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Bmw Magnetic
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Nearly half of all late-model, high-end cars on the road today require the use of transponder keys to start them. A transponder key is essentially an ignition key with a mini computer chip and copper wiring embedded within its plastic or rubber head. Using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), this chip  communicates with the car's onboard computer (the transceiver). When turned in the ignition, the key responds to the signals sent by the vehicle's computer and emits a 32-digit alphanumeric code, or tag, to the computer in response. The computer then processes this code and will not allow the car start unless the transponder's code is a valid one. Consequently, the engine will not start if the transponder chip is broken or missing.

In this way, transponder keys provide real-time, wireless item identification using radio waves. They function at a frequency of approximately 125 KHz, and their range is limited to roughly 7 inches. Transponder keys do not require batteries or electricity to operate, and they do not feature any buttons for the operator to press.

Developed by BMW and General Motors beginning in the late 1980s, these smart keys were created to make car theft more difficult. Although not perfect, transponder keys have significantly lowered the number of stolen vehicles and revolutionized the automobile security industry.

Automotive locksmiths stock blank transponder keys, and they have the equipment necessary to read a transponder's or a transceiver's code and then imprint it on to these blanks. These locksmiths can copy and program keys for all three types of electronic codes used in vehicle magnetic coupled transponder systems: fixed (permanent code), rolling (unique code each time key is inserted), and cryptographic (password protection code created by using bidirectional algorithms). Because technology changes continually, though, making duplicate transponder keys can be both time consuming and costly. For these reasons, car owners are encouraged to have spare keys made and to always store their keys in safe places. Doing so will prevent the hassle of having to replace them if they are lost or broken.

Hank.G is a former locksmith and a security consultant.

Buying A Used Sports Convertible

The Market

Convertible motoring often imposes a whole bunch of compromises, but if you want to have your cake and eat it too a four seater sports convertible offer a modicum of practicality as well as style and wind-in-the-hair motoring. We're talking here about drop-tops from BMW, Audi, Saab, Volvo and Mercedes: yes, the classy ones you thought you couldn't afford.

But hold on. If you had a tight budget in mind, you were probably thinking of something else. Sure enough, there are two other mainstream sectors in the drop-top category (Roadsters and Affordable hatchback-based Cabriolets) - but you need to know that both have their drawbacks.

Roadsters like, say the MGF or Mazda's MX-5, are two seater-only cars with very little luggage space and hard ride set-ups. Best in other words, to buy one as a second or third car for when the sun comes out. Affordable hatchback-based Cabriolets (like, say, open-topped versions of the VW Golf or Renault Megane) in contrast, are a lot more practical but are often poorly built and dire to drive. Though they come with rear seats, these are usually too small for adults for all but the shortest journeys. Boot space also remains quite limited.

As you might imagine, there's a big difference between basing your convertible or cabriolet design on a small, cheap shopping car and building it down to a price. Or basing it on a platform either purpose-designed for open-topped motoring or built to support a quality sports coupe or a much larger prestige executive car. Models like these are the kind we'll be examining here.

Though cars of this kind are undeniably costly to buy and run, they do come with many advantages. Their market status demands a far high level of build quality - so you can buy an older, higher mileage example with much more confidence. Choose the right one and you can get yourself a true four-seater too. Plus, the engines on offer mean that you can get much of the performance (if not the handling) you'd find in a Roadster with much of the practicality we all need in an everyday car.

Finally, because vehicles in this sector are so easy to use everyday, most of them will have been constantly driven. This means you won't have to worry about whether the car you're considering might have been garaged for nine months of the year, with all the attendant problems inherent in such a sedentary way of life.

Of course, there are cross-over cars from other sectors. You could, at a pinch, have included a Mercedes SLK, a Porsche Boxster or a BMW Z3 in this category - and you may want to: the build quality you can expect certainly won't disappoint. We haven't because they're compact, purpose-designed two seater-only Roadsters. Such nuances may well not matter to you and if so, by all means widen your search.

It's also worth pointing out that you could consider much older versions of exotic Convertibles like the Porsche 911 or a Mercedes SL as an alternative to cars in the ‘Desirable but Pricey' section. These are tempting but likely to come with big bills. Your call….

Cheap & Cheerful

If you're spending this sort of money, you can run to something a little more elegant. A nice, E36 BMW 3 Series Convertible, or, as an alternative, a later Audi Cabriolet are well worth a look. Six cylinder cars are the most desirable options here.

If you want something with a slightly sportier feel, try a Toyota Celica Convertible or, better still, an Alfa Romeo Spider. The Italian car looks and sounds gorgeous, though for most buyers, there will only be the one 2.0-litre Twinspark engine choice. If you're feeling really adventurous and can cope with the occasional hiccup, you could even chance your arm on an early Maserati Biturbo Spyder.

Affordable Mid-Rangers

Where to start? There's a lot that's pretty nice at this level. Those in search of a true four-seater often start with a Mk 3 (E46 series) BMW 3 Series or a Saab 9-3 Convertible. Other options that are well worth a look include the Audi A4 Cabriolet, the Volvo C70 Convertible and the Mercedes CLK Cabriolet. Jaguar's XK is more of a sports car than the others with restricted interior space but those timeless sleek looks may well appeal. Desirable But Potentially Pricey

If you're looking for something a bit plusher there are some mouthwatering options. BMW's 6 Series Convertible is one to look out for, with early 630i models looking particularly good value. The Mercedes SL has long been one of our favourites in this sector and the SL500 is the definitive version. Decent examples aren't too hard to track down and the 2008 facelift of the SL should see quite a few used cars in the dealer network. The same goes for the latest BMW 3 Series with the folding tintop. The Porsche 911 Cabriolet leaves us rather cold as does the Lexus SC430 but if you really want to push the boat out, nothing has quite the same presence as a Bentley Continental GTC. With a six-litre engine and 552bhp to play with, it's a very special piece of machinery. Relatively strong value from new, used examples are still rather sought after and with good reason. What To Look For

All the usual Convertible buying rules apply. Insist upon a full service history, try and buy from a dealer or a specialist and get an independent AA or RAC check carried out on the car in question and look out for botched accident repairs. Parts of course on prestige cars like these are astronomically expensive, so anything you find out is going to help you a great deal in the final price negotiation. Little pieces of interior trim are unbelievably pricey to get fixed and, as for electric hood mechanisms, well, you don't want to know.

Leaky hoods are an obvious issue to consider, something often evidenced by damp carpets: try building a trip to the car wash into your test drive to put the rag top under some serious duress. If the car you're looking at hasn't got an alarm, budget for one: you'll need it. Cars like these are a magnet for the light-fingered. Many cars will have been broken into as well and may have suffered slashed roofs: look carefully for signs of repair corner-cutting. Other issues? Well, you might find rust on hard-used models, along with kerbed wheels and hood tears.

About the Author

By Author Jonathan Crouch. Anybody thinking how can I sell my car for cash should visit the UK's cash for cars comparison site www.dealerbid.co.uk

Where is the best place to hide a transponder (vehcile tracker) underneath a BMW?

This is somewhat of a longshot, but I suppose it can't hurt to ask.

I've been instructed by my boss to secretly place a transponder underneath a company vehicle. (We want to be able to track where this vehicle goes.) The vehicle is a 4-door BMW 530i.

As you might be able to imagine, I've never done this before.

I picture myself not having a lot of time and having to do it in an open parking lot.

Any suggestions on where to quickly place it? I'm guessing underneath the vehicle somewhere but where? On the side near a door? Near the engine? Near the back?

I haven't seen the transponder yet but I assume it's small, (probably black in color) and magnetic.

Maybe someone who knows more about these things than I do can give me some guidance.

As always, thanks in advance.

under the wheel well i guess.. if the person knows that you are gonna put that on the car then he might look around and find it, but if he has no clue that this thing is gonna be on his car then put it anywheree you want. just not very visible

Looking inside from the inside
In May last year, in a moving ritual that entailed me kneeling on the floor before my Editor-in-Chief whilst he ceremoniously dropped ash on my shoulder from his hand-rolled cigarette, I was dubbed Roving Editor in the hope was that I would make some dramatic, eye-catching horological discoveries during my international roving.

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