STOLEN - Audi S4 Red DF62 MVO

[Sharrison14]

Stolen from b&b in Buxton early hours of the morning. No signs of break in or anything.

Police say they picked it up on ANPR once heading towards Derby direction.

Any ideas how they have taken it??

 

[skiptowncat]

Key cloned probably, you have advanced key?

 

[Sharrison14]

Not sure what the difference is sorry? The one thats gone is my mates 62 plate. I have a 15 plate?

Just trying to offer some sort of understanding?? Would it be anything to do with the spare key plastic in the glovebox??

 

[Locoblade]

Comfort/Advanced key is the one that doesn't need to be put in the dash, you just get in and press the start button.

Not sure why they have a holster for it but you shouldn't keep the spare plastic key in the glovebox as its capable of unlocking and starting the car I believe. I say "I believe" as Im not sure, mine didn't come with the car but is still coded to the car so I'm looking into the cheapest way of getting that key deactivated.

 

[Fctaff]

You keep the base in that holder but not the key bit.

 

[Locoblade]

What does the outer bit do on its own, can it be used as a valet key or something?

 

[chucky1]

It does nothing. You have to put them together to be operable. Sharrison, I hope you get it back unharmed .

 

[Locoblade]

As I suspected, which makes the holder in the glovebox all the more bizarre, I wonder how many owners just pop both in there assuming that's where it should be stored?!

 

[jdp1962]

I've made this a sticky.

 

[Sharrison14]

Thanks JDP.

No both parts were not in the car just the casing in the holder. My mate has both spare keys and the 3rd plastic spare at home.

It doesnt have the advanced start in that date, it is the same key as my 15 plate where the key goes into the dash and push to start the engine.

This is a long shot i know but Would appreciate Anyone in the Derby / Tamworth area to keep their eyes peeled for a red S4 that maybe doesnt move for a couple of days or parked in a random place on the street or something?? This is on the off chance that they think it is trackered so leave it to "cool off" for a few days.

It will prob already be on false plates though. The only difference between this and a standard black edition S4 is that yhe back windows are a darker tint than standard. Pretty much black.

Thanks for your help all, all we can do is hope!!

 

[xpoweruk]

Any ideas how they have taken it??

 

[TahirS]

Saloon/avant? Wheels? I expect it's been stolen for parts and they've made a key for it.

 

[s3_trev]

Thanks JDP.
It doesnt have the advanced start in that date, it is the same key as my 15 plate where the key goes into the dash and push to start the engine.

Yep, easy cloned. Most likely how it was taken. Sorry to hear.

 

[audi_partner]

another one!! geez! hope it turns up unscathed

 

[Sharrison14]

Seen that video thanks, its scary how easy but im just trying to get my head around how?

How have they cloned they key, is it some software that can intercept the communication between fob and car when locked / unlocked?

Then how do they get it started and all functional (electronic steering lock / handbrake / gear leaver etc etc) once inside? Assuming theough the OBD port is it???

 

[xpoweruk]

They clone a key via the OBD port as far as I know.

 

[Meemo]

As above, they plug their computer/vagcom in the diag port under the steering wheel and use the Audi service function to code a new key, is a built in function for when you need a new key if you lose one/break one. Same thing with BMW's, Ford and other cars which are targeted the same way.
Really sad.
You have any pictures or anything distinctive to look out for on yours?
there is a facebook group called stolen cars uk (or simular) where a stolen TTRS was recently spotted via and returned the owner later on after being reported spotted through that page. I would post on there with a picture is possible.

 

[Bristle Hound]

Stolen from b&b in Buxton early hours of the morning. No signs of break in or anything.

Police say they picked it up on ANPR once heading towards Derby direction.

Any ideas how they have taken it??

Gutted for your friend @Sharrison14

Hope he gets it back or at least his insurance settle's quick

More info on advanced key here -
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/advanced-key-please-read.242257/

 

[Locoblade]

Having come from a BMW this has been discussed a lot on the forums there too. For most BMWs there's an update to the security software that now prevents a new key being coded unless there's another legitimate key present and also stops the windows from winding down via the door barrel lock (which could otherwise be forced with a screwdriver to then activate the window wind-down) to hinder getting access in the first place. I dont think it makes it 100% secure but should make it far harder and perhaps need more specialist kit than otherwise.

Not sure whether our Audis suffer in exactly the same way but is there an equivalent firmware update to help and if so does anyone know if/how it can be checked for via VAGCOM etc?

One thing I read a few BMW owners doing was either relocate their OBD2 port so it was hidden (and sometimes replaced with a dummy), and one or two spliced into the loom that feeds the OBD2 port and put a switch into the positive power terminal which effectively disabled the port unless the (hidden) switch was turned on.

 

[rum4mo]

Oh bother, so I'm right to keep mine hidden in a closed garage, I was really brave/stupid the other weekend, had the S4 away for the weekend and did not fit the disklok - this sort of report makes me think that I need to use the disklok at all times!

 

[Meemo]

Oh bother, so I'm right to keep mine hidden in a closed garage, I was really brave/stupid the other weekend, had the S4 away for the weekend and did not fit the disklok - this sort of report makes me think that I need to use the disklok at all times!

I would say so, there are peddle locks, gear stick locks and stearing locks.. you could even tripple up

I know these things will only slow them down, if they are targeting your car and they want it, they will get it. There was allot of thefts of modified cars few months back and one witness saw the car taken straight out of the drive on a tow truck, no breaking in or car key theft, never seen again.
Terrifying.

 

[xpoweruk]

An aftermarket immobiliser would sort this (that's what I did)
O also moved the OBD port

 

[chucky1]

Where do most of these end up? The EU? Or stay in UK? I think our most "popular" car is the Wrx for ram raids. That said, I'm most probably a bit out of date with that one.

 

[Slackworth]

Depends if they go for parts or as a full car. A lot of high value cars are getting exported to the EU and Africa.

 

[Bristle Hound]

@Sharrison14 - Has your mate's car been recovered yet or is it still outstanding?

 

[Sharrison14]

Still missing bud, given up hope now tbh. Insurance company conceaded that there would be a max 5% chance of finding it.....

He has made a very valid point to the audi dealer though.... Who in his words;

"Failed to inform him that there was such a risk of the car being stolen in this way due to new EU legislation"

When challenged the dealer manager said he could not comment and would have to refer him back to Audi UK....!

Surely audi shoukd be jumping all over this security risk and offering their own security system which can be bought as an optional extra.....

 

[Bristle Hound]

Still missing bud, given up hope now tbh. Insurance company conceaded that there would be a max 5% chance of finding it.....

He has made a very valid point to the audi dealer though.... Who in his words;

"Failed to inform him that there was such a risk of the car being stolen in this way due to new EU legislation"

When challenged the dealer manager said he could not comment and would have to refer him back to Audi UK....!

Surely audi shoukd be jumping all over this security risk and offering their own security system which can be bought as an optional extra.....

Gutted for him mate
As I said before I hope the insurance doesn't take too long to pay out

Looks as tho' the car could be out of the Country via the storage container route. Bastids!

 

[Shrek5]

Gutted to hear and hope that you get resolution sooner rather than later, be that insurance or the car returned.

Just to clarify the Advanced key thing is a red herring, it's got nothing to do with it in this case. The issue is, as I understand it, that a key is programmable via the OBD port, which then means the car can be started with that key - advanced or standard. I believe the confusion arises because cars with an "old" style ignition barrel don't have this problem because you have to have a physical key cut the same way. The press releases refer to these types of car that have the advanced key as an option, as you no longer need to put a key in the ignition barrel they become susceptible to this type of theft. The A4/5 (and I would assume 6,7 and 8?) have a sufficiently "smart" key as standard to make them open to the programming attack.

 

[Sharrison14]

Yes totally agree and that is what a lot of my research has told me. I am having a clifford cat 1 alarm fitted to mine which will remain completly independant from the car and also a sounder linked (somehow) to the obd port so the following occur;
1/ break in - siren should sound however small chance of override
2/ when power requested by obd port this powers the siren and sound.

Would be interested in your thoughts....?

Btw, he had been offered £27k by insurance on the second offer. Trouble is audi ate telling him that it is a 12 month wait for a new S4 as none are being built now until the production of the B9 in January commences.....

 

[Tfsi gone]

No security will stop any committed and knowledgeable thieves nowadays.
At the end of the day these are high end cars and can be replaced..
If the B9 was promoted better then a few owners would enjoy their B8/.5 being half inched...