[magic77]

With all the talk of cars being driven away so easily and my mates 3 being taken as well without keys, what can there be done to reduce the risk

Thought of a handbrake / bear leaver lock but cant find one that would work with the offset handbrake in the 3.

Steering wheel lock same prob only ones that can be fitted are to easy to remove.

Any ideas / suggestions on some sort of additional immobilisers / kill switch option on the car that can be hidden. Not to worried when car is on drive way its more the airports when away on travels or some of the really dodgy carparks I have to leave it in when with clients.

[dakhu1]

Leave a big fierce dog in the car - that will sort the b@:stards!!

[magic77]

I did consider trunkmonkey but it might upset animal welfare

[jap01]

I just dont get how they getting taken without the keys? Surly it is impossible unless lifted on a flat bed?

[magic77]

Jap just do a search there are simple coding boxes you can order from middle east that will code a new key to the car, not mention videos showing how to bypass the car lock.

Number of stories of cars being driven away with no keys I believe with one caught on CCTV at an airport carpark.

Fact is these cars are not very secure and somethign BMW must address but as any multinational if the box is ticked they dont care and deny.

[shortie]

Started a similar thread.

The only way i can see to by-pass the key / ecu swop is to fit an after market alarm / immobiliser

[sheps]

I seem to remember year ago there was a gadget you could get which was fitted to the transmission tunnel and locked the car in gear. Always looked a good solution to me. Not sure if it's still available.

Pulling some fuses (fuel pump) would certainly immobilise the car, although its plausible that a team equipped with trick ecu coding equipment, spare keys etc will carry some blade fuses.

[phil200tdi]

Pull the fuse which powers the obd port. This will have no effect drivability, then replace for servicing and code reading.

It's free and stops thieves using these devices quickly.

[jap01]

Originally Posted by magic77

Jap just do a search there are simple coding boxes you can order from middle east that will code a new key to the car, not mention videos showing how to bypass the car lock.

Number of stories of cars being driven away with no keys I believe with one caught on CCTV at an airport carpark.

Fact is these cars are not very secure and somethign BMW must address but as any multinational if the box is ticked they dont care and deny.

Im shocked!

[foxy-stoat]

Putting a switch on the clutch pedal so car still thinks clutch pedal is up = no start...also get a spare relay, open it up and remove a couple of wires and put it back together, then when leaving car anywhere swop it for the relay on the right hand side in the fuse box. It will look the same but wont be able to start the car.

Both very cheap to do and will be impossible for the theiving scrote to know whats up.

Thats what i tend to do if leaving car anywhere for a length of time.

[garysargent]

If the cars are being stolen by replacing the ECU, can't we do something to protect this? I'm thinking a locking screw nut or something on say the cowling under the bonnet that fits across the car and sits on top of the ECU.

Just replace the screws with locking screws, and hand these over during services at the stealer etc.

Surely this is inexpensive, and doesn't make our cars any less easy to use?

[Billyray911]

Originally Posted by sheps

I seem to remember year ago there was a gadget you could get which was fitted to the transmission tunnel and locked the car in gear. Always looked a good solution to me. Not sure if it's still available.

Pulling some fuses (fuel pump) would certainly immobilise the car, although its plausible that a team equipped with trick ecu coding equipment, spare keys etc will carry some blade fuses.

http://www.dipol.pl/en/index.htm
This item used to be very popular in Subaru circles.Basically,the gear is locked into reverse by a key.Although not Subaru specific,dealerships used to sell and fit them for about £200.
I believe that the company have seized to exist,but it was a fantastic bit of kit.
(Gary)In relation to the ecu being changed-it's much easier than than that.In the past,you had to change the ecu and have a corresponding key.
Nowadays,just a certain device bought easily and a blank BMW key which gets reprogrammed-less than a minutes work.
I still recommend a Blackjax device.
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&sou...D1tHOKE386MLLg
The theft of BMWs and now Audis is reaching epidemic proportion and needs to be addressed-BMW are well aware of the issue but are not working with the likes of AVCIS to address it properly.
More than 70 stolen BMWs in the Birmingham area alone,since the start of the year-someone needs to look at the problem...

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by Billyray911

http://www.dipol.pl/en/index.htm
This item used to be very popular in Subaru circles.Basically,the gear is locked into reverse by a key.Although not Subaru specific,dealerships used to sell and fit them for about £200.
I believe that the company have seized to exist,but it was a fantastic bit of kit.
(Gary)In relation to the ecu being changed-it's much easier than than that.In the past,you had to change the ecu and have a corresponding key.
Nowadays,just a certain device bought easily and a blank BMW key which gets reprogrammed-less than a minutes work.
I still recommend a Blackjax device.
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&sou...D1tHOKE386MLLg
The theft of BMWs and now Audis is reaching epidemic proportion and needs to be addressed-BMW are well aware of the issue but are not working with the likes of AVCIS to address it properly.
More than 70 stolen BMWs in the Birmingham area alone,since the start of the year-someone needs to look at the problem...

How much blackjax cost?
Also does it increase / decrease insurance premiums?
Cheers for the link.

[shortie]

Originally Posted by Billyray911

More than 70 stolen BMWs in the Birmingham area alone,since the start of the year-someone needs to look at the problem...

Not good reading

[Billyray911]

Originally Posted by makkan00

How much blackjax cost?
Also does it increase / decrease insurance premiums?
Cheers for the link.

Cost me about £2-300 fitted by a decent installer (decent is the important part!).
Was going to get the full alarm fitted,but installer said that due to the way it's fitted,a lot of the features couldn't be used.
Took a good day to fit as its fairly invasive,but I'm happy.

[Billyray911]

Oh and it hasn't meant a discount on the insurance,but I'm honestly not bothered.
Being able to return to a car is more important.
Hasn't affected my warranty either.

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by Billyray911

Oh and it hasn't meant a discount on the insurance,but I'm honestly not bothered.
Being able to return to a car is more important.
Hasn't affected my warranty either.

Sounds like a good investment.
Thanks mate.

[garysargent]

Originally Posted by Billyray911

In the past,you had to change the ecu and have a corresponding key.
Nowadays,just a certain device bought easily and a blank BMW key which gets reprogrammed-less than a minutes work.

What device exactly?! I realise this isn't the kind of thing that we want in the public everywhere, but some information is needed so we can protect ourselves.

How do they get in the car in the first place if it is locked?!

[Billyray911]

Not being funny,but this unfortunately,is a public forum and knowledge of the device won't protect you from it in respect of having your car stolen.
Regarding how do they get into your vehicle-either by using a jammer that will block the signal when you lock your car via the key(someone waits for you to park your car after following you or they identify your car as part of a 'shopping' list and conceal a jammer in your front garden...or the most popular of just smashing the window whilst you sleep and having your car away.Hope that helps...probably not though!

[M3-FAST]

GARYSARGENT - look on you tube mate, tons of videos showing how easy it is to replicate a BMW key and drive the car away

[Falmouthboy]

Nahhh

This is what you need

[f335d]

Originally Posted by Billyray911

Cost me about £2-300 fitted by a decent installer (decent is the important part!).
Was going to get the full alarm fitted,but installer said that due to the way it's fitted,a lot of the features couldn't be used.
Took a good day to fit as its fairly invasive,but I'm happy.

Can we have a pic of the control panel installed in your car??