Attempted theft - what to do about damage?

[zorbs]

Hi Guys,

My car was broken into last night at 2.15am. I chased the two men away on hearing the alarm (which is not very loud I might point out...). Keep an eye out in the Bromley area anyway...

Not sure what they were trying to do but front passenger side window was smashed and they've attacked the damaged the headling above the rear view mirror damaging the wiring etc. Damage looks awful.

Excess is £600 on insurance. I've check cost of parts; £250c for headlining, £60 for side window. Not worth going through the insurance and having my premium hiked as that's going to cost over a £1000 all in.

My question is, who should I get to carry out the work? Main dealer or an independant? Any thoughts or recommendations welcome.

[sonny]

Sorry to read this. Was it parked on or off road?

you have pm

[Ian_C]

Were they trying to steal the rear view mirror including rain and light sensors? Perhaps they cut the headlining to cut the wiring loom higher up. How strange. Get the car moved asap and parked elsewhere. Glad you are okay.

[ShaneyB]

Jeez,
A bit far to go just for the rear view mirror but possible I suppose. Bloody worrying though and glad you're ok.

Personally I'd look for an interior specialist, there have been a few guys who have had their buckets refurbed on here, they may be a good bet?

Good luck mate.

[adsgreen]

Technically you are legally bound to tell your insurer even if you are not claiming.
<beep> but true.

[Steve_C]

Technically you are legally bound to tell your insurer even if you are not claiming.
<beep> but true.

That's right, but then your premium will increase even though you've not made a claim. Madness. In this situation I would just plead the 'James Murdoch'.

[RS6chris!]

Looking for a tracker maybe?? sometimes hidden in headliner?

[PJC]

Sorry to hear your news, hope you get it sorted soon.

[Revolution]

Sorry to hear your news, hope you get it sorted soon.

+1

Maybe think of clear window tints to slow them getting in next time - probably Tracker they were after....

If it has to be parked on the road, thought about a wheel clamp for a more visual deterent.

Glenn

[adsgreen]

Looking for a tracker maybe?? sometimes hidden in headliner?

Unlikely - the boxes are quite large (think housebrick... although some are smaller but not by much).
Possibly looking for the aerial but it's not as easy as it used to be as you have a pillar curtain airbags to deak with so most don't bother.

They work fine mounted in the dash. plastic doesn't cause much of a signal block and under the dash has a better view of the sky than mounted under the roof.

[sonny]

More then likley trying to steal the SATNAV, its not the first time one has been stolen out of these cars.

[adsgreen]

Sorry to hear your news, hope you get it sorted soon.

+1

Maybe think of clear window tints to slow them getting in next time - probably Tracker they were after....

If it has to be parked on the road, thought about a wheel clamp for a more visual deterent.

Glenn

Instead of window tints...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71ncK0PZ ... ata_player

[Steve_C]

Instead of window tints...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71ncK0PZ ... ata_player

Lol - just don't park too close to your house...

[zorbs]

Sorry to hear your news, hope you get it sorted soon.

+1

Maybe think of clear window tints to slow them getting in next time - probably Tracker they were after....

If it has to be parked on the road, thought about a wheel clamp for a more visual deterent.

Glenn

Instead of window tints...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71ncK0PZ ... ata_player

Genius! I reckon Sonny could rig me one up

[zorbs]

Cheers everyone,

The support definitely eases the pain and Sonny's personal help has been invaluable.

I spent a good 2 hours cleaning out the car yesterday. Glass was in the air vents, switches, cubby holes - literally everywhere. There was even glass on the parcel shelf at the back! There's a couple of really minor glass scrapes on trim that I can live with because they're virtually invisiable, but other areas of collateral damage will need replacing. Also need to spray the metal of the door window frame and sort out the leather on the passenger seat as they must've rested on the broken glass while leaning through the window, which then ground into the leather.

It's off for repair today and I'm sure there will be more damage found, particularly in whatever's above the headling. Still not clear what they were up to, but tracker, satnav, etc all sound viable. Could be as simple as trying to steal a part, or more sinister an attempt to steal the whole car. I have to think about increased security now but not sure what way to go!