[jonl1983]

Originally Posted by gaza01

where exactly did you get this from exactly...their website?
Nice find in any event. Will prove useful.

On a thatcham website. Stating differences between cat 1 cat 2 etc and the levels of security that are met to be classed into those categories

[parapaul]

I couldn't find that - on Thatcham's website under the categories of alarm and immobiliser there's no mention of glass break detection.

Category 1
Passenger Cars, LCV, HGV, Plant, Motorcycles
ELECTRONIC ALARM AND IMMOBILISER

•Alarm
Perimeter detection
Ignition detection
Passenger compartment movement detection
Inclination detection (Motorcycle only)
Audible warning with battery back-up power supply

•Immobiliser
Passively set
Isolates a minimum of two operating circuits or systems, or a minimum of one operationally relevant vehicle control unit with coded intervention

There's also 'get out of jail free' wording saying that their ratings don't prevent theft of or from a vehicle, but it reduces the chances.

[Alex.Devol]

Originally Posted by sheps

Not sure that's the case; I think E91,92 and 93 still available via factory order. I would imagine that to be the case with the E92 for at least 6 months and at least 12 for the E93 - no replacements available as yet and I can't see BMW leaving themselves with an empty niche, especially ones that sell so well.

+1
e92/3 will continue production until 2014, as will m3

[Bob S]

Count me in too......

[Falmouthboy]

Originally Posted by CMOS II

Also - those of you who are Twitter or Facebook users, @gavinward is getting some stick over this. He is the Media Relations Manager at BMW GB.

I don't know enough about the 'hows' but certainly in my mind the best way to get BMW to act on this is via Facebook and Twitter - how do you get something to 'trend' on Twitter? (see you can tell I'm out of my depth already)!

[fulcrum]

Good! I have added a couple.

[briers]

Originally Posted by Falmouthboy

how do you get something to 'trend' on Twitter?

You would need thousands of retweets and ideally a hashtag relevant to the issue and wait for it to spread like wildfire.

Quickest way would be to tweet loads of people with plenty of followers and ask them to RT it. It's still highly unlikely it will trend, you would need a PR syndicated to the news networks or lady gaga to tweet it because everything else that trends is rubbish like "biebers girlfriend", or "if you had 1 day to live".

At the same time you will inform a whole new audience of potential criminals that this problem exists.

[gangzoom]

Originally Posted by briers

At the same time you will inform a whole new audience of potential criminals that this problem exists.

Have to say more publicity might not be a good thing, at the moment only a few groups appear to be at it, but with the key programmers now costing <£100 not sure I would want my every person on the street to know you can steal a BMW in 30 seconds.

Equally at the moment it seems insurance companies don't seem to care given most people's renewals have gone down, now if that's because of they are ignorant to the problem all well and good but kick up a massive fuss and the insurance industry might actually look into it....

Someone mentioned BMW are going to release a software update..if that's fact than that's great news

[Katoom]

I contacted BMW UK about the OBD security risk a few months back and they claimed a new software version would improve security. Last week I had the upgrade done free of charge whilst getting warranty work completed.

Cannot confirm if it is more secure, the idrive menu looks different and it cost me nothing apart from a polite conversation with BMW UK.

Car is a 335d 2007.

[fulcrum]

Originally Posted by Katoom

I contacted BMW UK about the OBD security risk a few months back and they claimed a new software version would improve security. Last week I had the upgrade done free of charge whilst getting warranty work completed.

Cannot confirm if it is more secure, the idrive menu looks different and it cost me nothing apart from a polite conversation with BMW UK.

Car is a 335d 2007.

They mentioned none of this when I was in contact by email with them at the end of May.

Car has just had a service at which I specifically mentioned the issue. No fix yet and the software was showing up to date.

E92 330 2010

[MERLIN335i]

Originally Posted by Katoom

I contacted BMW UK about the OBD security risk a few months back and they claimed a new software version would improve security. Last week I had the upgrade done free of charge whilst getting warranty work completed.

Cannot confirm if it is more secure, the idrive menu looks different and it cost me nothing apart from a polite conversation with BMW UK.

Car is a 335d 2007.

One way to prove if it is secure, would be to try any diagnostic cable (BT or Ebay INPA), they should now NOT work if BMW have disabled the two CAN wires.

Always a plus & minus to everything, if it works, less chance your car will be stolen, but you cannot read fault codes etc.

But no doubt it will be a matter of days before the scum have figured a way around the "fix", if they haven't already !

[Katoom]

I mailed and spoke with BMW UK end June time. Did not get round to booking the car until last week. The BMW dealer knew nothing about an upgrade and denied any security issue.

BMW UK spoke with the dealer and all fixed.

My experience with the dealer is they deny anything can go wrong with the car. Red boost hose is an example that has repaired and changed twice.

[zltm089]

Really need to get this on watchdog if we want BMW to acknowledge anything...just like the cracking wheels...

[fulcrum]

Originally Posted by MERLIN335i

One way to prove if it is secure, would be to try any diagnostic cable (BT or Ebay INPA), they should now NOT work if BMW have disabled the two CAN wires.

Always a plus & minus to everything, if it works, less chance your car will be stolen, but you cannot read fault codes etc.

But no doubt it will be a matter of days before the scum have figured a way around the "fix", if they haven't already !

Surely it can not be that hard to implement software to immobilise the OBD port while the car is lock and the immobiliser on but accessible when it is not? That would still meet EU Regulations.

[CMOS II]

Originally Posted by briers

You would need thousands of retweets and ideally a hashtag relevant to the issue and wait for it to spread like wildfire.

Quickest way would be to tweet loads of people with plenty of followers and ask them to RT it. It's still highly unlikely it will trend, you would need a PR syndicated to the news networks or lady gaga to tweet it because everything else that trends is rubbish like "biebers girlfriend", or "if you had 1 day to live".

At the same time you will inform a whole new audience of potential criminals that this problem exists.

Sure, trending is the complicated element to achieve, but Mr Wards followers are going to be the Key; (sorry). Auto Car, What Car and other Motoring Journo's follow him. They'll pick up on it and he will not want the embarrassment!

[F31-340i]

Tweeting sounds like a good idea.

I just tweeted @gavinward with a tag #bmwtooeasytosteal

Is that how tags work, you just start them? I don't use twitter! Should my tweet appear in his tweet list when searching for Gavin ward? It doesn't?

[F31-340i]

It is probably quite easy to change the car software to disable the OBD when the alarm is on - which would help a lot with this problem, if not solve it entirely. Other more effective changes are also possible.

[msingh]

Originally Posted by Dirty Tool

I spoke to a BMW tech today who services my car...he said BMW in the process of rolling out a software update that should stop this. He also mentioned he has moved the OBD ports and put an extra fuse in the circuit for a few of his customers.

Which dealer was this in/around london? I have asked at my dealer and they state there is current no know fix. I was about to have a indie specialist do the work but I would prefer it to be done by BMW in possible.

Would have PMed to ask this but do not have enough posts.

Thanks

[wheelie good]

You need to test this by pulling unit into OBD port with your window open then switch alarm on to see if connection is lost

I would not believe anything BMW tell you

[Dirty Tool]

Originally Posted by msingh

Which dealer was this in/around london? I have asked at my dealer and they state there is current no know fix. I was about to have a indie specialist do the work but I would prefer it to be done by BMW in possible.

Would have PMed to ask this but do not have enough posts.

Thanks

The tech works at Hexagon of Highgate in north london. He services my car privately as I dont trust anyone else! The relocation of the OBD port is again work he has done privately.

[Billyray911]

Copied from Pistonheads:

BBC Watchdog is looking to interview people who've had their BMW's stolen.
Suggest you contact them NOW if you've been affected... watchdog@bbc.co.uk

[joehk8004]

I'm happy to back this as well, it's about time now, we should get something done!!!