BMWs made before September 2011 at risk of theft from £18 cloned key-fobs (but company says it is 'not legally obliged to help out')

Criminals are able to purchase a $30 (£18) tool which will allow them to program a blank car key-fob - and then steal high-end cars including BMW with the click of a button.

The thieves are able to purchase what are known as 'on-board diagnostics bypass tools' from China and Eastern Europe, which come in a kit form with instructions and blank keys, according to a new report.

Thieves can then capture the remote-controlled code sent by an owner to his car, and then re-program a blank key and steal the car at their own convenience.

The issue was highlighted when thieves managed to steal a £43,000 BMW in June from a house in Sutton Coldfield, using a fob to gain easy access.

Thieves: The criminals were able to steal the £43,000 BMW with a fake key that costs just £70 to make

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2206040/BMWs-September-2011-risk-theft-18-cloned-key-fobs-company-says-legally-obliged-help-out.html#ixzz2773mMvjp 

Pinnacle Auto Appraisers often has to step in when industry automakers fail to recall vehicles, cars are stolen, and our clients are being twisted around by insurance companies, and on occassion other entities. Pinnacle Auto Appraisers takes the time to fully evaluate your vehicle so you have a certified copy of the worth of your property. So in this instance, someone steals your BMW, and then it's recovered. Then the insurance company tries to tell you your car was only worth one amount: have peace of mind when you pull out your appraisal from Pinnacle...call us - we can help:

1-877-988-9911

Heard the one about the 15-year-old girl who drove a $305,000 Lamborghini to her Texas high school?

There are only 150 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Super Trofeo Stradales in the world, making it one of the rarest cars on the road.

And with a price tag of more than $300,000, it hardly seems surprising why.

But for one 15-year-old girl in Dallas, it is just her transportation of choice on the daily commute to and from school.

Hot wheels: A 15-year-old girl near Dallas showed up to school with a Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Super Trofeo Stradales

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2206308/How-did-15-year-old-girl-drive-305-000-Lamborghini-Texas-high-school.html#ixzz276uuZS2a 

Pinnacle Auto Appraisers really understands the necessity to know how much your vehicles are worth. Take for instance this situation with a young 15 year old girl driving your exotic vehicle...she wrecks it, and the insurance company tells you it's worth one amount, when yo know it's worth more: That's where Pinnacle Auto Appraisers comes in. We have helped fleet managers and individuals from: Houston, Texas, Austin, Texas, Dallas, Texas, Miami, Florida, Denver, Colorado, Seattle, Washington, Anchorage, Alaska and thousands of other cities across the USA - Call Us:

1-877-988-9911

July 30, 2012 / By Evan McCausland

Although the original 1990 Lexus LS was a radical departure from any previous Toyota product, the brand's flagship sedan has evolved in a far less radical fashion over its 23-year lifespan. In fact, the second-generation model, which debuted in 1994, was virtually indistinguishable from previous models despite sharing only 10 percent of its content. The fourth-generation LS, which debuted in 2006, broke considerable new ground in terms of styling and technology, but has been relegated to minor nips and tucks in the years following its debut.

Perhaps it's time for a little more revolution in lieu of evolution. Lexus apparently thinks so, as the updated 2013 LS range receives a rather substantial cosmetic makeover that stretches from head to toe.

  

  

A FACELIFT IN THE NAME OF THE FAMILY

The LS has always been a little softer and rounder than other Lexus models, but no more: it finally adopts the same spindle-shaped grille used on the CT, GS, 2013 ES, RX, and LX, and subsequently receives sharper lines in the process. Projector headlamps taper angrily towards the spindle grille, whose outer edges rise up and into the edges of the hood before sweeping into the A-pillars. Thin pistol-shaped LED driving lamps in the lower fascia replace the previous LS' chunky composite fog lamps, while a strong rib down the centerline of the hood helps break up the monotony of a large piece of sheetmetal.

Read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/1207_2013_lexus_ls_first_look/#ixzz22Qgtyjus

Houston Auto Appraisal, Austin Auto Apprisal, San Antonio Auto Appraiser, Dallas Auto Appraisal

By: Anthony Ingram

Man-made carbon dioxide might be something we're trying to reduce, but on its own, carbon is an abundant and rather useful element.

It's also been central to two of the most important scientific materials discoveries of recent years--graphene, and carbon nanotubes.

The latter involves rolling the former--a one atom thick sheet of carbon atoms--into a cylinder, creating incredibly small but incredibly strong strands of carbon.

A new technology takes those tubes and weaves them into a new, incredibly strong and light substance, known as Aerographite.

Developed at Kiel University in Germany, it's now being described as the lightest material ever created, beating the previous nickel nanotubes. According toThe Register, Aerographite is 75 times lighter than the same quantity of a typically light material like styrofoam.

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1077878_electric-car-batteries-could-get-lighter-thanks-to-new-material

Houston Auto Appraisal, Dallas Auto Appraisal, Austin Auto Appraisal, San Antonio Auto Appraiser

2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Convertible

Aston Martin has introduced a convertible version of its V12 Vantage coupe. The roadster featuring a 510 hp engine and dressed with functional carbon fiber additions to its body to improve aerodynamics. It has a top speed of 190 mph.

2013 McLaren MP4-12C Spyder

McLaren has dropped the top and increased the power on its recently introduced supercar. The 616 hp MP4-12C Spyder capable of hitting a top speed of 204 mph.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/slideshow/2012/06/26/hottest-new-cars/#slide=3#ixzz20bXdScry

Houston Auto Appraisal, Austin Auto Appraisal, Dallas Auto Appraisal, San Antonion Auto Appraiser