Watchdog has got on the case now

I really don't see what all the fuss is about, cloning keys can happen with any car and any manufacturer its unfortunate BMWs have been the main target. I think the chances of having your car nicked or broken into are no greater than before to be honest and the advice BMW are giving out via their website is common sense advice anyways i.e. use your garage where possible, most people don't but cram it full of junk, make sure the car is locked, again I'm amazed watching people on car parks who walk away from their car and lock it without physically checking and parking in a well lit place. I'm guessing it's mainly X5s and X6s that are being targeted which is nothing new anyways as demand for cheap parts abroad is probably greater.

My main concern is insurance premiums which may be hiked up as a result of all the Internet hoohar whipped up over the past 6 months.

Tim.
 
TitanTim said:
I really don't see what all the fuss is about, cloning keys can happen with any car and any manufacturer its unfortunate BMWs have been the main target.
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It's not about cloning keys. And it isn't a problem that 'can happen with any car'. It's a rather complacent design oversight.

Note that BMW are claiming they fixed this weakness in new build cars since late last year.
 
Coming from a software development background it amazes me the lack of security of the onboard computer.

Such things would be easily avoided if a valid key was required for the onboard computer to accept connections.

Attacking a vehicles brain as such is certainly going to get more common, expecially with net connected cars :o
 
Just spoken to BMW UK Customer Services - GOOD NEWS!!!

BMW will be calling ALL '09 to '11 plates (starting with X5 & X6) for a software update. They recon we should be contacted by either the UK office or your local garage within the next 8 weeks.
 
InvisibleName said:
Just spoken to BMW UK Customer Services - GOOD NEWS!!!

BMW will be calling ALL '09 to '11 plates (starting with X5 & X6) for a software update. They recon we should be contacted by either the UK office or your local garage within the next 8 weeks.
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That certainly is good news and demonstrates that BMW does listen to concern from its customers.

I will wait for the call!
 
Dryce said:
TitanTim said:
I really don't see what all the fuss is about, cloning keys can happen with any car and any manufacturer its unfortunate BMWs have been the main target.
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It's not about cloning keys. And it isn't a problem that 'can happen with any car'. It's a rather complacent design oversight.

Note that BMW are claiming they fixed this weakness in new build cars since late last year.
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The thieves have been programming blank keys i.e. in a way cloning the original settings via the OBD. I understand any make of vehicle that uses slot type keyfobs is vulnerable in the same way, its not just BMWs. I've heard Audis are just as vulnerable. Its just the stolen car market market is with BMWs at the moment. You can bet once BMWs actions take effect they will move onto other prestige makes.

The complacent design oversight on BMWs is the location of the OBD2 port and the fact that the interior alarm perimeter doesn't extend to area around the window and OBD port.

I think its a lesson for all manufacturers not just BMW that were relying too much on electronics and that sometimes physical deterants can be better.

Tim.
 
I only hope its a proper "FIX"

I seem to remember the motor industry claim that car theft was more difficult these days! Apparently not, just a little more high tech than a piece of bent wire!
 
According to Watchdog last night BMW are extending the fix to all their cars! Evidently we should contact ‘customer services’ (sic) - 0800 0834397. Tried twice today but they seem a little busy :evil:
 
MikeS said:
According to Watchdog last night BMW are extending the fix to all their cars! Evidently we should contact ‘customer services’ (sic) - 0800 0834397. Tried twice today but they seem a little busy :evil:
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I imagine 80% of owners who never frequent forums know there's even a problem :cry:

Tim.
 
AlanJ said:
Whatever fix is made there will be someone who gets round it - just a fact of life :(
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Even if it's as crude as a hammer, a chain and a low loader!

If they want it they'll have it I'm afraid. Locks only keep honest men out!
 
TitanTim said:
The thieves have been programming blank keys i.e. in a way cloning the original settings via the OBD. I understand any make of vehicle that uses slot type keyfobs is vulnerable in the same way, its not just BMWs.
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I don't think you do quite understand.

This does not involve 'cloning keys'. It doesn't even come down to the 'slot type keyfob' - simply the lack of a mechanical key.

The vulnerability is down to the lack of any authentication requirement to assign a new key once somebody gains physical access to the diagnostic port. It's an astonishing security hole.
 
For more details about how BMW are doing this out of the goodness of their hearts see - http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/bmw-offers-free-security-fix/263878 :evil:
 
Yeah, that and the fact you can smash the driver's window and stick your arm in the car without triggering the alarm. Ridiculous security.
 
MikeS said:
For more details about how BMW are doing this out of the goodness of their hearts see - http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/bmw-offers-free-security-fix/263878 :evil:
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"BMW says it has been aware of the problem since September 2011, and insists that it is not confined to solely to its models."

I am seriously unimpressed by this.
 
No ... you don't smash the window, you press the micro switch that lowers the window enough to get your hand in ...

On that video of the 1M, you see that they never smashed any windows.
 
I went to see my dealer this morning and spoke to the service manager..... when i started to raise my voice a little with him (very nice person BTW) the dealer principal stepped in to our conversation.

I explained that being the owner of an affected BMW i was not impressed. I'm not so concerned about the theft of the car, as i have insurance with protected NCB. the bigger issue is the GAP between what it would cost me to replace it like for like and what the insurance company would say its worth (i know it sounds a bit glib, but i had to go back with something).

He said, as has been stated in other posts that lots of high end vehicle manufacturers have been affected by the availability of the new coding equipment. He also stated that BMW had a statement on their website today about the problem.

further, he says that the X% and X6 were seriously affected as they were the favourite target! i asked about my Z4 and it is an affected vehicle, but BMW have said that a fix will be available in about 8 weeks time for the E90 (3 series). I'm assuming that the E89 is will be in this group as it must be an e92/93 variant.

Further, and he did have a point, that they did not show how they got in to the car.... if you break a window in the car to gain access the alarm will go off, if you open a door without turning off the alarm system being turned off by using the key, it will go off.

He stated that it has been revealed that what is likely happening is that jammers are being used in the vicinity of the car (possibly located in the garden or in the location) that cause the alarm not to be enabled and the door lock operated. all it allows is the blinking of the indicators, thus making the owner think that the alarm has been set and the car locked and alarmed.

The measure that should be taken is a check of the door handle to ensure that the locks have been actioned / alarm set.

Whilst i'm not happy about this debacle, I can see their point of view regarding accessing the interior of the car without causing the car alarm going off!

Dario
 
a11y earlier said:
Plenty of discussion on other BMW forums. General info being given to BMW owners (other than X5/6) is that there is currently NO available fix at this time, but they expect to have one available within 8 weeks. They're currently trialling it on the X5/6 before rolling it out to all affected models.
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And BTW they're not contacting all owners - it's up to you to contact them. I'm not wasting my time yet and will just wait the 8 weeks as they state, assuming my car doesn't get nicked in the meantime :roll:
 
pvr said:
No ... you don't smash the window, you press the micro switch that lowers the window enough to get your hand in ...

On that video of the 1M, you see that they never smashed any windows.
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Some and some it seems. Quite a few people with nicked cars on the PH thread reported a pile of broken glass. Others collected their stolen and recovered cars to find the lock tampered with and no broken glass. My friend's 335d had the window smashed, scumbags got disturbed by someone, but the alarm didn't sound.
 
By the looks of things the e89 is not high up the list, as said before mainly x5 and 6 as they are popular in the middle east and Africa where a lot of the cars apparently end up....
 
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