BMW Car thefts

It is reported that Police believe organised gangs are targeting BMW cars specifically in and around the West Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire borders.

Last week one car was taken from a drive way in Horsham and another attempt to take one from a lock garage failed.

It is easy to get complacent, especially of one lives in what some consider to be a safe or low crime area. The rest may seem obvious but is just a reminder to protect your vehicle.

1. Always lock the vehicle.
2. Park in a garage if you have one.
3. Park off road if you are able.
4. Fit a tracker if you consider it worth doing.
5. Park an older vehicle in front of you BMW or garaged car.
6. Do not leave car open with out without keys and running whilst defrosting at this time of year.
7. Let neighbours (you trust) know if you are going away and leaving your car.
8. Check identity and validity of contractors collecting "broken down vehicles" from drives etc.
9. Ensure your insurance policy covers theft and that you have specifically told the insurer where the car is kept, make sure your insurance is valid.
10. Keep keys in a safe place, do not leave on hall way table or anywhere whereby they can be taken by putting something through the letter box to hook them.
11. Check vehicle when left in other locations that thieves have not fitted a cheap tracker so they can trace your vehicle to where it is kept, there were reports this happened at the Silverstone Classic this year with some Ford cars.
12. Call the Police do not attempt to physically challenge thieves most cars can be replaced even rare ones.

Edited by Norrie - 09 Nov 2016 at 10:33am

As far as I'm aware, BMW Main Dealerships now re-flash all vehicle ECU's and associated immobiliser control units (and lock them) as a matter of course when vehicles are in for servicing etc etc. This is to try and overcome the following;As I'm sure you are all aware, there was, and probably still is, vehicle security being compromised by the use of a dongle which when plugged into the OBD port, deactivates the immobiliser and allows the central locking to become operative and vehicle to start. This dongle when plugged in, replicates itself to the car, thus taking the next key position in the immobiliser system. So, if you bought the car from new with 2 keys and it gets stolen without them getting either of your 2 keys, it probably could only have been stolen with the use of this so called dongle. Having said this, if and when you get the car back both your 2 keys will still work. However, if you lose one of your 2 keys, and want a spare from the dealer you will probably find that it wont work after paying approx £150 for it, due to the dongle taking the key position 3. If you order the next key (another £150) this will work, as it is key position 4. So the moral of this story is get the car to the Dealership, check how many keys are in the system, erase missing keys and buy the next available key. So a saving of approx £150 less the diagnostic test and key erasure, so now thinking maybe no saving.