cruiser647 Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Another BMW security special. One of the sales reps here has a new model (I think it's the brand spanking new model) 320d, with 'Comfort Pack'. Effectively the proximity thing with the key to open the door without using the keyfob. It allows you to touch the door, and it opens. Her car was outside her flat in London and is always pristine inside. She came out the other day, and things had been moved and left around the place. She went to BMW and they denied it could happen. She then popped into the Police station, and they confirmed it happens alot, and also with Minis. They wondered if she'd watched the Watchdog program! I told her that if she'd had an M or a 335, then she'd probably not be sitting in it now! She's going to test the distnace thing on the Comfort Pack soon, see if it works from her flat! She's not best pleased! She has lost some cash (car park money) and a projector which we'll have to replace now. What a load of rubbish!!! She's now going to have to leave the glovebox open most of the time, to show there's nothing in the car! Presume BMW MUST be working on a fix for this sort of thing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Same issue with any car that has keyless go/entry etc. If where you leave your keys is too close to the car, it isn't locked. I can see a market for lead lined key boxes here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booster Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Cars made after November last year aren't effected by the key coding issue that was highlighted on Watchdog. I suspect your colleague's issue might be due to the fact that the comfort unlocking activated from her flat. One of the reasons why I didn't go for it on my car. You never know if the bloody thing is locked or not. Go back to check and of course it is unlocked!! She can turn it off completely in the iDrive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted November 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 I suppose, all they need to do is reduce the power/range! Means you can't really come back to your car and put stuff in it and wonder off for more shopping! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted November 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 She can turn it off completely in the iDrive. Oooh! Thanks Mr B! I'll let her know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 (edited) Presume BMW MUST be working on a fix for this sort of thing? I posted about this very issue in one of the other BMW security threads after I took a new Range Rover with 'comfort key' for a testdrive without the key. The dealer started the engine and got out with the key and I drove off (and trashed about it for 45 mins). You would have thought the engine should have cut out but the system doesn't work that way, I have since read several other cases where, for example, the wife has got out the car with the key fob in her handbag and the husband driven off out to get to work and can't lock or restart the car as she's got the key and is now the otherside of town. Anyhow, when you park the car don't leave the keyfob in line of sight, or whatever the range is, as the bloody car is still unlocked Edited November 7, 2012 by Andy_Bangle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Cars made after November last year aren't effected by the key coding issue that was highlighted on Watchdog. Are you sure that's true Booster? My understanding is that they've fixed the dead-spot in the alarm system, not stopped the issue with OBD programming? For example now if you get your code updated on an X5/X6 (not a problem on any other model apparently...) all it does is kills the dead-spot I believe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 My 2007 5 series has "Comfort Access", and I have to say I love it... She does need to make sure she locks the car when she leaves it. Unlike others, the car does not lock itself when the key goes out of range. Instead, there are specific places on the handle that you have to touch, at which point the car locks with a definite "clunk". She should also test the range, which is easily done. Just leave the car key behind in the flat wherever she normally leaves it, go to the car, and try to get in. I've done this, and my key normally sits about 20 feet away behind a solid door and the car will not open. The system is actually very clever; if the person holding the key is by the passenger door, and someone tries to open the driver's door (for example), it refuses - the key must be by the same door as is being opened. Or if you forget that the key is in your jacket, drop the jacket in the boot, and then try to close the boot when the rest of the car is locked, the bootlid will just bounce back open again to stop you locking yourself out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 You would have thought the engine should have cut out but the system doesn't work that way, I have since read several other cases where, for example, the wife has got out the car with the key fob in her handbag and the husband driven off out to get to work and can't lock or restart the car as she's got the key and is now the otherside of town. No, the engine does carry on running even if you get out with the key. Useful if you're shuffling cars on the driveway, you don't need to kill the battery with multiple starts but can still take the key with you. BMW's system would allow the husband to drive to work, but he'd have to be a bit stupid as the iDrive screen flashes up a warning that the key is not present every minute or so, together with a loud BONG noise. Can't speak for other manufacturer's systems, though. Should have added to my previous post, the keyfob will open the car if you press the button manually from a much longer range than the Comfort Access will operate. You really do need to be standing at the door for it to open for you automatically. The most likely explanation for Cruiser's friend's problem is that she knocked the button on the keyfob from inside the flat - i.e. nothing to do with Comfort Access. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Or if you forget that the key is in your jacket, drop the jacket in the boot, and then try to close the boot when the rest of the car is locked, the bootlid will just bounce back open again to stop you locking yourself out. I had this happen on the RR. I purchased it in P'bro and drove it back to Sweden stopping over night in Denmark, the following morning I chucked my bag in the boot but the electric closing bootlid just refused to close, just bounced back open as you say. I spent the next 20 mins trying to rearrange the contents of the boot which included a set of 19" winter wheels and a few boxes, eventually it dawned on me I had placed the spare key fob in my overnight day - doh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 The most likely explanation for Cruiser's friend's problem is that she knocked the button on the keyfob from inside the flat - i.e. nothing to do with Comfort Access. In that case the car should have relocked itself after 30 secs unless the scumbags were very lucky, to try the door handles in that small window of opportunity. Unless, she popped the bootlid? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 The range of the key will vary as well, many things can impact the signal strength, such as interference from other wireless devices, phones etc, even weather conditions will effect it. So theoretically, it would be possible to test the range during the day, and find it to be far enough that the car won't unlock, yet at night, when no ones using WiFi, mobile phones, wireless doorbells etc etc etc, that the range could be extended enough that the car will unlock, especially on a nice clear evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted November 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 I've just spoken to her again, as she's in the office today. I've told her to check the i-drive settings to see if she can change it there. She looked horrified at that prospect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Take her for a walk to the car park Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted November 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Take her for a walk to the car park As long as she carries her own handbag........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 the electric closing bootlid just refused to close, just bounced back open as you say. I spent the next 20 mins trying to rearrange the contents of the boot which included a set of 19" winter wheels and a few boxes, eventually it dawned on me I had placed the spare key fob in my overnight day - doh! Yep... that's how I discovered the feature, too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldavo69 Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 It's obvious what happened. Employee has a drugs problem and swapped the projector and change for a load of pills, then had a mini-rave in the car making a load of mess. Then went back to the flat after a massive comedown and forgot all about it. I think sacking her is the only course of action. Any other problems, just let me know, happy to help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 I think sacking her is the only course of action. That's why I suggested cruiser should take her for a walk, making sure she hasn't got mace in handbag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stooH Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 In that case the car should have relocked itself after 30 secs Only if the Auto Relock option is enabled in iDrive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Only if the Auto Relock option is enabled in iDrive Which it is by default ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booster Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Are you sure that's true Booster? My understanding is that they've fixed the dead-spot in the alarm system, not stopped the issue with OBD programming? For example now if you get your code updated on an X5/X6 (not a problem on any other model apparently...) all it does is kills the dead-spot I believe? Here you go Mac. I got the info from their press release: BMW UK : News | High-tech car theft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Here you go Mac. I got the info from their press release:BMW UK : News | High-tech car theft. Is that from the same BMW press dept that said that there wasn't any problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Posted November 7, 2012 Report Share Posted November 7, 2012 Here you go Mac. I got the info from their press release:BMW UK : News | High-tech car theft. It doesn't actually say anything in there really. From talking to the dealers it's a fix on the alarm dead-spot, and something about all the windows opening when you hold the key down or something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Posted November 13, 2012 Report Share Posted November 13, 2012 For those that are interested, this is the detail on the update. Doesn't do much. Subject : Optimization of the CAS software at the customers request.Release Date : 06/11/12 Measure No. 52288206-02 Production Period: 01/03/07 to 31/08/11 Complaint : The customer is requesting that the vehicle security is updated. Note: In the course of simplifying the software, the "Comfort opening using the key in the door lock" function, which is rarely used by the customer, has been removed. The "Comfort opening using the remote control is the ignition key" remains in place. Cause : Software in the Car Access System control unit (CAS) Measure : In the event of complaint program the vehicle as follows using ISTA/P 2.48.1 or a more recent version. - Connect the battery charger to the vehicle - Connect the programming system to the vehicle - Select - "Vehicle" tab - Select the "Conversions" tab - Select "Modification, deactivate mechanical convenience opening via the drivers door lock" - At "Conformation prompt" select OK Note : The vehicle order element "OKOS" has been added to the measures plan and the CAS for programming/coding has been ordered. All other actions that are suggested by the system have been removed. Do not take any further actions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Posted November 13, 2012 Report Share Posted November 13, 2012 Although there's this as well apparently: Take your car down to your local BMW dealer or a technically proficient BMW electronics specialist, and ask for the SOPT-enabled CAS (Car Access Sytem) firmware update. Cars with the SOPT-enabled CAS firmware, can only have a new immobiliser key programmed if another original immobiliser key is present. If you have had your car serviced at a BMW dealer within the last year, chances-are you already have the SOPT update. Older BMW cars fitted with EWS, EWS 2 and EWS 3 modules are not affected by this vunerability. New F-chassis BMW cars are also not affected by this vunerability, as they are fitted with CAS 4 modules which already have the SOPT feature enable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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