[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by TTG

This is a typical BMW feature that goes back many generations (E46 did that).

You lock the car from outside, no one inside is going out.

It is in your owners manual. Having said all of that, I have no idea what purpose it serves.

I would think it would keep a car jacker in the car until the cops arrived.

[TTG]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

I would think it would keep a car jacker in the car until the cops arrived.

For sure!

[VipinLJ]

In the american G20 330i, if you lock the car from outside, using comfort access OR the keyfob, the person inside can still get out by pulling on the door lever. It does not lock the person inside. I just tried this in my car 10 minutes ago at the petrol station with my wife in the car.

[WXdrivefun]

Worse Case, you can also use the BMW Connected app to Unlock the car too.

[G20.rjm]

Originally Posted by VipinLJ

In the american G20 330i, if you lock the car from outside, using comfort access OR the keyfob, the person inside can still get out by pulling on the door lever. It does not lock the person inside. I just tried this in my car 10 minutes ago at the petrol station with my wife in the car.

I'm taking it to the dealer to see if they can correct this. If the USA version is set up that way they should be able to do the same here in Australia. I'm also having iDrive updated to the latest which may solve the problem. Any Australian BMW 330i G20s experiencing the same issue?

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by G20.rjm

Poochie when you figure out how to do this I would love to know how you did it. I have tried for a while now and it seems that once you are locked inside without a key, there is no way to escape without breaking the glass - something not easily done from the inside.

There is a regional difference between the North American-spec vehicles and the rest of the world on how the locking system functions.

The US-spec vehicles programming errs on the side of safety and puts personal safety over possible vehicle theft.

Thus, I've verify that you're unable to lock anyone inside, only outside of North America the doors "deadlocks" a result of strick European auto anti-theft laws.

That explains the confusion and difference in modus operandi between the vehicles.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by Poochie

There is a regional difference between the North American-spec vehicles and the rest of the world on how the locking system functions.

The US-spec vehicles programming errs on the side of safety and puts personal safety over possible vehicle theft.

Thus, I've verify that you're unable to lock anyone inside, only outside the North America the doors "deadlocks" a result of strick European auto anti-theft laws.

That explains the confusion and difference in modus operandi between the vehicles.

I think safety should mean a mechanical latch that can't be overridden by the computer like the manual trunk release should you get locked in the car with no power. And clear indicators of how to get out if locked in. Anti theft means not being able to drive away not trapping occupants.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Looking at the spy photos of the G80 you'll see this BMW tester has an emergency escape tool in the door pocket. Just saying.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

Looking at the spy photos of the G80 you'll see this BMW tester has an emergency escape tool in the door pocket. Just saying.

That's in case of the 'remote' possibility there are bugs in the software.

[Taranto300]

Originally Posted by G20.rjm

Any Australian BMW 330i G20s experiencing the same issue?

I totally freaked out when I read the headline. Until I kept reading and saw this post that it’s an Australia issue, not USA. Sounds like BMW deserves a wake up call.

[premier3is]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

I would think it would keep a car jacker in the car until the cops arrived.

Similar to this?

Lol

[premier3is]

Originally Posted by VipinLJ

In the american G20 330i, if you lock the car from outside, using comfort access OR the keyfob, the person inside can still get out by pulling on the door lever. It does not lock the person inside. I just tried this in my car 10 minutes ago at the petrol station with my wife in the car.

Glad you were able to test this out. I'm actually going to test it myself as well just to make sure and be safe.

[FUZCO]

What about opening the windows from the inside or turning to car off?

[NoSUV4Me]

Originally Posted by premier3is

Similar to this?

Lol

Was he swigging the owner's water/drink as well???

[agentorange]

The US is really funny when it comes to people being locked in anything. If I were to secure my home with the locks I used in the UK, my house would be in breach of the fire codes.

[IAmATeaf]

Originally Posted by TTG

This is a typical BMW feature that goes back many generations (E46 did that).

You lock the car from outside, no one inside is going out.

It is in your owners manual. Having said all of that, I have no idea what purpose it serves.

It also stops somebody breaking a window and then using the door latch to open the door to get inside.

[premier3is]

Originally Posted by IAmATeaf

It also stops somebody breaking a window and then using the door latch to open the door to get inside.

So can't they just climb in through the window and grab what they want?

[Taranto300]

Originally Posted by agentorange

The US is really funny when it comes to people being locked in anything. If I were to secure my home with the locks I used in the UK, my house would be in breach of the fire codes.

Maybe personal safety cost more than stolen property in litigation.
Same thoughts about Cops calling off chasing cars if it’s too dangerous.

Seems like laws that allows criminals having more leeway, is better than dying in a locked car or home.

[G20.rjm]

I just took my car back to the dealer (in Australia) and asked them to either permanently disable the deadlock system or at the very least disable it if the vehicle detects someone present in the vehicle at the time of locking (using the seat sensors). I was told this was not possible. When I told them that USA vehicles had this disabled they told me that they had no idea how to disable it and I should follow up with BMW Germany. Pretty poor. They did update iDrive to version 11/2019.40 but testing the car still has deadlock enabled making it possible to inadvertantly lock someone in the vehicle.

[Taranto300]

Originally Posted by G20.rjm

I just took my car back to the dealer (in Australia) and asked them to either permanently disable the deadlock system or at the very least disable it if the vehicle detects someone present in the vehicle at the time of locking (using the seat sensors). I was told this was not possible.

If something happens, obviously you can sue the Aus government and BMW for millions for negligence

[MegansIons]

U did the right thing by disabling the auto-lock function in the first place. Perhaps something with the key, the keychain could have failed-the signal to the car didn't work at all. Well, in such a situation, I don't even know what to do, except how to call a locksmith. I know a good company https://mylocallocksmithtx.com/my-lo...h-in-grapevine/, where I addressed about the keyhole. If the problem is in the lock, which can jam when the car is locked, then he will look on the spot, but he can pick up the key and look. My problem was solved quickly, I couldn't open the door from the inside and they sorted it out on the spot.

[r3dbimmer89]

Originally Posted by Taranto300

If something happens, obviously you can sue the Aus government and BMW for millions for negligence

Not every country has the same legal system where "suing" is always an option...

But as others have mentioned, this is a theft prevention dead bolt mechanism. US cars used to have it in the E46 and I believe even the E36's. Thought is, if someone breaks the window then they still can't unlock the vehicle if the vehicle is locked from outside the vehicle. Because of the US' liability laws as mentioned above, BMW disabled the deadbolt feature on the E90's and on for US cars.