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Just thought I would give you an update on the increase in car key theft in the Warwickshire district since my personal experience some 3 weeks ago, although I am sure it is not just restricted to Warwickshire.
Warwickshire ploice have posted a notice on their website, warning people of the increase in car theft burgulary of what they describe as high value performance cars. They have visited 40 owners of RS4's in Warwickshire warning owners to be aware of there surroundings when driving and returning to your car etc. I think it is good advice and one that I wanted to share with you all. The thefts are not just restricted to RS4's although Audi appear to be top of the list, followed by BMW's and Scoobies.

PMAX wrote:Audi appear to be top of the list

At least the crims have got good taste!

Have you got a link to th site?

http://onlinenews.warwickshire.police.u ... ?district=

The link is as follows

Interesting that the police advise keeping the car in a garage overnight and yet car insurance is increased if you do this?

At least the burglars run off when disturbed.

Thanks for the heads up

Ive often thought about this....

Would it be possible to put some sort of small switch under the dash that requires to be switched to get car to start? After turning igntion on?

Basically if they get your keys from a burglery...the car still wouldnt start as thieves wouldnt know where microswitch is??

Just a thought.

Hmm...sobering news indeed.

I've got a Tracker that I haven't bothered activating but seriously thinking about it now. However, it won't stop the actual theft. I wonder if you can get Tracker stickers to put either on the car or on the garage door?

Thing is, if it is stolen to order for robery or overseas it will be involved at some stage in a high speed chase and wrecked,; do you really want it back? And trackrs aren't always whet they are cracked up to be for the suscription costs and can be neutralised.

RTI Gap and suitable home security, beyond that there isn't much more you can do against the professional crims.

P_G wrote:Thing is, if it is stolen to order for robery or overseas it will be involved at some stage in a high speed chase and wrecked,; do you really want it back? And trackrs aren't always whet they are cracked up to be for the suscription costs and can be neutralised.

RTI Gap and suitable home security, beyond that there isn't much more you can do against the professional crims.

Could not agree more.

its all a bit worrying ......I'm seriously considering selling my Avant as my wife is the one that uses it during the week...

Pity cos its a minter with under 18k miles

RS4414. wrote:Ive often thought about this....

Would it be possible to put some sort of small switch under the dash that requires to be switched to get car to start? After turning igntion on?

Basically if they get your keys from a burglery...the car still wouldnt start as thieves wouldnt know where microswitch is??

Just a thought.

I dud this on my first car (1979 ford fiesta). It was a switch spliced into the low tension wire to the distributor so car would turn over just not fire. Given the state if the shed people would assume car was crap and broken.
(I also wired in the radio to the same wire and using a source switch on the radio could amplify the interference of the cars electrical system to two big speakers. Net effect was to make the car sound like a tvr at a push of a button - but I digress)

Yes you could do something similar for the rs4. Another switch on the key barrel is often the easiest. Slightly more advanced is the switched 12v to the ecu(s), fuel pump or even the injectors. The only problem you have is introducing some error codes being thrown.

Again, the problem is no obvious deterrent. Dirty big steering wheel and/or gear lock coupled with some stand out CCTV will make scum think twice. Not perfect but still better than hidden devices.

the easiest would be a switch that disables the start button, you could hide it anywhere you like and probably would not cause an error code

Easy but not effective - you could still bump start the car I think.

easiest option would be just disconect air flow sensor or disconnect a coil or 2 and remove it from the engine bay they wont get far on 6 cylinders in a chase ha ha

adsgreen wrote:Easy but not effective - you could still bump start the car I think.

your probably right but it might still act as a deterrent