BMW Theft Key Cloning

29400 Views 58 Replies 26 Participants Last post by diagnosticbox, Aug 20, 2015

beemer39

Discussion Starter · Mar 26, 2013

It seem this has been rampant in the UK for some time. Was just informed of the following on Boards yesterday.

BMW Thefts
"A friend of mine had a 5 series stolen and still had both keys. I didn't believe it was possible but apparently thieves have a system now to access the onboard computer and program a blank key. This happened a few days back on the Northside. Thought it was worth making owners aware. "

I then watched a report on BBC Watchdog about a device for sale on the internet allowing thieves to steal BMWs and other high-end cars without the need for the owner's keys. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19562487

The watchdog report quotes BMW in the UK as follows: "None of our latest models - new 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series and 7 Series - nor any other BMW built after September 2011 can be stolen using the method highlighted."

According to Pistonhead "as long as you can enter the car to access the OBD port you're on your way"

This news came as a shock to me today. I have a 2010 F10 I recently brought in from the UK. Am I way behind the curve here or are many of us at risk tonight?

Does anyone have more info on this - and hopfully a solution.

Many years ago I used to lock the steering wheel of my VW Golf with a chain and lock, when car theft in Dublin was bad - never thought I'd be back there again !!

Thanks - sorry for the essay.

1 - 20 of 59 Posts

LEINS

· #2 · Mar 26, 2013

Get a good steering wheel lock, at least it'll make them think twice and maybe go elsewhere. It's been a PR nightmare for BMW in the UK, and I'm pretty sure they've lost sales because of it. Been lots of security footage of cars getting taken from driveways in less than a minute

Been running on PH for over a year now, but BMW UK wouldn't acknowledge it. I even know of one Irish dealers who told someone with an E90 that it was only M5s that would be getting stolen

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/...New+BMW's+getting+stolen+using+blank+BMW+keys

Reactions: 1

Topaz

· #3 · Mar 27, 2013 (Edited)

can be done to the vw range as well, seen the equipment they use only a few months ago, they can get the car started but if they have to turn it off at any stage they cannot restart it again without using the equipment.

cambo e46

· #4 · Mar 27, 2013

Would be easier to get someone to move your obd than a steering lock

Reactions: 1

LEINS

· #5 · Mar 27, 2013

cambo e46 said:
Would be easier to get someone to move your obd than a steering lock

Think there was a lot of confusion over whether that would invalidate warranties on the newer stuff though

BMWcare

· #6 · Mar 27, 2013 (Edited)

Deleted due to departure

Reactions: 1

LEINS

· #7 · Mar 27, 2013

BMWcare said:
Scare tactics on BMW's behalf I'd guess.
Can you imagine the court case?

"Yes Judge, I moved the port because of a design flaw to save insurance company claims and stop another red faced dealer on Watchdog...

I've improved the product and BMW are trying not to pay warranty on e.g. The broken timing chain (another design/material fault). "

I'd love to be a witness in that one...
I'd expect the Judge to hammer the defendant...

On a practical note; you can put the port back to original before bringing back to dealer...

Kind Regards,
Eddie.

The only issue though is how will a scumbag know that this work has been done before he smashes the passenger window. At least a big visible yellow wheel-lock yoke tells them that it'll be a bit more difficult to nick the car

If BMW had done the right thing and issued a very public recall at least it would send out the correct message and people would know that the vast majority of post-06 cars were fixed

Reactions: 1

Berserkr88

· #8 · Mar 30, 2013

cambo e46 said:
Would be easier to get someone to move your obd than a steering lock

ya move real obd somewhere under cover and leave old one in a place withl live wires hooked up just in case somebody connects hes equip,,, fry the fecker

Jimmy Mac

· #9 · Mar 30, 2013

LEINS said:
Get a good steering wheel lock, at least it'll make them think twice and maybe go elsewhere.

steering wheel lock not worth the money jeff, they will just cut through the sterring wheel with a hacksaw and slip the lock off....

sad but true......

Reactions: 1

Gar

· #10 · Mar 30, 2013

there a very simple solution to this problem buy an e24/e34 etc

Reactions: 2

LEINS

· #11 · Mar 30, 2013

Jimmy Mac said:
LEINS said:

Get a good steering wheel lock, at least it'll make them think twice and maybe go elsewhere.

steering wheel lock not worth the money jeff, they will just cut through the sterring wheel with a hacksaw and slip the lock off....

sad but true......

Click to expand...

I agree with you Jimmy, but it's more about the visible deterrent. If they have to do that after all the other stuff then you'd hope they'd just say feck it and move onto another E92. Saying that there's not that many 335i/ds about so probably wouldn't work if they wanted one of those alright

E24 with Clifford window stickers is the way forward as Gar says!

Reactions: 1

TheRev

· #12 · Mar 30, 2013

I just take my steering wheel out of the car. Super deterrant

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

rebel.ranter

· #13 · Mar 30, 2013

TheRev said:
I just take my steering wheel out of the car. Super deterrant

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

1m 14seconds

http://youtu.be/eC4yDwOh-U8?t=1m14s

Al C

· #14 · Apr 4, 2013

Unfortunately the sad reality is that if they really want the car no security will stop them....
And the easiest way to get the car is to break into the house & take the keys! Getting very common in this country and happened a friend of mine just last night.... He woke up to a guy standing over his girlfriend with a crowbar demanding the keys!!!! Bye bye MkV GTI...

aristotle25

· #15 · Apr 4, 2013

Neighbour had his car taken a few nights back. They fished the keys out through letter box.

No excuse for making it easy for the scumbags.

aristotle25

· #16 · Apr 4, 2013

Al C said:
Unfortunately the sad reality is that if they really want the car no security will stop them....
And the easiest way to get the car is to break into the house & take the keys! Getting very common in this country and happened a friend of mine just last night.... He woke up to a guy standing over his girlfriend with a crowbar demanding the keys!!!! Bye bye MkV GTI...

There is a lot you can do to make it very difficult to still your car. It the above case it sounds like there was no house alarm? We're the door locks snapped, windows forced?

If an alarm went off the chances are they will run.

Bmw330ci

· #17 · Apr 4, 2013

Once you've given them the keys you could follow them outside with a shotgun!

I wouldn't bother for the BMW as I can get another one but as for the mustang....

Bart

· #18 · Apr 4, 2013

Didn't read this thread, but my mates fathers E60 535d was stolen while he attended a funeral in another county. Ps he still has the keys

aristotle25

· #19 · Apr 4, 2013

Was it lifted onto a truck?

Reactions: 1

bmw_e46

· #20 · Apr 4, 2013

Guess we should all plant a wireless c4 under the car and blow the F*ckers away while driving!

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