RE: Video: Key fob reprogrammers steal BMW in 3 mins
Discussion
pilchardthecat said:
kambites said:
pilchardthecat said:
You just have to fire it in an adjacent room, and they'll all run away with their hands over their ears
So you have to take ear muffs to bed with you too? 
dasbimmerowner said:
This is a serious issue for BMW that needs resolving PDQ, the longer they don't do something the more bad press this will get, the more owners won't buy from the brand again etc etc. Potential solutions - rather than moaning about it too much (lowest cost first):
<snip>
[2.)BMW develop an approved security add-on package, e.g. additional alarm siren, more sensors to cover dead zones, window shatter detector on drivers side and an ODB port locking cover plus relocation kit. Cost, a few hundred quid granted, but there are plenty of us who would pay for that sort of thing to protect our cars even if it should be FOC on cars of this value. I'm very reluctant to let some of dodgy alarm places start messing with the wiring on my car, much as I am tempted by blackjax etc.
So you're suggesting that someone paying strong money for a car should be asked to stump up yet more cash to fix what sound like quite basic design flaws? I'd buy from a different brand rather than put up with that type of gun to my head treatment. They won't do it though as it would be an implicit admission that there's a problem with standard security.<snip>
[2.)BMW develop an approved security add-on package, e.g. additional alarm siren, more sensors to cover dead zones, window shatter detector on drivers side and an ODB port locking cover plus relocation kit. Cost, a few hundred quid granted, but there are plenty of us who would pay for that sort of thing to protect our cars even if it should be FOC on cars of this value. I'm very reluctant to let some of dodgy alarm places start messing with the wiring on my car, much as I am tempted by blackjax etc.
BMW need to be more proactive about fixing this as, quite frankly, I can't entertain buying another BMW until they do.
LooneyTunes said:
So you're suggesting that someone paying strong money for a car should be asked to stump up yet more cash to fix what sound like quite basic design flaws? I'd buy from a different brand rather than put up with that type of gun to my head treatment. They won't do it though as it would be an implicit admission that there's a problem with standard security.
BMW need to be more proactive about fixing this as, quite frankly, I can't entertain buying another BMW until they do.
I'm not suggesting that should happen, I would hope that's not the case, however I am realistic about such issues. Would I prefer to pay £300 to BMW for an upgraded alarm/ODB protection, give £250 to a less than trusted alarm company or go without any further security? I'd pick the first option all day long.BMW need to be more proactive about fixing this as, quite frankly, I can't entertain buying another BMW until they do.
BMW needs to come up with a solution, and my preference would be a free solution, but will that happen? Really? I suspect not somehow.
dasbimmerowner said:
...give £250 to a less than trusted alarm company or go without any further security? I'd pick the first option all day long.
Really, after this, you still trust BMW more than a "less than trusted alarm company"? 
Anyway, aftermarket isn't bad most of the time, as, albeit some installs can be very crude, more than 90% of the cars are just equipped with manufacturers' security, so that's what the scrotes are mostly up-to-speed about.
For about £ 250 there are some very basic albeit efficient self-install GPS Trackers available. These days they are little bigger than a matchbox and can be hidden anywhere in the car.
ZesPak said:
Really, after this, you still trust BMW more than a "less than trusted alarm company"?
Anyway, aftermarket isn't bad most of the time, as, albeit some installs can be very crude, more than 90% of the cars are just equipped with manufacturers' security, so that's what the scrotes are mostly up-to-speed about.
For about £ 250 there are some very basic albeit efficient self-install GPS Trackers available. These days they are little bigger than a matchbox and can be hidden anywhere in the car.
I've no interest in a tracker. If the car is stolen I really don't want it returned.Anyway, aftermarket isn't bad most of the time, as, albeit some installs can be very crude, more than 90% of the cars are just equipped with manufacturers' security, so that's what the scrotes are mostly up-to-speed about.
For about £ 250 there are some very basic albeit efficient self-install GPS Trackers available. These days they are little bigger than a matchbox and can be hidden anywhere in the car.
Having had Clifford and Toad alarms in previous cars, and some issues with both, I'm really reluctant to go down that route again.
RWD cossie wil said:
A simple "quick fix" for the time being would be to fit armour film to the vulnerable window? Makes breaking it without significant noise very hard.
Or just a self tapper screw through the cover of the obd port. Not going to be able to get the power behind taking a screw out without moving into the area covered by the alarm. Even a bit of duck tape over the cover would probably do it.RWD cossie wil said:
A simple "quick fix" for the time being would be to fit armour film to the vulnerable window? Makes breaking it without significant noise very hard.
This is a good idea. Anyone know if there are any downsides? Apart from the fact that you would end up with a half smashed window, although that hast to be better than no car.pilchardthecat said:
Meanwhile, in the USA, you can just get one of these for the bedside cabinet.
This is why I wouldn't own one.http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17922-carryi...
Though it may be self selecting, it doesn't read well.
9005rpm said:
This is a good idea. Anyone know if there are any downsides? Apart from the fact that you would end up with a half smashed window, although that hast to be better than no car.
Someone will come up with you won't be able to break the window easily if you are burning in a crash/upside down in a lake etc etc..Couple the armour film with a small locking box around the OBD Port, you have instantly turned a 3 min silent job into a ten minute noise fest, still not ideal but enough to make them move onto the next victim who couldn't be bothered to spend a few quid to keep their motor safe!
Don't get me wrong it is BMWs problem to solve, but for the sake of <£100 you can make the scums life a whole lot harder! The excess on any insurance policy is more than that IMHO.
9005rpm said:
This is a good idea. Anyone know if there are any downsides? Apart from the fact that you would end up with a half smashed window, although that hast to be better than no car.
Something like this clear security film would do it:http://www.crystaltints.co.uk/video.htm
Trommel said:
Leicesterdave said:
disclock, disclock, disclock!
When you're spending £60k+ you shouldn't have to mess around with Victorian-style ironmongery to stop it being nicked (although there's a Panamera Turbo down the road which always has one on).Bad luck Zod.
A pain in the arse, granted, but what else can one do..?
Fats25 said:
blearyeyedboy said:
Why not fit a switch to the door so the door needs to be open to use the OBD?
Mechanic working on car = door open, not a problem.
Thief trying to steal car = door open, big noisy alarm goes off.
I think that is genius and very very simple! This has my vote so far.Mechanic working on car = door open, not a problem.
Thief trying to steal car = door open, big noisy alarm goes off.
stevensdrs said:
You need to be able to take live data from the OBD port when the car is moving. Not practical to have the door open while you are bombing along the road. However, it could be implemented to have a switch to the door which needs to be open when the ignition is off and bypassed when the ignition is on.
Oops, stupidly hadn't thought of that bit. Good point.See, I'm no genius after all.
I had my Civic Type R nicked a few years ago so I have absolute sympathy for everyone who's been through this. Even though mine was taken using the good old Eurolock method (and moved the wife's Puma so they coulld get to my car and parked the Puma down the road with the keys in it!!!!), it still winds me up!
Back in 1994 I had a Nova SR (cough!!!!) and I had a Foxguard immobiliser fitted. Best thing ever in my mind. No fob, you just had to pick a location when it was fitted that was metal, and then before you started the car, you had to 'touch' (the screw in the ashtray in my case!) the area and then you were off.
Wouldn't this be a good idea these days? You can give people the keys / overcome the factory stuff, but without knowing how disarm the immobiliser, you're going nowhere....
Back in 1994 I had a Nova SR (cough!!!!) and I had a Foxguard immobiliser fitted. Best thing ever in my mind. No fob, you just had to pick a location when it was fitted that was metal, and then before you started the car, you had to 'touch' (the screw in the ashtray in my case!) the area and then you were off.
Wouldn't this be a good idea these days? You can give people the keys / overcome the factory stuff, but without knowing how disarm the immobiliser, you're going nowhere....
XAF said:
No fob, you just had to pick a location when it was fitted that was metal, and then before you started the car, you had to 'touch' (the screw in the ashtray in my case!) the area and then you were off.
Wouldn't this be a good idea these days? You can give people the keys / overcome the factory stuff, but without knowing how disarm the immobiliser, you're going nowhere....
I beleive Clifford do a system with this.Wouldn't this be a good idea these days? You can give people the keys / overcome the factory stuff, but without knowing how disarm the immobiliser, you're going nowhere....
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