G42 M240i security - as much an issue as it was?

[Tea Pot One]

London … not Birmingham or Leeds …. considering whether it needs as much as the keys are not accessible if it’s left … but the car does have comfort access.

Disclok or Milenco bar … or Stoplock Pro (fits but is tight around the spokes of the wheel). Being a bit mad I have all three for different cars I own or have used.

Tracker (?) but they can rip out. Maybe one which is combined with an immobiliser like a Meta S5 Deadlock ?

Security Posts … but I won’t as when I had them (busy street) people doing three point turns on my drive hit them twice causing me big bills to get the posts re seated / sorted.

Wondered re Scorpion X in case I’m near it and key is cloned when it’s not in a faraday bag. I figure as Scorpion have brought this out after the Ghost it is likely to be ‘better’ or at least quicker to respond ?

Is steering wheel theft on a new BMW now more of a risk ?

It is currently sitting with a Disklok on it and the keys with me 20 miles away.

Yes I do have Gap insurance too btw
Views ?

Edited by Tea Pot One on Monday 14th August 18:43

[Wills2]

I think they are going after SUVs rather than 2 door coupes these days, has the 2 series ever been on the theft hotlist?

[Tea Pot One]

Decided a simple Stoplock Pro Elite will do.

My last car, a Rav4 PHEV could be stolen in 30 seconds and had a massive design flaw ... that and the massive mistake I made thinking a life long petrol head could be sensible led me back to BMW

[Jamescrs]

I have the previous gen M240i and owned it 3 years now and never had an issue, I use a Faraday bag and the keys are locked overnight in a locked key cupboard but never had an attempt on it anyway. My neighbours did once report someone snooping around my car on the drive and looking into my back garden but nothing has come of it (Touch wood).

I do suspect coupes are less appealing to criminals than hatchbacks and other 4/5 door cars as less practical for committing crime in.

I should add I also had a Ghost immobiliser fitted to mine but I had it removed over 12 months ago when I thought I was going to sell the car.

[Tea Pot One]

Jamescrs said:

I have the previous gen M240i and owned it 3 years now and never had an issue, I use a Faraday bag and the keys are locked overnight in a locked key cupboard but never had an attempt on it anyway. My neighbours did once report someone snooping around my car on the drive and looking into my back garden but nothing has come of it (Touch wood).

I do suspect coupes are less appealing to criminals than hatchbacks and other 4/5 door cars as less practical for committing crime in.

I should add I also had a Ghost immobiliser fitted to mine but I had it removed over 12 months ago when I thought I was going to sell the car.

The coupe thing hadn't occurred to me but you are right ... they aren't too keen on them. My Rav4 Phev was actually far more appealing but I may still get a Scorpion X to keep my paranoia in check ! I think it is quicker to arm and disarm than the Ghost.

[Ukguy6666]

Still an issue. Points to note.
Broke into house to nick keys.
Made short work of steering lock.
MyBMW app with tracker is pointless they switch it off
Police may eventually 5 days later apply to BMW Germany to track your car (which they can)
By that time it’s in bits.

[carlo996]

Keys indoors, in a safe place. Dogs near the safe place.

It’s terrible BMW can’t be bothered to address things. I had my E90 M3 almost taken with OBD access. I was amazed that they don’t even lock the extra key profiles

[sortedcossie]

What shocks me is that the connected drive can be turned off in 3 clicks, that should be protected by an owner set password.

[Jamescrs]

Ukguy6666 said:

Still an issue. Points to note.
Broke into house to nick keys.
Made short work of steering lock.
MyBMW app with tracker is pointless they switch it off
Police may eventually 5 days later apply to BMW Germany to track your car (which they can)
By that time it’s in bits.

I take it this has just happened to you? If so sorry to hear it.
If they broke into your house for the keys does that mean thy also had the steering lock key to remove it?

What steering lock was fitted?

[sjb993]

Ukguy6666 said:

Still an issue. Points to note.
Broke into house to nick keys.
Made short work of steering lock.
MyBMW app with tracker is pointless they switch it off
Police may eventually 5 days later apply to BMW Germany to track your car (which they can)
By that time it’s in bits.

Isn't it the case that if you use Valet Mode when parked, the Privacy settings cannot be accessed, and therefore the MyBMW App's tracker can't be turned off?

Edited by sjb993 on Tuesday 9th January 15:45

[Ukguy6666]

sjb993 said:

Isn't it the case that if you use Valet Mode when parked, the Privacy settings cannot be accessed, and therefore the MyBMW App's tracker can't be turned off?

Edited by sjb993 on Tuesday 9th January 15:45

Yes afraid so!
Like any normal (and slightly silly person) the steering lock key was on my car keys.

I believe BMWs have 2 SIM cards in them, one for nav etc governed by your own preferred settings and one for their own use.

Edited by Ukguy6666 on Monday 15th January 17:28

[Fleckers]

my only issue with steering wheels locks and the drive way posts is they may / will break in to get the keys

my car went in December 2023, just vanished during the night, heard nothing

a friends car was stolen a few weeks later when they smashed his front door in to get the keys, as he had a drive way post, I know which I prefer......

[Ukguy6666]

Will be a post next for me.
A claim on the house insurance is probably better and cheaper than what Hastings Direct value their cars at.
Be warned!

[4004]

Aside from all the immo and physical security options, is it the car type/model that makes them targeted? Presumably opportunistic thieves go for lower hanging fruit?
I wonder if debadging something like an M240i might make it look less appealing.
If most cars these days are stolen to be parted out, cheaper/older parts should mean less risk?

[Ukguy6666]

Stolen to order without a doubt.
Cloned a few months before.
They knew exactly what and where it was unfortunately.
I’ve thought about debadging and probably will do on future cars