[foxy-stoat]

Do you think a re-mapped ecu will be same after the "security" software has been installed?

[gangzoom]

Originally Posted by makkan00

^^^^
Thats the bottom line.
No matter what BMW does, those who are eligible for 'enhancement' should go for it.
Otherwise your insurance can be seen void in case if your car is stolen.

Really? I know about this problem because I've been on the internet. I didn't watch the program on the BBC. If I didn't go no the internet and didn't watch the TV program how would I know my car needs a security update?

BMW hasn't issued a "Recall", they have not contacted me or made me aware of any problem with the car, unless they do I'm not taking my car into BMW.

[mv57]

Originally Posted by gangzoom

Really? I know about this problem because I've been on the internet. I didn't watch the program on the BBC. If I didn't go no the internet and didn't watch the TV program how would I know my car needs a security update?

BMW hasn't issued a "Recall", they have not contacted me or made me aware of any problem with the car, unless they do I'm not taking my car into BMW.

Agreed. Most people at my place of work do not know about the issue.

[RichJ]

Will this be a full software update or just a small element instead? If the latter there may be an opportunity to get the full software upgraded for a relativley nominal amount as the machine will already be plugged in.

[TripleBlack]

Originally Posted by gangzoom

Really? I know about this problem because I've been on the internet. I didn't watch the program on the BBC. If I didn't go no the internet and didn't watch the TV program how would I know my car needs a security update?

BMW hasn't issued a "Recall", they have not contacted me or made me aware of any problem with the car, unless they do I'm not taking my car into BMW.

Understand that some insurance companies have gone throught the 'effort' of contacting some of us about this issue. They wouldnt have done so unless they had an underlying plan.
Now they have advised us, if with dont follow suit, we could be liable under some small print.

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by gangzoom

Really? I know about this problem because I've been on the internet. I didn't watch the program on the BBC. If I didn't go no the internet and didn't watch the TV program how would I know my car needs a security update?

BMW hasn't issued a "Recall", they have not contacted me or made me aware of any problem with the car, unless they do I'm not taking my car into BMW.

Originally Posted by mv57

Agreed. Most people at my place of work do not know about the issue.

If your insurance companies write to you, you will then have to go for this update.
Same applies if BMW writes to you (have a laugh).

Rest up to you, whether you know this or not, whether you watched the BBC watchdog or not, whether you were proactive enough or not.

Let this update launched and wait how insurance companies respond to it.

[mv57]

If your insurance company contacts you then yes the t and c's have changed. But if not can they go down the route of ignorance is no excuse?

I am yet to receive any info from anyone other than local council warning of BMW thefts in the area. Don't get me wrong I'm on the list. But to all those I work with. It seems there are a lot out there that are oblivious.

[Hotcoupe]

Another rather depressing story,and still no sign of BMW doing anything,despite their assurance on Watchdog that a fix was on the way.

This M3 was broken into via the lock,no broken window,just a blade inserted into the lock,and after some careful manoeuvres of the blade,the car unlocks in much the same way as hitting the unlock button on your fob!

[doughboy]

I had made some enquires about the BMW security 'upgrade' as I expected it to be some smoke and mirrors bullshit - I forgot to post them up!

Via a reputable Indy with several main dealer contacts, the technical explanation of the upgrade is as below:

"Basically the software update is deleting the function of being able to open the windows via the drivers door lock (putting key blade into the barrel to open windows) due to car thieves drilling/breaking the door barrel to then drop the windows with a screwdriver.

Regarding the alarm issue, when the windows are down the interior alarm sensors change to a narrower beam(!). Because of this once the thieves lower the windows via the door lock the alarm sensors change to a narrow beam allowing the thieves to gain access to the OBD without the alarm going off and being able to make a new key"

This seems to confirm shortie's post 347 about the same.

What do you think? sounds like they're making something of nothing to take the heat off them, and its certainly not going to stop OBD robberies in any way as there is no change to the CAN/OBD/CAS system.

All smoke and mirrors then! So BMW can say "we dealt with it" and tick that box. Did anyone really honestly think they would fix it just like that? If they could do it properly without hardware changes they would have done it by now. So it looks like we're all f##ked!

[TripleBlack]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Regarding the alarm issue, when the windows are down the interior alarm sensors change to a narrower beam(!). Because of this once the thieves lower the windows via the door lock the alarm sensors change to a narrow beam allowing the thieves to gain access to the OBD without the alarm going off and being able to make a new key"

That "response" doesnt cover smashed windows then which seems to be the main access point

[doughboy]

At no point have BMW mentioned 'window smashing' as an issue, and why would they? No car manufacturer can stop someone smashing a window with software upgrades!

But they can 'improve vehicle security' by disabling the window drop, if that stops a few then it's a cheap fix for them.

The real issue, the CAS vulnerability, is almost certainly hardware related, so they can't fix that with software either (otherwise they would do it now).


Box ticked, Watchdog public happy, job done.

Like I said, did anybody think they would really fix it??

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by doughboy

At no point have BMW mentioned 'window smashing' as an issue, and why would they? No car manufacturer can stop someone smashing a window with software upgrades!

But they can 'improve vehicle security' by disabling the window drop, if that stops a few then it's a cheap fix for them.

The real issue, the CAS vulnerability, is almost certainly hardware related, so they can't fix that with software either (otherwise they would do it now).


Box ticked, Watchdog public happy, job done.

Like I said, did anybody think they would really fix it??

No...................hence my OBD is going back to where it currently resides,not where BMW put it!

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by doughboy

The real issue, the CAS vulnerability, is almost certainly hardware related, so they can't fix that with software either (otherwise they would do it now).

really fix it??

If I am honest, it is not difficult to do with software alteration.

[xPETEZx]

Originally Posted by Hotcoupe

No...................hence my OBD is going back to where it currently resides,not where BMW put it!

Here Here.

Had to move mine twice yesterday for its service and MOT.
Rather annoying 20 minutes work, but worth it to make it that much harder for the scum bags to get my car!!

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by xPETEZx

Here Here.

Had to move mine twice yesterday for its service and MOT.
Rather annoying 20 minutes work, but worth it to make it that much harder for the scum bags to get my car!!

No need for an OBD connection during a UK MOT is there??

Any how, I bought a second OBD extension, if the cars going for a service, i plug the extension into the new 'secret' OBD socket location and then leave the lead coiled up on he passenger seat ready for the tech to use.

If BMW moan about that they can f##k off!

[gangzoom]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Via a reputable Indy with several main dealer contacts, the technical explanation of the upgrade is as below:

"Basically the software update is deleting the function of being able to open the windows via the drivers door lock (putting key blade into the barrel to open windows) due to car thieves drilling/breaking the door barrel to then drop the windows with a screwdriver.

Regarding the alarm issue, when the windows are down the interior alarm sensors change to a narrower beam(!). Because of this once the thieves lower the windows via the door lock the alarm sensors change to a narrow beam allowing the thieves to gain access to the OBD without the alarm going off and being able to make a new key"

If this is what the "fix" truly dose than how depressing....looks like the DiskLok is going to stay in use for a while yet

[Frobius]

I thought the key blade thing only worked with comfort access equipped cars? I know you can do it on normal cars but I seem to remember it being that way. Dunno why?

[doughboy]

AFAIK on all models you could always do global window open/close with the key in the door, just like holdling the lock or unlock button on the fob.

Interesting on the M3 film above though, whatever he does it doesn't switch the alarm off (no indicator flash) but he opens the door, so the deadlocks are released, and gets straight in, so the alarm must be off at that stage??

Then he just programs a fob to the car presumably at his leisure?

Maybe this was one of these fob-jammer robberies where the car wasn't locked properly in the first place?

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by gangzoom

If this is what the "fix" truly dose than how depressing....looks like the DiskLok is going to stay in use for a while yet

I think now its been qualified by two separate BMW dealers (and one via inside contacts from a good indy) it is most probably true.

[xPETEZx]

Originally Posted by doughboy

No need for an OBD connection during a UK MOT is there??

Any how, I bought a second OBD extension, if the cars going for a service, i plug the extension into the new 'secret' OBD socket location and then leave the lead coiled up on he passenger seat ready for the tech to use.

If BMW moan about that they can f##k off!

Didnt need the ODB for the MOT, but it was also in for a inspection and brake fluid change. I thought perhaps they needed ODB to reset the service indicators.

I have been considering getting an extension lead to do the same thing. Have you had your car in since doing this? I just want to be sure it actually works?

Originally Posted by doughboy

AFAIK on all models you could always do global window open/close with the key in the door, just like holdling the lock or unlock button on the fob.

Interesting on the M3 film above though, whatever he does it doesn't switch the alarm off (no indicator flash) but he opens the door, so the deadlocks are released, and gets straight in, so the alarm must be off at that stage??

Then he just programs a fob to the car presumably at his leisure?

Maybe this was one of these fob-jammer robberies where the car wasn't locked properly in the first place?

I was thinking that. The guy just gets straight in. Even if he used a screw driver to undo the lock, surely that would not disable the alarm?


I only seem to be seeing reports of this on UK forums, does this problem not affect cars in other countries??

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by xPETEZx

I have been considering getting an extension lead to do the same thing. Have you had your car in since doing this? I just want to be sure it actually works?

I have a Bavarian Technic OBDII lead and software for home diagnostics anyway, so I know the OBDII extension works as I've checked it with that.

Any OBDII extension will work, unless it's faulty that is.

[xPETEZx]

Thanks!
Gonna go buy one off ebay right away :P

Even once BMW applies the software fix, not gonna ever put the port back where it belongs.