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      09-15-2020, 01:38 PM   #1
dragonsdreams
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i8 security?

Hi all,

A newbie here from the UK.
Picking up a protonic red BWM CPO next week 👍🙂 and have been pondering security.

Firstly, what do people feel about the risk of 'relay theft' from the comfort edition of the BMW key fob? Would it be worth re-coding it as a push button only fob? Someone mentioned it was about £100 done by the dealer (and reversible).

Secondly what do people feel about the BWM Eye2 dash cam against third party dash cams? With regards security (rather than accident recording) do you feel more secure with a dash cam installed or does watching it back make you even more nervous about leaving your pride and joy alone in a public car park for the evening?

Thirdly should I bother with a bright yellow steering wheel look (like Carlock)

Or should I just put my paranoia aside and get a good gap insurance with the money?

Thanks for your thoughts
(Crossed posted to FB i8)
Mark
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      09-15-2020, 01:59 PM   #2
Coastali8
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Garage List
2015 BMW i8  [10.00]
1970 Porsche 914-6  [0.00]
2018 BMW i3s REx  [0.00]
Congratulations on your new car. You will love it!

I don’t know too much about the theft rate of the i8 but I would suspect it’s very low. Not much demand for used i8 parts.

A camera will probably just make you more paranoid when you see the people poking around your car. Hopefully they won’t do any damage or decide to steal your camera.

The reviews on this site and others don’t have much good to say about the BMW Eye camera. Appears that there are better choices available.

I have used steering wheel locks before and feel that they are a good visible theft deterrent. And a thief might just pass for something easier. But again... not sure about the used parts value.

Probably good insurance and being careful where you leave the car are your best bets in my opinion.
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      09-15-2020, 02:27 PM   #3
pjs
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dragonsdreams View Post
Hi all,

A newbie here from the UK.
Picking up a protonic red BWM CPO next week 👍🙂 and have been pondering security.

Firstly, what do people feel about the risk of 'relay theft' from the comfort edition of the BMW key fob? Would it be worth re-coding it as a push button only fob? Someone mentioned it was about £100 done by the dealer (and reversible).

Secondly what do people feel about the BWM Eye2 dash cam against third party dash cams? With regards security (rather than accident recording) do you feel more secure with a dash cam installed or does watching it back make you even more nervous about leaving your pride and joy alone in a public car park for the evening?

Thirdly should I bother with a bright yellow steering wheel look (like Carlock)

Or should I just put my paranoia aside and get a good gap insurance with the money?

Thanks for your thoughts
(Crossed posted to FB i8)
Mark
Welcome

FWIW i dont think the i8 is a desirable car to steal - and I've left in in random ncps without concern and parked in plenty less than ideal areas.

That said, I've felt the need to get a dashcam in the event I get crashed into, and have bought from amazon two garmin minis - which are dead easy to self install from the hidden power socket underneath the glovebox - it's really easy to hide the cabling by tucking it behind the trims.

I got Gap from ALA though
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      09-16-2020, 08:54 AM   #4
chris_1M
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Have the dealer re-program the Comfort Access function for free! Take it out.
It is an absolute PoS and a joke the dealer sells it as a payable option or have you pay for it to get rid of it.
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      09-16-2020, 09:44 AM   #5
MajorJump
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Re Dashcams, I'd like one, but they're all a bit fugly. I don't want a big horrible unit slapped on to the windscreen. I can't understand why they're all like that too. I don't need a screen on it - just let me view it on my camera. All of the boxes and circuitry could be held elsewhere too (say the glovebox) all you really need is a wire with a mini camera on the end of it.

I'm not so worried about theft, but vandalism is a concern. I've toyed with getting specific coverage for that, which would give me more peace of mind and also wouldn't impact my "real" insurance in the event of a claim. However, I have had two of my previous cars keyed, so I've been stung before.
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      09-16-2020, 01:56 PM   #6
dragonsdreams
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Thanks for the replies Guys👍

I'll probably forgo the dash cam and put the money towards a good gap insurance and also decode the key fobs for push button operation.

Also probably get a bright yellow steering lock just as a casual deterrent if I leave it anyway I'm not sure about.

Thanks for all your advice 👍🙂
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      09-16-2020, 02:31 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MajorJump View Post
Re Dashcams, I'd like one, but they're all a bit fugly. I don't want a big horrible unit slapped on to the windscreen. I can't understand why they're all like that too. I don't need a screen on it - just let me view it on my camera. All of the boxes and circuitry could be held elsewhere too (say the glovebox) all you really need is a wire with a mini camera on the end of it.

I'm not so worried about theft, but vandalism is a concern. I've toyed with getting specific coverage for that, which would give me more peace of mind and also wouldn't impact my "real" insurance in the event of a claim. However, I have had two of my previous cars keyed, so I've been stung before.
You can potentially do this, I last looked into it (and bought) a mobius dashcam about 5 years ago. Unsure if there are other similar models but you can essentially take the camera apart, but the lens alone on a cable, and repackage it. I might 3d print a stealth enclosure that will fit with the rear view mirror...!
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      09-16-2020, 02:33 PM   #8
MolarBear
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dragonsdreams View Post
Thanks for the replies Guys👍

I'll probably forgo the dash cam and put the money towards a good gap insurance and also decode the key fobs for push button operation.

Also probably get a bright yellow steering lock just as a casual deterrent if I leave it anyway I'm not sure about.

Thanks for all your advice 👍🙂
If you get BimmerCode and a bluetooth OBD adapter (about £60 all in) you can deactivate the comfort access yourself. I personally love it (but then again I live in a block of apartments where theft from this would be impossible).
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      09-17-2020, 01:28 PM   #9
dragonsdreams
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MolarBear View Post
If you get BimmerCode and a bluetooth OBD adapter (about £60 all in) you can deactivate the comfort access yourself. I personally love it (but then again I live in a block of apartments where theft from this would be impossible).
Good call about Bimmercode didn't realise that deactivated comfort access. Was going to look at getting a OBD adapter at some point anyway... Cheers👍🙂
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      09-17-2020, 02:25 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MolarBear View Post
I live in a block of apartments where theft from this would be impossible).
How do you get the i8 up the stairs or do you use the lift?!!
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      09-17-2020, 05:01 PM   #11
Mr Squarekins
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ionicsilveri8 View Post
How do you get the i8 up the stairs or do you use the lift?!!
I didn't want to be the one to post the question....

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      09-17-2020, 05:34 PM   #12
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The lift takes a maximum of 1600kg, so it's fine

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      09-18-2020, 02:33 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MolarBear View Post
The lift takes a maximum of 1600kg, so it's fine
LCI Coupe: 1610kg
Roadster: 1670kg
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      09-18-2020, 03:54 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sophisto View Post
LCI Coupe: 1610kg
Roadster: 1670kg
...and it's not L5 autonomously using the lift, so add the driver. Mine has 2,6t per platform, had to lift a Tesla MS before. That sounds more safe. If something goes wrong no insurance will pay...
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      01-21-2021, 05:09 AM   #15
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Hey Mark, I am just about to take delivery of my i8 and am not a million miles from you (St Albans). What did you end up doing about security? And have you had any worries since getting the car?
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      01-21-2021, 06:19 PM   #16
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Hi, not really thanks but of course I'm not using it much at the moment!

I decided against the paranoid 'everyone is out to steal my car' frame of mind and just got decent insurance and gap insurance.

Thought about the BMW security 'Eye' cameras but that might make me even more paranoid.
My car didn't have comfort access after all (2016) so that's one worry I don't have to think about.

Last edited by dragonsdreams; 01-21-2021 at 06:20 PM.. Reason: grammer
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