Just watch this: There's a report on PH about it with some interesting discussion. Seems we should go back to metal keys and installing third party security! Serious negligence by BMW to allow OBD access within reach from outside the car without the alarm going off. (sorry if this is a repost)
Basically, they smashed a small area of window glass in the car without activating the alarm and then used a diagnostic device to reprogramme a key fob through the OBD port. Done and dusted in 3 minutes.
I'm getting that from the PH article, but that's the bit I'm unsure of, too. There's no front quarter glass or anything on these and by the time the big guy steps into the car, it looks like the glass is down completely. But, it's hard to tell.
3mins isnt exactly quick to steal a car. but aye id like to know how they smash a small piece of the glass also!
Serious oversight by BMW, chap on another forum I use had his X6 stolen this way last weekend, though thankfully the Tracker went off and the Police gave chase and caught him on the motorway.
<cynic>And then let them off again with a caution no doubt...</cynic> Good to see the tracker was effective though. As said above, back to installing third party security on top of the basic immobiliser. Really bad form for BMW though...
its not as if car entry kits are hard to get or dear to buy. anyone here can get the tools they used to take the car
Quiet a few security problems on BMs lately. After driving and you remove the key with in 15seconds or something like that if you hit the start button the car will start again and drive.
i imagine if you placed a piece of clear sticky film i.e.tint over the glass you could just break open a small part of the window, the whole window would be wrecked but the glass wouldnt fall inside the car, almost like the way the windscreen is laminated
i heard of an x5 which was only a few years old was stole 2 weeks ago must be the same way they got it scary to see how easy it is for them.
Yeah, it is worrying this trend. Like most of th ePH community, I thought the days of 3rd Party security devices was long gone. Apparently not it seems, really worrying.