BMW keyless thefts - warning

icecurtain

Have watched watchdog last night,
The problem with stealing a BMW, Is access to the OBD (electronic dongle that the mechanics use), does anyone know if there is solution like this out there, a lockable metal cover for the OBD.
Could you please PM me with the URL

innovate

I did ring 0800-083-4397 (standard CS), they don't have a solution. They "are testing solution which should be with the dealers in about 8 weeks time".

In the meantime, they "advise customers to be extra vigilant, don't give your keys to anyone else and watch were you park your car". What a joke!

I am waiting for a manager to call me back - I want them to pay for the steering wheel lock that I am going to buy now.

innovate

icecurtain wrote: »

Have watched watchdog last night,
The problem with stealing a BMW, Is access to the OBD (electronic dongle that the mechanics use), does anyone know if there is solution like this out there, a lockable metal cover for the OBD.
Could you please PM me with the URL

HUH? How does it help other BMW owners if you get PMed?

The mind boggles.

Lum

Strider590 wrote: »

I have strong doubts about this whole thing, the ODBII port is a connection to the ECU, it only gives you sensor information and engine fault codes......

The OBDII port is basically just a serial port like you have on your PC, only it runs at 12V. It also has a number of unused pins that manufacturers can use for their own purposes.

Pretty much every manufacturer these days adds additional features to OBDII on top of what the spec requires, for example you can flash new firmware or maps on to the ECU via the OBDII port on Subarus amongst others.

It doesn't seem unreasonable at all that BMW would make a key programming device that connects via OBDII. Just think even the most stupid of fitters at the dealership could probably figure out a set of instructions like "order new key blank, insert key into device, plug device into car, press button, charge £150 for the privilege"

almillar

So in the meantime, actually look at and listen to your car when you lock it, to make sure someone isn't blocking your signal, and be careful who gets access to the inside of your car.
This still sounds like a pretty difficult car to steal. It's still far easier to just get the keys somehow like with any other car.

Altarf

icecurtain wrote: »

The problem with stealing a BMW, Is access to the OBD (electronic dongle that the mechanics use), does anyone know if there is solution like this out there, a lockable metal cover for the OBD.

Which may stop the car being stolen, but won't stop the window being broken before they find out that you have installed a cover. And then the thief trashing the interior trying to remove the cover.

almillar wrote: »

So in the meantime, actually look at and listen to your car when you lock it, to make sure someone isn't blocking your signal, and be careful who gets access to the inside of your car.

Waste of time. The other problem that Watchdog didn't mention, is that there is a dead spot on the interior alarm that allows them to break a window and get access to the car, without the alarm going off.

almillar wrote: »

This still sounds like a pretty difficult car to steal.

No it doesn't.

almillar wrote: »

It's still far easier to just get the keys somehow like with any other car.

Doing that is likely to involve interaction with the person that the keys belong to. Thieves are cowards (despite what judges say) and would prefer the safest option.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

i would be easier to unclup the ODBII port from its mounting location and push it up the dash as far as it will go to hide it out of sight and confuse anyone who intends on stealing it in this fasion.

huh where the heck is it? F'it lets go!.

either that, have a secondary alarm fitted along with a tracker. and as youve seen cctv doesnt deture them, they just wear masks and roll it away to be programmed down the road. but if you hide that port, they cant program the key so they cant drive away and just leave it where they rolled it. best have a interior sensor alarm fittted when window goes through and a hand stuck in the alarm goes off.

i'm sure BMW will be recalling all these cars back to have the firmware re-flashed to eliminate the key re'programming feature, so you will end up having to go to BMW to have a new or spare coded.

Altarf

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

i would be easier to unclup the ODBII port from its mounting location and push it up the dash as far as it will go to hide it out of sight and confuse anyone who intends on stealing it in this fasion.

But it doesn't stop them trying to steal it, and the damage that attempt causes.

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

either that, have a secondary alarm fitted along with a tracker.

Secondary alarm to fix BMW's not fit for purpose alarm. Funny. But the thieves have to believe that you have actually installed one, otherwise they will still give it a go.

As for trackers, how is that going to deter a theft unless you advertise you have one, at which point it becomes pointless.

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

i'm sure BMW will be recalling all these cars back to have the firmware re-flashed to eliminate the key re'programming feature, so you will end up having to go to BMW to have a new or spare coded.

You have faith.

DaMilkyBarKid

Any electronic key system is fallible. I had a Citroen C3 as a hire car on holiday this year in France. It had keyless entry and start (via push-button). I left the key thing in the hotel safe for safekeeping on the first night, it wasn't until the fourth day I realised I'd been driving around without it (200 km away at one point!) and I'd never failed to start it!! Presumably it was never locked at any point either?!

atrixblue.-MFR-.

Altarf wrote: »

But it doesn't stop them trying to steal it, and the damage that attempt causes.



Secondary alarm to fix BMW's not fit for purpose alarm. Funny. But the thieves have to believe that you have actually installed one, otherwise they will still give it a go.

As for trackers, how is that going to deter a theft unless you advertise you have one, at which point it becomes pointless.



You have faith.

1. if they want to have a go they will you cant prevent that in any case not just this one and not just BMW but others aswell

2.with any alarm comes window stickers to advertise its there aswell as a blinking light when its armed.

if the above fails then a tracker can help recover it.

many insurers require a tracker to be fitted to some make and models of vehicles in order to cover it i think this should go fo any vehicle worth over £20k.

what would you rather a smashed window or a stolen car?