MODS PLEASE STICKY : WARNING - BMW THEFTS - WITH FOB KEYS

[shocks]

Folks,

Been a while since I posted here but thought I'd share a link to a thread on PH - stay safe out there - No fix from BMW yet...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=72&t=1121571&mid=219458&i=820&nmt=New+BMW%27s+getting+stolen+using+blank+BMW+keys&mid=219458

[doc4246]

Good to see that some of the techy types on the other forums (PH et al) really looking into some solutions...but still looks like there's a 'device' that's getting them into the vehicle by opening the door without forcing it/drilling out lock/breaking glass...

I've just had all the soft/firm ware on my car updated at a recent visit to a dealer for a load of work and a service...unfortunately I didn't get what version I now have but will be calling them to find out and to directly ask if this resolves the ability for blank electronic fobs to be programmed from plugging a device into the OBD socket...

But this is a worrying increasing trend...and black is the preference...although out in certain parts of Africa, Central America, Central and South East Asia the respray costs little to do and the results are pretty good all considering (I'm not an expert by any means but I couldn't honestly notice the original colour and resprays I've seen on recovered vehicles in the field) - so any colour is at risk - especially if well optioned...as this adds the possibility of just breaking for parts if it becomes too hot to move intact.

[X5Sport]

I have to admit to being one of the sceptics around here the first time this appeared on the Forum a few weeks back....for which I can only say sorry.... :-[

Having now read a lot more threads all over the place, I'm somewhat more concerned.  I did challenge my local dealer....who denied all knowledge and said it wasn't possible (I pointed him at his pc and 'suggested he used a well known search engine to look it up)!

I've just unearthed a pair of 1990's vintage Stoplock devices and found the keys and put both into use.  It was whilst fitting the one into mine that I realised that of course without a mechanical type key, there isn't a steering lock either - or at least waggling mine didn't drop a lock pawl into place.

Unless there's a a way of getting the profile raised so that it impacts BMW Sales figures - at which point they'll notice - we're going to have a denialfest from BMW GB.

I'm just wondering what can really be done to stop it at source?  Short of putting a block of code into the cars that requires a digital certificate that is only issued inside the programming software and only available from BMW without which the car won't accept a new key.  In other words the new key, certified coding unit and car all have to be together and possibly 'on line' to BMW at the same time.  Some of the cars have ethernet ports on them which makes this one possibility, but not others. 

I would hope that some protection will be loaded into the cars very soon, but it may be two years from that point before all the affected models are protected simply because of the service cycle.  I can't see BMW GB telling all the Owners of all the cars sold since the new key came into use, to get their cars into their Dealers, and VOSA won't demand a recall as it's not an operational safety critical issue.

I will keep the pressure up on my Dealer though.  I don't expect the phone drones at BMW GB will do other than spout corporate denials.

Very worrying this, and so obvious a hole you have to wonder who dropped the ball here?

[X5Sport]

I wrote to the chief Editor of Auto Express about this and he has responded saying that they are about to run an article on this very issue, indeed he has seen a "shocking demonstration" of just how easy it is to do.  Watch this space!

AE has been tracking the story for a while.  Methinks more than a few Dealers are going to end up with owners turning up with a copy of the magazine and demanding the Dealers sort it out and quickly.  Be difficult for the denials to continue!

[pvr]

Here is a recorded example on a 1M:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLHo-GYG25Q

[Raj]

[quote="pvr"]
Here is a recorded example on a 1M:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLHo-GYG25Q
[/quote]

Can't quite see on the iPhone but what did they do with the window/alarm?

[pvr]

Smash window, create key from OBD

[Raj]

[quote="pvr"]
Smash window, create key from OBD
[/quote]

Shouldn't the alarm go off once window is smashed? I know about the creating cloned keys from the OBD and you can see once coded they deactivate alarm/central locking but would have thought the alarm would be going off as soon as they smash the window and start leaning in?

[pvr]

Does not seem to do that. I know that on my M, I have to go really low in the car for the alarm to go off (i.e. seat level or even lower). I assume the glass is not enough movement.

[Raj]

[quote="pvr"]
Does not seem to do that. I know that on my M, I have to go really low in the car for the alarm to go off (i.e. seat level or even lower). I assume the glass is not enough movement.
[/quote]

So BMW need to address their alarm systems too then...lol

[V12 EGO]

Like others have said, there is no fix from BMW yet but this problem isn't confined to BMW it appears to be an issue with just about any car that no longer has a proper key including Audi, Seat, Volkswagen etc.

I don't think Mercs are as exposed.

The Alpina guys are resorting to using DiskLok on the basis that modern thieves won't carry the tools or have the time to remove a steering wheel lock. Other options include disabling the ODB port.

[shadrack]

[quote="V12 EGO"]
Like others have said, there is no fix from BMW yet but this problem isn't confined to BMW it appears to be an issue with just about any car that no longer has a proper key including Audi, Seat, Volkswagen etc.

I don't think Mercs are as exposed.

The Alpina guys are resorting to using DiskLok on the basis that modern thieves won't carry the tools or have the time to remove a steering wheel lock. Other options include disabling the ODB port.
[/quote]

as above would it not be worth going into the dash and moving/disabling the obd port? also no idea if it would work on something that new but a favourite of mine on old cars is an ultra simple solution of a hidden switch for the fuel pump, no fuel no cars and as it turns over there is only so long a theif will sit there turning a car over that seems to not start and will do one, and also in this case they will probly assume there key isnt working and leave, might be stupid but just an idea that could be done for pence and only take a few hours which may just save your car, to add it works with an e53

[Sanj]

Tbh most driver won't know where the ODB port is, let alone have the technical ability to put an inline switch in....

[X5Sport]

I've gone with the Disklok option until a proper fix is found.  BMW should have already released it, but Dealers know nothing of one unless it's a pre-2010 car.

[V12 EGO]

[quote="X5Sport"]
I've gone with the Disklok option until a proper fix is found.  BMW should have already released it, but Dealers know nothing of one unless it's a pre-2010 car.
[/quote]

Why does pre-2010 make a difference. I was under the impression that the problem affected anything with a start button and the electronic key?