BMW Thefts Without Keys

[Avtar]

Guys,

Is anybody on here aware of this or been a victim?

http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.as ... efts&mid=0

[entropy]

Well they have an iPhone App that can unlock cars so would of thought it would be easy for someone to hack/re programme to unlock any car?

I don't have keyless entry on my car but if you start car with key and then turn off and eject key and press the start button again quickly the engine will start with out the key.

Thats always made me wonder how safe it is tbh.

[Raj]

This kind of thing is being posted up quite a bit now.

[X5Sport]

Unfortunately with technology comes counter-technology. You've only got to look at the proliferation of cloned software, ODB2 cables, how to guides etc and this was inevitable for any car manufacturer - be it BMW, Audi, Range Rover or any of the others using keyless starting systems.

The fact is that if these thieves really want the car then they'll find a way to take it regardless of what the manufacturers do. It might be a break-in to nick the keys, or a jamming device and laptop job, but they'll find a way.

All any of us can do is decide what level of security we are going to provide to make them look elsewhere? That might be a tracking device, CCTV System, Disklok, garage, anti-theft posts in your drive etc, etc. it is an absolute condemnation of modern society that the have nots will do everything they can to take from the haves. The inane comments in The Sun article show the level of 'intelligence' we all have to deal with on a daily basis.

Forums like this are a boon to car thieves as it's do easy to get details. Add Google Earth Streetview to the equation and all their Christmases have arrived. I had to contact Google to request them to remove a set of images from Streetview which had my and my neighbourrs cars in clear view with unobscured number plates - something they should not have allowed to happen - and the images were indeed removed.

BMW will only react when the insurance companies force them to because they become uninsurable or lose their Thatcham rating. But they will only do the absolute minimum necessary, and with BMWs track record, probably only for cars built at a date in the future. For the rest of us it will be tough..

I will take additional steps to protect me, and just grin and bear it. Society will not protect me so I have to protect myself. I never thought that the old Stoplocks would see the light of day again, but it seems good clunky 'old school' tech wins again..

Dreadfull innit...

[X5Sport]

This is about to hit Auto Express.  I apologise for my scepticism!  Had an interesting email from their Editor....

[Rusty]

[quote="X5Sport"]
This is about to hit Auto Express.  I apologise for my scepticism!  Had an interesting email from their Editor....
[/quote]

Can you tell us more?

[X5Sport]

Having read a number of Forums and come across articles in various places, it became very obvious that there really is a problem.

So a couple of days back I emailed Steve Fowler, Editor in Chief of Auto Express, (as I subscribe) and asked what was going on and whether there really was a story here?

He replied to me last night........

Many thanks for the email.

We've been tracking this story for quite some time now and may be in a position to run a news story at long last in next week’s magazine. In fact, I had a (rather shocking) demo of how it’s being done the other day by a security expert.

So we will be highlighting the issue and getting responses from all concerned – it’s just taken a while to get there.

I’ve passed your email on to our consumer editor, who’s looking after the story – she may well be in touch.

Thanks again and best regards.

I have not yet had this week's edition so I can't say which one it is in, but it looks to be imminent and this email does rather tend to confirm there is a real issue here.  No doubt there will be more than a few Owners arriving at their local Dealer with a copy of the article and demanding to know what BMW (who to date have been their usually silent selves) are going to do about it?  I know I'll be one of them!  Dealers won't be able to deny it any longer, and nor will the manufacturer.  If the buying public loses faith in the marque then that's bound to stir things up, as will hiked insurance premiums for owners.

UPDATE: Nothing in the latest edition.  Have to wait another week.

[graemeX5]

I must admit reading the various BMW forums and links ther appear on the face of it a lot of cars being stolen without keys whether the older shaped key or the newer ones.

From details gleaned seems they programme a key via the old port and start car not too good.

Now looking at upgrading security on car

[mogsyman]

I think this problem has to be looked at in the cold light of day.

Whilst it's clearly an issue and needs to be discussed - is 'your' car at risk? Probably but it's unlikely to be stolen providing you take sensible precautions. I suspect much like the fear of buying 911 because their engines 'blow up', this is a problem affecting a few owners publicised on the net which we all know is a sure fire way of getting publicity in any given forum/activity therefore possibly making a mountain out of a molehill.

To emphasise how unlikely it is to happen, my wife's insurance cost on her new X5 is roughly £450 fully comprehensive which based on the value of the vehicle is (I think) good value for money. If these cars were moving as the thread on PH might have you believe, insurance companies would already be aware and premiums would have already gone through the roof - remember they are here to make money, not lose it and if you own one these cars they have you right where it hurts!

Just my 2p worth 

[X5Sport]

For now it seems the major theft areas are still highly localised.  My concern would be that if it is so easy to do then what steps have BMW taken, or are about to take, to reduce the likelihood of a thief being successful?

Just as a thought provoker, and I have no idea what real security steps BMW use, the current Satnav systems require a single use authorisation code for each map database update that is derived from the VIN.  Now if BMW have invoked that most likely to stop piracy, have they got a similar system for the key security?  I mean apart from the obvious bit of not actually allowing the functionality in the car to start with - which seems stupid if indeed that is what's permitted - there ought to be some sort of code known only to BMW in Germany that is needed.  No code, no key programming possible.  Or even that as the car has a maximum number of keys (was 4 on the E53) then the codes could be pre-programmed in and there is no way any other key could be programmed to work.

I think the risk is low, depending upon where you live and the model/colour you have, but the reported 'fact' that it 'appears' to be so simple to do has certainly made me take a couple of extra precautions just in case. Those in the 'higher theft' risk areas may need to be more aware of the local environment.  Whatever the truth might be, it does make disturbing reading for now without the other side of the story being known.

And if the reports are right, what were BMW thinking of?  It's like using a PC on the web without any anti-virus protection.....dumb.

[X5Sport]

The article has now appeared in the current edition of Auto Express (Issue 1,121 for those interested) about the problem, and particularly mentions those with keyless entry systems.  BMW have as yet not responded to requests for comment, but the Police have said that they know 'BMW isn't happy about it!'

Thatcham hope to have 'a fix' in about 8 weeks, but interestingly comment that the hardware to do the coding is easily available on line to allow 'independent garages to compete with the franchises'.  That seems odd, as I for one would only expect to be able to source a key from BMW!  There are currently no regulations in the EU that require any garages to log all repair work, nor that they be licensed.

The article does state that BMW are not the only brand with the problem.  'Hot Spots' are Birmingham, East London and Slough.

So no fix yet; yes the problem is known to the Authorities, Security Firms and Manufacturers; and BMW are keeping quiet!!  No change there then, but at least Dealers cannot deny it exists any more.  I guess for now we just have to double check our cars really are locked and use good old 'Stoplocks', and keep the pressure up on our local Dealer to make sure it gets sorted.

Richard

[pvr]

Are cars without comfort access ok then?

[X5Sport]

I wondered that too.  It was the main reason I didn't choose it on the X6.  The forums that I've looked at seem to indicate it is ANY current generation BMW with a radio key. 

The article refers to a window being broken, key programmer plugged in and blank key programmed into the vehicle's security system.  Some have indicated that thieves are sitting nearby by a radio jammer on the right frequency to block the owner locking the car with the fob, and then as above.  I know we're now both physically checking the door handle to make sure the locks are set.

Having just watched a video of programming a key on YouTube it is VERY simple and takes less than a minute!

[Frontman]

Lets face it folks, if the b@s%@r9s want it they will get it. It may be hi tech signal and programming stuff or low tech bruit force.
No manufacturer has come up with an un-pinchable car and although it's great to fix security loopholes a tracker is the only way to go.

[X5Sport]

[quote="Frontman"]
.....a tracker is the only way to go.
[/quote]
Wish it were so, but they can and have been jammed too, and those in the know go looking for them in the car as some manufacturers/installers always put them in the same place, or park the car up for a few days to see if anyone shows interest.  The key advantage of a tracker is that in theory the car gets found before either a 'rummage' or 'park up' happens, jamming still being rare.

As you rightly say, if the barstewards want it, they'll get it!!..... :rant: :wall: