Stolen without the key ?

[J4CKO]

A firend just told me his neighbours BMW X6 got stolen last night in Southampton, it was driven away and the owner still has all the keys, how would that be possible, anyone heard of that ?

[Shaw Tarse]

I knew it would be a BMW before opening the thread
Has been mentioned a few times about this.

[JC2012]

Easy order another key from the dealer - BMW stupidly on all new models provide pre coded keys and pre cut blades.

I ordered one for my 3 series about 2 months ago and was shocked.

[JC2012]

oh and the fact they publish the Chassis number on the front windscreen doesn't ever help matters. As this is all BMW ask for to get the key

[Shaw Tarse]

Another here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Andyuk911]

So, can't they track this back to the BMW dealer ... cctv etc .. payment ... would they really take cash for a key and not think a bit odd ??

[JC2012]

Well - the flaw im addressing is the fact that you dont need the dealer or any special dealer to program them - i believe the keys are sent out with a small unprogrammed microchip that when inserting the key into the dashboard it registers the key against the vehicle.

Now if we look at ebay... hhttp://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_nkw=BMW+KEY+&_sacat=0&LH_ItemCondition=12&LH_AvailTo=3&_odkw=BMW+KEY+2008&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

Theres a few keys that are pre programmed to other vehicles ..... so what if someone with a advanced soldering iron and new microchip which im sure are readily available spends a little time making the key an unprogrammed like new key.

Now only 5 keys can be programmed on Mercedes vehicles before the vehicle has to a main dealer and supposedly the ecu on the vehicles have to be replaced. Im sure this is a similar scenario on the BMWs.

Its crazy i think. I think the flaw starts with the chassis no. being visible on the windscreen mainly

[Andyuk911]

Just shows how time and technology move on ... I thought the idea of the chassis number in the screen was to stop cloned cars ... now it helps to steal them ..

[JC2012]

Its insane.

But whatever you make and build can always be reversed. Take a look at the iPhone they didn't want people to unlock it so it can be used on all networks but giving people the challenge to do that just exploits a whole array of other things that it can be used for.

[J4CKO]

I understand the fact that any company has finite resources to develop a product and the rest of the world will immediately the minute it comes out try to reverse engineer/crack it but surely someone walking into a BMW delaership with a chassis number and buying a key that will allow them to drive away with someones car isnt a technology issue, its a procedure issue, now we all lose things and we dont want it to be to onerous to get a new key made but this is bizarre that anyone can get one made for your car without it seems any checks or proof of ownership, even when the keys were cut you would need an actual key to get a duplicate made.

That said, saw a lovely 535D the other day, why pay 20k for it when all I need is to wander into the local BMW parts dept and pay what £100 or so ?

[Zod]

Happened to my M5 in March. Recovered within 7 miles, thanks to Tracker.

[Zod]

JC2012 said:

oh and the fact they publish the Chassis number on the front windscreen doesn't ever help matters. As this is all BMW ask for to get the key

My dealer tells me they won't give out a key without V5 and proof of ID and address. When I checked though, it turned out a duplicate key had been ordered by the supplying dealer when I bought the car five years ago. I've got nowhere trying to find out what the story behind that was, but my current dealer has agreed to check periodically that no extra keys have been ordered from any dealer for my M5 or my X5.

Edited by Zod on Wednesday 8th June 11:15

[JC2012]

Well in the instance i purchased the key - i wasnt asked for the V5 , or my Drivers Licence just the last six of the chassis number clearly visible in the window ...... but what i am say is say for example i worked in Parts Dept.

BMW x6 is worth say £45,000 - The stolen value of the vehicle is worth lets say at least £10,000 - so if you came to some agreement say £500 for sorting the key with the young guy behind the counter everyones happy apart from the original owner

There was a bunch of guys in Slough who were in the national newspaper some time last year i believe who were doing a similar operation ordering keys in Germany - flying out collecting them - saying they've lost the keys need a new ones flying back stealing top end cars SLRs, M5's etc. Madness!

[Zod]

Another odd thing about the theft of my M5 was that the door lock barrel was broken. If they had a key, why did they need to do that and why didn't the alarm sound? They drove off without trouble.

[J4CKO]

Zod said:

they won't give out a key without V5 and proof of ID and address.

So a criminal would have to get a copy of the V5, probably not that difficult, get some fake ID based on the electoral role and proof of address, which would be a utility bill which cant be that difficult.

I suppose all that effort would be worth it, say £100 for the key, some fake id at maybe £200 from a pro (assume, dont know), say £300 for a 50 plus grand car.

Have to sympathise with BMW though, not much more they can easily do without making life difficult for them and the customers.

[Ari]

J4CKO said:

Have to sympathise with BMW though, not much more they can easily do without making life difficult for them and the customers.

Yes there is, ask to see the car.

Obviously if there was only one key and that got lost there's an issue to overcome, but most people with recent expensive cars will still have the spare.

Ask the customer to bring the car to the garage so they can confirm that they do have access to the car.

[J4CKO]

Ari said:

Yes there is, ask to see the car.

Obviously if there was only one key and that got lost there's an issue to overcome, but most people with recent expensive cars will still have the spare.

Ask the customer to bring the car to the garage so they can confirm that they do have access to the car.

Yes, did think that but as you say could be awkward without the key, added insentive not to lose all your keys.

[Ari]

Indeed, but I think most owners would understand and appreciate more stringent security checks if they've not got any keys for a car they're trying to get a spare for.

[J4CKO]

Suspect its already on a boat that one, it being Southampton

I suppose this way is better than blokes in Balaclavas.

[CraigyMc]

Zod said:

Another odd thing about the theft of my M5 was that the door lock barrel was broken. If they had a key, why did they need to do that and why didn't the alarm sound? They drove off without trouble.

You're quite lucky they didn't put it in a shipping container and move that on a truck.