YOUR CAR
CAN BE STOLEN
in under 60 seconds with no alarm triggered
BMW immobiliser Small Heath: protection for BMWs that sleep on the street
LockCAR builds CAN bus immobilisers a short drive away in Birmingham, and approved installers fit them in B10 and B11 wherever your car is kept. Many BMWs here live on terraced streets rather than private drives, so this page looks at what that means for theft and which option suits you.
- Fitted on the street or drive
- Kits from £139
- One-off payment
Why a street-parked BMW is an easy target
Small Heath’s streets are close-knit, which is good for neighbours and convenient for relay thieves.
- The key is only a wall away
- In terraced streets the front door opens almost onto the pavement, so a key on a hallway hook is within easy reach of a relay device.
- Thieves blend in
- On a busy road, two people standing by a car do not look unusual, and a keyless BMW opens without any force.
- Programming a new key takes little time
- Once inside, a thief can register a blank key through the diagnostic port under the dashboard, and the car will then start with it as if it were your own.
- Popular models, ready buyers
- The 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, X3 and X5 are always in demand, complete or as parts.
- No drive to block
- Without a gate or a second car to park across it, there is nothing to slow a thief down once the engine is running.
- In public view around the clock
- A car that never leaves the street can be watched for as long as a thief likes, so they can learn your routine before they act.
Three questions to answer before you choose
The answers point you to the right option faster than any brochure.
Who drives the car?
If several family members share the BMW, the PIN version lets everyone use the same code. Prefer the TAG? Each regular driver can be given one, so ask how many you need.
Where does it spend the night?
On the street, a tracker is worth considering, because a car can be lifted or towed without being started.
How valuable is it?
For an M model or a recent X5, the One Plus 4G adds a dashcam and GPS tracking to the immobiliser.
Still unsure? Send us your model and where it is parked, and we will recommend one option, with the fitted price, before you book anything.
Options and prices for BMWs in B10 and B11
Whichever you choose, a relayed signal or a copied key will not get the engine running. See the PIN version working in our BMW M4 demo.
| Option | Good for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Fob (TAG) IC3262 | One main driver who wants hands-free starting | £139 kit, £249 fitted |
| PIN code | Families sharing one BMW, using the steering wheel buttons | £189 kit, £299 fitted |
| Smart ring | Anyone who would rather wear the key than carry it | £149 kit |
| LockCar One Plus 4G | Higher-value BMWs parked on the street | £499 fitted |
A PIN suits households where the BMW is passed between drivers, because nobody has to hand over a TAG. A TAG suits a single main driver who wants the engine released the moment they sit down. Either way, the immobiliser itself needs no subscription.
What makes Small Heath different
- Fast roads east and to the cityThe A45 Coventry Road leads out towards the M42 and the airport, and the A4040 ring road links to every main route across Birmingham.
- Busy streets day and nightPlenty of passing traffic means a car being worked on, or loaded onto a truck, rarely draws attention from anyone nearby.
- Keys close to the doorStore keys in a signal-blocking box in the back of the house, not in the front hallway where a relay device can reach them through the wall.
- Pay onceThe immobiliser has no subscription, so there is no monthly cost to keep it working.
Where we fit around Small Heath
Approved installers cover B10 and B11, including Small Heath, Sparkhill, Tyseley and Hay Mills, as well as Bordesley Green (B9) and Yardley (B25). The installer can work with the car parked outside your house, at your workplace or at an installation centre. If your street is narrow or busy, tell us when you book so we can plan a safe place to work.
Get a fitting slot
Message us the BMW’s model and reg plus your B10 or B11 postcode. We reply with the device that suits it and a day that works.
Make sure your model is covered
Type your BMW into the Vehicle CHECK. It lists which LockCAR immobilisers match that car before you spend anything.
BMW immobiliser Small Heath: common questions
My BMW is parked on the street. Is an immobiliser still worth it?
Yes. It does not matter where the car is parked: without your TAG, ring, watch or PIN, the engine will not run. On the street a car can also be lifted away, so consider tracking as well if it is a higher-value model.
Can the whole family use the same BMW?
Yes. With the PIN version everyone uses the same code on the steering wheel buttons, so nobody needs to carry anything. If you go for the TAG, say how many people drive the car and each can have one.
Can you fit it with the car parked outside my house?
Usually, yes, as long as there is room to work safely beside the car. Otherwise the installer can fit it at your workplace or at an installation centre, whichever is easier for you.
Will a relay box still open my BMW?
It may open the doors, because the BMW’s own system is fooled. The engine stays blocked until the immobiliser recognises your TAG, ring, watch or PIN, so the car stays where it is.
What does it cost?
Kits start at £139. With an approved installer doing the work, it is £249 for the fob (TAG) version, £299 for PIN and £499 for the One Plus 4G with tracking and a dashcam.
Do you cover Sparkhill, Bordesley Green and Yardley?
Yes. Approved installers cover B10 and B11 and the neighbouring areas, including Bordesley Green, Sparkhill, Tyseley, Hay Mills and Yardley. Send your postcode if you are just outside them.
Is this a Thatcham approved immobiliser?
Not at the moment. LockCAR immobilisers are in the middle of Thatcham Security Certification. When you speak to your insurer, list the security on the car and ask whether it changes anything.
Written by the LockCAR engineering team. We design and build CAN bus immobilisers, GPS trackers and 4G dashcams in the UK and fit them through our approved installers. Meet the engineers. Last updated .
