what are you guys doing for security??
 

i live in a gated community co-op with private parking and 24hr security so i'm not worried about losing my ride there but what about on the street??? (shopping malls and other large public areas)

i mean, the X has a number of ways to make towing it easier when compared to other vehicles..

there's a provided tool kit that has a key to manually unlock it from Park...and there's another one to unlock all brakes... it's all in the trunk...

anyone who knows anything about this vehicle will have this knowledge...

doesn't it make it easier for someone to break-in and use the tool to roll it away??....(obviously onto a flatbed or tow truck, or even down the street into another garage!!!)

and.... does the BMW Assist offer any type of tracking of the vehicle??

just wondering....

Roll it away, sure, but that is pretty simple with most cars....watch Repo Man :)

The only real thing that is practical is possibly and upgrade to the factory alarm. But in reality, there isn't really too much you can do aside from not putting yourself in an easy theft situation.

BTW, just to scare you more :) You can easily punch out a X's lock in the drivers door with a hammer and screwdriver. BMW went ahead and put the lock release behind the lock mechanism so when it is punched it, it unlocks the door.

that sucks... and yes it does come with full alarm system...motion, glass, tilt, and door sensors (standard in US models)

i believe BMW assist can also track remotely... not sure...

sounds to me like one needs to make damn sure to mail them insurance payments in a timely manner.

is an X5 a popular target for car thieves? i was under the impression they were hunting rice rockects with the madddd v-tec yohe.

I dont think this is a major poblem thieves usually go for easy targets, and if they really want it there's no way to stop em. eh...just my .02

The headlights in the X5 are a cake walk to steal and if you do a search on the site you'll find out how X Xenons were getting yanked.

BMW Assist provides GPS location of your vehicle. At least, that is how they found me in Gettysburg when I called for a trans issue. Called them and they said "your located at....." I was impressed.

i can validate the issue described here with the door locks, as my 2002 x5 was broken into like that... and then i learned how easy it is to break into any X5 with a screwdriver... and to disable the alarm all within the lock mechanism. it can be done in less than 30 seconds. HOWEVER, i was hoping they fixed this beginning 2007... does anyone know if they did? if not, BMW should be ashamed and embarrassed!!

My brother, who lives nearby in NJ, had his 04 X stolen 2 years ago. From a parking lot in Jersey Gardens shopping mall. Police found it 6+ months later, in good condition (after a failed attempt to export it).

I spoke to my sales mgr about BMW assist. According to him, you need to have a police report to activate BMW assist/vehicle recovery services.... I believe they would only steal it for an export...

good to know these things.

I am looking at it this way. I hope everyone's car is insured, the only real thing I am concerned about is items in the trunk, glove compartment and other aftermarket addons.
If you have assist, you get two great options of unlocking door locks and police tracking. Both are very secure for your and your car's safety.
1. Unlocking is protected by a password and some other personal information when you setup your assist.
2. Vehicle tracking is secured in such way that no one can initiate without a valid police report and confirmation of theft taking place. (you wouldnt want someone calling in and trying to track you down as this becomes a privacy issue)