BMW not deactivating old 'Connected' accounts

Draper · 12-30-2019, 08:40 PM

I turned in my leased F80 at the end of August. The dealer had me sign a few things, and a few weeks later I got my MSD check in the mail.

Today, I happened to open the Connected iOS app and was a little surprised to see my M3 still listed there. It had options for lock, unlock, ventilate, etc... (did not try these), and even let me locate the vehicle (showing the exact address).

Obviously this has no impact on me since I no longer own the car, but if I was buying a used BMW I would definitely not want the previous owner to have this type of access

IK6SPEED · 12-30-2019, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draper

I turned in my leased F80 at the end of August. The dealer had me sign a few things, and a few weeks later I got my MSD check in the mail.

Today, I happened to open the Connected iOS app and was a little surprised to see my M3 still listed there. It had options for lock, unlock, ventilate, etc... (did not try these), and even let me locate the vehicle (showing the exact address).

Obviously this has no impact on me since I no longer own the car, but if I was buying a used BMW I would definitely not want the previous owner to have this type of access

If the Dealer did their job correctly, you would not have access once the title and connect drive services was transferred.

The Dealer obviously did a disservice to their customer.

No way to let current owner know, but they could also register it in their name by sending copy of vehicle registration and insurance card to prove ownership to BMW Connected Drive.

JamesF80m3 · 12-30-2019, 09:25 PM

This also happen to me but once the car was sold to the new owner it deactivated

Draper · 12-30-2019, 09:41 PM

Pretty sure the car has been sold, since it's parked at a house.

Maybe the dealer missed a step during the check in process, maybe the new owner didn't mail in some paperwork. This seems like something that should have a global off switch by BMW or BMWFS. Anything less just seems like a huge oversight.

I mean, I have his address. I found his name. He doesn't appear to work at the dealer. If I had time or motive, what more could I do? Not to mention I could literally start honking the horn nonstop at 2am...just for funsies.

backagain · 12-31-2019, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

No way to let current owner know, but they could also register it in their name by sending copy of vehicle registration and insurance card to prove ownership to BMW Connected Drive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draper

I mean, I have his address. I found his name. He doesn't appear to work at the dealer. If I had time or motive, what more could I do? Not to mention I could literally start honking the horn nonstop at 2am...just for funsies.

OP just figured out how

zamboni · 12-31-2019, 01:30 PM

My previous M3 was totaled and the insurance paid it off and tow it off the tow yard,I'm still be able to track the location of the vehicle. Still showing on my BMW Connected Appl.

IK6SPEED · 12-31-2019, 01:39 PM

As much as of pain in the ass it would be, BMW really should send out a code once a year to the CID that has to be entered into the Connected Drive Account online to maintain Connected Drive Access.

Keca10 · 12-31-2019, 02:22 PM

Every time I get a new BMW or sell an old one I call BMW connected and make sure they switch it. Or do it online.

Colinv6 · 12-31-2019, 03:10 PM

I had this with my first F80 as well. For about 6 months I could keep tabs on it. The temptation to peep the horn was almost unbearable but I somehow resisted.

Like you I could see the exact house it was parked at.

dsmclark · 01-03-2020, 03:57 AM

Pretty sure you have to remove this from the app yourself

IK6SPEED · 01-03-2020, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsmclark

Pretty sure you have to remove this from the app yourself

Not if BMW Dealer does the paperwork correctly.

Emcee · 01-03-2020, 11:16 PM

Same thing happened when I got my new M3, the old car eventually disappeared but it was pretty disconcerting for awhile.

allinon72 · 01-04-2020, 08:50 AM

It's amazing how haphazard and unconcerned large corporations are at protecting sensitive data. And to leave that job to a dealership is crazy.

HarryTee · 03-01-2021, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allinon72

It's amazing how haphazard and unconcerned large corporations are at protecting sensitive data. And to leave that job to a dealership is crazy.

It's easy to criticise but BMW do do what you'd expect: once the new owner set up the car in their connected drive app, the car will be auto-deleted in previous owner's connected app (This change-over normally doesn't happen immediately as the car is still for sale at the dealer's). Besides, if you're really concerned about protecting sensitive data, prior to the hand-over you should delete all your personal data in the iDrive at the press of a button, and this will also stop your ability to track the car that is now no longer yours.

horsepower_and_hounds · 03-01-2021, 04:21 AM

I totaled my first M4... I was able to see which salvage yard acquired it, auction it went too, location of new owner and where they lived. I was a able to drive by and see the car while they rebuilt it. It still came up in my connected account until it was re-sold and the new owner activated it.

When I sold the M2 I could see it every day at the (non-BMW) dealer I traded it in to and where it went when it was bought....up until the new owner activated it.

So the moral of the story goes.........

ShopVac · 03-01-2021, 11:55 AM

Okay - I just downloaded the app and activated.

Wondering how much the previous owner knows about me now...guy was a gaj-illionaire (going by where he left 'home' in the navigation), so doubt he gave a shit. But still...

zamboni · 03-01-2021, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horsepower_and_hounds

I totaled my first M4... I was able to see which salvage yard acquired it, auction it went too, location of new owner and where they lived. I was a able to drive by and see the car while they rebuilt it. It still came up in my connected account until it was re-sold and the new owner activated it.

When I sold the M2 I could see it every day at the (non-BMW) dealer I traded it in to and where it went when it was bought....up until the new owner activated it.

So the moral of the story goes.........

I'm in the same scenario totaled my M3 and still showing up on my account.

Tecnniqe · 03-01-2021, 02:58 PM

It’s a safety feature from BMW in case you regret the sale and want to take it back

But yeah, I can see it being a privacy issue.

Nowicki · 03-02-2021, 12:14 PM

I see this as a big issue.

In college, I had a super nice modded 240sx. One late night I was out getting beer in a friend's car and I saw MY CAR driving down the road. I called the police, we followed it, and when he stopped I immediately jumped out and went to hold the driver in the car. We got into a scuffle, he took off running, and then the police surrounded him and took him into custody.

They brought me over his ID to see if I knew him, and it turned out to be the guy I bought the car from 5 years prior in my hometown. He also went to my college and kept a key from the original sale. I found out later that I was parking it right outside of his apartment... and it wasn't the only time he had driven the car.

Crazy story, but not far-fetched to think that people keep keys.

12-30-2019, 08:40 PM	#1
Draper Brigadier General 3461 Rep 3,995 Posts Drives: M4 Comp / Macan Turbo Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Denver iTrader: (38)	BMW not deactivating old 'Connected' accounts I turned in my leased F80 at the end of August. The dealer had me sign a few things, and a few weeks later I got my MSD check in the mail. Today, I happened to open the Connected iOS app and was a little surprised to see my M3 still listed there. It had options for lock, unlock, ventilate, etc... (did not try these), and even let me locate the vehicle (showing the exact address). Obviously this has no impact on me since I no longer own the car, but if I was buying a used BMW I would definitely not want the previous owner to have this type of access Attached Images __________________ Current: G82 M4 Comp xDrive // Frozen Deep Grey Current: 95B.1 Macan Turbo // Dark Blue Metallic
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12-30-2019, 09:25 PM	#3
JamesF80m3 Lieutenant 266 Rep 563 Posts Drives: F80 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: New jersey iTrader: (1)	This also happen to me but once the car was sold to the new owner it deactivated
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12-30-2019, 09:41 PM	#4
Draper Brigadier General 3461 Rep 3,995 Posts Drives: M4 Comp / Macan Turbo Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Denver iTrader: (38)	Pretty sure the car has been sold, since it's parked at a house. Maybe the dealer missed a step during the check in process, maybe the new owner didn't mail in some paperwork. This seems like something that should have a global off switch by BMW or BMWFS. Anything less just seems like a huge oversight. I mean, I have his address. I found his name. He doesn't appear to work at the dealer. If I had time or motive, what more could I do? Not to mention I could literally start honking the horn nonstop at 2am...just for funsies. __________________ Current: G82 M4 Comp xDrive // Frozen Deep Grey Current: 95B.1 Macan Turbo // Dark Blue Metallic
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12-31-2019, 01:30 PM	#6
zamboni I want to drive a Zamboni 1131 Rep 5,557 Posts Drives: 13 E93 M3 18 F80 M3 16 K71 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Monte Sereno, CA iTrader: (7) Garage List 16 K71 F800GT [10.00] 2018 F80 M3 [10.00] 2013 BMW E93 M3 [10.00]	My previous M3 was totaled and the insurance paid it off and tow it off the tow yard,I'm still be able to track the location of the vehicle. Still showing on my BMW Connected Appl. __________________ 18 F80 Imola Red 6MT 16 K71 F800GT Montego Blue 13 E93 M3 Melbourne Red 2000 E46,2006 E90,09 E82,13 E93 328i,14 F30 335i,18 F80 M3 My next vehicle would be a Zamboni
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12-31-2019, 01:39 PM	#7
IK6SPEED Banned 4488 Rep 10,473 Posts Drives: BMW M3 / AH3 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Cali iTrader: (23)	As much as of pain in the ass it would be, BMW really should send out a code once a year to the CID that has to be entered into the Connected Drive Account online to maintain Connected Drive Access.
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12-31-2019, 02:22 PM	#8
Keca10 Lieutenant 438 Rep 501 Posts Drives: ‘18 M3 ZCP / '20 X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	Every time I get a new BMW or sell an old one I call BMW connected and make sure they switch it. Or do it online.
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12-31-2019, 03:10 PM	#9
Colinv6 Colonel 4031 Rep 2,817 Posts Drives: 2020 M4 comp, Mexico / Opal Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	I had this with my first F80 as well. For about 6 months I could keep tabs on it. The temptation to peep the horn was almost unbearable but I somehow resisted. Like you I could see the exact house it was parked at. __________________ 2020 M4 competition Mexico Blue / Opal white ultimate pack, full M perf carbon kit, MP HAS, Carbon Ceramics, 763M with cup2’s. Instagram c1_cdg
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01-03-2020, 03:57 AM	#10
dsmclark Second Lieutenant 81 Rep 224 Posts Drives: Cayman GT4 Clubsport Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Pretty sure you have to remove this from the app yourself
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01-03-2020, 11:16 PM	#12
Emcee Private 26 Rep 73 Posts Drives: '18 M3 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Same thing happened when I got my new M3, the old car eventually disappeared but it was pretty disconcerting for awhile.
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01-04-2020, 08:50 AM	#13
allinon72 Brigadier General 4922 Rep 3,804 Posts Drives: 20' M2C, 23' X1 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Indianapolis, IN iTrader: (2)	It's amazing how haphazard and unconcerned large corporations are at protecting sensitive data. And to leave that job to a dealership is crazy.
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03-01-2021, 04:21 AM	#15
horsepower_and_hounds Brigadier General 1836 Rep 4,203 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	I totaled my first M4... I was able to see which salvage yard acquired it, auction it went too, location of new owner and where they lived. I was a able to drive by and see the car while they rebuilt it. It still came up in my connected account until it was re-sold and the new owner activated it. When I sold the M2 I could see it every day at the (non-BMW) dealer I traded it in to and where it went when it was bought....up until the new owner activated it. So the moral of the story goes.........
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03-01-2021, 11:55 AM	#16
ShopVac Not willing to take advice 4053 Rep 1,527 Posts Drives: F82 M4 - 6MT Join Date: May 2010 Location: PA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 BMW M4 [9.83] 2023 Genesis GV70 [6.50] 2018 Abarth 124 Spider [10.00] 2014 Audi S4 [6.50]	Okay - I just downloaded the app and activated. Wondering how much the previous owner knows about me now...guy was a gaj-illionaire (going by where he left 'home' in the navigation), so doubt he gave a shit. But still... __________________ Proud owner of 4 Turbos and 1 Supercharger
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03-01-2021, 02:58 PM	#18
Tecnniqe Sad ///M noises 4197 Rep 1,798 Posts Drives: ///M4 COMPETITION Join Date: May 2020 Location: In a Piece of History iTrader: (0)	It’s a safety feature from BMW in case you regret the sale and want to take it back But yeah, I can see it being a privacy issue.
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03-02-2021, 12:14 PM	#19
Nowicki New Member 9 Rep 8 Posts Drives: Silverstone F80 ZCP Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Southeast Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	I see this as a big issue. In college, I had a super nice modded 240sx. One late night I was out getting beer in a friend's car and I saw MY CAR driving down the road. I called the police, we followed it, and when he stopped I immediately jumped out and went to hold the driver in the car. We got into a scuffle, he took off running, and then the police surrounded him and took him into custody. They brought me over his ID to see if I knew him, and it turned out to be the guy I bought the car from 5 years prior in my hometown. He also went to my college and kept a key from the original sale. I found out later that I was parking it right outside of his apartment... and it wasn't the only time he had driven the car. Crazy story, but not far-fetched to think that people keep keys.
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