Rs4 seats stolen sw London

[Gavla]

Thanks for the info - just emailing Anthony now

OP - Sorry to hear your unfortunate news hope you get a good response from Audi UK.

[TonyHayers]

Ugh, many sympathies. I think I might be alone in this, but if my seats got nicked/car nicked I think I'd just want my car to be written off so I can be rid of it, providing of course, that I got a decent price. I'm very fortunate never to have been a victim of car crime though, so maybe bit naive.

I think the angle towards Audi should be how they can ship a premium brand vehicle with such a crap alarm that it can be disabled so easily from the interior. If it's *that* easy to do, it's almost worthless.

Out of interest, how are they getting in the first place. Assume they didn't break the glass?

[Ian_C]

when mine was broken in the glass was simply pulled out and left intact on the roadside

How on earth did they remove the doorglass without breaking it? By cutting the frame / trim?

The B8 has reverted to a more traditional doorframe now, but the B7 and earlier used a different door frame system to most manufacturers, 'cassette' frame as its sometimes called, iirc to replace the glass you have to remove the top of the doorframe which is separate (whereas on most cars you just remove the interior door card)

PS. Any fingerprints on the glass?

[andre3k]

^ +1...I dont know how that's possible.

The side glass is designed to break into loadsa tiny pieces. Only way for it to come out in any kind of single piece is if removed intact from the mechanism or if they applied a sticky film onto the outside prior to smashing it in and removing it broken (but with the bits contained by the film)??

[Gavla]

That does look very good Gavin, you seen any prices?

I have some prices back which range from £350 (no pager remote), £400 - 450 depending on model and options (which is quite reasonable IMO). The Model 3203 and 3303 however are not Thatcham approved (although the Viper 480xv is) but tbh the insurance companies on our car now only seem to look for a tracker installed before they apply any discount. Viper alarms seem to be quite popular with the BMW community. I think I'll seriously consider one of these as they appear to be a worthwhile investment.

http://www.securemycar.co.uk/viper%20ca ... phone.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TfeItTF ... K5mt1G66gg

[MB2]

This is getting to be horrible reading again, but congrats on the OP for taking this up with Audi - a retrofit locking system would be ideal or uniquely keyed locking bolts. I saw some in the US which had a one-off key although am thinking more & more of one-way bolts and if the seats needed to come out I guess they could always be welded onto to undo.

Trups - would be very interested in your solution and agree fairly unique would be perfectly sufficient for this application.

Dave - interesting thought & makes perfect sense they are ending up in hard to sell comforst seat equipped cars rather than Golfs & A3s.

[BenWat]

To try and answer a few questions, I have no idea how they removed the glass intact, but it was left on the side of the road next to the car.

I've spoken to the Audi garage and they have recommended 'metal glue' to the seat nuts. I'm also, if I get sorted going to have a spot weld added.

Secondary, useful alarm will be added too.

I've spoken to Audi uk who tried a brush off, politely, but I've escalated. I am having local police get in contact and also speaking to local police to come up with some options, I won't explain what on Internet site though.

I have a number of people who have sent emails to me but more people I have behind this the better.

It's outrageous the seats being nicked equals write off.

[BenWat]

Gavla, alarm looks good, if I get things sorted ill but one, anyone else want to join might be able to sort a discount?

[Gavla]

I'm emailing Antony now and mentioned is there any chance of a group buy discount
The one he recommends is 3303 which he has on his M3, been doing some research into them and it seems to be a good system.

Viper alarms are American, any US guys use them? or can provide feedback?

The siren they use is 120DB so just a bit louder than the current one. Our current alarm is already Cat 1 fitted from factory so it's already Thatcham approved.

[BenWat]

Great.

To clarify I was mistaken, the side glass was broken but it didn't shatter into loads of bits and came out in one large pane, albeit smashed. The previous owner may well have fitted the film, seems strange it came out in one piece otherwise.

[Terry1948]

It may be that you had double glazed glass.

[Noyjatat]

I like the alarm Gavin but would have to find one without the get close alarm. Lots of kids on my estate and I imagine it would turn into a game for them and its parked on the road so would be going off every time someone walks past.

Seeing an alarm guy this week, will post what I come up with, if anything. 120dB pfft I want the whole street up! Lets see if I can find one around 150

[Gavla]

I think it's all configurable so that proximity option could be isolated. 120DB is pretty loud - I wonder what our current alarm rating is? - (Think my smoke alarm is louder....)

[BenWat]

Rather liking the idea of this smoke deterrent:

http://www.smokemachines.net/buy-car-sm ... stem.shtml

[stu]

Rather liking the idea of this smoke deterrent:

http://www.smokemachines.net/buy-car-sm ... stem.shtml

+1

On a lighter note, check out the acting skills of that would-be thief!