Followed by thugs, sleepless night

[rs666]

I was followed last night by 4 guys in an Escort, they were definitely after the car....

I was about a mile from home the Escort was coming the other way, I noticed the passenger pointing at my car. Looked in my mirrors and they did a u-turn and were behind me. So I drove straight past my house and took a left, they followed. So I went on for about 1/2 mile and in busy traffic dived down a road (right hand turn across oncoming traffic) without signaling so they had no chance of getting across.

Looked in mirror and they had to carry on but all four were looking at me. So I went down the road, waiting a couple of minutes then came back out. As I approached the junction they drove across the junction in the opposite direction, but didn't seem me (I think). So I hung back and waited a little longer.

Made my way home without incident. Unfortunately my wife was with me and this has really shocked her. She never thought owning an RS6 could bring with it this sort of problem. We parked the car on the drive and block it in with her car. My wife suggested taking the keys to bed with us, but I said just leave them in the kitchen I'd prefer they'd just take the car and leave us alone. One sleepless night later, car is still there, but this isn't what ownership is meant to be about.

[SteveH]

Nightmare... Thats the last thing you want!

I was a little weary myself yesterday with having a tent over my car on my drive and Dave dishing out 12 hours of TLC, talk about drawing attention, it certainly got a few looks from the neighbours and passers by. Hopefully no-one of scum-of-the-earth characteristics clocked it.

[SteveH]

Oh, forgot to say... good tactics there Damon!!!

[rs666]

Thanks Steve, yes had similar concerns when Dave was doing mine.

I live in a low crime area, but right on a main artery into the City so there is a lot of passing traffic so I always park the car nose-in as I think it is less likely to be 'spotted'.

Seriously thinking of debadging now.

[bobjebb]

Well at least you were aware, funny that we were talking about this on saturday! This happends way too often, I'm currently working on a viral idea that will be linked to an online petition which will in turn be sent to MP's the press and anyone who will listen. Certainly would expect every single member of this site, Pistonheads etc etc to sign it. Keep vigilant!

[CliveH]

Damon,

That's so crap! It's surely high up on most people's lists of worst nightmares, and no doubt your experience was followed by just that if you did get any sleep.

Yes, good tactics, and hopefully it paid off by their attention then being focused elsewhere, although of course I wouldnt wish that on anyone.

I don't suppose your wife was able to get the car registration? Although, it was probably nicked anyway...

[CliveH]

Well at least you were aware, funny that we were talking about this on saturday! This happends way too often, I'm currently working on a viral idea that will be linked to an online petition which will in turn be sent to MP's the press and anyone who will listen. Certainly would expect every single member of this site, Pistonheads etc etc to sign it. Keep vigilant!

I'll sign it!

[rs666]

Well at least you were aware, funny that we were talking about this on saturday! This happends way too often, I'm currently working on a viral idea that will be linked to an online petition which will in turn be sent to MP's the press and anyone who will listen. Certainly would expect every single member of this site, Pistonheads etc etc to sign it. Keep vigilant!

That's what I said to my Wife, couldn't believe it happened the day after we were talking about it. We got the reg mark. I am running a thread on the Speed, Plod and the Law on Pistonheads to see what Police recommend.

So far I am told I should report it just in case so will do later.

[BigMo]

Debadge the thing and tint the windows. Smugs usually think twice about not knowing what's in the back if they can't see. The only thing to give it away would be the calipers I suppose. My area was hit last year by a gang who stole approx 10-15 cars in the space of 3-4 months, mostly German and Jap performance vehicles. They're caged now but ever since then, I've rid myself of my P1 and 330 cab and got the 6, but just can't stop looking over my shoulder.

[edcase]

Bizzarely enough I had similar thoughts about this last night!

I drove into the office at 11pm last night to get my roof bars from the office, which means driving through some pretty nasty areas like Deptford and New Cross. I had a car with 4 Asian lads right up my backside for ages, I started getting a bit paranoid, but when we eventually pulled up next to each other at some lights, they were just trying to egg me on to put my foot down so they could see how quick it was.

Still, it got me thinking about debadge and tints.

I'm fortunate that the car resides in a secure garage, which itself is in a securely gated complex, all overlooked by CCTV plus lots of windows from residents.

I always lock myself in even in broad daylight, and the one thing which does give me comfort is the fact that the car weighs 2 tonnes, has 4wd and 450bhp, so short of a London bus I don't know what kind of vehicle could box me in effectively enough to have time to get the keys. there certainly wouldn't be anything much left of the car worth having (or indeed their car and likely their limbs ) if anyone tried it on. However, god willing it'll never happen.

[SteveH]

I can understand de-badging something thats new/fresh in the public domain like the new RS4 or the new M5... However, an RS6 I am not too sure that it would make much of a difference; I would say that de-wing-mirror'ing would be more effective on an RS6 than the tiny badge on the front grille and the relatively discreet badge on the boot!?

I love the fact that most people dont have a clue what an RS6 is, have had a number of people at work ask if my car is "One of those thats been on top-gear recently when Jeremy raced the rock-climbers?".

In the day-time do you reckon that pimp-tints make the car stand out even more than normal? or do you think it scares chancers off in case its owned by someone with an Uzi and a set of balance-scales in the boot!?

Pentagon super-glass sounds more and more appealing, how much was this again???

[edcase]

Steve - it was about £650 I think.

Seriously thinking of going that way, although I would go with a lightish tint all round rather as I really don't like the look when its limo-tint at the rear.

[SteveH]

Steve - it was about £650 I think.

Seriously thinking of going that way, although I would go with a lightish tint all round rather as I really don't like the look when its limo-tint at the rear.

Bargain! Wonder if they do oil slick canisters, rear guns and revolving number plates (or was that only available for Aston Martin's)

[maxxximus]

It always pays to be vigilant and you did the right thing if they were after your prized possession.

However the fact that they did a u turn to follow you does not necessarily mean they mean they had evil intent. They might have just been cruising around looking for 'bait'. The RS6 is not something you see every day and if they were really into their motors they might simply have wanted a better look/play.

Perhaps it would be wise to debadge.

[BigMo]

I've 30% on the fronts and limo for the rest in the back. On Avus Silver it looks great (or should I say "Banging man"). From a mugs point of view, if you don't know what's in it, don't touch it.