BMW security flaw allows the car to be stolen
Hopefully our car is more secure than that.
08-18-13, 11:02 PM
#4
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This is a huge problem for a number of brands, as there was a recent post on CL about many modern cars getting stolen using "mysterious electronic devices". Many brands have the same problem that these BMWs have.
I REALLY hope the automakers are taking this seriously, and working hard on a foolproof method to stop this. Modern cars, apart from the mechanical systems, are now also complex computers on wheels. Automakers absolutely must think of some foolproof physical or mechanical safety measures to prevent these types of thefts.
This issue is actually a huge showstopper for me and makes me wary of buying a modern vehicle. if I do buy a modern vehicle, I will make sure to install numerous custom security measures of my own, where even if thieves have access to a programmed "blank key" they'd be unable to drive off with it.
That will hardly solve the problem. What if you''re going out to dinner, or a store, or a night out to a show, or for any other reason where you have to drive and then park your car in a public place? Must you now be completely paranoid and not let your car out of your sight at all? Don't be ridiculous.
This is a BIG showstopper issue that simply parking in your garage won't solve, unless you intend to make your car purely a garage queen, and not park it anywhere else at all other than your garage.
I REALLY hope the automakers are taking this seriously, and working hard on a foolproof method to stop this. Modern cars, apart from the mechanical systems, are now also complex computers on wheels. Automakers absolutely must think of some foolproof physical or mechanical safety measures to prevent these types of thefts.
This issue is actually a huge showstopper for me and makes me wary of buying a modern vehicle. if I do buy a modern vehicle, I will make sure to install numerous custom security measures of my own, where even if thieves have access to a programmed "blank key" they'd be unable to drive off with it.
This is a BIG showstopper issue that simply parking in your garage won't solve, unless you intend to make your car purely a garage queen, and not park it anywhere else at all other than your garage.
08-18-13, 11:30 PM
#5
Same old story IMO. My old Cadillac(it was a 1991, no chip in the key) if you knew what you were doing with a hammer and a screw driver on the steering column and ignition switch you could drive away in less than a minute.
I know a lot of cars(both import and domestic) that used traditional keys back in the day had about 4 or 5 different "master" keys that thieves could try(and succesfully) open and start your car. As the lock cylinders became worn, just about any old key in a similar shape would start your car. Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, etc, starting back in the 80's started to use a different type of metal key that prevented 99% of that nonsense I talked about. You know the type of key, where the sides are still straight and the pattern is carved into the sides of the key.
Its just that now the value of these new luxury cars is a lot higher. And car theft is now an international operation. Steal the car in the states, sell it in the Middle east, Africa, Eastern Europe, Russia, China. Just wherever the steering wheel is on the correct side.
I know a lot of cars(both import and domestic) that used traditional keys back in the day had about 4 or 5 different "master" keys that thieves could try(and succesfully) open and start your car. As the lock cylinders became worn, just about any old key in a similar shape would start your car. Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, etc, starting back in the 80's started to use a different type of metal key that prevented 99% of that nonsense I talked about. You know the type of key, where the sides are still straight and the pattern is carved into the sides of the key.
Its just that now the value of these new luxury cars is a lot higher. And car theft is now an international operation. Steal the car in the states, sell it in the Middle east, Africa, Eastern Europe, Russia, China. Just wherever the steering wheel is on the correct side.
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08-19-13, 08:00 AM
#8
BMW was always easy to steal... 4-5 years ago, they stole 15 X5's and X6's in the same night in my city, when they broke into BMW's key system and it was easy for them to start the car.
08-19-13, 10:36 AM
#10
I heard some story about some soccer player got his BMW stolen and some eastern European diplomat was driving it 
I think this is slightly different from other car jacks since it's relatively quick and easy and expensive car -- there must be a security flaw. It shouldn't be difficult to secure the cars, at least prevent it from starting, with the existing encryption technology we use on regular computers.
I think this is slightly different from other car jacks since it's relatively quick and easy and expensive car -- there must be a security flaw. It shouldn't be difficult to secure the cars, at least prevent it from starting, with the existing encryption technology we use on regular computers.
08-19-13, 10:52 AM
#11
This is a huge problem for a number of brands, as there was a recent post on CL about many modern cars getting stolen using "mysterious electronic devices". Many brands have the same problem that these BMWs have.
I REALLY hope the automakers are taking this seriously, and working hard on a foolproof method to stop this. Modern cars, apart from the mechanical systems, are now also complex computers on wheels. Automakers absolutely must think of some foolproof physical or mechanical safety measures to prevent these types of thefts.
This issue is actually a huge showstopper for me and makes me wary of buying a modern vehicle. if I do buy a modern vehicle, I will make sure to install numerous custom security measures of my own, where even if thieves have access to a programmed "blank key" they'd be unable to drive off with it.
That will hardly solve the problem. What if you''re going out to dinner, or a store, or a night out to a show, or for any other reason where you have to drive and then park your car in a public place? Must you now be completely paranoid and not let your car out of your sight at all? Don't be ridiculous.
This is a BIG showstopper issue that simply parking in your garage won't solve, unless you intend to make your car purely a garage queen, and not park it anywhere else at all other than your garage.
I REALLY hope the automakers are taking this seriously, and working hard on a foolproof method to stop this. Modern cars, apart from the mechanical systems, are now also complex computers on wheels. Automakers absolutely must think of some foolproof physical or mechanical safety measures to prevent these types of thefts.
This issue is actually a huge showstopper for me and makes me wary of buying a modern vehicle. if I do buy a modern vehicle, I will make sure to install numerous custom security measures of my own, where even if thieves have access to a programmed "blank key" they'd be unable to drive off with it.
That will hardly solve the problem. What if you''re going out to dinner, or a store, or a night out to a show, or for any other reason where you have to drive and then park your car in a public place? Must you now be completely paranoid and not let your car out of your sight at all? Don't be ridiculous.
This is a BIG showstopper issue that simply parking in your garage won't solve, unless you intend to make your car purely a garage queen, and not park it anywhere else at all other than your garage.
No one wants to take my Mitsubishi? C'mon now.. hahahaha
08-19-13, 12:17 PM
#13
Lexus Test Driver
Car companies already know how it's done. They are not going to replace the key systems on every cars out there, it would be too expensive. At this time, they have put enough controls to prevent casual theft and incidental theft. Theft by organized and resource rich entities is harder, if not impossible to prevent. They will deal with it on new models, as insurance companies increasingly try to recoup their liabilities from the car companies. At this time, those insurance companies will be on the hook until they can prove the car companies acted negligently, which will be hard to do even if true.
08-19-13, 03:50 PM
#14
BMW's stance seems to be that they do everything that's legally required to secure the car. This feels a lot like the Escalade without the steering lock. Yes, BMW should already know how it's done; you can buy stuff on web sites for about $2000 to start the car without keys.