No extra set of keys - Suggestions?
- Thread starter DMC
- Start date
jaime-330 said:
![[sing]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_sing.gif "Sing [sing]"){kind=icon}
Could you be more specific about the security oversight ?? ![[pray]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_pray.gif "Pray [pray]"){kind=icon}
I got some of my spare keys in two different locations inside my car
I think it would be appropriate (and considerate as a board member) to go into specifics about a security flaw you are aware of for the benefit of all.
The only way I can think of to get to a key inside without setting off the alarm is to pick the door lock, thereby disengaging the alarm as if you used the key in the door. Not being a locksmith, I am not sure how practical this is with our cars anyway. This is not a security "flaw". The thief would have to know (or be reasonably sure) there was a key inside, and have to be able to find it quickly to steal the car. Remember a car thief is like a burglar. He does not want to take long or be noticed in any way. That is part of his MO.
Anything can be stolen with the right tools and criminal methods. Everyone knows that.
The only way I can think of to get to a key inside without setting off the alarm is to pick the door lock, thereby disengaging the alarm as if you used the key in the door. Not being a locksmith, I am not sure how practical this is with our cars anyway. This is not a security "flaw". The thief would have to know (or be reasonably sure) there was a key inside, and have to be able to find it quickly to steal the car. Remember a car thief is like a burglar. He does not want to take long or be noticed in any way. That is part of his MO.
Anything can be stolen with the right tools and criminal methods. Everyone knows that.
Sounds like you know the flaw. The lock opens with a screwdriver and since the lock does not query the chip in the key, it assumes a key turned the tumbler and disengages the alarm. What it should do is set off the alarm unless the alarm is disengaged by remote like any other decent alarm system would do.
Now, anyone who has ever bought a car (not just a BMW) knows that most dealers put a spare key into the owners manual. Since at least half of the car owners out there never take that key out of the manual, an enterprising thief will break in and check for the existence of that key without ever setting off the alarm Even putting the spare in the trunk doesn't make it safe since the thief can open the trunk from the button in the cabin. They just need to find that big thick owners manual.
There has been a rash of this in New Jersey where people are breaking into BMWs by cracking the lock cylinder and then driving off with a legitimate copy of the key.
Now that everyone knows how to steal a BMW, please don't go off and do it. K thx.
Now, anyone who has ever bought a car (not just a BMW) knows that most dealers put a spare key into the owners manual. Since at least half of the car owners out there never take that key out of the manual, an enterprising thief will break in and check for the existence of that key without ever setting off the alarm Even putting the spare in the trunk doesn't make it safe since the thief can open the trunk from the button in the cabin. They just need to find that big thick owners manual.
There has been a rash of this in New Jersey where people are breaking into BMWs by cracking the lock cylinder and then driving off with a legitimate copy of the key.
Now that everyone knows how to steal a BMW, please don't go off and do it. K thx.
alright, an update....was out of town...traveling on a passport and an ATM and no cell...got back and my new key was available at the dealership.....service guy told me the alarm won't go off but as soon as I placed the key in the lock and turned left, the car door opened, the alarm went off and the alarm deadened the trunk release....btw, the trunk did not pop open...nevertheless, I placed the key in the trunk lock and opened it....
lessons learned...make sure you have a spare....and don't have your car towed as roadside assistance recommended (I did NOT have them tow my car)....
VIN #, registration and photo id is the only things needed.....
lessons learned...make sure you have a spare....and don't have your car towed as roadside assistance recommended (I did NOT have them tow my car)....
VIN #, registration and photo id is the only things needed.....
![[;)]](/images/smilies/wink.png "Wink [;)]")
I still have family there.Lost Key
Hello! I lost my keys on Saturday and when I called BMW roadside assistant I was shocked to hear that there was no way to get in unless I smashed the windows. (i had 6 BMW employees tell me the same thing) That is crazy!!! What if a child was locked in the car? Thank goodness in my case there was not! I did not have to get my car towed actually they told me they would not tow it for lost keys?? Anyway that is another topic. I called my dealership on Monday and was told I would have a key by Tues, its now Tues and still no key. The car did not need to be towed but who knows when the key will come in, it will probably be towed from the location the car is in before I get a key. I think it is crazy it takes several days to get a new key, if I had known that I would NEVER have bought my car. Plus the treatment from BMW Roadside Assit and BMW dealership is not what I would have expected, I received better treatment when I bought VW Jetta for only $14000!!
Hello! I lost my keys on Saturday and when I called BMW roadside assistant I was shocked to hear that there was no way to get in unless I smashed the windows. (i had 6 BMW employees tell me the same thing) That is crazy!!! What if a child was locked in the car? Thank goodness in my case there was not! I did not have to get my car towed actually they told me they would not tow it for lost keys?? Anyway that is another topic. I called my dealership on Monday and was told I would have a key by Tues, its now Tues and still no key. The car did not need to be towed but who knows when the key will come in, it will probably be towed from the location the car is in before I get a key. I think it is crazy it takes several days to get a new key, if I had known that I would NEVER have bought my car. Plus the treatment from BMW Roadside Assit and BMW dealership is not what I would have expected, I received better treatment when I bought VW Jetta for only $14000!!