There has been an unusual spike in the number of BMWs stolen in the UK this year, with some sources suggesting the number may be 300 cars or higher. The cars are being stolen without activating car alarms or immobilizers.
The suspected method involves the use of devices that plug into the car's OBD port and can program blank key fobs, leaving owners with keys to missing cars.
The essential theft process varies in detail, but all reports seem to have a fundamental methodology in common. First, the car is entered, either via nearby RF jammers that block the fob lock signal from reaching the car (preventing owners from securing their vehicles) or, more crudely, by breaking a window, as seen in the video in this post of the 1 Series being stolen. In cases of the window break, the thieves seem to be exploiting a gap in the car's internal ultrasonic sensor system to avoid tripping the alarm.
Once some sort of access to the vehicle is gained, the thieves connect a device to the car's OBD-II connector which gives them access to the car's unique key fob digital ID, allowing them to program a blank key fob to work with the car right then and there. <snip>
dat was not bad...take dat 1m fastish....guessing they push it not to wake owner but regardless he will know the car stolen so start and mash out...more dramatic
my friend in the UK had her BMW stolen and the dealership was amazed that it happened due to the new "state of the art" security system they got it back eventually tho cos the guy stole 2 others after and he was caught on security cams
