New BMW's getting stolen using blank BMW keys
Discussion
GarryA said:
Well its not hard to do - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVmPfCFFkqQ
Absolutely shocking design floor mercGLowner said:
So, for clarity. The new Fxx cars - 1, 3 and 6 are not effected by this?
Probably not yet, but any electronic system is hackable with the right tools/knowledge (even the CIA computer system is hacked on a regular basis)...and as always if some one really wants your car they will find a way to nick it. So this happened to me last night, East London. 535d M Sport LCI 2007, taken from outside my house overnight without the keys.
Anyone reading this thread who owns this era of BMW, my only advice to you is get some physical security eg a really good stoplock. I know they are a hassle and look horrible but if I'd done that I might still have my car today.
Thread with details posted in General Gassing http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Any info very gratefully received.
thanks
Anyone reading this thread who owns this era of BMW, my only advice to you is get some physical security eg a really good stoplock. I know they are a hassle and look horrible but if I'd done that I might still have my car today.
Thread with details posted in General Gassing http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Any info very gratefully received.
thanks
Steering wheel lock now fitted based on this recent trend,
Trouble is I only have one key for the car so if the car gets nicked I can only produce one key- will the insurers want to know where the other is?- I have no clue where it is, the car came with one key only when I bought it second hand.
Trouble is I only have one key for the car so if the car gets nicked I can only produce one key- will the insurers want to know where the other is?- I have no clue where it is, the car came with one key only when I bought it second hand.
BE57 TOY said:
GarryA said:
Well its not hard to do - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVmPfCFFkqQ
Absolutely shocking design floor As the original poster of this thread i didnt realise how easy
It was to steal bmw's until i viewed the utube clip. It looks like
Insurance companies now also know of this, my freind just tried to
Renew his insurance for a 2010 535d and he has 9 years no claims
Bonus. Not only were all the quotes more than a £1,000 more than last
Year but all insurance companies also asking for £3,000 excess. Some
Asking for £5,000 excess.
It was to steal bmw's until i viewed the utube clip. It looks like
Insurance companies now also know of this, my freind just tried to
Renew his insurance for a 2010 535d and he has 9 years no claims
Bonus. Not only were all the quotes more than a £1,000 more than last
Year but all insurance companies also asking for £3,000 excess. Some
Asking for £5,000 excess.
hman said:
Trouble is I only have one key for the car.
Get a second key made up as a back up IMHO, easier to get one now whilst you don't need one than on a Sunday morning when the car won't start and you wonder if the key has gone bust. The missing key can also be removed from the system so it couldn't be used to start the car if you are bothered about that.From what i have read some of the bmw ecu's seem to have a maximum 10 keys that can be coded to the car with 4 active.
If 10 was the maximum and 8 + the two originals had been coded, would this stop car thieves simply plugging in and coding a key or would it be possible for them to delete a key and add a new one anyway, or would it need new parts fitting before a key could be added again?
If 10 was the maximum and 8 + the two originals had been coded, would this stop car thieves simply plugging in and coding a key or would it be possible for them to delete a key and add a new one anyway, or would it need new parts fitting before a key could be added again?
Kananga said:
Apologies if already asked/answered but surely BMW need to address this ? How can they just accept their customers getting ripped off like this with something that is clearly a manufacturer-specific design flaw ?
Agree with this. Insurance companies will not hesitate in increasing premiums of affected models too, totally legitimate reason to do so.
AOK - has there been any response from BMW UK to this? Or are they happy to enjoy increased sales due to owners replacing their stolen cars through GAP/RTI policies?
HFLagos said:
Insurance companies will not hesitate in increasing premiums of affected models too, totally legitimate reason to do so.
Going back 5 years I opted out of a company car was was looking at 3 Series Touring or C Class estate. The insurer we use for our other car, LV, said they wouldn't insure the BMW unless it had a tracker, but they had no such issue with the Merc.HFLagos said:
AOK - has there been any response from BMW UK to this? Or are they happy to enjoy increased sales due to owners replacing their stolen cars through GAP/RTI policies?
Bit of a ramble here:Never seen any mention of this on any internal bulletins/releases etc. I think the only way to get something done would be to voice your concerns... the more people that email in, the more reluctant they will be to not acknowledge there is a problem. BMW is a reasonable organisation - they do actually care about their customers / employees etc and if there IS a problem, i reckon they would address it, or at least acknowledge it!
Just found this on google... its a long read, but wow.. what an eye opener. Amazing article. Makes you notice how big an industry this is.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-20...
And if you CHOOSE to drive a black 4x4, at least you know that if its a BMW you'll just wake up and find it gone, whereas with a RR etc they will break into your house or threaten you at gunpoint... it's the same level of thief, and if their order is to steal a BMW, they will steal a BMW through the easiest method possible. And if their next order is a RR, they'll hold someone up at gunpoint!
Some worthwhile pointers in this article:
- Avoid buying a Black car... the article makes it clear these are much more desirable stolen to order than any other colour
- Disguise the number plate of your car when advertising + photo it in an obscure location
- Never get out of your car with the keys in ignition
- Don't let potential buyers behind the wheel for a test drive... stay strong and offer to drive them. Even with a £50k private purchase, they can get a feel for the car from the passenger seat and thats that.
Reason for the last point - the saddest part of this article for me was the bankrupt fireman. Sure he had 'comprehensive' insurance which usually covers you for theft.. but I bet he didn't notify them he was allowing test drives. And so technically the moment the car sped off, his insurance was void. And so what if the potential buyer brings with them a 'temporary' cover note... it will no doubt be fake!
AOK said:
Bit of a ramble here:
Never seen any mention of this on any internal bulletins/releases etc. I think the only way to get something done would be to voice your concerns... the more people that email in, the more reluctant they will be to not acknowledge there is a problem. BMW is a reasonable organisation - they do actually care about their customers / employees etc and if there IS a problem, i reckon they would address it, or at least acknowledge it!
Thanks AOK. I have contacted BMW, waiting to hear a response. In my mind, I don't think there is any doubt here, this IS a problem.Never seen any mention of this on any internal bulletins/releases etc. I think the only way to get something done would be to voice your concerns... the more people that email in, the more reluctant they will be to not acknowledge there is a problem. BMW is a reasonable organisation - they do actually care about their customers / employees etc and if there IS a problem, i reckon they would address it, or at least acknowledge it!
With regards the Daily Wail link, 4x4's being stolen to order has been an ongoing issue for a while now. As a I own a black BMW X5, I am acutely aware of this!
However, what this thread is illustrating is that a security flaw exists which has made a significant volume of BMW's particularly vulnerable.
"Hi, I am calling up about the BMW you have for sale. Is that one of the models which can be stolen really easily without keys?"
"Yes it is".......
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