[MrWorf]

As some (all?) owners of the E93 knows, when the top is down and the car is locked, you can just reach in and press the centerconsole unlock button and presto, the glovebox and armrest are now unlocked.

When I heard about this I took the opportunity to mention this to my service guy when I brought the car in. He said he would look into it.

After a day he called and told me that "yes, this is normal, you need to be 50 yards (!!) away from the car for it to nolonger unlock in this fashion".

Hmmm... When I got the car back, I did a test of 50 yards. Still happened ... So I took some aluminum foil and wrapped my keys in it. Tested comfort access and the doors would not unlock. Good, RF connection is nolonger possible. Next, I tried the glovebox trick again, and once again, it opened.

Today I took the car to my dealership and showed the same trick for the service manager and he promised to get back after talking to their BMW tech engineer contact. So I should have some news later today.

[cn555ic]

just don't keep anything inside the glovey thats valuable.

[MrWorf]

Originally Posted by cn555ic

just don't keep anything inside the glovey thats valuable.

Yes, very insightful. But then why go through the trouble of having a mechanical locking mechanism on both the armrest (where you keep your ipod connected to the car) and glovebox if it can be disabled by the unlock button

Anyway, hopefully I'll have some update later today.

[BoomerM3]

Several months ago, I went to BMWNA about this issue. After providing a detailed description of the 'deficiency', I received the following response:

"The central lock/unlock button now remains "active" when the vehicle is locked from the outside in order to provide a means to exit the vehicle in the unusual case where a passenger is locked inside. Pressing the central lock/unlock button allow the vehicle door to be opened by pulling twice on the door handle and this I was able to verify by sitting in a car this morning. You are correct in pointing out that at the same time the glove compartment and center console are unlocked. "

Probably corporate personnel don't drive verts, so they are not concerned about personal items in the car. Bottom line: No fix coming!

[MrWorf]

Can't hurt to ask again. I mean, all that needs to be fixed is a

if (!externally_locked) open_glovebox_n_armrest()

I bet a $100 it's doable (might already be in there, but disabled with something equivalent to a registry key), but they won't bother. It's ludicrous, I mean, the car is designed to keep your iPod in the armrest, but noone will do that since anyone can just pop the lock and steal it.

[tintivilus]

Originally Posted by MrWorf

Yes, very insightful. But then why go through the trouble of having a mechanical locking mechanism on both the armrest (where you keep your ipod connected to the car) and glovebox if it can be disabled by the unlock button

The vert glovebox unlocks with the unlock button? How does valet lock work then?

In my coupe there's no remotely-actuated mechanism at all. It's just a simple mechanical lock cylinder, so you need the actual metal key to unlock it.

[MrWorf]

Originally Posted by tintivilus

The vert glovebox unlocks with the unlock button? How does valet lock work then?

No no, different solution completely. There is a regular valet lock, but there is also an electronic lock which disables access when the car is locked.

[darkphantom]

I see what you're saying, but honestly, why would you want to leave the car open, top down anyways? anyone (haters included) can come and just screw up your interior of if you just unknowingly left something there, they can just take it! it's better to wait 22 seconds and have that peace of mind IMHO

[92tripleblack]

Originally Posted by darkphantom

I see what you're saying, but honestly, why would you want to leave the car open, top down anyways? anyone (haters included) can come and just screw up your interior of if you just unknowingly left something there, they can just take it! it's better to wait 22 seconds and have that peace of mind IMHO

I agree. I have my radar, Garmin, etc. and I'm 30 seconds from security. Why would I leave the top down? I put it up every stop.

[MrWorf]

Why leave the top down? Oh, I don't know.... when you stop to go in to a starbucks and pickup a coffee, or basically anytime you're just away for a couple of minutes. I actually leave it top down during lunches too but hey, to each his own.

I still think that doing a halfarsed solution (such as it is) is not excusable by the argument that you should just put up the top. Then why the complicated locking mechanism? Seems like wasted money to me.

[BoomerM3]

I tend to leave my top down - under reasonable conditions.

But, that's not the point. Most vert owners don't even know they are at risk for theft. It appears that when you lock your doors, the console is locked as well. If they make it to lock, why not do it right (apparently BMW does not have that answer).

[am_ver]

install the alarm. That way, if someone enters the interior with the car locked and presses the 'open' button - the alarm goes off.

[darkphantom]

Originally Posted by am_ver

install the alarm. That way, if someone enters the interior with the car locked and presses the 'open' button - the alarm goes off.

yeah it's pretty pathetic how 60k cars don't come standard with alarms....

[CALIF65GM]

Originally Posted by MrWorf

Why leave the top down? Oh, I don't know.... when you stop to go in to a starbucks and pickup a coffee, or basically anytime you're just away for a couple of minutes. I actually leave it top down during lunches too but hey, to each his own.

+1 I just don't leave anything valuable in the car if at all possible.

[allan]

...if someone cares....

German spec E93's don't open that way. Locked is locked.

[MrWorf]

Originally Posted by allan

...if someone cares....

German spec E93's don't open that way. Locked is locked.

Really? Your sure?

You did the following:

1. Top down
2. Lock car with fob
3. Reach in, press center console unlock
4. Tried the glovebox & center storage compartment and they were still locked?

What year model is your E93 and does it have the factory alarm?

I'd like a video of this, so I can shove it up my BMW guy's nose and get them to apply the same sw for the US E93

[mylydiamy]

Originally Posted by MrWorf

Can't hurt to ask again. I mean, all that needs to be fixed is a

if (!externally_locked) open_glovebox_n_armrest()

I bet a $100 it's doable (might already be in there, but disabled with something equivalent to a registry key), but they won't bother. It's ludicrous, I mean, the car is designed to keep your iPod in the armrest, but noone will do that since anyone can just pop the lock and steal it.

Sounds like you are a programmer?

if (yes)
reply()
else
ignore()

[smartys]

Regardless of everyone's preferences, top up, top down, MrWorf, please do post as soon as you find out from the dealer. It's totally gay that anyone can just unlock the car with the roof down.....

allan, we ALL care.....please post a vid of your glovebox NOT becoming unlocked when pressing the center console button......

[VTECaddict]

put the windows up when you park? makes it a lot harder to reach the unlock button...unless they climb in the car.