RE: Video: Key fob reprogrammers steal BMW in 3 mins

[ZesPak]

dasbimmerowner said:

GAP insurance good sir ! :-)

And if it got stolen because of this issue I'd not buy another which suffered the same plight. BMW need to realise that, as I imagine I'd not be the only owner who'd switch brands if my car were to be taken thanks to poor factory security and a nil-response from BMW to resolve or even try to mitigate the issue.

Hmm, I do see your points but I'll still just be pissed at the fkers making money of just taking something off my driveway. Only for that I'd want it back so I know their efforts would be in vain.

Agreed, when they stole our car they were kept in custody for two (yes TWO) days, but still, if I didn't have it returned, they'd be home free with a rather expensive car, now they lost two days and aren't any richer (did got free meals and stay, but still). That alone makes it worth it for me.

I hope I'm not the only one that can see that this "the insurance will give me a new one" can't continue forever?

[ZesPak]

off_again said:

I had to drop mine in at the local dealer for a check on something and mentioned to the service bloke about this. His response was he'd "never heard of this" and he's worked for BMW for 10 years! In fact, he then claimed "no BMW can be stolen without the keys" and until there was some evidence, he wasnt concerned....

1. that's the most common response I've ever got with big dealers "first time I've seen this", "this has never happened",... go to independent dealers and they'll tell you "Volvo, Mercedes and BMW are prone to this as they use the same type of X", dealers would never admit something that even their brand doesn't acknowledge (which is only logical).
2. That might be true, but if it's that easy to get hold of the keys it doesn't really matter, does it?

[ZesPak]

GTSJOE said:

I have had it with BMW .. I will never buy another BMW until they treat their customers with respect ,...

Fat chance. BMW has an enormous popularity and because of that some of the dealers are stuck up tts.
I was in the position to buy a new 330d a couple of years ago, the dealer could hardly be bothered to put some time and effort in a quote, test drive,... a real attitude of "you want a BMW like everybody else, get in line to beg us for selling you one". Have had it with them since then.

[ZesPak]

Crusoe said:

As an example with a quick search turns up a US site with locations of all the OBD ports of older cars in a database, http://64.78.43.239/connectors.aspx
Lots of cars also have the OBD port down by the driver’s side. Assume most also have a inch or two blind spot in the alarm round the windows to deliberately stop leaves and other objects passing the windows setting off the alarm.

Think this has been covered before, but again these requirements need to be filled:

1. OBD hardware must be attainable by everybody (EU requirement)
2. OBD must be accessible in the blind spot of the alarm
3. Key programming can be done through the OBD
4. Key programming can be done without any credentials/encryption required

Now while the cars you talk about could easily have 1 & 2 fulfilled, it's 3&4 where most will "fail".
Add to that that BMW produces some expensive cars, and they become a very easy-money target.

[ZesPak]

Steffan said:

The truth is that no one at BMW, the EU lot, or Thatchem spotted the weakness...

I would think that it's none of the EU's matter? Would they care if you made a car you can't lock up?

BMW is to blame, and the question may follow what does Thatchem actually do all day? Current cars are pretty good, but would this indicate Thatchem just lets them pass without testing them? Are there any repercussions for them?

[ZesPak]

bertie said:

No, you can't copy a fob.

The issue here was adding e new fob onto the car, not copying fobs.

Obviously if you don't get both fobs, that can keep one...

Well, couldn't "they" have just "added" a third one in advance?