[Mgdpublic]

Im assuming there's a standard method for stealing these cars assuming you don't have the keys. I'm looking at a used 2019 330i Xdrive that had been stolen and recovered I believe in the same day based on the retitling. I'm wondering if the method by which these cars are stolen typically damage the car at all. I'm not talking about the getaway driving; I mean the process of gaining entry and starting. Thanks!

[________]

Location checks out…

[Wolf 335]

Great question to ask as your very first post!

And to answer, it can be damaging or not. Depends on the methods.

Considering you are from New Jersey, I'd say the car is definitely damaged.

[Oldgixxer]

Originally Posted by Mgdpublic

Asking for a friend...Im assuming there's a standard method for stealing these cars assuming you don't have the keys. I'm looking at a used 2019 330i Xdrive that had been stolen and recovered I believe in the same day based on the retitling. I'm wondering if the method by which these cars are stolen typically damage the car at all. I'm not talking about the getaway driving; I mean the process of gaining entry and starting. Thanks!

Fixxed!

[Tejas1836]

I'd sell it, probably peed in the glovebox

[Mgdpublic]

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

Great question to ask as you very first post!

And to answer, it can be damaging or not. Depends on the methods.

Considering you are from New Jersey, I'd say the car is definitely damaged.

OK,OK, now that I read the thread title again I can see I had that coming. No seriously though, it's on the carfax. It was reported and found and reititled on the same day as far as I can see though I don't know how he got all that done in a day. Would you definitely stay away from it? It's being sold by a reputable BMW dealer around here though in NJ it's not saying much.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by Mgdpublic

OK,OK, now that I read the thread title again I can see I had that coming. No seriously though, it's on the carfax. It was reported and found and reititled on the same day as far as I can see though I don't know how he got all that done in a day. Would you definitely stay away from it? It's being sold by a reputable BMW dealer around here though in NJ it's not saying much.

If the dealers CPOs (Certified Pre-Owned) the car then you are probably ok. It will then have about a year of warranty left. If he doesn’t I would walk away.

[quandary]

One of the most common ways of stealing a car is using a key relay system. One thief brings a range extender to your front door or follows you at a mall. The other thief will have another repeater close to the car. The car is then fooled to believing that the key is close which allows them to steal a car. (It costs very little to build these relays.)

So, that would not damage the car. They might damage it while driving.

To protect against this, car manufacturers are putting in multi-factor systems like confirming your voice with the key. You can also purchase cheap boxes online that block the signals transmitted from your key.

Most insurance companies will allow you to replace the car after a fixed time period (e.g. 5 days). Even if the car is found afterwards, you do not have to accept it. That might be why you are able to purchase a car without damage.

[wtwo3]

In the history of first posts... this goes down as one of the best

[chris719]

It really depends if it was stolen by a thief with key spoofing methods and ditched, or some crackhead took it while it was parked with the key left inside and crashed it into a building. Since it was New Jersey, I would say it could go either way. Contrary to some earlier posts, I think you have a better chance of it being an electronic theft in NJ than a lot of places in the US where it is definitely someone on meth.