View Full Version : Own a fairly new BMW? read on...
Specialone
14-09-12, 03:16 PM
Im working at a mates house atm in sutton coldfield, anyway, turned up this morning and there was a police car opposite.
Thought nothing until a knock at the door, the people opposite had their BMW nicked last night so the wpc was asking houses nearby if they had seen or heard anything.
She told us its the 3rd one this week in the area, all BMW's and all within a couple of years old.
As it happens, my friends brother in law had his beemer nicked recently and they assumed it had the handbrake cable cut then towed as the keys were still present and no break in.
Well, after what the wpc told us, that theory is wrong, the thieves have designed and built a scanner that copies the coded keyfob, doesnt set off any alarm or anything and allows the vehicle to be started.
Dont know why its only beemers atm as im sure other marques use similar technology, perhaps it will spread to others, i dont know.
Its suggested cars are being stolen to order and possibly shipped abroad.
I dont know if this is old news tbh, its the first i'd heard of it but just pass this on to anyone you know who maybe at risk.
Phil
BBadger
14-09-12, 03:21 PM
My sisters BF's bmw was stolen the same way.
1st time the just opened the boot and stole all his golf clubs then a week later the car was gone.
Seems to be a massive issue with bmw but being bmw they never publish any of this along with the amount that break down.
Littlepeahead
14-09-12, 03:28 PM
Lucky mine is ancient. Half the time I forget to lock it.
andrewsmith
14-09-12, 03:41 PM
All modern cars are screwed then, most use similar systems or are going to it.
There are videos on youtube of how to code a blank key for any BMW. As long as you can enter the car to access the OBD port you're on your way.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mg74/features/bmw-car-theft-technology
It's just a BMW issue.
The ODB port is active and able to be programmed for new keys even when the ignition is off. At the same time the alarm has a blind spot of exactly where the ODB port is...
Meaning you can plug in something to program a new key without setting off the alarm, then use the key to open the car and drive off.
The BBC had something the other day (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19562487)but there was another article a few weeks back as well.
Dan
ClunkintheUK
14-09-12, 04:00 PM
Nah, Mine's a pretty old one now.
Incidentally, been trying to sell it for about 8 months, getting it nicked might be easier. (In case it does get nicked now, police please note that I am not asking for this to happen. I have not and will not arrange for my car to be stolen, if someone has stolen it, its form their own initiative)
Best get an old fasion krock Lock (the newrwe ones can be picked easy)
Bluepete
14-09-12, 04:26 PM
This doesn't seem to have hit Manchester yet, but it's only a matter of time and with the active gangs we have here...
I wonder how long it'll be before someone tries to have my new 535 job car away?
Sarg? You'll never guess what?..
Pete ;)
Specialone
14-09-12, 04:41 PM
It's just a BMW issue.
The ODB port is active and able to be programmed for new keys even when the ignition is off. At the same time the alarm has a blind spot of exactly where the ODB port is...
Meaning you can plug in something to program a new key without setting off the alarm, then use the key to open the car and drive off.
The BBC had something the other day (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19562487)but there was another article a few weeks back as well.
Dan
What do you mean plug something in? Is this obd on the exterior of the car?
andrewsmith
14-09-12, 05:40 PM
This doesn't seem to have hit Manchester yet, but it's only a matter of time and with the active gangs we have here...
I wonder how long it'll be before someone tries to have my new 535 job car away?
Sarg? You'll never guess what?..
Pete ;)
:lol:
Sent from my ST25i using Tapatalk 2
BoltonSte
14-09-12, 05:50 PM
Didn't they use this scanning thing in gone in 60 seconds? I,ve always been convinced Hollywood gives pikey's ideas.
Its not scanning.
Its simply codeing in a new key.
BMW just allow the code tool to enter that mode without without a code or registered key.
Wideboy
14-09-12, 07:46 PM
What do you mean plug something in? Is this obd on the exterior of the car?
no its under the steering wheel behind a hatch, next to the bonnet release.
no idea how they're suppose to get in without the alarm going off but i guess there's a way into any car, you cant even walk past mine when the windows are down without the alarm going off.
Wideboy
14-09-12, 07:46 PM
Its not scanning.
Its simply codeing in a new key.
BMW just allow the code tool to enter that mode without without a code or registered key.
surely a simple ecu update would solve the problem?
Specialone
14-09-12, 07:49 PM
no its under the steering wheel behind a hatch, next to the bonnet release.
no idea how they're suppose to get in without the alarm going off but i guess there's a way into any car, you cant even walk past mine when the windows are down without the alarm going off.
That's what I didn't understand tbh, they are getting into these cars on driveways in the dead of night, it must be a fast process as they wouldn't wanna hang around for too much.
You'd think so.
But according to the local BMW dealerW/shop manager not yet.
And his had his ear bent off over it so much he is thinking of moving on.
Specialone
14-09-12, 07:51 PM
I think they are some way cloning the signal for the remote door locking, any other way would be too slow and risky.
Wideboy
14-09-12, 07:56 PM
they've been able to scan remote signals for ages.
meh, i'll wake up before they manage to get to mine. Then i kill them, in my boxers.
Dabteacake
14-09-12, 08:04 PM
seen this on a car forum I visit. The cars affected are 2006 onwards. There is a gap in the microwave alarm inside and there are no glass break alarms.
break the window keep close to the door program a key. open the car push it away and start it up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqGlq9vhuM0
a handy demo for anyone interested
It was on Watchdog the other night.
They did it themselves in about 50 seconds with a tool that can be purchased for about £6k, no copying or scanning of other remotes required.
It's worth a look on iplayer.
Apparently BMW have known about it for a year and not told any owners.
DaveRushton
15-09-12, 06:26 AM
They did this to my cousins new porsche apparently waited for her to lock it then got the information from the signal, then just unlocked and stole lots out of it! :/
phil24_7
16-09-12, 09:00 PM
Mines all booked in to have the software update in the next 8 weeks. Just need to be a bit more vigilant for the next few weeks, though gangs down here aren't likely to have a 6k machine, they'd be lucky if they could afford bus hammer for the window!
Milky Bar Kid
16-09-12, 09:09 PM
Guess who will be phoning the dealers in the morning....
andrewsmith
16-09-12, 09:10 PM
Guess who will be phoning the dealers in the morning....
Get a lend of a wheel clamp MBK, or leave it at work
Dave20046
16-09-12, 09:14 PM
Been happening in sheffield a little while, having to use good old fashioned steering locks!
phil24_7
16-09-12, 10:17 PM
On the plus side, I think they will have to update some of the car's modules to do the software update and last time I had any coding done there were 28 updates needed. With a bit of luck, they'll have to do these so they'll be free!
Milky Bar Kid
16-09-12, 11:47 PM
On the plus side, I think they will have to update some of the car's modules to do the software update and last time I had any coding done there were 28 updates needed. With a bit of luck, they'll have to do these so they'll be free!
True!!
daveyrach
17-09-12, 09:14 AM
This was on Watchdog last week. It took them 2mins to code a virgin key with this 'device' u can buy online for about £6k. They say bmw know about it but are not telling potential customers about this serious breach of their vehicle security.
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dirtydog
17-09-12, 02:40 PM
It's just a BMW issue.
The ODB port is active and able to be programmed for new keys even when the ignition is off. At the same time the alarm has a blind spot of exactly where the ODB port is...
Meaning you can plug in something to program a new key without setting off the alarm, then use the key to open the car and drive off.
The BBC had something the other day (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19562487)but there was another article a few weeks back as well.
Dan
Works on Fords as well, the Fords might be even easier to get into than the BMWs due to the being relatively easy to pick with a £20 tool you can buy online. Then they use their software etc to code a chip and then use the pick tool to start it up and drive off
obviously quite well known way of nicking a van
http://www.protectavan.co.uk/content/ecuobd-protection-device
phil24_7
17-09-12, 03:28 PM
Lets be honest, all new vehicles are a doddle to break into and steal...if you have the right equipment. Watched a locksmith take ten minutes to unlock a VW door with deadlocks, thereby disabling the alarm, he then used the same pick set to turn the ignition on. If we wanted it started he would have programmed a blank and cut us a key and he said that would only take ten minutes or so. This was with a few grands worth of equipment.
All new BMW since last October have had the software updated to stop the method used on watchdog and they were already doing silent recals on the higher marque vehicles. Probably would have been another year or so before they started contacting the older vehicles or lower marques though!
Iansv II
17-09-12, 06:10 PM
Another article about it
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/09/17/bmw_car_theft_hack/
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