Need some advice after car was stolen

[Rxpert]

My vote is for Option #1, but only if BMW can "Re-Code" the car.

Agree with the other response that you need things to settle down first. Never base any big financial decisions on reactionary emotions.

Also give the car some time before you mod it. It's highly unlikely that any damage was done, but if there was any damage why not give it a few months to surface. I wouldn't void the warranty so close after this event.

From personal experience, I've had a car stolen and like you OP, felt violated and disappointed every time I drove it. These feelings lasted for a few months and then just disappeared one day & I subsequently enjoyed the car for several more years.

Ultimately though if I was you I would base my decision on whether BMW can re-code the ignition or not. If they can re-code the car to use a different signal, I'd keep the car. If BMW can't recode it and you use the same keys I would get rid of it. Otherwise in the back of my mind I'd be worried about it getting stolen again wherever I go. It's like the thieves always having a key for your car & that feeling I could never get over.

[TurbodTurtle]

Originally Posted by Rxpert

My vote is for Option #1, but only if BMW can "Re-Code" the car.

Agree with the other response that you need things to settle down first. Never base any big financial decisions on reactionary emotions.

Also give the car some time before you mod it. It's highly unlikely that any damage was done, but if there was any damage why not give it a few months to surface. I wouldn't void the warranty so close after this event.

From personal experience, I've had a car stolen and like you OP, felt violated and disappointed every time I drove it. These feelings lasted for a few months and then just disappeared one day & I subsequently enjoyed the car for several more years.

Ultimately though if I was you I would base my decision on whether BMW can re-code the ignition or not. If they can re-code the car to use a different signal, I'd keep the car. If BMW can't recode it and you use the same keys I would get rid of it. Otherwise in the back of my mind I'd be worried about it getting stolen again wherever I go. It's like the thieves always having a key for your car & that feeling I could never get over.

I think they just boosted the signal so I don't think they have copies of my key, I would like a fresh key case as mine is worn but I think the actual key is ok, especially now being kept in a faraday bag and hidden. If they do the car should just cut out and, from what I saw of him, I can take him.

I think I am going to try some coding, to get rid of some of the annoying features, and maybe give it a month. My warranty runs out in feb anyway and i'm probably not going to renew as i'm only doing 5k miles a year now if that.

[DML]

Originally Posted by pheerIx

Probably more of a function of less people have dedicated car garages in their homes and homes are smaller. Easier to boost the signal from outside, one person standing by car. Once signal is boosted the car is gone in seconds.

Here's a video I found of an actual M4 being stolen

Such a deplorable society. Much like a stranger sleeping in your bed, totally unacceptable. Feel the pain dude, Good luck with all.

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY

damn in USA they steal honda accords. in UK they steal high end sports cars

"High end sports cars"?

Oh, you meant the M4...

Never mind...

[nickl630]

#1... its just a car. sucks but its just a hunk of metal.

[m_michael]

Whoa. That's nuts. The signal from the key can be boosted? Isn't there some kind of handshake that needs to happen between the car and the key to unlock and start it?

Regarding the original post. These M engines are really tough. People track the hell of them all the time with no issues. If everything checks out with the dealer inspection I wouldn't worry about it.

ECU modding the car will void your warranty. If you're comfortable with the risk associated with this and the potential of destroying your engine, then proceed with much caution. Our cars are insanely fast already.

[DML]

Originally Posted by nickl630

#1... its just a car. sucks but its just a hunk of metal.

True but.....Never mess with a mans toys.

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by m_michael

Whoa. That's nuts. The signal from the key can be boosted? Isn't there some kind of handshake that needs to happen between the car and the key to unlock and start it?

This has been a thing since at least 2011. It takes two people armed with electronic devices, one that picks up the signal from your key fob by just walking past you, and the other one that receives the relayed signal from the first device while being near your car.

Here's a detailed description, including a demonstration video of the process: https://www.wired.com/2017/04/just-p...can-steal-car/.

The only protection is to keep your key in a Faraday cage device like a RFID blocking bag when not actually being used to lock/unlock your car. You can find them on Amazon.

BTW, there was a whole thread on this a couple of years ago.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

Originally Posted by SD ///M4

"High end sports cars"?

Oh, you meant the M4...

Never mind...

LOL sorry just a 3 series with fancy bodywork

[bmrwrld]

Originally Posted by bimmerfrk

Like some other guy banging your girlfriend without your permission...... Shitty story bro,

LMAO! yup. I'd get rid of it.

[nickl630]

Originally Posted by DML

True but.....Never mess with a mans toys.

100% agree and while I haven't had a car stolen I can completely relate to how he feels. I dont think he should make a poor financial decision over it though!

[tropicalypso]

Just out of curiosity, while the fob is in a Faraday bag, are the Comfort Access features of the car disabled?

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by tropicalypso

Just out of curiosity, while the fob is in a Faraday bag, are the Comfort Access features of the car disabled?

Yes, as long as the key fob is in an RFID shielded bag, it can't send/receive any signals. It completely removes the convenience of Comfort Access because you would have to take the fob out of the bag in order for it to be able to pair with the Comfort Access sensor. You might as well just use the buttons on the remote.

However, you could lock/unlock your car and do all of the other functions available with the ConnectedDrive app since that works entirely differently than Comfort Access. But again, not as convenient as Comfort Access.

[tropicalypso]

Originally Posted by SD ///M4

Yes, as long as the key fob is in an RFID shielded bag, it can't send/receive any signals. It completely removes the convenience of Comfort Access because you would have to take the fob out of the bag in order for it to be able to pair with the Comfort Access sensor. You might as well just use the buttons on the remote.

However, you could lock/unlock your car and do all of the other functions available with the ConnectedDrive app since that works entirely differently than Comfort Access. But again, not as convenient as Comfort Access.

This is why we can’t have nice things.

[OzcarM3]

Originally Posted by pheerIx

Probably more of a function of less people have dedicated car garages in their homes and homes are smaller. Easier to boost the signal from outside, one person standing by car. Once signal is boosted the car is gone in seconds.

Here's a video I found of an actual M4 being stolen

Exact same way as mine was stolen a few weeks ago.

[TurboM]

Originally Posted by tropicalypso

This is why we can’t have nice things.

+1

[Leome]

I vote for #3, It is like your "wife" has been abused, but the good thing in this case is that you can replace your "wife"!

[Hachima]

This reminds me of the BMW ad below. Just think of the BMW genius that filled your tank up with gas on delivery and what they did! Unless your car was delivered at 0 miles!

[Zero_Cool]

Originally Posted by farg

Exactly! You might try to forgive her, but it just ain't the same. To me cars are about passion. If not, I'd be driving a Camry.

BTW (not to hijack), just took delivery last week of new BSM, Sakhir Orange, 6MT, M3 last week. Pictures or it didn't happen, I know. But how many of those have you all seen on here in the past few years?

OP I’m sorry to hear your story! Bmw’s have been getting stolen here in Germany by the same method! I bought a faraday pouch once other owners in my area posted their thefts on FB.

I own an 18 comp BSM/SO 6 spd with black 666s

[stormlv]

Unfortunately, this attack is simple to do, but difficult to protect against (from the manufacturers point of view)

The attacker simply has to "boost" the signal. It's a very "dumb" attack, which doesn't mess with the crypto keys being exchanged between the car and the key, and doesn't alter the data in any way.

The only potential way of protecting against this attack on the manufacturer's side is to do a "time of flight" analysis of the messages being exchanged between the key and the car. You know how long it takes for a message to come back to you when the key is 1m away, so if it takes much longer then you disregard completely the instructions.

For example, it takes ~7ns for light to travel 2m (1m round trip), so if you receive the message after 20ns or more then the key won't work.

In reality, you need to add processing time both on the receiver and transmitter end, and any other lags in the system. I'm guessing that this is much longer than time of flight for light, which makes creating systems like this impractical.

[DML]

How about a return of "Fob to slot" I prefer to live without comfort laziness in exchange for peace of mind.

[sandjam]

Originally Posted by OzcarM3

Exact same way as mine was stolen a few weeks ago.

That's unbelievable how they just steal it so calmly, did not even rush, like it was their car.

These people have no morals at all.