[dreamspeed]

So are the M cars included ? Are the AMGs?

[JesseS]

Originally Posted by SE3P_to_E90

factory alarm will cost approximately $250... the dealer installs it for ~$150... All in all, i sourced the alarm myself, and got it installed at the dealer - total cost about $400.

It saved me once... I was in a private lot (with tow trucks constantly patrolling) back in 2010, and i woke up to the alarm at about 3AM... I'm a sound sleeper, so i woke up to realize my alarm went off and the car was gone. Immediately called the cops, and the tow truck came back for more cars... Got to the tow lot at about 3:30AM in the back, to show the cop that there was a valid parking sticker on my windshield - and that my car was in fact stolen... The scary thing is, my car was in the back of the tow lot, and at 3:30AM, that "body shop/garage" was in full swing... i heard saws, impact guns going off, etc... If i didn't wake up to the alarm and find my car, i'm sure it would've been in pieces. I didn't press charges -- didn't want to go through the hassle, and gave the tow pos's the benefit of doubt when he said he didn't see my sticker... i knew this was bs -- since my car has been parking daily in that private lot for the past 3 years...

all in all, the alarm is great. it's got tilt sensors, hood sensors, motion detectors, etc. Not to mention, i love love that my car beeps and double-beeps on unlock/lock. highly recommended... why an alarm system is not STANDARD on a luxury car is beyond me.

Yes, and getting a colonoscopy at 30 once saved my life. But I don't recommend them for every 30 year old.

You're an outlier, because by-and-large, OEM alarm systems do little to deter vehicle theft. They're included to give the consumer an illusion of security that is simply unrealistic in the modern world.

(Yes, I can understand you being fond of it given your experience, but you must recognize that you got really lucky.)

[E90-F30]

The 6MT is a theft deterrent in the USA.

Only like 7% of cars driven in the US are standard, very well the opposite of Europe.

[fitmaster]

I ordered my 328 fully loaded alarm included. It is better to order the alarm from the factory cause I had the dealership installed a BMW alarm on one of my previous vehicles and its not the same. Wires everywhere and it was clearly visible which wires go to the alarm. Since its under the hood, really doesn't matter unless you are a neat freak like me.

[r3dbimmer89]

If you download the PDF that gives the exact number...the number of stolen luxury vehicles is a very tiny percentage of the actual number of those cars that are on the road. I mean a few hundred 3 series is extremely small compared to the several hundred thousand 3ers on the road that are model year 2010-2012.

[Kabrich]

Originally Posted by Double Bubble

Why would you wanna steal:

Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Cadillac CTS
Lincoln MKZ


Why why why?

Parts are worth more than the whole stolen car - which is why they call them chop shops.

[1230vani]

...is a good theft protection.

Mechanical protection is good (although not so practical). OBD change with BMW (so that you have a unique one, better make two copies) seems to be fairly cheap, does not void warranty and at the moment a very difficult steal.

Having OBD and few other things is the best. As I said it is a hassle, but they tried to steal my X6 and they could not. Damaged the door and the door lock/knob, but that was it. My previous car got stolen and it is not a nice experience.

[southbynorth]

Blackjack is quite useful - even if they take your keys they only get a little down the road until the engine cuts out

[JesseS]

Originally Posted by southbynorth

Blackjack is quite useful - even if they take your keys they only get a little down the road until the engine cuts out

Except, of course, when they just load it on the flatbed and drive off.

Someone else replied with a personal anecdote that perfectly illustrates modern car theft. Instead of having to be pros at actual rapid opening/alarm disabling/ignitions, they get a nice scam going with a towing company or towing co driver and then target parking garages/lots. If they get caught red handed during the tow they just say "ooops, we didn't see the decal/permit". Almost zero risk.

[southbynorth]

True - blackjack cannot work against a flatbed, but to be honest, at that end of the scale nothing is going to work

[JesseS]

Originally Posted by southbynorth

True - blackjack cannot work against a flatbed, but to be honest, at that end of the scale nothing is going to work

The "active" alarm system from the advert in RoboCop might be a good deterrent (electrocutes anyone who attempts "unauthorized" access), but I suspect that would not be an OEM install.

[paultantk]

if you're interested in more photos from set that the homepage cover photo was taken from:

http://paultan.org/2012/06/05/bmw-f3...al-comparison/

[Igor_M5]

Ironically, half the cars on that list are the most common leased cars, particularly in the NYC region... and lately, a lot of people are trying to "end their lease early" lol

Mercedes E-Class, Infiniti G, BMW 3 & 5 Series.... most common cars in Brooklyn, and everyone is trying to get their ass in the new models lol

[Quakered]

Originally Posted by Double Bubble

Why would you wanna steal:

Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Cadillac CTS
Lincoln MKZ


Why why why?

Merc Es used to be stolen in the UK so they could be shipped to the ex colonies (that drive on the correct side of the road) to continue there lives as taxis. seems fair to me.

You know a Volkswagen cannot be a luxury car when you translate the name into English. A car for the masses! I am not convinced the 3 series is luxury either. Expensive and a bit better in most respects to Fords or GMs but not luxury. In the UK the Fuzz drive round in them and that convinces me it is not "luxury" - a bit more workers' transport.

[hyperboost]

I guess this is one of the reasons why car insurance is higher for BMW than MB or Audi. My agent told me in most cases BMW is higher

[Pinz]

My theft deterrent is removing the shift knob (6MT) and locking a spiked mace on instead. I also put a black (camouflage) nail on the driver's seat. Anyone trying to drive it is gonna be a in a world of pain.

[squirrelcognac]

My M Coupe is safe
Phew...

[WilliCO]

You can use data to make any point you want.

A Mercedes C Class is more likely to be stolen than a BMW 3 Series. And a Mercedes E Class is more likely to be stolen than a 5er.

[Never Convicted]

Originally Posted by squirrelcognac

My M Coupe is safe
Phew...

Absolutely. Feel free to leave the key in it and your wallet on the front seat. lol

[JesseS]

Originally Posted by Pinz

My theft deterrent is removing the shift knob (6MT) and locking a spiked mace on instead. I also put a black (camouflage) nail on the driver's seat. Anyone trying to drive it is gonna be a in a world of pain.

I just spray two ounces of pepper spray into the car every time I get out of it.

Only downside is having to drive around in a hazmat suit.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Kabrich

The study is based on thefts entered in the National Crime Information Center database.

BMW shows up in second place with its 3 series, and again sixth place with the 5 Series in the study, which looks at thefts of 2010 to 2012 model year cars across the country.

See the complete luxury vehicle theft report and the background data.

The most-stolen list:

1. Mercedes-Benz C Class

2. BMW 3 Series

3. Infiniti G

4. Mercedes-Benz E-Class

5. Cadillac CTS

6. BMW 5 Series

7. Lincoln MKZ

8. Acura TSX

9. Lexus IS

10. Mercedes-Benz S-Class

http://news.yahoo.com/nicb-issues-re...00000796.html/

Great.
So I guess we should all be prepared for our insurance premiums to go up in light of this data.

If it is the 328i's that account for that list position, then the researchers shold state that so us 335i drivers can relax.

[JesseS]

Originally Posted by RPM90

Great.
So I guess we should all be prepared for our insurance premiums to go up in light of this data.

If it is the 328i's that account for that list position, then the researchers shold state that so us 335i drivers can relax.

Doubtful. So-called "luxury cars" make up a tiny percentage of overall car theft and the average value of a stolen car is less than $10k.