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The thing about radios isn't true. You can remove them easily, but they are usually locked in software to that vehicle so can't easily be reused. That doesn't m

by fy20 6y ago

The thing about radios isn't true. You can remove them easily, but they are usually locked in software to that vehicle so can't easily be reused. That doesn't mean they can't... Last year someone broke into the underground parking of my apartment building and stole the radios from a couple of new BMWs. No way was that just a random smash and grab, as to get in you need to go through the car elevator or unlock two doors (with plenty of cameras that turned out to be useless). You wouldn't do that unless you already had a plan for reselling them.

chrisseaton 6y ago
> The thing about radios isn't true. You can remove them easily Do you think cars still use the old ISO 7736 and ISO 10487 standards for radios? Those standard-sized oblong units where people would replace them with after-market radios? That's not the case anymore and hasn't been more than a decade or two. Car radios these days are an integral part of the cars computers and the infotainment system. They aren't removable or swappable. If you ripped out a new BMW's computer what on earth are you going to do with that? It won't fit in or connect to any other model.
- kenhwang 6y ago
  Can't even plop them into an identical model because they have to paired with the main computer with special software nowadays. Sometimes I think people on HN hasn't interacted with a car made in the last couple of decades based on how outdated their statements on car functionality are.
  - deleted 6y ago
    [deleted]
  - fy20 6y ago
    I left a reply to the parent that should clear up your concerns. If recent Apple devices can be cracked, do you really think BMW have software engineers that can build something more secure?
    - deleted 6y ago
      [deleted]
- fy20 6y ago
  > Car radios these days are an integral part Typically a single car is sold with a few different models of stereos, not only for different trim levels but also different regions, e.g. SiriusFM is common in the US but doesn't exist in Europe, and the navigation is usually region specific (you can't just swap a DVD like you could 15 years ago). > what on earth are you going to do with that? In my country salvaged cars are imported from Western Europe and the US, fixed up and resold here. A car with a European radio/infotainment/nav system is going to sell for a lot more than a car with a (pretty useless for here) USA system. There's also people who need a replacement for whatever reason (it broke, spilled coffee on it, dog scratched it up, etc) and want something cheaper than €5000 for a replacement at a dealership. As I hinted at, the radio software is locked to the original ECU so you can't just swap them directly, but if you know what you are doing (or more likely know someone with access to manufacturers software) it's possible. This wasn't just a junkie stealing a radio they can sell for $20 to get a hit, it's an organised crime. I'd be very surprised if this doesn't happen in the USA too. I would have thought it would be easier to steal the whole car and take it to a chop shop than just stealing parts though.

by fy20 6y ago

chrisseaton 6y ago

> The thing about radios isn't true. You can remove them easily Do you think cars still use the old ISO 7736 and ISO 10487 standards for radios? Those standard-sized oblong units where people would replace them with after-market radios? That's not the case anymore and hasn't been more than a decade or two. Car radios these days are an integral part of the cars computers and the infotainment system. They aren't removable or swappable. If you ripped out a new BMW's computer what on earth are you going to do with that? It won't fit in or connect to any other model.

kenhwang 6y ago
Can't even plop them into an identical model because they have to paired with the main computer with special software nowadays. Sometimes I think people on HN hasn't interacted with a car made in the last couple of decades based on how outdated their statements on car functionality are.
- deleted 6y ago
  [deleted]
- fy20 6y ago
  I left a reply to the parent that should clear up your concerns. If recent Apple devices can be cracked, do you really think BMW have software engineers that can build something more secure?
  - deleted 6y ago
    [deleted]
fy20 6y ago
> Car radios these days are an integral part Typically a single car is sold with a few different models of stereos, not only for different trim levels but also different regions, e.g. SiriusFM is common in the US but doesn't exist in Europe, and the navigation is usually region specific (you can't just swap a DVD like you could 15 years ago). > what on earth are you going to do with that? In my country salvaged cars are imported from Western Europe and the US, fixed up and resold here. A car with a European radio/infotainment/nav system is going to sell for a lot more than a car with a (pretty useless for here) USA system. There's also people who need a replacement for whatever reason (it broke, spilled coffee on it, dog scratched it up, etc) and want something cheaper than €5000 for a replacement at a dealership. As I hinted at, the radio software is locked to the original ECU so you can't just swap them directly, but if you know what you are doing (or more likely know someone with access to manufacturers software) it's possible. This wasn't just a junkie stealing a radio they can sell for $20 to get a hit, it's an organised crime. I'd be very surprised if this doesn't happen in the USA too. I would have thought it would be easier to steal the whole car and take it to a chop shop than just stealing parts though.