[Mart1000]

As the title says... So how bad do you guys think it is, or do you think it's a myth?

(I'm talking about obd style theft)

[Mustard3]

Wondering this myself. I'm sure some areas / towns are risky but if you're away from these areas maybe the risk isn't significant.

I've been using a Disklok since this whole thing emerged but it's a pain taking it on and off when you're not used to having to do this, and it's starting to mark the leather on the steering wheel.

[yeti racing]

If someone wants your car, they'll take it irrespective IMO... pointless worrying about it.

[Business edition]

It's happen in Birmingham a lot And not just BMW's

[MERLIN335i]

Originally Posted by Mart1000

As the title says... So how bad do you guys think it is, or do you think it's a myth?

(I'm talking about obd style theft)

Mart,

I thought with your job you would be telling us !

Or do you only have access to data from your patch ??

Michael.

[zltm089]

Originally Posted by MERLIN335i

Mart,

I thought with your job you would be telling us !

Or do you only have access to data from your patch ??

Michael.

lol...plus one!!!...

you should be able to tell us ;-)....

[sn:afu]

If you read the pistonheads threads it's mainly happening in the Midlands and London.

There's a figure somewhere showing the amount of car thefts in Birmingham to date and the figure is more than the whole of the previous year! They reckon it's about 30/40 a month!

[dxb335d]

Brum is rough to be fair.

[Business edition]

Insurance prices are high in brum too if you live where I do 1.7miles away from the centre haha.

Loads of m3 have been taken. A 10plate m3 and new golf R got taken a month ago.

[Mart1000]

Originally Posted by zltm089

lol...plus one!!!...

you should be able to tell us ;-)....

I know a fair bit mate I was just wondering how large you guys thought the scale was or even if this kind of theft is real...

I'll let this run and see people's opinions before I start.

Yeti, I know, that's stating the obvious and not what I was asking.

[yeti racing]

Originally Posted by Mart1000

Yeti, I know, that's stating the obvious and not what I was asking.

You asked about 'ODB theft', and I answered.... Maybe you should re-word your question before getting narky.

and judging from other comments, and your lack of, Im guessing its not a prevalent as you'd expect.

Gotta love internet forums!

[sives]

where abouts in london, tho, thinking of getting a e92, its the only thing which worrying me

[yeti racing]

Ps why Brum? Car crime seems huge around them parts.

[yeti racing]

Originally Posted by sives

where abouts in london, tho, thinking of getting a e92, its the only thing which worrying me

I wouldnt let it put you off mate, there are simple mods such as moving the ODB port etc.

[Mart1000]

Originally Posted by yeti racing

You asked about 'ODB theft', and I answered.... Maybe you should re-word your question before getting narky.

and judging from other comments, and your lack of, Im guessing its not a prevalent as you'd expect.

Gotta love internet forums!

Sorry Yeti I can't make the question any simpler for you. I didn't ask if it's worth worrying about, I already know the answer to that one. And stating that is someone wants your car, they'll take is, well that is kinda stating the obvious, and not exactly what I was asking. And finishing off, I wasn't getting Narky, maybe I should have added some smilies for you or something?

This has been covered before, and the question is valid.

Gotta love Internet forums!

[yeti racing]

Ok, maybe I did misconstrued the question... a little

And to get it back on track, I'd say its like everything the Media (and when I say Media, I include social sites/forums) get hold of, exaggerated!

[Mart1000]

No problem

I can't go into specifics, I'd love to but I can't but I can say this.

The problem is deffo not exaggerated, it's probably worse than originaly known. OBD theft if becoming a huge problem, when I say huge, that's no understatement.

It is EASY to get into these cars without breaking glass, and the BMW alarms are crap.

As someone stated earlier, I only have stats for London, and going by those alone it's shocking. This affects all push button start BMW models between 2005 and 2011. M Sport models are the preferred choice, with 1,3,5, X5 and X6 models bieng worst hit.

There are trends in certain areas which are very interesting, however again as much as I'd love to I can not go into detail (at this stage).

All I can advise is this... When locking the car, make sure you try the handle when you think you have locked it, and get into the habit. Especially in public car parks and shopping centres. I'd also put a strip of tape over the OBD port cover, which will tell you if it's been disturbed or not (can't stress how important this is, crazy as it may sound).

Finally, these aren't just joyride type thefts, they are steal to order and anything to deter, these people are going to great lengths to steal these cars.

If you live in London or any other major city I would seriously consider some sort of obd mod like the cooks ferry one, or something you can do yourself maybe.

I shit you not guys, this is not to frighten people but to make things very clear, these cars are bieng taken so easily and often I can't stress enough.

[yeti racing]

Fuck

[yeti racing]

Originally Posted by Mart1000

I'd also put a strip of tape over the OBD port cover, which will tell you if it's been disturbed or not (can't stress how important this is, crazy as it may sound).

Surely if they've got in the car, they'd of taken it, or is there more to it?

[Mart1000]

Don't get me wrong, not trying to panick people, but a few simple things can stop a world of heartache when you realise the car is gone.

Yeti your deffo right about the simple mods like moving the obd which is easy enough.

There's much more to it than this...

Bottom line, those loving in built up areas, be vigilant and consider extra security.

[Mart1000]

Originally Posted by yeti racing

Surely if they've got in the car, they'd of taken it, or is there more to it?

More to it

[briers]

Thanks for the tip about trying the handle, i assume they have a remote jammer so they can get into the car and do their programming?

Shocking, how effortless the steal is but curious to see how much the figures have been inflated by this new crime? Haven't the methods to steal just changed. Would be interesting to see the year on year increase in vehicle theft.

Perhaps this new method is more successful but surely if this is stolen to order jobs, the old method would just be trying their luck with the front door or break in for keys.


Wouldn't a short term, old fashioned steering lock deter them enough to find another? Horrible looking things, especially in a bmw or merc i know but enough to stop the steal?