BMW Anti-Theft Initiatives

chbrules · 07-05-2007, 04:48 AM

Owning my 325i for a year I've noticed a lot of features that I think would help deter crooks from stealing your car or parts off your car.

Is it possible to hotwire the new BMW engines with electronic starters? Everything is controlled by the ECU now adays with digitally measured precise fuel injection, valve control, startup, etc.

The BMW wheel lug spacing is proprietary? Or is it just rarer than most car's? Good reason for crooks not to steal them, can't really resell them; no market! Also, do the wheel locks usually help deter crooks?

BMW offers that ultrasonic alarm system that detects movement in the car. Hard to break into something so heavily monitored without drawing attention.

The GPS tracking system allows BMW to find your car anywhere on Earth. I imagine the battery running the GPS can run independent of the car's battery for some time.

Can BMW remotely disable the engine?

What are the statistics on stolen luxury cars? Where does BMW place?

SANK_CH · 07-05-2007, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chbrules

The GPS tracking system allows BMW to find your car anywhere on Earth. I imagine the battery running the GPS can run independent of the car's battery for some time.

A german TV show explained 6 monthes ago how it was easy and in a very cheap way (you need at least 1$) to disable GPS tracking on any car. If you want to use GPS tracking, I would recommend you to add a second GPS tracking system put in a safe place, where we can't see it.

Josh49 · 07-05-2007, 07:47 AM

In my liberty mutual insurance policy, they give you a list of Highest Risk vehicles. I was shocked when I saw this, there was not one BMW anywhere on the list..

Josh49 · 07-05-2007, 07:48 AM

There were tons of Lexuses.. A few MB, several Audi. Most of the stolen cars were Hondas, Toyotas, etc..

bronco · 07-05-2007, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh49

There were tons of Lexuses.. A few MB, several Audi. Most of the stolen cars were Hondas, Toyotas, etc..

Hondas, Toyotas --> easy, and "fast" market for parts or even the whole car

Josh49 · 07-05-2007, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bronco

Hondas, Toyotas --> easy, and "fast" market for parts or even the whole car

Correct.

Josh49 · 07-05-2007, 08:01 AM

Still, I was really surprised to see 0 bmw's on the list. The e46 3 is so common now..

VIZSLA · 07-05-2007, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bronco

Hondas, Toyotas --> easy, and "fast" market for parts or even the whole car

Since so many are sold the demand for parts is greater.

LEDZEP · 07-05-2007, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bronco

Hondas, Toyotas --> easy, and "fast" market for parts or even the whole car

True. For the most part, cars are not stolen based on how "nice" they are, but how quickly the car or its parts can be turned for $$. The more common the car, the more demand for it in any market.

I think our biggest threat is vandalism.

Josh49 · 07-05-2007, 09:25 AM

And pigeons..

saosinned · 07-05-2007, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

I think our biggest threat is vandalism.

absolutely.

T Bone · 07-05-2007, 09:41 AM

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=99339

Looks like BMW is pretty good with security and tying it to the key. I am not even sure if you can use a computer through the OBD2 port to disable the alarm with the BMW key

SANK_CH · 07-05-2007, 10:30 AM

Even if BMW is good with security, thieves found other ways to steal them. Carjacking came and solved a lot of problems for thieves. If I may write it like that. Here in Europe, I think it is the way the most used to steal luxous cars.

So even if it is a very good point for BMW that their parked cars are very hard to steal, anyone here would rather like this way to have their car stolen, than having a gun pointed in direction of their heads.

Technology allows to progress, but sometimes not only for the better world.

Revlis · 07-05-2007, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SANK_CH

A german TV show explained 6 monthes ago how it was easy and in a very cheap way (you need at least 1$) to disable GPS tracking on any car. If you want to use GPS tracking, I would recommend you to add a second GPS tracking system put in a safe place, where we can't see it.

No worky GPS is line of sight only... If the sky and "WE" cannot "see" your GPS antenna, then you aren't going to receive a signal and are instead "dead reckoning". Ever notice how your GPS still tracks in a tunnel or on a ferry? That's dead reckoning, internal compass and clock figuring out where you "Sorta" are. Means that BMW wouldn't be able to find you...

Systems Like Lo-Jack are effective because they us a dedicated FM transmitter that will transmit it's location to a specific receiver, this is why Lo-jack is so effective. It doesn't need the car to be powered up, and you cannot just give it a tin foil hat.

T Bone · 07-05-2007, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SANK_CH

Even if BMW is good with security, thieves found other ways to steal them. Carjacking came and solved a lot of problems for thieves. If I may write it like that. Here in Europe, I think it is the way the most used to steal luxous cars.

So even if it is a very good point for BMW that their parked cars are very hard to steal, anyone here would rather like this way to have their car stolen, than having a gun pointed in direction of their heads.

Technology allows to progress, but sometimes not only for the better world.

There is always opportunity to carjack someone..... With the tight gun control laws in Europe, it wouldn't be top of mind concerns driving through any part of western Europe (particularly Switzerland or Austria!!)

But I am personally happy that BMW has taken so much effort to protect our cars. Look at the rubbish systems that GM has for things like the Escalade.

bartman32 · 07-05-2007, 12:03 PM

I always figure that my car is MUCH more likely to get broken into then stolen. The car would probably hard to turn and thus not on the top 10 lists of stolen cars. But if you have crap inside your car there is every reason to break in and get that stuff. Also another reason to stick with the factory stereo. It doesn't stand out to a theft as something different to steal.
Just my 2 cents.

07-05-2007, 04:48 AM	#1
chbrules MSVConrad++ 54 Rep 778 Posts Drives: E90 2006 325i \| E92 2007 335i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Peaches iTrader: (0)	BMW Anti-Theft Initiatives Owning my 325i for a year I've noticed a lot of features that I think would help deter crooks from stealing your car or parts off your car. Is it possible to hotwire the new BMW engines with electronic starters? Everything is controlled by the ECU now adays with digitally measured precise fuel injection, valve control, startup, etc. The BMW wheel lug spacing is proprietary? Or is it just rarer than most car's? Good reason for crooks not to steal them, can't really resell them; no market! Also, do the wheel locks usually help deter crooks? BMW offers that ultrasonic alarm system that detects movement in the car. Hard to break into something so heavily monitored without drawing attention. The GPS tracking system allows BMW to find your car anywhere on Earth. I imagine the battery running the GPS can run independent of the car's battery for some time. Can BMW remotely disable the engine? What are the statistics on stolen luxury cars? Where does BMW place? __________________ -Me
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07-05-2007, 07:47 AM	#3
Josh49 Major General 252 Rep 6,664 Posts Drives: E90 325xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (33)	In my liberty mutual insurance policy, they give you a list of Highest Risk vehicles. I was shocked when I saw this, there was not one BMW anywhere on the list.. __________________ E90 325XI, MYSTIC BLUE ON BLACK/ALUM, STEP, NAV, PDC, CWP, XENON, SIRIUS, ALARM, MUD GUARDS, CLEARBRA, CHROME GRILLS AND TIPS, VALENTINE 1 (HARDWIRED), HO CERAMIC 40%, 161'S, REAR FOG MOD, LUX 4.0, BLACKLINES, OEM PEDALS, MTEC FOGS, GRUPPE-M REP INTAKE. 156'S AND RUBBER MATS FOR THE WINTER.
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07-05-2007, 07:48 AM	#4
Josh49 Major General 252 Rep 6,664 Posts Drives: E90 325xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (33)	There were tons of Lexuses.. A few MB, several Audi. Most of the stolen cars were Hondas, Toyotas, etc.. __________________ E90 325XI, MYSTIC BLUE ON BLACK/ALUM, STEP, NAV, PDC, CWP, XENON, SIRIUS, ALARM, MUD GUARDS, CLEARBRA, CHROME GRILLS AND TIPS, VALENTINE 1 (HARDWIRED), HO CERAMIC 40%, 161'S, REAR FOG MOD, LUX 4.0, BLACKLINES, OEM PEDALS, MTEC FOGS, GRUPPE-M REP INTAKE. 156'S AND RUBBER MATS FOR THE WINTER.
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07-05-2007, 08:01 AM	#7
Josh49 Major General 252 Rep 6,664 Posts Drives: E90 325xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (33)	Still, I was really surprised to see 0 bmw's on the list. The e46 3 is so common now.. __________________ E90 325XI, MYSTIC BLUE ON BLACK/ALUM, STEP, NAV, PDC, CWP, XENON, SIRIUS, ALARM, MUD GUARDS, CLEARBRA, CHROME GRILLS AND TIPS, VALENTINE 1 (HARDWIRED), HO CERAMIC 40%, 161'S, REAR FOG MOD, LUX 4.0, BLACKLINES, OEM PEDALS, MTEC FOGS, GRUPPE-M REP INTAKE. 156'S AND RUBBER MATS FOR THE WINTER.
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07-05-2007, 09:25 AM	#10
Josh49 Major General 252 Rep 6,664 Posts Drives: E90 325xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (33)	And pigeons.. __________________ E90 325XI, MYSTIC BLUE ON BLACK/ALUM, STEP, NAV, PDC, CWP, XENON, SIRIUS, ALARM, MUD GUARDS, CLEARBRA, CHROME GRILLS AND TIPS, VALENTINE 1 (HARDWIRED), HO CERAMIC 40%, 161'S, REAR FOG MOD, LUX 4.0, BLACKLINES, OEM PEDALS, MTEC FOGS, GRUPPE-M REP INTAKE. 156'S AND RUBBER MATS FOR THE WINTER.
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07-05-2007, 09:41 AM	#12
T Bone Brigadier General 532 Rep 4,021 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi Coupe Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The land where we kill baby seals iTrader: (0)	Read this post http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=99339 Looks like BMW is pretty good with security and tying it to the key. I am not even sure if you can use a computer through the OBD2 port to disable the alarm with the BMW key __________________ "Aerodynamics are for people who cannot build engines"......Enzo Ferrari
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07-05-2007, 10:30 AM	#13
SANK_CH Captain 314 Rep 788 Posts Drives: A Number 4 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Switzerland iTrader: (0)	Even if BMW is good with security, thieves found other ways to steal them. Carjacking came and solved a lot of problems for thieves. If I may write it like that. Here in Europe, I think it is the way the most used to steal luxous cars. So even if it is a very good point for BMW that their parked cars are very hard to steal, anyone here would rather like this way to have their car stolen, than having a gun pointed in direction of their heads. Technology allows to progress, but sometimes not only for the better world.
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07-05-2007, 12:03 PM	#16
bartman32 Colonel 101 Rep 2,317 Posts Drives: F87 M2 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The OC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 M2 [0.00]	I always figure that my car is MUCH more likely to get broken into then stolen. The car would probably hard to turn and thus not on the top 10 lists of stolen cars. But if you have crap inside your car there is every reason to break in and get that stuff. Also another reason to stick with the factory stereo. It doesn't stand out to a theft as something different to steal. Just my 2 cents.
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