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Whats everyones views on the factory alarm/immobiliser - iv been told by my insurer that its only Cat2 but i dont need to upgrade as its OEM.

What do other people have- trackers, anti hijack, disclock. Bit concerned as i have to leave mine on a busy road.

AFAIK the only difference between cat 1 and cat 2 is that cat 1 has a thatcham recognised alarm system - the immobilser part is pretty much the same. Now we all know our S4's have built-in alarms, and are self-arming (if you accidently unlock it, it will lock itself), so I don 't know what the fuss is about. If you want peace of mind, but tracker or a rotweiler - both fit inside the car, but one smells more than the other

FWIW I think the cheapest, simplest, most effective & unique way to immobilize your car is to cut the electrical feed to the fuel pump as near to the pump as possible and fit a simple switch which is then mounted [hidden] in a place only you know. (How about in the boot?). When worried about leaving your car simply flick the switch upon exit and lock in the normal way. The thief would not be looking for a switch, the car simply won't run.
Anyone have any objections?
Cars are very easy to break into [smash a window - as I found out on holiday in France last year] so all the locks and movement sensors stop little and who takes much notice of the alarm? Furthermore who would actually do something in your absence?
Next step is bullet-proof glass!!

I have one of these fuel kill switches on my old BM but that is 20 years old!

I think it is a good idea for older model cars but on new cars like the B5 I can't see how they can steal it without breaking into your house first and getting the key and transponder, or replacing the entire computer.

*NEWSFLASH*

B5 S4 2002 is No. 5 Most Stolen Car in USA !!!!!!!!!!

Article here in USA Today

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/200 ... olen_x.htm

very interesting stats.. but would be even more interesting to know how they steal the cars??... I reakon they still break into your house or workshop and get the keys.

the usa s4's only recently had immobilisers, ie before that you nicked them by forcing steering lock and take switch off back of ignition etc

i am going to fit a fuel pump switch when i get time, in addition to audi immobiliser

Stick with some good tips:
1) never leave anything lying in the car - always lock glovebox even if nothing in there (thiefs think somehting valuable in their and waste time trying to break in to it)
2) make sure flashing alarm armed Leds work
3) always park next to a better car
4) If revo installed, use the lock out function
5) If possible park under CCTV, if at home, fit a cheap system (< £40 in UK now) and record overnight, but fit a dirty big security light.
6) De-badge car and don't be scared for her to look dirty now and again
7) Change siren in boot for a monster air horn and using some simple wiring you could have the power feed to the horn call your mobile or page you or something.
Block the car in if possible

Hiding the keys in the house each night is the best way to avoid them being "acquired", but make no mistake, if someone wants your car, they will get it. I was held at knifepoint buy someone pretending to want to buy my BMW 328i a while back, they told me to stop the car, get out or they would slash my throat and take the car anyway...

There is a small credit card size tracking device that you can buy, it costs about £300 and can be hidden anywhere in the car, it only requires a 12volt power feed and allows you to monitor the cars location via the internet. Handy if the car is stolen and a LOT cheaper than a tracker. If anyone is interested, I'll dig the web address out?

eddiecrawford wrote:the usa s4's only recently had immobilisers...

ah.. that explains it

Tartan_Rob wrote:...I was held at knifepoint buy someone pretending to want to buy my BMW 328i a while back, they told me to stop the car, get out or they would slash my throat and take the car anyway...

Well I assume you're throat's not slashed, so did you let the car go or did you drive to the nearest Police station?

tartan rob, any chance ofmore details on the tracking device please? is it a mobile phone/use their networks etc?
(how does tracker work? do traffic know how to use their tracking devices now??)

Dippy wrote:Well I assume you're throat's not slashed, so did you let the car go or did you drive to the nearest Police station?

The guy drew the knife and had it at my throat and told me he slash it, I was in the town suberbs at the time but did not really think I had much of an option....so I stopped. Fortunately the insurance did not have to pay as I left the keys in the car (believe it or not). They did pay however as the car the guy arrived in was stolen also. He is known to the police and has stabbed someone in the past and driven over someone else when they tried to stop him stealing it...

lucky escape

do what they ask if they have a knife or gun, its not worth it

I used to have 2 hidden cutout switches when Sierra Cosworths were very top of the "nicklist" 1 hidden in the boot killed the fuel pump and 1 hidden behind a blank in the dash for ignition,along with an immoboliser and an alarm, and an extra dummy LED. it never did get knicked or attempted.
Cheers Jim.
Rob did the BM ever re-appear ?
Jim.

Jim - if you held onto a Cossie then you were doing well....

The car has never appeared and the Police reckon it was shipped abroad. They have said that one day I'll get a call about, may not be until the car is scrapped but it'll happen...