[syd34]

I have a question about the on-board telematics and BMW's ability to track a vehicle in the event of a theft. I have a 2019 440i with BMW ConnectedDrive.

In recent weeks, the city of Toronto and surrounding areas have seen a disturbing rise in carjacking incidents. People have been robbed at gunpoint in parking lots, main roads and even their own driveways. The vehicles targeted range from Range Rovers and Porsche Cayennes to Honda CRVs and Toyota Corollas.

My question is whether BMW ConnectedDrive is effective at tracking a stolen vehicle if reported quickly? I am trying to figure out if installing an aftermarket GPS tracker will provide additional benefit or if it will be unnecessary?

Thanks.

[Wires]

On my 2016, it updates real time. Our Audi only updated when the car was stationary (at least that's what the app did).

I'm pretty sure that if you reported a modern day vehicle stolen, law enforcement has the ability to access locations. Pretty sure, not 100% sure. There is notes in the manual, etc, about calling 9-1-1, etc and the police could track.

[visionaut]

My car w/ active CD pkg stays traceable in the My BMW app as well, if you enabled tracking. It will locate the car precisely on the map. Throw in an AirTag if you’re extra paranoid to ‘double down’ your own tracing…

(of course, determined/smart thieves can disable these techs)

[anotheran]

The poor carjackers will leave it on an empty street to see if anyone is tracking it. The carjackers with more resources will park it underground so 4G on the car won't work, disable the tracking, then it's shipped.

[syd34]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like the standard ConnectedDrive should be good. I may just use the AirTag idea soon, thanks for that idea.

Hopefully this craziness winds down. Even an NHL player from the Toronto Maple Leafs (Mitch Marner) had his Range Rover taken at gunpoint.

Thanks guys.

[bimmer456]

If the battery is unplugged it won't work. Systems like LoJack have backup battery and are hidden in a location in the vehicle.

[Aziego]

I had my 2022 M340 stolen about 3 weeks ago. I was tracking it on my phone until the thieves changed the privacy setting within the car's iDrive system disabling my tracking. BMW call center was able to track them but after the thieves reached their destination, they unplugged the cellular module. So connected drive was pretty much useless.

Overall, I also found BMW assist to be unhelpful. They would not provide any information to me and said they will only call my police department (even though the police were at my house completing the incident report). In the end they never called the police department directly either.

I am pretty sure my car is now on the other side of the Atlantic by now. I am using an Airtag on my other car, placed in a well-hidden location.

[CajunBMW]

Originally Posted by Aziego

I had my 2022 M340 stolen about 3 weeks ago. I was tracking it on my phone until the thieves changed the privacy setting within the car's iDrive system disabling my tracking. BMW call center was able to track them but after the thieves reached their destination, they unplugged the cellular module. So connected drive was pretty much useless.

Overall, I also found BMW assist to be unhelpful. They would not provide any information to me and said they will only call my police department (even though the police were at my house completing the incident report). In the end they never called the police department directly either.

I am pretty sure my car is now on the other side of the Atlantic by now. I am using an Airtag on my other car, placed in a well-hidden location.

Bummer. That really stinks. Hopefully insurance paid enough to get a new car.

[Aziego]

Originally Posted by CajunBMW

Bummer. That really stinks. Hopefully insurance paid enough to get a new car.

I have new car replacement coverage that will pay the full cost of a similarly optioned model, waiting for insurance company to give me their proposal. The bigger issue is the long wait for a replacement vehicle, Dealer is saying 5-6 months for a X5 45e as we decided to go plug-in with the crazy gas prices. It will be more out of pocket but we are expecting to receive the tax credit.

[turbocomppro]

Originally Posted by Aziego

I have new car replacement coverage that will pay the full cost of a similarly optioned model, waiting for insurance company to give me their proposal. The bigger issue is the long wait for a replacement vehicle, Dealer is saying 5-6 months for a X5 45e as we decided to go plug-in with the crazy gas prices. It will be more out of pocket but we are expecting to receive the tax credit.

Do you have any idea how they were able to steal your car?

[Aziego]

the old fashion method of breaking into home and taking the keys. according to the police report, they took my car to try to steal other cars.