Found Device Attached to Battery (help!)

Juceman · 12-31-2020, 11:48 AM

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So one month into owning an M5C (bought CPO from a dealer) an odd device was discovered attached to my battery (see attached pic). It looks like a tracking device, and I asked the dealer, but no response. It flashes red and green, and whoever put it there did a sloppy job. If anyone can confirm what it is, that would be great. It doesn't have any serial number, or manufacture name on it, so I'm lost as to exactly what it is.

jsf721 · 12-31-2020, 12:01 PM

I’d leave it outside the garage or across the street until you know what it is. Lol.

BMWAUDIO · 12-31-2020, 12:15 PM

Flip it over and add a picture of the other side .
more than likely it is a tracking unit that was added .
some finance companies require tracking devices to be added to cars.

Vic55 · 12-31-2020, 12:16 PM

My friend that looks like a GPS device that lenders require at times on riskier loans. Hows your credit? LOL.

If you paid cash or have great credit, my apologies in advance but thats a GPS tracker. And you are right, its a pathetic install- Id pull it.

Juceman · 12-31-2020, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vic55

My friend that looks like a GPS device that lenders require at times on riskier loans. Hows your credit? LOL.

If you paid cash or have great credit, my apologies in advance but thats a GPS tracker. And you are right, its a pathetic install- Id pull it.

Lol, that would be crazy because I had my own financing through PENFED (pentagon federal credit Union) and NAVYFED, but the dealer claiming they will include incentives if I use them and possibly beat the interest rate (smh by .01 they did). Credit is fine, FICO across all three is averaging 749 (lowest 740) and the standard credit scores were averaging 795 at the time of purchase with a debt to income ratio at 6%. I didn't pay cash, but did put money down.

That's dirty if that's the case, shit I'm going to hand them the PENFED check I have still in my possession and disconnect this nonsense.

Edit: lol nonsense pic of the PENFED check 😂

josec70 · 12-31-2020, 01:12 PM

It was probably left on there from the previous owner. Just pull the damn thing.

Vic55 · 12-31-2020, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juceman

Lol, that would be crazy because I had my own financing through PENFED (pentagon federal credit Union) and NAVYFED, but the dealer claiming they will include incentives if I use them and possibly beat the interest rate (smh by .01 they did). Credit is fine, FICO across all three is averaging 749 (lowest 740) and the standard credit scores were averaging 795 at the time of purchase with a debt to income ratio at 6%. I didn't pay cash, but did put money down.

That's dirty if that's the case, shit I'm going to hand them the PENFED check I have still in my possession and disconnect this nonsense.

Edit: lol nonsense pic of the PENFED check ��

Yeah I know PenFed well, they dont underwrite with gps stipulations. But if they beat PenFed with their own lender that would not require a gps either since its a prime deal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by josec70

It was probably left on there from the previous owner. Just pull the damn thing.

This seems to be the case- agree with Jose.

BMA89 · 12-31-2020, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by josec70

It was probably left on there from the previous owner. Just pull the damn thing.

Agree! Get it gone

Stealth7 · 12-31-2020, 01:38 PM

Pull it and you will find out if anyone misses it! You certainly don't need it.

Happy New Year to all!

FatRear08 · 12-31-2020, 01:41 PM

You may have just thwarted a private investigator’s work. Well done!!

DannyA · 12-31-2020, 02:18 PM

That does seem strange on this side of the pond the trackers are hidden - could it be it was installed by an insurance company to monitor driving and speed?

Surely that tracker is useless, any car thief worth his/her/it's (all-inclusive) salt would just unplug it!

Salottox5m · 12-31-2020, 05:07 PM

Maybe your girl is tracking you! Lol

Resjudicata · 12-31-2020, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juceman

So one month into owning an M5C (bought CPO from a dealer) an odd device was discovered attached to my battery (see attached pic). It looks like a tracking device, and I asked the dealer, but no response. It flashes red and green, and whoever put it there did a sloppy job. If anyone can confirm what it is, that would be great. It doesn't have any serial number, or manufacture name on it, so I'm lost as to exactly what it is.

Pull it out.

Maverik259 · 12-31-2020, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salottox5m

Maybe your girl is tracking you! Lol

I'm voting for this one.

Aronis · 12-31-2020, 08:04 PM

Saw that on the last Mission Impossible Movie. Yes park across the street.

FloridaM5 · 12-31-2020, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aronis

Saw that on the last Mission Impossible Movie. Yes park across the street.

On someone else's street

crypto · 12-31-2020, 08:31 PM

Do you see any vans parked outside? Perhaps Flowers By Irene on the side?

lemetier · 12-31-2020, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juceman

So one month into owning an M5C (bought CPO from a dealer) an odd device was discovered attached to my battery (see attached pic). It looks like a tracking device, and I asked the dealer, but no response. It flashes red and green, and whoever put it there did a sloppy job. If anyone can confirm what it is, that would be great. It doesn't have any serial number, or manufacture name on it, so I'm lost as to exactly what it is.

Was Braman in SFL the original retailer?

MysticBlue · 01-01-2021, 01:26 AM

Unless it's got an antenna lead, I wouldn't think it would be able to receive any gps signal or send out any location tracking data buried in the trunk like that. Are there other wires or cables that we can't see?

shellbmb · 01-01-2021, 07:18 AM

Maybe some sort of wifi or bluetooth battery monitoring device??

subterFUSE · 01-01-2021, 09:00 AM

It looks like an electronic rust prevention device. Dealer-installed junk.

northtorque · 01-01-2021, 10:15 AM

For Sh!ts and giggles - if it is a tracking device, as some suggest, why not stick it to the bean counters by doing the following. Disconnect it, buy a small motorcycle battery and hook up to that instead, then find a nice long haul truck flat bed and throw it under the tarp. Send it on a nice cross country journey.

12-31-2020, 11:48 AM	#1
Juceman New Member 44 Rep 29 Posts Drives: BMW M5 Competition Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Found Device Attached to Battery (help!) Featured on BIMMERPOST.com So one month into owning an M5C (bought CPO from a dealer) an odd device was discovered attached to my battery (see attached pic). It looks like a tracking device, and I asked the dealer, but no response. It flashes red and green, and whoever put it there did a sloppy job. If anyone can confirm what it is, that would be great. It doesn't have any serial number, or manufacture name on it, so I'm lost as to exactly what it is. Attached Images
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12-31-2020, 12:01 PM	#2
jsf721 Captain 1111 Rep 869 Posts Drives: 2019 540i X M Sport Join Date: May 2019 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	I’d leave it outside the garage or across the street until you know what it is. Lol.
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12-31-2020, 12:15 PM	#3
BMWAUDIO Lieutenant 64 Rep 432 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Frozen Gray , 997 C4S Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: ENCINO iTrader: (1)	Flip it over and add a picture of the other side . more than likely it is a tracking unit that was added . some finance companies require tracking devices to be added to cars.
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12-31-2020, 12:16 PM	#4
Vic55 Lieutenant General 19355 Rep 10,166 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW M8 Competition Coupe Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: THE Orange County iTrader: (9)	My friend that looks like a GPS device that lenders require at times on riskier loans. Hows your credit? LOL. If you paid cash or have great credit, my apologies in advance but thats a GPS tracker. And you are right, its a pathetic install- Id pull it. __________________ 2024 BMW M3 CS Frozen Solid White 2023 BMW M8 Coupe Competition Alpine White 2022 Porsche Carrera GTS Coupe Shark Blue 2020 Audi R8 V10 Performance Suzuka Gray 2012 Mercedes Benz C63 AMG Black Series Obsidian Black
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12-31-2020, 01:12 PM	#6
josec70 Major General 4074 Rep 5,233 Posts Drives: 22' Individual Chalk M5C Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Miami iTrader: (2)	It was probably left on there from the previous owner. Just pull the damn thing. __________________ CURRENT: 22' INDIVIDUAL M5\| CHALK \| TARTUFO \| CCB \| MPE \| H&R \| IND GONE: 19' M5C\| SINGAPORE GREY\| ARAGON\|VELOS VLS-06\|H&R\|iPE\|IND\|XPEL\|CF\|RADENSO GONE: 15' F10 M5\|BSM\|BLACK\|VELOS VSS-S2\|KW\|AKRA\|IND\|CF \|ESCORT 360\|VELOS PIGGY GONE: 13' F10 M5\|SG\|BLACK\|AKRA\|KW\|IND LONG GONE: 09' E60 M5\|02' E39 M5
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12-31-2020, 01:38 PM	#9
Stealth7 First Lieutenant 147 Rep 389 Posts Drives: No BMWs Right Now! Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Pull it and you will find out if anyone misses it! You certainly don't need it. Happy New Year to all!
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12-31-2020, 01:41 PM	#10
FatRear08 Major 1427 Rep 1,195 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: HHI iTrader: (0)	You may have just thwarted a private investigator’s work. Well done!!
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12-31-2020, 02:18 PM	#11
DannyA First Lieutenant 143 Rep 309 Posts Drives: C8 RS6 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	That does seem strange on this side of the pond the trackers are hidden - could it be it was installed by an insurance company to monitor driving and speed? Surely that tracker is useless, any car thief worth his/her/it's (all-inclusive) salt would just unplug it! __________________ 2020 C8 RS6 2019 F90 M5 2017 C7 RS6 2016 F10 M5 2010 C6 RS6
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12-31-2020, 05:07 PM	#12
Salottox5m Lieutenant 195 Rep 586 Posts Drives: F90 m5 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Philly area (NJ) iTrader: (0)	Maybe your girl is tracking you! Lol __________________
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12-31-2020, 08:04 PM	#15
Aronis Brigadier General 2270 Rep 3,296 Posts Drives: 2018 M5 Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Binghamton, NY iTrader: (0)	Saw that on the last Mission Impossible Movie. Yes park across the street. __________________ 2018 M5 and 2019 Porsche Boxster GTS Prior. '94 325is, '97 M3 Lux, '16 M2
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12-31-2020, 08:31 PM	#17
crypto ... 1471 Rep 1,307 Posts Drives: 2022 M5 CS Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Northern Virginia iTrader: (1)	Do you see any vans parked outside? Perhaps Flowers By Irene on the side? __________________ Current: 2022 M5 CS Past: 2021 M550i (BSM) Past: 2010 535 xDrive (Alpine White)
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01-01-2021, 01:26 AM	#19
MysticBlue Lieutenant Colonel 369 Rep 1,887 Posts Drives: '20 M5C, '09 M3 DCT Coupe Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Eastern Oregon... They call 'em rigs here iTrader: (0)	Unless it's got an antenna lead, I wouldn't think it would be able to receive any gps signal or send out any location tracking data buried in the trunk like that. Are there other wires or cables that we can't see? __________________ M5C 20% tint, Xpel full front, partial sides and rear. Spacers, 15mm front, 12mm rear. Turner Motorsport Oil Cooler Guard. M3: Active Autowerke filter, Dinan underdrive pulley, Dinan full exhaust and software, 3.45 Differential, Springs, Brakes, Dinan/HRE wheels, 275/30-19 w/10mm spacer, 295/30-19 w/3mm spacer, painted front reflectors, 30% tint, Escort 8500i & Lidar Jammer, LUX H8 V5 halos, Euro rear foglights, 3M ClearBra.
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01-01-2021, 07:18 AM	#20
shellbmb Lieutenant 199 Rep 572 Posts Drives: 2022 F90 M5C Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: ATX iTrader: (0)	Maybe some sort of wifi or bluetooth battery monitoring device??
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01-01-2021, 09:00 AM	#21
subterFUSE Captain 564 Rep 642 Posts Drives: 2023 Audi R8, 2023 Audi S8 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Mt Pleasant, SC iTrader: (0)	It looks like an electronic rust prevention device. Dealer-installed junk.
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01-01-2021, 10:15 AM	#22
northtorque First Lieutenant 268 Rep 380 Posts Drives: F90 2019 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	For Sh!ts and giggles - if it is a tracking device, as some suggest, why not stick it to the bean counters by doing the following. Disconnect it, buy a small motorcycle battery and hook up to that instead, then find a nice long haul truck flat bed and throw it under the tarp. Send it on a nice cross country journey.
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