Thieves - True or not, I don't know

Gazza · Post by **Gazza** » Thu 08 Mar, 2012 22:14

Pulled from another forum
Don't know how true or even if it applies to BMW

Quote
WHAT WILL the car thieves think OF NEXT?

The car thieves peer through the windshield of your car or vehicle,write down the VIN # from the label on the dash, go to the local car dealership and request a duplicate key based on the VIN #.

I didn't believe this e-mail, so I called Chrysler-Dodge and pretended I had lost my keys. They told me to just bring in the VIN #, and they would cut me one on the spot, and I could order the keyless device if I wanted.

The Car Dealer's Parts Department will make a duplicate key from the VIN #, and the thief doesn't have to break into your car or do any damage to the vehicle, or draw attention to himself. All he has to do is walk up to your car, insert the key and off he goes to a local chop shop with your vehicle.

You don't believe it?

It really is that EASY.

To avoid this from happening to you, simply put some dark tape (electrical
tape, duct tape or medical tape) across the VIN Number Metal Label located on the dashboard.

By law, you cannot remove the VIN, but you CAN cover it so it can't be viewed through the windshield by a car thief.

I urge you to forward this to your friends before some other car thief steals another car or truck.

Post by **Robert T** » Thu 08 Mar, 2012 22:23

Whilst it is technically possible that they can, I am pretty sure BMW insist on seeing proof of ownership and/or proof of ID before they will issue a key, at least through the official channels. One would hope that the same applies to other manufacturers.

Cheers R.

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Thu 08 Mar, 2012 22:37

Read this,

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topi ... &mid=54115

Basically Police are saying don't buy any new BMW.

Thieves are buying the slot type keyfob and reprogramming it through the OBD socket, I guess via a laptop and the appropriate software. Once the keyfob is programmed away you go.

I don't know how though they actually get into the car?

Will be covering my Vin No when I get the Z4 if its visible and not sure if to get an old fashioned crook lock, last time I used one of those was in the 80s

Cars are getting smarter but maybe too smart for their own good.

Tim.

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Thu 08 Mar, 2012 22:42

You can buy the latest BMW keyfobs easily off e-bay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Bmw-1 ... 3cc348bc5f

Tim.

Mouldy · Post by **Mouldy** » Fri 09 Mar, 2012 03:55

Gazza wrote:Pulled from another forum
Don't know how true or even if it applies to BMW

. . . . . . . .I didn't believe this e-mail, so I called Chrysler-Dodge and pretended I had lost my keys. They told me to just bring in the VIN #, and they would cut me one on the spot, and I could order the keyless device if I wanted. . . . . . .

When we ordered a spare key from our local Chrysler dealer for the wife's Crossfire, we had to take the V5, some form of proof of photo identity and a utility bill to prove our address before they would even order one. I asked if taking the Sales Receipt from the dealer would suffice in place of the V5, but I was told that it had to be the V5 or green slip from the registration document, as supplied when you buy a used car.

The key was ordered using the registration number, so covering the VIN inside the windscreen will do little to prevent a thief, unless you remove your registration plates as well.

I'm sure this is just another Internet scaremonger story, posted to provoke comment (which it clearly has).

Zed Carer · Post by **Zed Carer** » Fri 09 Mar, 2012 08:12

Not quite an Urban Myth as there was some truth in it but it was back in 2002/03 as described HERE. It doesn't look like there have been any other thefts in the last 9 years.

Badman gee · Post by **Badman gee** » Fri 09 Mar, 2012 08:23

I brought a spare key last year.

Dealer wanted vehicle reg doc and proof of id.

I dont believe that garages will ask for anything less.

Mark

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Fri 09 Mar, 2012 20:01

I still use a thatcham crook lock on my Z3 steering wheel. It stores nicely behind the passenger seat when not in use. Nothing beats a nice big visible deterrent

z3steve · Post by **z3steve** » Fri 09 Mar, 2012 20:29

Kinda related, my wifes friends fiancee - he worked on the parts desk at BMW locally. Someone came in and asked for a spare key to be cut, and to cut a looong story short, the guy gave him a load of bull about not having the registration document. He paid to have the key cut, the guy on the desk decided he wasn't 'not' to be trusted and gave him the new key. Off he went, only to be told that the credit card was stolen and the car to which the key was cut - was stolen too.

Hence to say the wifes friends fiancee got the boot, and left BMW quite red faced

Steve

Z3cade · Post by **Z3cade** » Fri 09 Mar, 2012 20:34

As most of our zeds are tucked up in a garage some where, on axle stands and the wheels off i shouldnt worry to much

whiteminks · Post by **whiteminks** » Fri 09 Mar, 2012 21:46

Speak for yourself Z3cade, both Toadster my 2.2 and Sharky ///M are out and about with me strutting their thang

Jamezee · Post by **Jamezee** » Fri 09 Mar, 2012 22:45

They are so difficult to steal these days that the thieves simply boot your front door in to get in the house for the keys

z3steve · Post by **z3steve** » Sat 10 Mar, 2012 00:35

Jamezee wrote:They are so difficult to steal these days that the thieves simply boot your front door in to get in the house for the keys

Or as I found out last week, smash the front window of your van to steal the tools out the back

Steve

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Sat 10 Mar, 2012 11:25

Z3cade wrote:As most of our zeds are tucked up in a garage some where, on axle stands and the wheels off i shouldnt worry to much

Oh nooooooo what makes you think that

Tim.

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Sat 10 Mar, 2012 11:29

Jonttt wrote:I still use a thatcham crook lock on my Z3 steering wheel. It stores nicely behind the passenger seat when not in use. Nothing beats a nice big visible deterrent

I haven't used one of these since the 80's, it was the type that went around the bottom of the steering wheel and then hooked around the brake pedal and weighed about the same as an alloy wheel

I must admit I may look at one from Halfrauds it has to be better than nothing, they do one with a big flashing red light, which will turn the Zed into Pimp Mobile

Tim.

Frank.A · Post by **Frank.A** » Sat 10 Mar, 2012 16:33

My Zed came fitted with a Mul-T-Loc gear lever lock,which is at least a visible deterent and Thatcham recognised.

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~secur ... MLMain.htm

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Sat 10 Mar, 2012 18:07

Well I have just bought a Stoplock Pro off e-bay. 32 quid as opposed to £49.99 from Halfrauds, I'm hoping it will fit the BMW steering wheels, I think the Z3 will be ok but not so sure on the thicker M Steering wheel on the Z4

Tim.

Fenlander · Post by **Fenlander** » Mon 07 May, 2012 16:53

Hi Titan Tim,

Can you tell me if the Stop Lock Pro does fit on the Z3 steering wheel?

Am looking in to theft deterrants at the moment (a big dog with sharp teeth isn't practical unfortunately!)

Fenlander

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Mon 07 May, 2012 17:12

There does appear to be an element of truth to the key fob issue and I was talking to someone at Sytner BMW only the other day about this. They cant understand how this happens as they cant do the reprogramme themselves. However if the system at BMW has been hacked then anything is possible.
I use a crook lock on the car just to make it more difficult.

gookah · Post by **gookah** » Mon 07 May, 2012 18:20

trouble with the steering wheel bars is that thieves use them as a lever to break the steering column lock, then spend 30 seconds hacksawing the steering wheel which isn't the "toughened hardened steel" which the bar is made from.

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Mon 07 May, 2012 18:25

Thanks for the reassurance -

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Mon 07 May, 2012 18:48

Fenlander wrote:Hi Titan Tim,

Can you tell me if the Stop Lock Pro does fit on the Z3 steering wheel?

Am looking in to theft deterrants at the moment (a big dog with sharp teeth isn't practical unfortunately!)

Fenlander

Hi Fenlander,

Yes it does, well it does on the facelift model steering wheel, unsure on the earlier steering wheels though. Unfortunately it doesn't fit the Z4s steering wheel as its too small and thickly padded.

I use it on the Z3 all the time, its a bit of nuisance when driving though.

I know some poo poo them, easy to remove with an angle grinder or nail file etc but it may just buy some time that said thief is sprung doing the deed.

Tim.

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Mon 07 May, 2012 18:56

Phil wrote:There does appear to be an element of truth to the key fob issue and I was talking to someone at Sytner BMW only the other day about this. They cant understand how this happens as they cant do the reprogramme themselves. However if the system at BMW has been hacked then anything is possible.
I use a crook lock on the car just to make it more difficult.

You don't need to worry with the Z3, but I have been a bit worried reading about all this on Pistonheads with having the 1 series and now the Z4 with the keyslot fob and push button start, apparently its not just BMWs but any manufacturer that uses a push button start and fob. The issue with BMWs is for some unknown reason the interior alarm perimeter doesn't cover the area where the OBD socket is and the drivers window

which seems unbelievable. I have been worried about it enough to have taken out GAP insurance on the Z4

Tim.

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