[willjames]

Originally Posted by Hugrov

I'm gonna just get it installed anyway, would rather still have my car and argue about warranty afterwards, am having it professionally installed so I'm sure it will be fine anyway, will report back on the post after install on Tuesday.

Nice one, yes any feedback would be great

[Billyray911]

From my experience It won't invalidate your warranty,however if the installation affects any specific component,then that would obviously not be covered.
I've had a Clifford Blackjax system fitted to various models of bmw,all with oem warranty.This system is fairly invasive and I've never had any issues with it either affecting any other components or having warranty work completed.
What I will say though,is do your research as to who installs whatever system you choose...

[Hugrov]

Originally Posted by willjames

Nice one, yes any feedback would be great

Not trying to be irresponsible by just getting it fitted but I know of two F30's in my immediate area that have been stolen, one of whom was a relative's car so I'm just gonna get it installed.

[willjames]

Originally Posted by Hugrov

Not trying to be irresponsible by just getting it fitted but I know of two F30's in my immediate area that have been stolen, one of whom was a relative's car so I'm just gonna get it installed.

Had a chat with Mark from Safe and Sound Mobile in Leeds today and he explained how the system works etc. £375.00 fitted and it seems a really decent system. He did say though that the manufacturers won't endorse it though even though the dealers he deals with think these are great systems. I think that if the manufacturers were to endorse officially, it would highlight the substandard security features of their cars, which they obviously don't want to do!

[magic77]

its worrrying how this keeps happening one of the reasons why my port is no longer in place you expect to find it

The stickers are good ideas as even had dealer ring up worried that could not service the car as port is disabled

[magic77]

its worrrying how this keeps happening one of the reasons why my port is no longer in place you expect to find it

The stickers are good ideas as even had dealer ring up worried that could not service the car as port is disabled

[sensible]

When I bought my F30 in Dec 2015, I was worried about OBD port theft as put a few posts on this forum.

I decided to buy a blank OBD port from BMW and move the connected one and put the blank in place.

I went to my local dealer to buy one and saw that one of the salesmen was an old work friend. He said that BMW had now fixed that problem and the new cars were not being stolen. He took me round the back to chat with a technician who said the same, so I came away without the blank OPD port that I had intended to buy.

Does anyone know if any new cars are being stolen by this method or is it cars that are over 2 years old?

[Billyray911]

For a starter,have a look at http://www.vag-info.com/images/uploa...bo_Decoder.png This is a non destructive tool for opening F series doors,but a smashed window is quicker.
and http://www.vag-info.com/category/pre...ers?scroll=427
Keyless BMW theft does still go on,but certainly isn't as popular when compared against Fiesta and Focus theft,especially the RS and ST.Thats at E9* levels from a few years ago.

[Mustard3]

Originally Posted by Jeff123

Why not de-badge the higher range cars? E90's were regularly de-badged, but in the F series it seems less common. That way, a 330 x drive would look similar to a (less nickable) 320i to a scumbag. Admittedly, 335's etc would still stand out.

Anyone putting your number plate into Google can find out which model it is in seconds.

I had my last car (S3) stolen after 2 weeks of ownership via house break for keys while we were asleep in bed. Would rather it stolen with cloned key next time thanks.

[Hugrov]

I had the Autowatch Ghost fitted today. Installation all went well and it's all operating as it should. Installer was telling me that different car makes are set up/default differently and that affects the start up and drive away sequence, in the case of my car it means that it's possible to start the car but the car will switch off as soon as you engage gear and start moving off if you haven't entered the PIN. The system was explained fully and demonstrated. The installation company registers the product with Autowatch and you also receive an instruction booklet and get out of jail card should you forget your pin sequence. The PIN sequence is entered via any combination of buttons on the steering wheel and can be changed at any time if you want to. There's already a iPhone app available that communicates with the Ghost so you don't need to enter a PIN and there's a Android app on the way..................Good news is I can now start the car up on a cold morning and leave it warming up on the drive without fear of it being stolen . Only joking, I wouldn't do that!!

[Billyray911]

Sounds great and a worthy update to the blackjax,which whilst very effective,can be a bit of a pain sometimes.

[TodmordenLad]

Bought a Disklok having read this thread the other day for when my car is parked up for days at a time
Very sturdy product, weighs a bloody ton
It does mark the leather on the steering wheel however so wrap an old bit of bike inner tube on the top section first

[kzg1969]

i ordered the ford one.....this is what arrived.

one block emulates a dummy OBD

the other is a simple cover

both held in place by the OBD tang

[jbeer]

I use the one on the right.

I was at Databloc on Monday and he had 10 of these sets going out, 5 of them to BMW owners so yours could have been in the stack ??

[330Stevie]

Do these things fit into the space left? I assume they plug into the existing port; so question; will the flap still then shut??
Cheers

[kzg1969]

the flap only shuts with the blanking one.

[willjames]

Originally Posted by Hugrov

I had the Autowatch Ghost fitted today. Installation all went well and it's all operating as it should. Installer was telling me that different car makes are set up/default differently and that affects the start up and drive away sequence, in the case of my car it means that it's possible to start the car but the car will switch off as soon as you engage gear and start moving off if you haven't entered the PIN. The system was explained fully and demonstrated. The installation company registers the product with Autowatch and you also receive an instruction booklet and get out of jail card should you forget your pin sequence. The PIN sequence is entered via any combination of buttons on the steering wheel and can be changed at any time if you want to. There's already a iPhone app available that communicates with the Ghost so you don't need to enter a PIN and there's a Android app on the way..................Good news is I can now start the car up on a cold morning and leave it warming up on the drive without fear of it being stolen . Only joking, I wouldn't do that!!

Sounds good Hugrov Who fitted it?

Just out of interest I sent an email to BMW the other day with a link to the Autowatch Ghost product asking if it may affect the warranty should I have one fitted. I got an answer saying "that any 3rd party work may affect the warranty but you would need to speak to your local dealer for further information". I guessed I would get that standard answer, however have yet to speak to Williams in Stockport to get their take on it. However will probably proceed either way. Not sure about the phone app though because if they nick your phone with your keys they don't need the pin! Sort of defeats the object. Having said that you can turn the app off I believe.

[willjames]

Originally Posted by kzg1969

i ordered the ford one.....this is what arrived.

one block emulates a dummy OBD

the other is a simple cover

both held in place by the OBD tang

What's the cost dude? I assume the Ford one fits your car ok?

[M40CCA]

Originally Posted by Hugrov

I'm gonna just get it installed anyway, would rather still have my car and argue about warranty afterwards, am having it professionally installed so I'm sure it will be fine anyway, will report back on the post after install on Tuesday.

Good guys at RAM

[kzg1969]

Originally Posted by willjames

What's the cost dude? I assume the Ford one fits your car ok?

yes, ford one fits

https://checkout.shopify.com/7512137...e71d0a232f1576

£8.49+post

debatable whether its worth it....

[brtttt]

Originally Posted by kzg1969

yes, ford one fits

https://checkout.shopify.com/7512137...e71d0a232f1576

£8.49+post

debatable whether its worth it....

Interesting post from ford forum ,

Databloc port detector

I made this purchase 'at risk ' as I could not find anything about it. I was hoping to be impressed, but.....

1. There were no fitting or removal instructions even though it just pushes over the port.

2. I could not find any evidence of Thatcham approval on the Thatcham website.

3. The box was massive for the size of the item so it looked to be more than it was.

4. What was the point of the databloc identification number?

5. The cost of fitting by an approved installer would have been £80 for 10 minutes work.

Bottom line, I was very disappointed and I will go for the Gingerflame suggestion and move the port and fit a dummy one. I have already unclipped the port and pushed it behind the dashboard. The Databloc port cover fitted in the hole which was left and I will get a dummy port to complete the job.

I have learned a lesson, if it looks too good to be true...it is!

[BMWChap]

Originally Posted by kzg1969

yes, ford one fits

https://checkout.shopify.com/7512137...e71d0a232f1576

£8.49+post

debatable whether its worth it....

£5 shipping is a joke!, but still miles cheaper than the BMW version.

I'm pretty sure I can make my own cover so will have a play around with some plastic bungs I have lying around.