[TW666]

Majority of high spec nearly new 440i/435d I am looking at buying have Comfort Access. It sounds a really useful convenient feature that I would like in the next car. However the Daily Mail type stories of cars with keyless locks being stolen by high tech thieves concerns me. Are cars with Comfort Access easier to steal than convention locks where the button on the key has to be pressed to send a signal to the car ? Have BMW made improvements to the technology ?

[vorphlack]

This is one option I had rejected to everyone who ask me to do it. Security reason is most important.

[JD6]

They are less secure in that Comfort Access adds an additional insecurity which isn’t present in a car without. It is pretty hard to get a good measure of the increased risk as the evidence is anecdotal at this stage. I haven’t seen anything concrete, but logic suggests the risk is increasing as more scrotes get hold of the kit.

I think BMW are still in the denial mode. At some point they are going to have to make a security improvement. Personally if the car was parked on the street, or in a high risk area I would avoid buying a car with CA if possible.

[225]

Spec it as it's a great feature. Keyless entry has been around for years and years in all manufacturer's.

Yes someone might intercept the signal, but you are considerablly more likely to get your house broken into and keys nicked or banged over the head for you keysbid say.

Not speccing something so useful on the very small off chance a scroat will use it to steel a car is daft to me.

[chris-c]

knowing how easy it is to do I was very aware NOT to spec it on cars I was looking at.

[HighlandPete]

Comfort Access is very handy option, particularly if you seem to always be carrying stuff to the car.

Not sure I'd even want a BMW, let alone Comfort Access, if i lived in some areas of the country.

[simnew]

Just my view, but one of the most useless features of all time. And yes because of the way it works, it does make the car more vulnerable than without keyless access. Imagine yourself at the supermarket - do you really carry everything to the car or do you just wheel up your trolley and put the stuff in the boot, image you are loading something from the house, do you not think ?>. hmm I better open the car before hand then carry the stuff over to the car. Comfort access only unlocks the door, it doesn't actually open the doors !!

[NotGotABimmer23]

Originally Posted by simnew

Just my view, but one of the most useless features of all time. And yes because of the way it works, it does make the car more vulnerable than without keyless access. Imagine yourself at the supermarket - do you really carry everything to the car or do you just wheel up your trolley and put the stuff in the boot, image you are loading something from the house, do you not think ?>. hmm I better open the car before hand then carry the stuff over to the car. Comfort access only unlocks the door, it doesn't actually open the doors !!

Can open the boot with your foot....

[aquazi]

Both our cars have comfort access... can you live without it..... yes.... but the same can be said with most extra’s.

Does it make the car less secure.... probably... but if someone wanted your car they would try getting the keys via your house.

I like it the feature... and imo get more use out if it than say the backup camera. More useful for the wife with the keys in the handbag, can forget about looking for them to open/ start car.

[NotGotABimmer23]

Originally Posted by aquazi

Both our cars have comfort access... can you live without it..... yes.... but the same can be said with most extra’s.

Does it make the car less secure.... probably... but if someone wanted your car they would try getting the keys via your house.

I like it the feature... and imo get more use out if it than say the backup camera. More useful for the wife with the keys in the handbag, can forget about looking for them to open/ start car.

Its a nice feature but not one im willing to pay for. Much prefer adaptive suspension or digital cockpit etc.

[too hot]

I’ve got it on my M4 it’s not as good as I thought it would be.Still have to fiddle (touch)with the door handle to lock it ! Apparently it is more of a theft target with it!Thats why I have independent security features.

[chris-c]

I leave my house and I lock the house with a key in my hand. I then just unlock the car then the stoplock. Getting back to the house I still need a key to get in the house so I can't leave the keys in my pocket.

[aquazi]

Originally Posted by chris-c

I leave my house and I lock the house with a key in my hand. I then just unlock the car then the stoplock. Getting back to the house I still need a key to get in the house so I can't leave the keys in my pocket.

I’ve always had my house keys separate from car keys... even before car keys became big and clunky... easier if say going for a bike ride etc... having the house keys without taking all the others.

But a valid point... still need keys to get in and out of the house... well apart from after work my little one normally knows i’m back and opens the door for me!!

[teaston]

Originally Posted by vorphlack

This is one option I had rejected to everyone who ask me to do it. Security reason is most important.

What is it about comfort access that makes the car less secure?

[xenon]

Originally Posted by teaston

What is it about comfort access that makes the car less secure?

Signal extenders, available on eBay. They place it near your front door, hoping that the key (which is always transmitting) is in range. If it is (and it will be if it's stuck in the lock on the other side) it boosts the signal so the car picks it up and assumes you're nearby with the key, as a legitimate owner. Open the door and voila.

Utterly pointless extra, not just because it adds a vulnerability that isn't there otherwise. It's a solution to a problem we didn't even know we had.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by xenon

Signal extenders, available on eBay. They place it near your front door, hoping that the key (which is always transmitting) is in range. If it is (and it will be if it's stuck in the lock on the other side) it boosts the signal so the car picks it up and assumes you're nearby with the key, as a legitimate owner. Open the door and voila.

Utterly pointless extra, not just because it adds a vulnerability that isn't there. It's a solution to a problem we didn't even know we had.

Oh I see, I was considering it on my next car, don't think I'll bother now!

I think it's most useful for women as they don't have pockets they just chuck their keys in their handbag, my wife finds it very handy on her Qashqai

[Ronstein]

Originally Posted by xenon

Signal extenders, available on eBay. They place it near your front door, hoping that the key (which is always transmitting) is in range. If it is (and it will be if it's stuck in the lock on the other side) it boosts the signal so the car picks it up and assumes you're nearby with the key, as a legitimate owner. Open the door and voila.

Utterly pointless extra, not just because it adds a vulnerability that isn't there otherwise. It's a solution to a problem we didn't even know we had.

Invest a few quid in one of these

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B076F766...395841_TE_dp_1

And keep the keys in it.

[NISFAN]

This is how easy it is with comfort access.

And to those that say they can break into your house and take the keys! Yes but that is breaking and entering, a completely different risk strategy to walking into someone's front yard and driving away unnoticed.

[xenon]

If I had comfort access I definitely would invest in one of those but I could save a lot more by not speccing it in the first place

[HighlandPete]

I'm surprised at some of the comments on the value of the option. It is no less a valid option, than having something like impractical 'diamond cut' alloys as an option.

The issue is not even cost, (we all put different financial values on options), it is really the security issue which makes Comfort Access a questionable option.

[nickcuprar]

Originally Posted by kylemacca01

Can open the boot with your foot....

Can open the boot with a key?

[sensible]

Comfort Access. Theives can take your car without having the keys or entering your house.
Here is how it works...