RE: Video: Key fob reprogrammers steal BMW in 3 mins
Discussion
Steffan said:
article said:
Despite a drop in car thefts, 314 BMWs have been stolen so far this year compared with 258 during 2011.
surely that can't be right, can it? If we'd extrapolate that number that would go to 600 this year, a rise of 130% in theft for BMW, while overall numbers are down.Can't imagine that NOT showing in insurance quotes if the metro's numbers are correct...
Steffan said:
trotting out the EU bulls
t excuse....My latest searches certainly show a fair hit rate on the web
See: http://search.avg.com/?d=4dd40520&v=7.4.22.4&a...
Ten hits on the first page including PH and many others all related to this latest disgrace. I do think the roll needed is starting to unfurl. Up to the many owners to keep the pressure in BMW. They can run, but they cannot hide.
See: http://search.avg.com/?d=4dd40520&v=7.4.22.4&a...
Ten hits on the first page including PH and many others all related to this latest disgrace. I do think the roll needed is starting to unfurl. Up to the many owners to keep the pressure in BMW. They can run, but they cannot hide.
Does definitely seem to be in the news see my Warwickshire (Birmingham!) search
http://search.avg.com/?d=4dd40520&v=7.4.22.4&a...
Significant responses now to the BME thefts question. I am becoming hopeful that the owners may get some respite and protection
http://search.avg.com/?d=4dd40520&v=7.4.22.4&a...
Significant responses now to the BME thefts question. I am becoming hopeful that the owners may get some respite and protection
I'm not sure if it's good or bad that this is making it into the press, given that it only seemed to occur in London & the West Mids.
Anyhow - as mentioned, I believe that the vast majority of this sort of theft could be cut down on by a fairly simple measure from BMW.
- Relocated the ODBII port so it's not reachable from the window (e.g. the other side of the drivers footwell)
That would mean to steal the car you've got to fully smash the window, clamber through the door (thus setting the alarm off I'd hope!) and then sit there for 3 mins reprogramming it - thus the chances of getting caught rise massively. Sure it'd not stop thefts from things like station car parks, but you'd need to be very brave to try that outside someone's house.
To eliminate this completely would take more effort, maybe something like an alarm activated relay that switches power to the ODBII Port off. Something like that might then allow BMW to remove a fuse when the car is on and it'll stay on for diagnostic purposes when the car is alarmed.
I'd have thought that pretty basic electronics like that with the addition of moving the port would see most of these thefts stop, and perhaps only those with the really desirable M cars being worthy of the huge risk you'd have to take to steal one - as people will always take bigger risks for higher value items.
Anyhow - as mentioned, I believe that the vast majority of this sort of theft could be cut down on by a fairly simple measure from BMW.
- Relocated the ODBII port so it's not reachable from the window (e.g. the other side of the drivers footwell)
That would mean to steal the car you've got to fully smash the window, clamber through the door (thus setting the alarm off I'd hope!) and then sit there for 3 mins reprogramming it - thus the chances of getting caught rise massively. Sure it'd not stop thefts from things like station car parks, but you'd need to be very brave to try that outside someone's house.
To eliminate this completely would take more effort, maybe something like an alarm activated relay that switches power to the ODBII Port off. Something like that might then allow BMW to remove a fuse when the car is on and it'll stay on for diagnostic purposes when the car is alarmed.
I'd have thought that pretty basic electronics like that with the addition of moving the port would see most of these thefts stop, and perhaps only those with the really desirable M cars being worthy of the huge risk you'd have to take to steal one - as people will always take bigger risks for higher value items.
ZesPak said:
Really?
"stuff about me saying I'd not want the car back if stolen and ZesPak highlighting some of the pros of getting it back"
GAP insurance good sir ! :-)"stuff about me saying I'd not want the car back if stolen and ZesPak highlighting some of the pros of getting it back"
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.
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 fAnd 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.
kers 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?
Feel utterly gutted for those who have had their cars nicked, I dont know how I would feel if mine had.
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....
Funny thing was that I know that Wilts Police were in the other day at the same dealer talking to their tech staff about the very same issue - fearful that their cars will get nicked (unmarked) as well as trying to understand what can be done to stop it / investigate it.
I have to say that I am shocked and stunned. BMW really seem to have stuck their heads into the sand and are hoping that it will go away. Yet its customers who get caught out and stuffed with huge costs and inconvenience as a result. Madness....
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....
Funny thing was that I know that Wilts Police were in the other day at the same dealer talking to their tech staff about the very same issue - fearful that their cars will get nicked (unmarked) as well as trying to understand what can be done to stop it / investigate it.
I have to say that I am shocked and stunned. BMW really seem to have stuck their heads into the sand and are hoping that it will go away. Yet its customers who get caught out and stuffed with huge costs and inconvenience as a result. Madness....
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....
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).- That might be true, but if it's that easy to get hold of the keys it doesn't really matter, does it?
dasbimmerowner said:
- Relocated the ODBII port so it's not reachable from the window (e.g. the other side of the drivers footwell)
I had an aftermarket alarm fitted incidentally to my car last week and having seen this story I had a look to see where my ODBII port was on my car (non-BMW), and sure enough it was on the left hand side of the steering column, closer to the centre tunnel than the door. This would presumably still be compliant with the "port must be within X of steering column" without being in obvious reach outside of the vehicle ultrasonics.
Wow, Forbes in the US are now running this as a story!
http://www.forbes.com/sites/adriankingsleyhughes/2...
http://www.forbes.com/sites/adriankingsleyhughes/2...
Forbes have just repeated the same line that PH and the Daily Mail did.
'Churnalism'.
A few minutes here and they could have written a more informed piece.
Gavin Ward's piece just makes me think of 'No sh*t Sherlock' and BS Marketing Werks.
Their continued investment in the UK is much appreciated but they really need to get a grip of this. If nothing else they're letting their customers down. Admit it, develop a fix and get the cars recalled.
In the next round of PH tee shirts can we have one with a picture of an OBD11 port with the slogan 'It's the EU'?
The shirts could also have 'Gone in 360 seconds' in a smaller font running vertically near seam?
In deep, gravelly US voice 'O Bee Dee Two - just when you thought it was safe to park in the drive way'
'Churnalism'.
A few minutes here and they could have written a more informed piece.
Gavin Ward's piece just makes me think of 'No sh*t Sherlock' and BS Marketing Werks.
Their continued investment in the UK is much appreciated but they really need to get a grip of this. If nothing else they're letting their customers down. Admit it, develop a fix and get the cars recalled.
In the next round of PH tee shirts can we have one with a picture of an OBD11 port with the slogan 'It's the EU'?
The shirts could also have 'Gone in 360 seconds' in a smaller font running vertically near seam?
In deep, gravelly US voice 'O Bee Dee Two - just when you thought it was safe to park in the drive way'
Edited by carinaman on Monday 9th July 17:08
Zod said:
groucho said:
Zod said:
I'm presumably the London BMW owner mentioned in the Telegraph who had two cars stolen.
I know you had an M5 go missing, what was the other?carinaman said:
Zod said:
groucho said:
Zod said:
I'm presumably the London BMW owner mentioned in the Telegraph who had two cars stolen.
I know you had an M5 go missing, what was the other?Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff