a friend i take the train with just recently (2 months ago) purchased the new 745Li...last week, he parked his car in Bayside, Queens...when he came back later, his door cylinder was apparently missing, and the door was unlocked (the door cylinder i believe is the keyhole to unlock the door if u don't wanna use the key fob)...there was NO damage whatsoever to the exterior as well as the interior...his insurance card was missing tho...the BMW dealership told him people try to call the dealerships with the insurance card to get replacement keys sent from Germany (laser-cut)...and this occurance wasn't the first time the BMW dealership has experienced either

so have u guys heard about this too??? it's interesting the alarm did not go off when the door cylinder was removed

also something that was disturbing...my friend also said when he read the BMW booklet, BMW suggested the spare key b kept in the trunk of the car...doesn't that sound strange/stupid?????

 

I'd swap my current ride for this broken 745i RIGHT NOW!!! Ask him if he wants to exchange?

 

This is a BMW flaw, not just the 7-series. Several people on BMW boards that I've read have posted regarding this problem. All the crook has to do is drill out the lock cylinder and he can get in. Many times they break into the car to look for the valet key in the glove box (some people leave it there I guess), while in the meantime doing as little damage to the car as possible when drilling the lock cylinder, so they can steal the car and sell it.

www.roadfly.com is one board that comes to mind that has had many discussions on it.

 

Alright, this is due to a bmw flaw in design. BMW has a stock alarm system and a damn good one at that BUT when the key is turned the alarm system is automatically turned off. This is why you remove the key cylinder and pretend to turn it and the system is disarmed along with the immobilizaer.... pretty bad flaw. I hope it dont happen to my M3.

AdamR

 

Fortunately, you can have your dealer set the Car & Key Memory to disable the alarm only with the fob button. It means the valet key won't turn off the alarm, but your car will scream if the cylinder is drilled and turned.