BMW car theft issue addressed by BMW

[Zak33]

BMW is offering a free fix to all customers concerned about a spate of high-tech thefts of the firm's cars.

Highlighted on the BBC's Watchdog programme, the technique allows thieves to program a 'blank' key so the targeted vehicle can be driven away in only a few minutes. BMW says it has been aware of the problem since September 2011, and insists that it is not confined to solely to its models.

The security flaw is applicable to BMWs built before September 2011; the company stresses that models built since are not exposed to the same risk.

BMW says it has a fix ready to install now on the X5 and X6, and that an upgrade for the rest of its range will be ready 'within the next eight weeks'.

The free fix will be carried out by BMW dealers. 'We're funding this out of a 'goodwill budget' between BMW GB and our dealer network,' a spokesman told What Car?.

Customers should call BMW's hotline on 0800 083 4397 if they want to check if their vehicle is affected, or book a car in for the modification.

News Source: What Car

heads up for the Bimmer boys

[Guy]

Goodwill budget, don't make me laugh!
That really does get on my nerves that they are STILL not actually admitting fault, more a quiet 'our cars are really safe, but if you feel like you want some 'extra' protection, we will do this for you out of the kindness of our hearts'...

(Yes you've caught me having a bad day!)
Sorry Zakky not aimed at you in the slightest!

They've stuck their heads in the sand, and fobbed everyone off for the past 2 years about this. As usual it had to take the intervention of the media to get anything done. To top it all off, only offering X5 & X6 owners the 'fix' for the next 2 months is just not on.
Plus it might well affect other manufacturers, but I've yet to see it really be a nationwide problem to hit another manufacturer.

Just as many, 1,3,5 and 6 series have been taken. Not to mention any of the 'M' models.

The main customer service centre is useless, and don't expect any luck from any dealer. Believe me I've tried!

But hey, luckily round these parts it's not been too much of an issue. The majority of cars being taken occurred in major cities, or were specifically targeted at the high value cars.

[finlay666]

http://jalopnik.com/5923802/watch-ha...-three-minutes

It looks like a flaw in how the keys are coded, these keys without the metal bits do seem to be quite common now, maybe the BMW coding was just a bit lazy

Wonder what sort of OBD sensor you need to hack it, guess it's a bad idea leaving my bluetooth one in my car then (not that it's a bmw)

[abaxas]

It'll be interesting to see what happens to premiums.

[Macadee]

I phoned the helpline to see if my 5 was affected, was told is was only X5 and X6 models but as a goodwill gesture they will be recoding other models. Seems a bit of a different story to the What Car site.

The software is planned to reach the dealers in upto 8 weeks time, awaiting a call to get booked in.

[Sputnik]

but as a goodwill gesture they will

This is something that really makes me angry, They use this term and do not have a clue on it's true meaning.

Maybe they should show 'true' goodwill and pay the increases in insurance premiums of those people who have had there cars stolen.

[Mblaster]

I phoned the helpline to see if my 5 was affected, was told is was only X5 and X6 models but as a goodwill gesture they will be recoding other models. Seems a bit of a different story to the What Car site.

The software is planned to reach the dealers in upto 8 weeks time, awaiting a call to get booked in.

I think the owner of this BMW 1M would disagree with it only affecting X5 and X6 models.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DshK4ZXPU9o

[Macadee]

I think the owner of this BMW 1M would disagree with it only affecting X5 and X6 models.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DshK4ZXPU9o

Damn. Not clear why the alarm didn't go off after breaking the window though.

[Guy]

It's not just the X models, everything apart from the new range (1, 3, 5, 6, 7) range are effected.

On RHD models the area around the drivers door mirror is in an alarm blackspot, so you can get through the window and if you're careful have uninterupted access to the OBD port. This is the main problem, if the alarm covered this area it wouldn't have spiraled out of control like it has.