Basic Security

[Angie4m]

the issue on the 1 series was that they could break a drivers side window and lean in to access the OBD port without the alarm going off and then reprogram the car to accept the key they had and they would use this to steal the car

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It wasn't just an issue on the 1 series. It was all models and they could still break the window in this way because the sensor doesn't cover the area.

Adebayor's X6 was stolen without the keys, there was 3 series and 5 series owners advising this had happened to them too. Insurance companies not wanting to pay out, BMW saying there was no issue then the guy with the 1M caught it on camera and suddenly there was a problem. I believe that one of the Paralympic athletes car which was given to him by BMW, a X5 was also stolen without the Keyes.

I was thinking as a cheap alternative how about a padlock through the handbrake lever switch as once its engaged if you cant press it down to disengage because of the padlock the car isnt going anywhere

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I like the concept and it would stop you or me from moving the car, but I suspect your determined crim would just cut the handbrake handle as it doesn't look that substantial.
A specifically designed padlock with some sort of protective shield to prevent access to the handle, now that might work.

If by 'Disklock' you mean the big yellow dustbin lid that goes over the steering wheel, I accept that these are effective but they are a little bit cumbersome.

Back to the Sky News report. I don't recall any reference to the need for windows to be broken to gain access to the OBD but maybe they omitted this detail to prevent their report turning into a training course. Wish someone else had seen it.

I can't honestly see how the padlock would work as if it was so big it wouldn't fit and just by moving it slightly I would think it would still be able to be disengaged.

As I said before the scanners which pick up the key frequency have been about since the 90s. There was quite a lot of chat mid 90s about cars being stolen because someone would pick up the frequency with the scanner and then go to the car and open it and then do what they had to. It usually back then used to switch the immobiliser off. Then BMW designed a system that each time the key was used a new code was generated so even if they got into the car they would need a new code transmitted to the immobiliser to make it work.

These scanners have been around for donks and yes someone could get the frequency and open up the car, however they cannot re program a key via the OBD II port, this facility was removed by BMW in 2012 after a spate of thefts to which had been going on for years and they were not the only manufacturer effected but one of the only ones if not the only one to take action to sort it.

I saw the report and they clearly said that although all manufactures are effected some have done more than others to stop thieves from being able to drive the car away. One of these companies is BMW

 

[ric19]

oh and iirc there was a company offering a mod for the 1 series that covered the OBD port with a lockable cover

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[ric19]

http://www.babybmw.net/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=38623

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[ric19]

http://www.nvmotorsport.co.uk/OBD-STOP-prevents-bmw-getting-stolen

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[Angie4m]

If someone really wants to steal your car then they will do what they can to get it and trying to deter them is great but you could have all the gadgets in the world and they'd still have it. However it's not just our cars that can be targeted, it's every modern car out there, but it's good to be aware of such activity. It may make you notice strange activity around where the car is parked. Or make you think about where you are parking it.

 

[ric19]

yea true.they will put it on a low loader If needs be its just a matter of how many tank traps you put in their way

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[ric19]

well I sleep better knowing my Disklok is on

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[TitanTim]

When I first took delivery of the Zed there was the big thread on Pistonheads regarding key cloning via the OBD which got me slightly paranoid and then learnt my Zed wasn't affected. I bought a Stoplock but it won't fit the M steering wheel so then bought a tracking device :roll: which is never used now as I can't be arsed with it all. As much as anything its a case of using your wits, watch where you park and always check manually the car is locked. I'm amazed how many people lock their car whilst walking away from it and not checking its locked correctly. I was under the impression scanners block the central locking signal so wise to double check before walking away.

Tim.

 

[Angie4m]

How many people with comfort access have left the keys in the car locking it with the little tab on the door. I bet there has been a few. So if you've comfort access make sure you've got your keys prior to leaving the car. I keep mines in my bag behind the seat with comes with me but I can imagine it's quite easy to put them in the arm rest and completely forget about them.

 

[TitanTim]

How many people with comfort access have left the keys in the car locking it with the little tab on the door. I bet there has been a few. So if you've comfort access make sure you've got your keys prior to leaving the car. I keep mines in my bag behind the seat with comes with me but I can imagine it's quite easy to put them in the arm rest and completely forget about them.

Good point, I've just specced it on the 1 Series so will have to remember this

Tim.

 

[New2Zed]

How many people with comfort access have left the keys in the car locking it with the little tab on the door. I bet there has been a few. So if you've comfort access make sure you've got your keys prior to leaving the car. I keep mines in my bag behind the seat with comes with me but I can imagine it's quite easy to put them in the arm rest and completely forget about them.

Don't have 'comfort' access on the Z4 but do have 'keyless' access (same thing) on another car. If the key is still inside the vehicle, even the boot, it will not lock via the button on the door handle. I would presume BMW's system would be as fool proof.

If I shut my keys in the boot of my Z4 by accident, whilst the doors are locked, I'll be ringing my wife to bring the spare set

 

[Titan]

In theory you cannot lock the e89 with comfort access if there is a key within proximity if the vehicle.
In practice my wife found this to be untrue.
The car was locked, she opened the boot using the badge/handle, put shopping and handbag inside and closed it. She could not then open the doors or the boot! Cue phone call to me to take the spare set of keys. Fortunately sage wasn't far away!
However when we tried it replicate the scenario, the boot would not close but kept bobbing open again. Similarly leaving keys inside the cockpit will inhibit CA locking.
I have no idea why she should have been locked out like this but changed the fob batteries in case it was a signal strength or shielding issue. (Unlike normal vehicles, those with CA do not have batteries that charge inductively when in the ignition slot)

 

[New2Zed]

This is the Sky News report that had/has me concerned.
Not a lot of detail so still confused.




http://news.sky.com/story/1257320/thousands-of-cars-stolen-using-hi-tech-gadgets