Practically Classics Forum

Just been watching the consumer programme Watchdog and a nice
topic on the BMW security system and how thieves are steeling
these new cars by programming a new blank key to car in 2 min
and driving off. The programming kit/equipment is readily
available for anyone for about £6,000 and the kit works on all
the BMW models from I think it was 2004 or 6 till late 2011.

And BMW have known about this for over a year and the police
have been actively been putting letters on cars to advise the
owners of this!

Go watch for yourself!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01ms174

Moved to "Off Topic" as this has nothing to do with classic cars.

This has been going on for years and is not really news. This technique works with most cars with keyless ignition if you have the correct kit. The locksmiths i used to work for could do ford, renault and nissan that i am aware of. The equipment was nothing like £6000 either.

If you are dishonest put a brick through a window, plug in the OBDII connector and program a new key to the car, away you go. If your car requires a real key then you need to turn the key to ignition on for the programming to work so that gives you a bit of security.

A bit of inside knowledge and new cars are no harder to pinch than old ones. Modern security keeps the casual thief away but nothing you can do will protect you from a "professional"

best get one of those tracker devices fitted to your "loved one"

All I can say is if someone tried steal my two classics, then they better kill me because asaide from the security I already have, one thing that still hasn't changed is that thieves are not resistant to having a 12 bore fired up their ass