OBD Port Lock

[feeltheburn]

i was wondering if anyone on the Forum has bought/tried one the these OBD locking mechanisms:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/security-device ... s=obd+lock

It does seem a little pricey for what it is, but if it does what it says it does and is robust then I am thinking it might be money well spent?

I don't have keyless entry so at least I don't have that "concern", however the videos on YouTube showing an RS4 being taken in a matter of seconds by breaking the drivers window WITHOUT the alarm going off was an eye opener. I was thinking of upgrading the front door glass with thicker "double" glazed glass. This is standard on the FL but added for noise reduction rather than security iirc. There are a few threads on line with instructions and part numbers etc to retrofit, however the "double" glass is still only toughened and not laminated so will still break with a percussive centre punch or the like. Security film is also an option but any obscuration would drive me to distraction!

[W8PMC]

Just make sure your Insurance is up to date.

Is any normal car really worth going to extremes over to stop it being stolen? Perhaps some insanely expensive classic, but any mainstream car can be stolen fairly easily if it's so desired so the usual security steps of garage, don't park in dodgy locations, perhaps a steering lock should be all that's needed.

If someone really wants to steal your car they'll steal it.

[feeltheburn]

I see your point. If my car is taken then I'd prefer to never see it again, that is the main reason I have not fitted a tracker. Likewise if it was damaged in an attempt to steal it I'd prefer that they'd actually taken the car as I'd probably get rid of it soon there after based on a previous experience. If it was a true Classic or had Sentimental value then that would be different of course.

Scuffed alloys, scratched interior etc sustained during the theft is NOT something the insurance company will generally pay to repair with the "prove it wasn't like that before" clause! I was unfortunate enough to have my A4 taken several years ago (took car keys as part of house break in), it was recovered and back with me with a week or so. It had been shunted/boxed in at the rear by the police to stop it. Amazingly there was only a few minor scratches on the underside of the bumper so looked superficial and was out of sight in any case. I immediately took it to Audi, explained what had happened and asked for a full safety check of the car- all ok according to them. It must have been about a year later I tried to remove the spare wheel only to discover that the rear shunt had distorted the spare wheel well- I couldn't get the spare out from the rear- it had to be done from the front with the rear seats down! Needless to say it was all too late to do anything about with either the police or Audi! I was always amazed that the rear bumper showed no real signs of such an impact- the paint hadn't even cracked! Ah..Dolphin Grey...those were the days!

[W8PMC]

I see your point. If my car is taken then I'd prefer to never see it again, that is the main reason I have not fitted a tracker. Likewise if it was damaged in an attempt to steal it I'd prefer they actually took the car as I'd probably get rid of it soon there after based on a previous experience. If it was a true Classic or had Sentimental value then that would be different of course.

Scuffed alloys, scratched interior etc is NOT something the insurance company will generally pay to repair with the "prove it wasn't like that before" clause! I was unfortunate enough to have my A4 taken several years ago (took car keys as part of house break in), it was recovered and back with me with a week or so. It had been shunted/boxed in at the rear by the police to stop it. Amazingly there was only a few minor scratches on the underside of the bumper so looked superficial and was out of sight in any case. I immediately took it to Audi, explained what had happened and asked for a full safety check of the car- all ok according to them. It must have been about a year later I tried to remove the spare wheel only to discover that the rear shunt had distorted the spare wheel well- I couldn't get the spare out from the rear- it had to be done from the front with the rear seats down! Needless to say it was all too late to do anything about with either the police or Audi! Was always amazed that the rear bumper showed no major signs of such an impact- the paint hadn't even cracked! Ah..Dolphin Grey...those were the days!

Likewise i had my first Audi TT stolen via a break in (whilst me & my kids were asleep) about 13yrs ago. Car was recovered around 12mths later being driven by less than desirables at speed through Bury. As you'd expect they never got caught, however i'd long been paid out & as the car was less than 12mths old when it was stolen, new for old meant i got the revised model TT so not too bad a result.

Only had tracker on 1 car previously as i feel it's a total waste of time/money. I do my best to keep my car safe & i feel the biggest factor is i keep her garaged when not being driven so is away from prying eyes, i also live in a small village which no doubt is an important factor. Only costs me £300 a year to cover the M5 & that's with Class 1 Business use.

[RossDagley]

I'd rather they took it from the garage than came in the house and took the keys. If they want it, they'll get it. End of. Make it undesirable (in my case, CCTV, deadlocked garage, and more importantly I've retired Police dogs for the last 15+ years and currently have 3 Police dogs who sleep in the hall 3 ft from the keys - you've got to be fairly committed to know they're there and come in the house )

That's all you can do.