car
- Use ODB programming hardware to plug into car and program a blank BMW key. (Yes, this hard/software exists)
- Use newly programmed key to start car and drive off.
fraz1001 said:
smashy said:
No laughing in the back 
but do you think something from halfords ie 2012 version of a Krooklock would deter these fellas from having a go at YOUR car?
If they want it,they'll get it but it will slow them down a little! but do you think something from halfords ie 2012 version of a Krooklock would deter these fellas from having a go at YOUR car?rjwojcik said:
Sorry to hear this, friend in work had his nicked and he still has all of his keys, etc...
Would you know at which point in the sequence of events they managed to unlock the doors? Was it when the indicators / head lights flashed or at some other point?
TIA
They don't unlock the car, they use a jammer to prevent you locking it. (I.e. you press the button and nothing happens, but you don't notice.)Would you know at which point in the sequence of events they managed to unlock the doors? Was it when the indicators / head lights flashed or at some other point?
TIA
mrmr96 said:
Fair doo's I'm just repeating what i've read - I've no personal experience.
Same for me, but they reckon people hide jammers near where they know target cars are going to be parked, and that just seems unlikely. There are ways the doors can be opened, although, on the face of it, the alarm should go off, although TheEnd seems to be suggesting that the alarm might have been silenced.Deva Link said:
mrmr96 said:
Fair doo's I'm just repeating what i've read - I've no personal experience.
Same for me, but they reckon people hide jammers near where they know target cars are going to be parked, and that just seems unlikely. There are ways the doors can be opened, although, on the face of it, the alarm should go off, although TheEnd seems to be suggesting that the alarm might have been silenced.V8mate said:
Plenty of discussion on the lock/unlock process, but how do they start it once it's out of the drive?
My BMW needs the fob inserted into the dash before the 'Press' start will fire her up.
Blank key - you plug a laptop into the OBD and program the new key to the car you have just nicked.My BMW needs the fob inserted into the dash before the 'Press' start will fire her up.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-BUTTON-REMOTE-SMAR...
http://www.cardiag.com/bmw-tool-v22/
Edited by GarryA on Saturday 17th March 07:52
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