Current theft prevention options

[kdizzle]

I recently acquired a full option 2014 X5 50i, a car i've dreamed and saved for for a long time.

Of course i ran a search already and read through some of the old conversations regarding this topic, unfortunately they were all old topics.

I understand X5 are quite popular vehicles to get stolen as it seems to be really easy to remotely open the doors and start the car?

Has BMW rolled out any updates for these cars that prevent this easy hacking?

What other theft-prevention measures do you guys take that can be considered very effective?

I understand that if a thieve really wants your care he'll get it, my aim is to make it as much of a challenge as possible without harming the usability of the vehicle to myself.

The 'hacks' to open and start the vehicle require the real key to be nearby and amplified or can it be hacked easily even without key nearby?
I'm considering getting some of these 'privacy/faraday' pouches for the keys.

The other option for quickly stealing is break a window, connect laptop to OBD port, install new blank key into the system and drive away. Is the OBD connection really this easily exploitable?
You'd expect the computer to require a connection to BMW or a certified system and key pair to be able to link a new set of keys to the car...

I'll also have the plate numbers engraved in all the windows, although i doubt they care about that in Asia or Africa or wherever they are shipped off to.

[P1]

Where in Europe are you? Remember that on-site stripping is very popular also.

[kdizzle]

Originally Posted by P1et

Where in Europe are you? Remember that on-site stripping is very popular also.

Outskirts of Amsterdam, it's not totally deserted, quite crowded during the day but during the nights there can easily be 15 minutes without any traffic.
Which seems more than enough time for it to vanish into thin air.

Unfortunately in the city i don't have a garage available and the nearest boxes for sale or rent are quite far away.

[expidia]

BMW has some sort of locating service if your car is stolen. But you probably have to subscribe. I think they use the GPS system in the car.

Cars that are stolen now days they usually just pull it up onto a flatbed and tow it away, so what you do to the car doesn't mean much.

Neighbors or where this is happening just think you called a tow company as your car wouldn't start.

But this is why we have insurance.

[kdizzle]

Originally Posted by expidia

BMW has some sort of locating service if your car is stolen. But you probably have to subscribe. I think they use the GPS system in the car.

Cars that are stolen now days they usually just pull it up onto a flatbed and tow it away, so what you do to the car doesn't mean much.

Neighbors or where this is happening just think you called a tow company as your car wouldn't start.

But this is why we have insurance.

Well this would certainly trigger the alarm right?
Unless they also hacked the computer beforehand, in which case they could have just drove the car itself.

But yea, i understand i can't prevent it, just looking for ideas to make it more difficult/less attractive.
I'd rather have my neighbors Audi gets stolen than my car xD

[P1]

Originally Posted by kdizzle

Well this would certainly trigger the alarm right?
Unless they also hacked the computer beforehand, in which case they could have just drove the car itself.

But yea, i understand i can't prevent it, just looking for ideas to make it more difficult/less attractive.
I'd rather have my neighbors Audi gets stolen than my car xD

The biggest issue is that these gangs target specific vehicles. These guys don't operate on an opportunistic basis. They have a list of vehicles are that ordered by, for example, future owners in Eastern Europe or Africa. These are then stolen, and trucked (or shipped) back to those places.

If they are looking for parts, then they will take your X5, drive it to a warehouse, an industrial park or a forest and take it apart and leave the rest. This type of operation is popular with vehicles that have upgrades, such as M Sport kit, nice wheels, individual interior, etc. etc.

With open borders in Europe, by the time you wake up or notice your car's been taken/broken into, the fellas are already in Germany on their way to Romania...

[P1]

My father lived 15 minutes outside of Schiphol and had this car parked in an underground garage. Thieves still got in there and stole a car (not his, luckily). I'd disable keyless entry if I were you.

[CatalinP]

How can comfort access be disabled?

[P1]

Originally Posted by CatalinP

How can comfort access be disabled?

I bet the dealer can code it for you. I see you are Romania. Is there a lot of theft or parting out of BMW in Romania?

[CatalinP]

So you have no clue...

[P1]

Originally Posted by CatalinP

So you have no clue...

I don't, which is why I'm asking.

[CatalinP]

I asked about disabling comfort access, and you said you bet it is possible, but you have no clue if it is or not.

[Doanster]

As you stated, it's all about making the car more of a hassle to steal, so it all depends on how far you're will to go to make it more annoying to the thieves vs annoying yourself to disable your protective measures each morning.
Add an additional aftermarket alarm with loud horns.
Go old school and get "The Club" (popular here in the states a decade+ ago).
Put a boot on one or more wheels each night, just like how a towing company would do.
Like I said, all depends on your risk/reward/annoyance factor is.

[ikheetleon]

Put the keys in a metal box, as you already suggested. Also cut the power to the obd port and put in a hidden switch somewhere. Since you are in Holland, you've already got a class 5 alarm system otherwise insurrance would be impossible. I've also removed the option to lower the windows with the key door lock (not fob, actual key). Sometimes that's exploited to get in the car. You can do this with coding. And pray for the best.

[surfcali]

Originally Posted by CatalinP

I asked about disabling comfort access, and you said you bet it is possible, but you have no clue if it is or not.

I called my service advisor and he said it is NOT possible to disable comfort access.
My use case for disabling comfort access is when I go surfing, I have to lock my key inside the car and only take the valet part of the key. However, my trunk won't close with my key in the car. Solution - I wrap my key in foil and throw it in to front seat, so when i open the door with the metal portion and the alarm goes off I can turn it off quickly. Man - technology supposed to make life easier....

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by CatalinP

I asked about disabling comfort access, and you said you bet it is possible, but you have no clue if it is or not.

It can be coded on/off - you need equipment for that. Either Enet cable and laptop or Carly App with BT OBD-dong adapter

Also, dude stay polite - it's not Romania here

[P1]

Originally Posted by DuSh

It can be coded on/off - you need equipment for that. Either Enet cable and laptop or Carly App with BT OBD-dong adapter

Also, dude stay polite - it's not Romania here

That boy came in HOT on his second and third post...

[turboawd]

just have good insurance and do not worry.

[charlietangobravo]

All X5/X6:s sold in Sweden have smart DNA / Smart Water treatment on them. It has really brought down theft and stripping here.

https://www.smartwater.com

[X5M50D]

Originally Posted by turboawd

just have good insurance and do not worry.

Totally agree why worry about it
We have GAP insurance in the UK which is an add on to the standard insurance, that basically pays for a brand new car of the same spec if yours is stolen - happy days!

[positiveions]

kinds of scary to have someone steal your car within minutes without breaking a sweat.

[surfcali]

Originally Posted by DuSh

It can be coded on/off - you need equipment for that. Either Enet cable and laptop or Carly App with BT OBD-dong adapter

Also, dude stay polite - it's not Romania here

Are you sure? I had alex@alpine do my coding yesterday and he said it's not possible turn off comfort access would be interested if you know how.