Not worth it..

[kam100]

This will happen in every top end car nowadays.. the crime of stealing cars to order is not becoming more common, its just becoming more personal and more violent as it involves taking the key off the owner themselves and stealing the car that way.. too much trickery and clever gizmos in the car to stop em getting nicked on their own, we're an easier target as the key holders.

I know its easy to say, but the Police should be doing more to stop the supply line of these cars and closing this seemilgly growing operation down all together. I read an article on this, and it suggested the money involved rivals drug dealing at a street level and it started off with organised criminals nicking these cars and fulfilling orders (as in gone in 60 seconds jobby) but now there is a wave of copy cat criminals whereby the hierarchy has grown and the fat cat thieves are getting the youths of today to carry out the dirty work at street level and bring the cars to them for payment.

[Gekko]

My black RS4 should be arriving in 4 weeks and I'm dreading it. I've already made enquiries about how to sell it. If it I were single or living alone, it would be fantastic, I wouldn't give two hoots as to which prying eyes were after it. But I'm very conscious about taking my young family around in it... parking outside a restaurant or Wacky Warehouse, driving through the city with wife and kids hoping not to be followed and above all, just not sleeping easy wondering as to which thief knows I've got one in the garage that's selected to be stolen on order.

It's just made my erectile excitement of owning one go incredibly limp. Even if it were debadged, it sticks out like a sore thumb. I've decided instead to go for a silver or grey S4 Avant and keep it for 3 years or so.... heck, may even paint the chrome wing mirrors! I'd also badge it as 2.5TDI or something. Yes, people in the know will be sure of what the car is but to most passers by, it's much more understated than the grilled, flared-arched, 19" wheeler beastmobile!

I've also got an M3 ordered for next year (refundable deposit) which I'm probably going to cancel too. As I said, if I were on my own, no problem. But with the family, the least number of people watching, the better.

Can anyone convince/reassure me otherwise?????

[SteveH]

Whats more important, cars or family??? I rest my case... cars it is!!

On a more serious note, I fully respect the concerns over the various posts but I feel that these situations are rare/isolated. There are many factors that affect the risk of something untoward occurring and as long as a bit of common sense is used, I am sure that you will reduce the risk considerably.

[bobjebb]

Out of interest, does anyone else have extra Immobilisers? In may case handing over the keys wont be enough, which I don't is a good or a bad thing. It won't start unless the transponder is placed in a very specific place in the car. I can picture it now:

"Gimme the f*cking keys muthaf*cker"

5 mins later:

"Umm, sorry to bother you but it won't start, could you show me where this plastic thing goes please?"

[simple1]

other option is the Hijax system I have......... allows the car to start, drive about 500 M then stops and locks the doors and isolates window circuit......... while dialing Plod..........who wont respond anyway Certain sequence to starting the car overides this.........

[tartan_rob]

A while back I had my BMW 328 nicked by a potential buyer whilst it was up for sale. In desperation and to stop any fcuker doing this again I designed and built a single immobiliser that will cut any or multiple circuits in the car, the unit is about 10 X 3 X 6cm and runs off car power with full battery back-up and is operated by dialling a phone number. So can be called from anywhere in the world. I went to the police for their backing in a bid to mass produce it and sell it on, they told me it was dangerous and they would not back it. Whats more if it was triggered and someone was injured or died etc I could be up for manslaughter..>!

So my answer would be to buy a cattle prod, fit it to the seat and have it activite within 10 secs of car starting unless it is switched off by a hidden switch..

I have a hammer by the front door and I would go for someone if I saw them tampering with my (or anyone elses) car...they are low life, smelly, greasy, stinking, ignorant pieces nat <beep>..

Sorry to hear this mate but much better that your family was not hurt. Cars and property can be replaced...

[bobjebb]

Rob - I'll have one, ESPECIALLY if it's dangerous. How is that any more dangerous than Hijax? Cattle prod is a great idea, can't get them in the UK though it seems... If any clever guys got any neat doable ideas? I'd be interested. I live at the end of a long drive, I thought about some spikes under the gravel that pop up via a switch from the house, then sue for a set of new Michelins.

[Doc]

Sad times. You need to do what puts your mind at rest and that of your family.

Its a very personal and individual decision.

Best of luck and take care

Here's a provocative suggestion though:

..... by being submissive and compliant to such criminals do we in some way encourage/promote/facilitate future repeat crimes against others ? or even abidicate our civic responsibilities

Off topic but hey... ...off to a deep bunker

[tartan_rob]

Bob - when the Police came back with their commetns I was absolutely gutted. I have my single prototype in the garage but I think I'll resurrect it and install it in my car especially as I'm going for a stage 3/4 upgrade with hybrids. I don't want some fcuker getting their hands on my car...

[bobjebb]

Rob, I'm not far, I'd like tto see how it works one day! I'd have absolutely no issue with using something like that.

Doc - My sentiments entirely here!

http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNp ... 9&start=45

[Doc]

Doc - My sentiments entirely here!

http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNp ... 9&start=45

Indeed, maybe sometime I'll share a story or two over a beer of some actual experience