New BMW's getting stolen using blank BMW keys

[t8cmf]

ik186 said:

Hi guys,

I'm finally going to get back my M3 back this week since it was stolen on 8th Aug, unfortunately the only protection I will have when it comes back is a disklok because BMW tell me if I relocate the OBD or put in a fuel cut off I will invalidate my warranty. What I wanted to know is has anyone heard of any stolen with the Disklok initially on?

I have tried till I'm blue in the face with my dealer to help to protect my car because after experiencing 8 weeks of hell through insurance etc, I'm not too sure I could face going through all that again but as it stands there is a good chance it will be nicked again unless the disklok does offer great protection.

You are in an awkward position here. I'm lucky that I don't have a warranty so BMW can go and screw themselves. I moved my OBD port and also have a Disklok. I'm sure I read that in a car magazine that did a group security test that the Disklok came out on top however it was still defeated in about 200 seconds or so.

I would challenge the warranty issue as removing some plastic trim and undoing two screws to relocate the OBD port will not affect exhaust / drivetrain / interior / steering / etc. Can BMW legally enforce this? They couldn't possibly provide proof in a court of law that moving the port would affect the exhaust for instance.

There are also OBD locks available now. They replace the plastic OBD cover with a lockable meatal cover. I've no idea how good they are though.

[y2dyc]

Kuroblack350 said:

Can I ask when your M3 was built?

I ask because I received a letter from Lloyd Blackpool today telling me that my Sept 2011 built car was not affected. (I registered it with them following the Watchdog programme,) There was a brief discussion about this some pages ago in terms of the September 2011 cars falling right on the cut off, just wondering is any other folks are in the same boat.

Wonder what changed on the build line some time around September 2011..?

Car is still however wearing a disklok, and I have one of those OBD locks on order as well...

my m3 was 2008, only the 2008 - pre 2011 plates were effected with this security flaw. I do believe BMW have a firmware update for those in that category. A bit little too late for me, but get your car booked into BMW for that asap.

[va1o]

ncbbmw said:

September 2011 build would make the car 2012 spec. BMW start building the following year's spec in September when the factory returns from the summer holiday shutdown so it sounds like they introduced F series 'obd security' to E series models for 2012 spec vehicles hence the cut off.

That would make sense. I'd been starting to wonder if a pre-2011 F10 for example would have the problem.

[outnumbered]

Zod said:

Apparently, drilling the lock or forcing a knife or chisel into it opens the windows.

That's just appalling... I had Vauxhall Astras broken into 3 times by that method in the early 90s (stick big screwdriver in lock & turn hard). Absolutely unbelievable that it still works today on a "premium" car, and the alarm doesn't even go off ! BMW still have a lot to answer for here, aside from the key programming issue.

[t8cmf]

y2dyc said:

my m3 was 2008, only the 2008 - pre 2011 plates were effected with this security flaw. I do believe BMW have a firmware update for those in that category. A bit little too late for me, but get your car booked into BMW for that asap.

I'm not totally sure that this is the case. My local dealership told me that there is no update in the system at the moment for anything other than the X5 / X6 range. They wouldn't take a booking for my E92 M3 as they said they have had no direction from BMW Germany on this matter.

Has anybody with a 2007 - Pre Sept 2011 E92 M3 had their update carried out by their local BMW dealership?

[Cheib]

ik186 said:

Hi guys,

I'm finally going to get back my M3 back this week since it was stolen on 8th Aug, unfortunately the only protection I will have when it comes back is a disklok because BMW tell me if I relocate the OBD or put in a fuel cut off I will invalidate my warranty. What I wanted to know is has anyone heard of any stolen with the Disklok initially on?

I have tried till I'm blue in the face with my dealer to help to protect my car because after experiencing 8 weeks of hell through insurance etc, I'm not too sure I could face going through all that again but as it stands there is a good chance it will be nicked again unless the disklok does offer great protection.

You could try this http://www.richbrook-styling.co.uk/dis-car-nect-ba...

Someone posted this a LOT earlier in this thread. I actually ordered one for my X5 seems like a good idea if you can put up with the hassle.

I never actually fitted it to my X5 as the battery is in the boot and I have a powered boot so opening the boot would blow the fuse Worked that out after I'd bought it.....

[Billyray911]

I've said it before,but why not fit a Blackjax system?
This will not invalidate an oem warranty and even with the keys,will prevent a cars theft,bar it being towed away.

[Cheib]

Billyray911 said:

I've said it before,but why not fit a Blackjax system?
This will not invalidate an oem warranty and even with the keys,will prevent a cars theft,bar it being towed away.

The problem is that whilst legally it may not invalidate the OEM warranty (though I don't know that 100%) BMW's default position will likely be that it has. You more than likely then have to enter into an extended legal battle with them for them to pay out. Yes you can go to small claims etc but it's going to likely be a very painful process getting yer money.

[t8cmf]

Billyray911 said:

I've said it before,but why not fit a Blackjax system?

I love the idea of this sytem however you cannot fit this to an E92 M3 without a whole slew of warning lights appearing on the dashboard / iDrive. I'm not sure about other cars in the BMW range.

I know that Anthony from securemycar is currently working on a fix / workaround to cure this issue. As soon as he cracks this I'll be first in the queue to have one fitted.

[jackbauer]

CMOS said:

I would love to, BUT, the way that this has been handled has been appalling. I have been questioned asking "Did you actually lock the car". I replied "Yes, even if I didn't it locks itself".

The attitude of the people I have been dealing with has been utterly dreadful. £40K on a BMW and £25K on a Mini and the consumer is treated as though they are idiots.

I am well educated and operate in a senior job, I have never had such poor service from any company, especially by the biggest valued car brand in the world.

Mr Bimmer, when BMW start to treat their customers with a bit more intelligence then I would replicate that in return. In the mean time, I hope that that brand suffers greatly and that the FTSE 100 demonstrates a heavy drop in terms of their share index to teach them a lesson.

They need to do the right thing and compensate customers for increased insurance premiums, excess charges and additional costs incurred.

While I recognise that BMW are not the criminals that have stolen my car, I find it utterly inexcusable that the alarm did not sound when the window was broken and the thief could lean in with his entire torso through the window aperture and the alarm did not sound.

Thatcham need to take some heat also for not testing this properly.

It's about time people got a grip, why should we have to do DIY OBD movements jobs and put a poxy steering lock on the car which marks the steering wheel, when getting the basics right and having an alarm that works properly and gives an audible warning. These cars are not low end runabouts, they are serious money to buy, insure and run. Why should the hard working amongst us pay and BMW do NOTHING?

Regards

CMOS

Edited by CMOS on Wednesday 19th September 14:52

+1

[jackbauer]

Mr Bimmer said:

Please credit BMW with a bit more intelligence than that.

Btw, the obd is still alive after the firmware update.

credit? they've known about this for over a year and decide to remain silent? what they want credit for?

[Billyray911]

In relation to the above,I have one fitted to an 335 E91 and unless there are fundamental differences to our cars,you won't have any error codes at all.
I've had one fitted,without issue,for more than two years.I did,however,have it fitted by a trusted and competent installer.It took a complete day.
I have also had warranty work at both Sytner and Rybrook.No issues at all,one claim being an electrical problem.Both dealerships are well aware of my security measures.
I did ask about the invalidation issue.The reply was that if anything is affected in the installation of the system,we may not cover that specific issue.

[Ocdbeemer]

cptsideways said:

Blimey within a few seconds to open the car, me thinks forcing the locks one way opens the car up??

The window does not drop when the door is opened. You can clearly see the reflection on the glass. This looks like the car is unlocked. Why install CCTV and not block the car in with the van or other car ? Something isn't right here !

The indicator lights would still flash using the remote or key to perform the comfort access operation....

Edited by Ocdbeemer on Thursday 18th October 22:01

[pistonheadz]

57 LCI E61 535d M sport touring stolen from NW London last night, police mentioned lots of BMW targeted over last few months in Barnet, London. No broken glass. I wish I read this thread before getting the car only two weeks ago.

[t8cmf]

Billyray911 said:

In relation to the above,I have one fitted to an 335 E91 and unless there are fundamental differences to our cars,you won't have any error codes at all.
I've had one fitted,without issue,for more than two years.I did,however,have it fitted by a trusted and competent installer.It took a complete day.
I have also had warranty work at both Sytner and Rybrook.No issues at all,one claim being an electrical problem.Both dealerships are well aware of my security measures.
I did ask about the invalidation issue.The reply was that if anything is affected in the installation of the system,we may not cover that specific issue.

That's the problem though. I don't know how similar the 335 and M3 are in the electrical wiring area. I don't want to risk a dodgy install until there is definitive confirmation of a successful fit to an E92 M3.

[ncbbmw]

Ocdbeemer said:

The window does not drop when the door is opened. You can clearly see the reflection on the glass. This looks like the car is unlocked. Why install CCTV and not block the car in with the van or other car ? Something isn't right here !

The indicator lights would still flash using the remote or key to perform the comfort access operation....

Edited by Ocdbeemer on Thursday 18th October 22:01

From reading the other posts its suggested that the windows only fully drop on cars with comfort access.

Maybe its a shared drive and the other 2 vehicles belong to next door.

The Flashing of the indicators on lock or unlock can easily be turned off if the vehicle has iDrive, its a user chooser option.

I always used to set mine to flash on lock only, that way I knew the car had rec'd the signal to lock but I could return to the car without telling everyone in the street I was getting into it until I opened the door, quite handy late at night where I use to park.

[Flat6er]

ncbbmw said:

I always used to set mine to flash on lock only, that way I knew the car had rec'd the signal to lock but I could return to the car without telling everyone in the street I was getting into it until I opened the door, quite handy late at night where I use to park.

Quite why you would want to unlock the door until you are stood next to the car, or at least within striking distance should someone else want to gain access I dont know.

Reminds me of the Lee Evans sketch where he unlocks his car 30 meters away from the car door.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLnEJqqMTEo

[ik186]

Hi,

Another update based on my discussion with my local service manager. I said I'm getting my car back from the bodyshop but what can I do to protect my car and what's the latest on the so called 'fix'. He said the fix is to prevent the windows from dropping as it's related to the comfort access, I said I dont have comfort access to which he said then they must have got in by smashing the windows, I went on to tell him (must have told him a few times before) that mine was down to the locks being broken and I did ask him about the you tube video which shows the scum opening the car in 5 secs. As always rather than answering my questions went on to tell me that if a thief wants my car then there's not much I can do but all i should do is to "delay" the inevitable by getting a steering lock etc.

I said I wanted to relocate the OBD and protect my car better than BMW have done to which he said my warranty will be invalidated and he wouldn't advise doing it. So let me get this straight I said, the fix is not a software update to look at the OBD issue, there is no measure to resolve the poor alarm system so what is it then - no real answer but to tell me BMW are just as much at risk as other cars. Right so why is it that over 300 BMW's have been stolen this year, no great response.

Basically, in a nutshell dont pin your hopes on the 'fix', its not going to do much. I have spoken to an engineer who does allot of work for a BMW dealer and asked him for his opinion - he said as soon as I get the car back I should sell it!! I said initially thats not an option, he then went on to say he has customers everyday who are ignoring BMW's advice about relocating OBD, many are saying they want to protect their cars and are going for a mixture of relocation of OBD, circuit breaker and additional alarm.

He went on to say BMW cannot invalidate your warranty on the basis you are trying to protect your car and he would be willing to support any legal avenue if it came to that. So the 2 options for OBD are :

1) relocate somewhere else by using an extended cable
2) making aprox 5 breaks in the wiring and configuring a circuit breaker which you have hold off and when you require access to the OBD then you fix the CB to make the OBD active (a process similar to vpn working from home).

So I've decided to take matters into my own hands and protect my car from the scum by going for option 2, i'll just have to deal with BMW when the time comes and be prepared to go to court. Another further option I'm considering is a car cover but the one being recommended is about £175 with lock.

So its going to be 10 weeks since the car was stolen, a nightmare process and I hope none of you guys have to experience this cause it does get to you!!

[Billyray911]

ik186 said:

Hi,

Another update based on my discussion with my local service manager. I said I'm getting my car back from the bodyshop but what can I do to protect my car and what's the latest on the so called 'fix'. He said the fix is to prevent the windows from dropping as it's related to the comfort access, I said I dont have comfort access to which he said then they must have got in by smashing the windows, I went on to tell him (must have told him a few times before) that mine was down to the locks being broken and I did ask him about the you tube video which shows the scum opening the car in 5 secs. As always rather than answering my questions went on to tell me that if a thief wants my car then there's not much I can do but all i should do is to "delay" the inevitable by getting a steering lock etc.

I said I wanted to relocate the OBD and protect my car better than BMW have done to which he said my warranty will be invalidated and he wouldn't advise doing it. So let me get this straight I said, the fix is not a software update to look at the OBD issue, there is no measure to resolve the poor alarm system so what is it then - no real answer but to tell me BMW are just as much at risk as other cars. Right so why is it that over 300 BMW's have been stolen this year, no great response.

Basically, in a nutshell dont pin your hopes on the 'fix', its not going to do much. I have spoken to an engineer who does allot of work for a BMW dealer and asked him for his opinion - he said as soon as I get the car back I should sell it!! I said initially thats not an option, he then went on to say he has customers everyday who are ignoring BMW's advice about relocating OBD, many are saying they want to protect their cars and are going for a mixture of relocation of OBD, circuit breaker and additional alarm.

He went on to say BMW cannot invalidate your warranty on the basis you are trying to protect your car and he would be willing to support any legal avenue if it came to that. So the 2 options for OBD are :

1) relocate somewhere else by using an extended cable
2) making aprox 5 breaks in the wiring and configuring a circuit breaker which you have hold off and when you require access to the OBD then you fix the CB to make the OBD active (a process similar to vpn working from home).

So I've decided to take matters into my own hands and protect my car from the scum by going for option 2, i'll just have to deal with BMW when the time comes and be prepared to go to court. Another further option I'm considering is a car cover but the one being recommended is about £175 with lock.

So its going to be 10 weeks since the car was stolen, a nightmare process and I hope none of you guys have to experience this cause it does get to you!!

I honestly didn't think that this (the 'fix')would be an answer to our problems,but I hoped that I was going to be proved wrong.
Unfortunately,your frustrating experience just highlights how important it is for us as owners to take matters into our own hands.BMW just dont seem that bothered as it ticks the too hard/expensive to deal with box.
Your experience would honestly boil my piss.
I hope that Watchdog and other forms of media follow the issue up in the future.Meanwhile,our cars will continue to be stolen...

[Kuroblack350]

So has anybody been in for the update yet?

Quite keen to hear if anybody with a post September 2011 car has been in for the fix?

Mine is still wearing a disclok

Ordered one of those OBD locks too, although based on BMW's advice, I don't need it...