[martin mustang]

I like to check if our dealer network are to carry out the work here in Ireland too, check this BBC report on how easy it is to have your car stolen.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19562487

BMW: "None of our latest models - new 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series and 7 Series - nor any other BMW built after September 2011 can be stolen using the method highlighted."

From the above BMW statement I take it F10 5 series are simply not effected, or is it down to only F10 cars produced after Sep 2011?

[XDEEDUBBX]

thats pretty cool, but pretty f#cked up.

[AP]

I've fired off an email to BM Uk thismoring to get clarification on the matter.

I've a April 2012 build so hopefully not vulnerable but this whole thing does concern me.

Whatr concerned me was the info the dealers were coming out with during secret filming.
They eitehr don't know, or don't want to let on they know or BMW UK are not telling them becasue they don't want bad publicity.
Well thats too late now as it was broadcast prime evening time on BBC.

If later models are fixed, what was the fix?

[AP]

more info pasted in from pistonheads :-


long-awaited software update aims to stop the On-Board Diagnostics thieves - but at what cost?



The OBD-accessed thievery of BMWs that's been going on this year has been a serious problem for BMW, not just because it's been in the public domain, but also because there's been no solution offered.

It's a tricky one for BMW. On the one hand, nobody at BMW can have wanted the situation to have developed this far, or for so many people to have been robbed of their pride and joy. On the other, BMW couldn't publish details of any quick DIY fix to its cars’ electrical systems, because that would have contravened certain EU laws.

Now there is an official fix. It's already being rolled-out for the X5 and X6: for other models, the re-flash will be available in around eight weeks time. For many people, that’s too long a wait, but that’s what BMW is offering.

Obviously, BMW is highly defensive of its security credentials. Some of that is bluster, because robbers aren't pinching AMGs and Audi RS models in anything like the same numbers. But one aspect of BMW's defence is actually very interesting. Block exemption laws governing the ability of non-OEM service outlets to service all new cars means that it is now possible for J Bloggs Esq to buy diagnostic software which effectively grants access to a car’s starter motor. There's a good chance that this episode will have all car manufacturers beating a path to Brussels to stop this practice.

Another area of interest is car finance. With the majority of new car purchases being on the dreaded 'drip', those few post-Lehman bankers still willing to lend on cars want better tools for recovering defaulted assets. This OBD trick is perfect for them. If it was a condition for the initial loan, its potential removal through legislation (should the manufacturers persuade the Eurocrats to take action) may well persuade more banks to reconsider the car loan business. Of course, many brands underwrite their own finance and simply keep a spare key.

BMW is not actively contacting owners, because it doesn’t see this as a recall situation, so it's up to all of us to spread the word: any BMW built before September 2011 and using the new electronic key system ('06 on) is eligible for the software update.

[martin mustang]

I am servicing my car tomorrow, I see if any news on this side of the channel with my dealer.

[JD-IRL]

Originally Posted by martin mustang

I am servicing my car tomorrow, I see if any news on this side of the channel with my dealer.

It will be interesting to see what they have to say. I know some BMW dealers in Dublin are not up to speed when it comes to updates from BMW HQ

[MalithS]

Hi,

Spoke to BMW UK customer services this morning and I was told my Oct 2010 car would be affected. Apparently BMW are still working on the fix (being tested now) and hope to have it ready within the next 8 weeks or so. They took down my details and said my BMW dealer will contact me once the fix is available. BMW only seem to be offering this if the owners ask for it which seems quite shocking to me considering the serious vulnerability. Watched a video of this being done on youtube last night and I was shocked at how easy it was to create a new key. It seems post Sep 2011 cars are not affected.

[martin mustang]

I checked with the dealer, no news yet! Judging by UK dealers version, both my F10 and my wife's X3, produced in 2011 but before September will need the update. I be contacting customer services, since it is the same one for UK and Ireland and see if I get the same response, i.e. register my details in order for the dealer to come back to me once the fix for F10 and X3 are available.

[AP]

This is pasted from the BMW UK website for info

High-tech car theft.
12/09/2012



You may have heard reports in the media about BMWs being stolen using a new method of high-tech car theft. BMW, like other manufacturers, has become the target of organised criminals using highly sophisticated equipment to steal targeted, desirable vehicles.


BMW prides itself on its vehicle security systems and all BMWs meet all UK and global security standards. Our engineers and technicians review all aspects of our vehicles constantly, including security systems. After extensive research we are clear that none of our latest models - new 1 Series Hatch, 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series and 7 Series - nor any other BMW built after September 2011 can be stolen using this method. However, as a responsible manufacturer we are looking at ways of mitigating against this new kind of attack. We are now in the process of offering, to any concerned customers of targeted models, extra technical measures which will mean that their car cannot be taken using the equipment highlighted in these stories, although of course there is no such thing as an unstealable car.


If you are concerned about this issue, you can contact our Customer Service department on 0800 083 4397 or your local BMW dealer, either of which will happy to advise on next steps.


We also recommend the following general advice given by the Police:
- When using remote locking, ensure the car has actually locked by checking a door.
- Be careful with your keys and who you give them to (e.g. valet parking). There is a risk that they could be cloned.
- Where ever possible park your car out of sight, in a locked garage or under the cover of CCTV cameras.


In addition: We recommend servicing your car at authorised BMW dealerships on a regular basis for the opportunity to further enhance existing theft protection.


BMW Group UK

[330cdsport]

Thats the same story that I got from my local dealer here in N.I. They said that all the current F model 5 series are unaffected - from the very beginning of production in 2010.
So - some conflicting information here. Some say all F cars before Sept 11 and other say only non-F cars before Sept 11 ???

Our Sept 08 X5 is definitely susceptible though and it is in next week for a software update.

[AP]

Got my reply from BMW UK and pasting in below for your info.

Thank you for your online enquiry dated September 13, 2012.

I can assure you that your vehicle is not vulnerable to this type of crime. I can confirm that all F model vehicles have a different type of security system installed.

Once again, thank you for contacting BMW UK and I hope this email provides you with the reassurance you are understandably seeking.

Yours sincerely

BMW UK
Stacey Owen
Customer Information Executive
Ellesfield Avenue
Bracknell RG12 8TA
Tel: +44 (0)800 325600
Fax: +44 (0)870 5050 206
Mailto: customer.information@bmw.co.uk

[martin mustang]

[QUOTE=AP;12692332]Got my reply from BMW UK and pasting in below for your info.

Thank you for your online enquiry dated September 13, 2012.

I can assure you that your vehicle is not vulnerable to this type of crime. I can confirm that all F model vehicles have a different type of security system installed.

Once again, thank you for contacting BMW UK and I hope this email provides you with the reassurance you are understandably seeking.

Yours sincerely

BMW UK

Hi AP,

Thanks a million for sharing this, it is a comfort to know F models are not affected as I was not sure if it was down to Sep2011 production date or the series from the original response you got.

[AP]

no problem, yes it wasn't very clear.

[psyxologos]

I called BMW UK this morning. They said that the problem affects cars built between 2007 and 2011, including F cars. They have taken my details and get in touch once they clear the backlog with the more susceptible models. That's what they said, anyway...

[Mshulla]

I got the same reply as psyxologos. Was told I would be contacted within 8 weeks for the fix to be applied.
The BBC report also said BMWs produced After Sept 2011 were the only ones not vunerable to this attack.

[AP]

well the replies from BMW Uk seem to be rather confusing, some saying F series not affected , others just pre sep 2011.
They need to get their story straight and remove any confusion here.

[tnikolov]

I left my car at a BMW dealership here in Bulgaria for maintenance and it seems they are doing a security upgrade to it by adding a second BMW immobiliser into the key.

I wonder if that's connected to this case. Anybody else had that before?

My car is Sep 2010 550xi.

[mistry]

I phoned my local dealer who said all F cars are not effected, I then phoned BMW UK, who said my car was as it was built in Mar 2010.
So I asked that they give the dealer the correct information as it conflicts with what she told me, at which point she went to speak with a manager, and came back to say the same all F cars are not effected, and apologised as she was new and only brought in to help with the number of calls BMW are recieving.

So I think F cars are OK.

[martin mustang]

for our 520 delivered June 2011, I was told by Customer Services that F models are not affected, I need to go back and find out for our X3 also an F model delivered Feb2011 to see if any different, They requested the REG when checking so I will ask if this is to find out the model F or the date of production.

[ipso_facto]

I just called the BMW UK number: 0800 083 4397

After an initial response, which involved taking my details and the car details, the service rep. has advised that ALL Fnn 5 series are NOT susceptible to this security vulnerability. He had to check with his supervisor for this. He listed several other models eg. sub set of Xn and 7 series, but I only made note of my own model.

He confirmed that I will be contacted by the dealer that I use for servicing however, at a later date, as BMW are looking broadly at all security vulnerabilities.

The rep. also advised that he has been drafted from another department, due to sheer volume of calls on this matter.

This call has satisfied my concern.

[martin mustang]

Just got confirmation from UK & Ireland customer Services that F models have a different security system hence not affected, when I raised the confusing statement about post sep2011 production, they told me they aware of the somehow misleading statement but all F models are not affected regardless of production date, in other words the E models are the one with an issue if produced post Sep 2011. my enquiry was on 2011 F10 and 2011 X3 F25.

[Mshulla]

This isn't making comfortable reading. The adviser I spoke to was very specific in saying the F10 prior to Sept 2011 had the vunerability. This matched the BBC report.

Now others are getting different answers. The cynic in me would ask if this change is due to the number of owners ringing about this and the potential cost to rectify.

Is this only an issue in the UK? none of the US members seem to be weighing in on this.