M4 attempted theft - best way to secure?

[ro250]

MitchT said:

A500leroy said:

Id be getting it sold personally, lifes too short to be worried about someone nicking a chunk of metal and possibly hurting your family.

It's shame we have to think this way but, yes, I'd like an M4 but I wouldn't buy one as my gut tells me that sooner or later someone will steal it and possibly injure me in the process. A friend was clobbered over the head on his driveway just after getting out of his Audi RS6 Avant. A neighbour found him unconscious on the ground. He had to go to hospital for the top of his head stitching up. I'd buy a 440i but am trying to find one without comfort access.

My 440i doesn't have comfort access, I think because it's a 2017 just pre LCI. It's keyless ignition but not entry, so I assume someone could still signal boost to start the car if my keys weren't in a faraday wallet.

[MitchT]

ro250 said:

My 440i doesn't have comfort access, I think because it's a 2017 just pre LCI. It's keyless ignition but not entry, so I assume someone could still signal boost to start the car if my keys weren't in a faraday wallet.

There are some available without comfort access though the ones that have the spec I want all seem to have it, annoyingly. I'd assume that a car with keyless go but without keyless entry can't be stolen as they can't enter the car to press the start button, even if they've managed to boost the signal... unless they physically break in. I think the Disklok is a good idea though I suppose someone could drag you out of the car and get the keys while you're faffing around removing it.

[wyson]

ro250 said:

My 440i doesn't have comfort access, I think because it's a 2017 just pre LCI. It's keyless ignition but not entry, so I assume someone could still signal boost to start the car if my keys weren't in a faraday wallet.

The simple act of locking / unlocking opening / closing the doors makes some cars vulnerable to people intercepting the signal with the right equipment, assuming of course BMW's system is vulnerable to replay attacks.

A Faraday wallet isn't going to help with this type of attack because it isn't getting any data off your key... its using pre broadcast data, recorded when you locked and unlocked your car remotely on previous occasions.

I posted a link to an article further up in this thread.

Edited by wyson on Friday 24th March 16:34

[wyson]

Also, don't know if anyone watches lockpickinglawyer on youtube.

He picked a VW lock, with the funky grooved channel, in seconds. I posted this on pistonheads and someone made the point that these criminal scrotes aren't as likely to be as skilled as the lockpickinglawyer, which is very true, but it is a vulnerability. You can also easily buy these lockpicking tools online, not least through lockpicking lawyers youtube channel and watch tutorials too.

He picks a BMW 3 series lock just as easily here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8fbxN3Z5e8

At first I was outraged at the lack of security, but then someone on pistonheads made the point, what's the point in having super security when you can just smash the window anyway? Also very true.

Edited by wyson on Friday 24th March 13:21

[ukpolak]

I have a 2017 440 GC and since purchase, I have left a steering wheel lock over night on it. It is a bit of a faff but I can get it on and off in 2 secs now, I am so used to it. My wife has one on her 2021 X3.

I’ve had first hand experience of masked, hooded thieves walking up our road looking to open garages, sheds and cars to steal. My neighbour across the road leaves her car unlocked and they spent 10 mins sifting through her glove box just a few months ago (caught on cam).

As soon as they saw my ring floodlight cam (completely illuminates both cars) and the yellow wheel locks, they duck their heads and walk on by. I have numerous examples over the past few years. Unfortunately it’s just a case of moving them on to the next most vulnerable.

In the case of my neighbour, she didn’t know anything had happened until I sent her the ring cam footage (I check back every morn).

The wheel lock may be a bit belt and braces and I have considered removing given that my car is now 5+ years old, but I have had first hand, recorded evidence that thieves have moved on when they’ve clocked it, so tbh I’ll probably retain on all my cars going forward.

[TheAngryDog]

The solution is to disable comfort access. I also don't have comfort start enabled on my E60.

[EmilA]

I've had my RS6 stolen from me, broke into the house and took the keys. Dislok was fitted, but pointless since the keys for the dislok were attached to the car key set.

What I would suggest is a bollard alongside the dislok.

[Steve Barrett]

It doesn't matter what you fit to it if they want it it's gone, I've been using a DiskLok since the 90's and imo the best visual deterrent you can buy.

[Sporky]

Smear poop all over the steering wheel, so if they do nick it they'll get poop all over their hands.

[Square Leg]

ro250 said:

irish boy said:

BoRED S2upid said:

Amazing that you need a disclock on an M4. Haven’t used a disclock since the 90’s.

It’s the best deterrent. They see it and don’t even try hence no damage caused.

I have a Stoplock Pro on my F36 440i. Not as good as the Disklok but probably the next best. It can be removed with 2 cuts to steering wheel but that takes time and I hope it acts as a deterrent. Blocking in with another car is also highly effective!

I’ve recently seen a video of someone’s Giulia QV being stolen off their drive - disc lock fitted but a few seconds with a battery angle grinder had it off, and the car was away.

[irish boy]

Square Leg said:

ro250 said:

irish boy said:

BoRED S2upid said:

Amazing that you need a disclock on an M4. Haven’t used a disclock since the 90’s.

It’s the best deterrent. They see it and don’t even try hence no damage caused.

I have a Stoplock Pro on my F36 440i. Not as good as the Disklok but probably the next best. It can be removed with 2 cuts to steering wheel but that takes time and I hope it acts as a deterrent. Blocking in with another car is also highly effective!

I’ve recently seen a video of someone’s Giulia QV being stolen off their drive - disc lock fitted but a few seconds with a battery angle grinder had it off, and the car was away.

Seems like if they really want it they’ll have it. Best you can do is make it less desirable to attempt it. Even putting another car behind it on the drive.

[ro250]

Absolutely. I also saw a video of, ironically, someone stealing the steering wheel off a BMW which had some sort of bar lock on it and it was off very quickly. They obviously wanted the steering wheel as no doubt they are expensive.

If a thief is prepared to make noise with a grinder then they win, but many aren't, and they'll go to the next easy target where they can steal in silence.