BMW Thefts - very concerning

[P 5UML]

It's take hours of coding and wiring to bypass.. If they are that insistent its stole going to happen but it's quite unlikely...

ahh ok! good to know..

[BWchiptune]

Blackjax can now be installed via canbus style which means it connects to the MOST network directly and doesn't involve complex wiring jobs.

Andy (Icecold) can fit these. As can SCR in Ashton, Car audio security in hayes etc.

It adds, via a small keypad, a PIN code which must be input to the car after the engine has been started. If you don't do this within X seconds, the car will go into limp mode and the alarm sound and hazards enable. Further, I believe you can enable the steering lock.

So if they manage to code a key and drive your car away, they won't get very far!

It doesn't however stop the process of coding a new key via OBD port to start the engine in the first place.

Jason offers a system which means you can stealthilly disable the OBD port. This needs to be re-enabled before any diagnostics can be done as well of course: But will make it more or less impossible for the thieves to take the car without a key

They have the more complex method of breaking in and then popping the hood to replace the ECU, but I'm led to believe that doesn't really happen any more.. It's mostly the code key and drive off approach. Chances are they'll just leave the car (and leave you with a broken side window but no other damage hopefully) if the key coding fails.

It should be noted, that if they are determined: There's nothing you can do. There are still plenty of audi's, porshces, mercs - which are being stolen by people breaking into the house to find the keys. There is the argument that you'd rather they just took the car than woke up your family at night with a knife or gun demanding the key. Living in a flat I don't have this concern .. they wouldn't necessarily know which apartment the car belonged to. But if your car is on a drive this is another real concern.

A CANBUS based alarm is likely to cost around £450 fitted. Jason's method AFAIK is £99. A combination of both would be total security, but I'd say just the latter is a great idea.


Hope that helps !
Dave

I have been making BMW keys for some time now and posted how easy it was to steal these push start button BMW cars
We do a mod to stop the keys being made and have had a good few calls asking how we do it
We do this in a few different ways so it's never the same
It's the only way to stop them as I have years of knowledge on this
Also if some has tried to take your car and it do not start and your dealer want over 2100 to get you on the road again give me a call on 07831103030 as we can fix it

[BWchiptune]

It's takes me 5 mins to start these cars and drive them away

I was going to post a video a few years ago and show everyone how easy it is to take these cars
But I was warned against doing it

I have posted about how easy it is to take these cars some time ago on other forums and no body blinked an eye
The problem is the full cas chip which holes all the key info can be read out over the obd where as on the old ews system you had to remove the chip to read To get this info
Once you have this info it is easy to use a transponder chip writer to write the next key to a blank key

We have proven that our mods to stop push button start BMW being stolen are working as these customers have had there cars opened but the thieves where unable to drive the cars away

We will be making our who windscreen stickers to tell the thieves
These car have our BWprotection mods fitted

We have also had many calls asking what we do to these car
We are not going to tell anyone what we do so stop ringing
Ps it's not just one type of mod we do to stop this happening !!!!

[ollystrous]

I've heard BMW have addressed this. Does anyone know if the solution has been released yet? Had mine stolen back in May and now have a new one with big yellow steering lock and looking for a fix that's not so inconvenient!

Any help appreciated!

[Raj]

I've heard BMW have addressed this. Does anyone know if the solution has been released yet? Had mine stolen back in May and now have a new one with big yellow steering lock and looking for a fix that's not so inconvenient!

Any help appreciated!

There is a software update to now fix this issue so as long as this has been applied then all good.

[ollystrous]

Thanks Raj.

Are BMW offering this for free? Should I just pop down to main dealer?

[MistaSmiff]

Yes the update is free!

[ollystrous]

Planning on getting it remapped.. would you advise getting the security update first incase? Would it delete the remap?

[P 5UML]

the new software update will remove remaps which is why it has put a few people off (i know id rather have my car safe than a remap....) but still...not sure if the new software update blocks remaps done afterwards though...this has not been reviewed yet!

[westside]

i had the x5 done before I sod it, at that pointin time (about 6 weeks ago) they only had the patch for the x5 and x6. The BMW tech did say that they are planning to release one for the 3 and 5 series but not sure if that has been realised