[Matt216]

Hi all I am collecting my new 2020 Cooper S in a couple of weeks and I'm wondering whether I need a Faraday pouch to store my keys in.

I know a lot of the new BMW and Mini key fobs now have a feature where they shut down the signal when they don't sense movement, making them harder to steal. Is this the case with all models as standard or does it depend on models/options?

I am getting the comfort and nav packs but not comfort access.

Thanks in advance

 

[NVmini]

Get the pouch anyway. No way of really knowing what signal the key’s giving out.

 

[Red3Door]

Get the pouch anyway. No way of really knowing what signal the key’s giving out.

Agreed. I got this pair of Faraday pouches from Amazon. I know they work because once I put the fob back in the pouch after I opened the car door and the start button just beeped at me. Removed fob from pouch, car started up. A wise investment imho.

 

[jeremybingham]

Definitely get a pouch no sleep mode on our ev collected and built Nov 20so no, no sleep mode.

 

[Matt216]

Thanks for the replies guys. A pouch it is. Let's just hope I remember to use it!! 😬

 

[Sevenoneseven]

I have a faraday pouch, make sure you get one with good reviews because I’m on my second due to the first having stopped working.
If you’re really worried, I’d also get a Stoplock for the steering wheel, visual deterrent is best. They’ll move on to the next one/easier target.
I don’t have one on my MINI because it’s on PCP and I have GAP, so if they ever take it I’d rather have a new one lol.

But I use it all the time on my other car as they are very common to get stolen (over 50 in the owners club that have been stolen so far over the years).

 

[stuartmc]

My understanding is that without comfort access you have to push the button on the key to open the locks. For this reason you won;t be transmitting anything that can be used to open the door unless the button is pressed.Only those keys that you leave in your pocket and unlock as you get near or press the handle to open transmit the unlock code. You would have to use the key to unlock the door before a repeater could be used to start the car.

 

[Matt216]

My understanding is that without comfort access you have to push the button on the key to open the locks. For this reason you won;t be transmitting anything that can be used to open the door unless the button is pressed.Only those keys that you leave in your pocket and unlock as you get near or press the handle to open transmit the unlock code. You would have to use the key to unlock the door before a repeater could be used to start the car.

Ok thanks for this info as I always wondered how it works when you don't have keyless entry but you do have a push start. Although I did have a damage-free break in last Christmas on my golf which isn't keyless, and so did my neighbour in his scirocco so not sure how they did that. Any thoughts?

 

[stuartmc]

If they were older cars then it was possible to record the wireless signal and then replay it later on. Newer cars have encryption and rolling codes so much more difficut to do. Every time a signal is transmitted it is changed from the last time it was used. This is controlled by a chip so the pattern of changes should be random and so not easily repeatable/hackable. There are probably people with much better knowledge than me on here that can explain in more detail.

 

[Matt216]

If they were older cars then it was possible to record the wireless signal and then replay it later on. Newer cars have encryption and rolling codes so much more difficut to do. Every time a signal is transmitted it is changed from the last time it was used. This is controlled by a chip so the pattern of changes should be random and so not easily repeatable/hackable. There are probably people with much better knowledge than me on here that can explain in more detail.

Good to know thanks very much!

 

[Red3Door]

My understanding is that without comfort access you have to push the button on the key to open the locks. For this reason you won;t be transmitting anything that can be used to open the door unless the button is pressed.Only those keys that you leave in your pocket and unlock as you get near or press the handle to open transmit the unlock code. You would have to use the key to unlock the door before a repeater could be used to start the car.

Now that's not a distinction I had considered. Just read an article about relay theft, and it does specifically mention 'keyless entry fob', which mine is not. You live and learn!

 

[jeremybingham]

We dont have comfort access but still keep keys in a Faraday punch since the fob emits the engine start signal so am not risking it.

 

[JB17]

Same here - faraday pouch and a Disklok as a visual deterrent.
Our neighbour has noticed people snooping around her Fiesta a couple of times and our Ring camera has caught people trying car doors at night.
My neighbour’s brother has left his Focus RS here for some reason and has got some snazzy tyre clamp things if you want to go one step further! Although there has been a spate of RS thefts recently so I don’t blame him.

 

[ventmore]

I don't have a faraday pouch or any extra locks. I do however have a Ring doorbell and 5 years GAP insurance.