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      08-05-2016, 01:57 PM   #1
RhoXS
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How Easily Stolen?

I just read a news article that discussed a group of thieves that were stealing a lot of Jeep and Dodge vehicles in the Huston area. The article stated:

"Investigators say they hook up a laptop to the Jeep, with pirated software, simply turn on the SUV, and drive it off." ... "FCA spokesman Berj Alexanian explains that employees at Fiat Chrysler dealerships, independent repair facilities and locksmiths have access to databases that list the key codes that pair key fobs with the particular vehicles they open and start. The automakers believes some of those employees have sold their username and passwords to those databases to criminals."

I perceive BMW has significantly better security than described above but is this really true? How secure is the BMW system?
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      08-05-2016, 02:50 PM   #2
MichiganMike
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BMW patched a security flaw early in 2015 that was found to present an opportunity for hackers to gain easy entry to connected BMWs. BMW seems better than some at addressing security issues when these are identified, but that does not mean the BMW system is totally secure.

http://thenewswheel.com/bmws-securit...emote-hackers/

“BMW runs a process of continuous improvement with its products and it is through this testing that an issue was detected on the Connected Drive system subsequently highlighted by the ADAC,” a BMW representative told Forbes. “Like all electronic and cyber attacks on a vehicle, whatever form they may take, BMW continuously assesses its level of car security and enhances the level of defence where possible.”

There are three BMWs in the list of top 10 most frequently stolen and recovered vehicles in the UK in 2015.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/advi...ent-car-theft/
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      08-05-2016, 09:33 PM   #3
RhoXS
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MichiganMike View Post
There are three BMWs in the list of top 10 most frequently stolen and recovered vehicles in the UK in 2015.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/advi...ent-car-theft/
Wow. This strongly implies to me my new 2016 X3 isn't even close to being as secure as I perceived it was. I assume the security system is essentially the same as in 2015 X5, 3 series, and 5 series that are in the top ten. Very disappointing.
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      08-05-2016, 11:08 PM   #4
02420X3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RhoXS View Post
Wow. This strongly implies to me my new 2016 X3 isn't even close to being as secure as I perceived it was. I assume the security system is essentially the same as in 2015 X5, 3 series, and 5 series that are in the top ten. Very disappointing.
The model year(s) of the stolen BMWs were not mentioned in the article.
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      08-06-2016, 12:55 AM   #5
plymjack
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RhoXS View Post
Wow. This strongly implies to me my new 2016 X3 isn't even close to being as secure as I perceived it was. I assume the security system is essentially the same as in 2015 X5, 3 series, and 5 series that are in the top ten. Very disappointing.
Given the nature of that list (from TRACKER) the key word is RECOVERED - also the number of cars stolen is much lower now then 10 years ago.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/n...-year-low.html

The transit van is the most stolen vehicle yet not show on the "top 10 list"

So I would not worry too much.
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      08-06-2016, 06:29 AM   #6
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http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/...-cars/2598657/

The linked USA Today article from 2013 lists the most frequently stolen luxury cars in the US. The BMW 3 series and BMW 5 series were on the list. As 02420X3 noted, model years are generally not compiled in such reports and some years may be more prone to theft.

While engine immobilizers and other security features introduced in recent models make thefts more difficult, some connected systems may present back doors for tech savvy thieves. This appears to be more of a problem in large metropolitan areas.

An expensive luxury car may be an attractive target for car theft and is much easier to steal if one can access keys. I had a friend that relocated near Houston and shipped her BMW 6 series with a transportation company. The company delivered the car but could not find her spare key. Rather than replace the missing key, she had a BMW dealer re-program her car for a new key but did not change the mechanical lock on the door. A few days later she found her car had been unlocked without triggering the alarm during the night. Burglars have been known to break into houses to acquire keys to luxury cars.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/n...efer-keys.html

One bit of good news for owners of cars with manual transmissions, these cars are less likely to be stolen in the US.

http://jalopnik.com/5937504/the-ten-...etting-stolen/
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      08-06-2016, 08:11 AM   #7
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Has anyone worked out the best way to wire up a kill switch to our cars - I had a convertible back in the 1970's and I just put a switch across the points at the coil but our cars are a bit more complex. Disabling a fuel lift pump would work but I suspect the car would start and run for a while before stopping - not ideal.
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      08-06-2016, 08:44 AM   #8
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The best anti theft deterrent known to man is also the cheapest, well actually it's free and naturally occurring. It's called RUST!
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