VIDEO: BMW lock decoding secrets explained
We knew that certain footballers abroad were having problems with their X5s being lifted, but we were unsure about how this could happen in such a short period of time. Well, the veil of secrecy behind how Bimmers are being broken into has been lifted and we're absolutely amazed at the speed in which it's possible.
The video above shows what tools are employed and how the equipment is used to unlock BMWs whose owners assumed that their laser-cut keys made theft a non-issue. As always though, where there's a will, there's a way.
Naturally, we're not advocating any kind of illegal activity, but feel that this kind of information needs to be out in the open. And anyway, not only is this video available for public viewing on Google, but the cost of the equipment is hardly cheap, at just under $1,200.
[Source: TechEBlog]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
United316 4:06PM (12/31/2006)
i like the end of your post "but the cost of the equipment is hardly cheap, at just under $1,200"
how many bmw's can you get in with this and chop and sell off peice by peice???
thats an investment..
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IMHO 12:17PM (12/29/2006)
I´ll try it with my neighbors´ or at least a prank maybe park it a couple blocks away from his house!
The thing is i´m not into X5s so could you find me a video showing how to get a e90 3 series coupe or for that matters a MB CLS63 AMG?
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BimmerGuy 12:27PM (12/29/2006)
THE NEW BMW ADVERTSING CAMPAIGN
The ultimate driving machine, is now also availabe, for wannabe thiefs, just like you dreamed watching ¨Gone in 60 seconds¨.
Tools sold separately.
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drolds1 1:18PM (12/29/2006)
These "keys" can get the door open. They won't start the car.
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johnnash 1:22PM (12/29/2006)
#4 is right. This thing doesn't use the rolling codes needed to start a modern BMW.
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KazO 1:40PM (12/29/2006)
...or disable the alarm, though there have been plenty of demos of that as well.
I just hope that the 'coded driveaway protection' transponder in the key isn't as easy to defeat as the old GM system (Passkey, I think it was called).
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SOhp101 1:43PM (12/29/2006)
#4 might be right, but it does end the misconception that a laser cut key is more secure than a traditionally cut one.
You don't need to start a car to strip it down; you just need to open the door.
Plenty of real thieves tow a car to their shop so they can take their time in taking everything they want.
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ZenDriver 2:07PM (12/29/2006)
This whole thing is, as they would say on Fark, Rick Ramero.
ANY mechanical lock can be defeated by a determined enough attacker. The vast majority of mechanical locks can be defeated without leaving a trace of evidence. If this is news to you, you might want to Google "Bump Keys" or check out YouTube for some really interesting videos.
Laser cut keys like those from BMW and Mercedes raise the bar substantially compared to more traditional pin and tumbler keys and that is about the best a mechanical key system can do. Two points though:
- BMW's code hopping ignition key ("BMW Drive Away Protectio") is considered very secure. I don't know if it is undefeated, but it raises the bar substantially on what an attacker needs to actually take a BMW without either a key or a tow truck.
- Traditional mechanical keys are not very long for this world. My E90 key is just a box that slips into the dash; I've never used the mechanical backup key to gain access into the car. How long till the mechanical key is gone for good?
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bepsf 4:44PM (12/29/2006)
So much for journalistic responsibility...
...posting a link to a video on how to override a car's security system is akin to the NT Times printing an article on where to find specific information on how to sneak weapons aboard commercial aircraft.
It's one thing to see racial & homophobic slurs ignored on this site, but this is a new low.
I'm done with this site.
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Tool 5:35PM (12/29/2006)
Never heard of the NT Times.
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sam 12:07PM (12/31/2006)
If the door can be opened, the car can be towed, even in park. By disconnecting the battery, the alarm is disabled, and you can use the shiftlock to move the car. Of course, it would require planning and equipment (towtruck, time with the car, place to move it) that would negate profit. To bepsf, there are many legit reasons to get this. Locksmiths and BMW techs need it to get into cars owners locked themselves out of. Until every car in the world has keyless door unlocking, you need something to open the lock.
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gerald 6:27PM (12/29/2006)
I don't think this is an issue of journalistic responsibility. It's no different than when a hacker group exposes an exploit in a piece of software. In the end, it's good for us all, IF the manufacture steps up to fix the exploit.
That's how the security industry works. You can't fix the holes till you find them. It's better the good guys find the whole and report it, because we know the bad guys will never tell.
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Doug 3:54PM (1/09/2007)
Why do they call them laser cut keys? The little swirls in the track of the key makes it look like it was cut on an end mill.
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jon 11:05PM (12/29/2006)
good thing I got lojack on mine. Maybe I will get a club also.
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John 12:49AM (12/30/2006)
Get a pedal jack.
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William 5:46AM (12/31/2006)
Folks, put yourself in my shoes. I had my 2001 X5 stolen right out of my driveway, and I was awake when they did it. I HAD NO CLUE it was being done! I have long been puzzled ... how did they do it?? For all of you out there, here's something else to do. How many keys have been made to your vehicle? Do you have those keys? I discovered there were 8 keys to my X5, and I only had 2 of them!! This was AFTER the vehicle was stolen. My X5 was a CPO. I'm not happy. For those of you who don't like this kind of information posted, kindly send me your money. You undoubtedly have not suffered the pain of having your vehilce stolen, and you are wondering "how?". Your Ultimate Driving Machine CAN be stolen! There needs to be another layer of security that is NOT tied to the computer and to wireless technology. I would love to have a layer of security on my vehicle that if it was not ME, the vehicle would alarm. Until then, show some respect, and put your money where your mouth is. As it has been said many times, locks keep honest people honest. If a thief wants it bad enough, a lock doesn't matter. For those who've had your BMW stolen, I know your pain and frustration. This video does not return my X5, but it answers questions! Thanks for posting it.
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dembele 6:31AM (7/29/2007)
bmw x5 ews decode
thank in advance
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