[Cleybrooke]

Apologies if this has been covered before.

Given the number of cars that seem to be stolen just at the moment plus my own experience, I could do with some advice from some endusers on the best trackers and or vehicle security options in the market.

So what are the pros and cons of the various systems out there? Should I just tick the box and get the BMW fitted one or are there cheaper/better options?

Thoughts?

[saltyamigo]

Think one of the cheapest options is an old iphone hidden in the car with a Three PAYG SIM card using find my friends app which can also give you notifications if your car moves. I'm sure it's not the best system but has very little running costs.

[deleted_user]

Was about to open a similar topic. The old iphone might be a good idea but think battery life might be tricky.
Wondering if there is another device that might be more suitable with a 24-48h battery life?

[saltyamigo]

Iphone should give you a good battery life as long as all unnecessary services are switched off, there will be no screen on time which is what uses up most battery in normal daily use.

[SkyJawa]

https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/c...8278&0&cc5_785

[Hugrov]

I was actively looking at this yesterday as well with all the recent vehicle thefts reported over a few forums. I found this company called Automatrics and they have a battery operated tracker called Automatrics Mtrack Proactive which apparently has a rechargeable 18-30 month battery life, it's £358.80 including first year monitoring, delivery and VAT. Annual cost for 24/7 monitoring after the first year is currently £129.60 which seems to be one of the cheaper renewals I've seen. They've got a few stolen recovery video's up on YouTube and web address for them is www.trackersecurity.co.uk

[richatha]

I think instead of Tracking maybe look at Autowatch Ghost product. https://www.autodefence.co.uk/autowatch-ghost.html

I think RustyBitz has one installed on his car as i think this topic got bought up in an earlier thread and he really likes it and it saves you signing up to a monthly fee for a tracker and actually stops them from robbing off with the car in the first place.

[Hugrov]

Originally Posted by richatha

I think instead of Tracking maybe look at Autowatch Ghost product. https://www.autodefence.co.uk/autowatch-ghost.html

I think RustyBitz has one installed on his car as i think this topic got bought up in an earlier thread and he really likes it

Yeah I've got the Ghost fitted already, had it on my last F30 as well, it's a good piece of kit. Ghost is good but won't be any good if the car is lifted or towed, that's probably unlikely I know but the stolen 335D the other day was found on the back of a low loader on it's way up North. As with anything, it's how far you go to protect your property.

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by richatha

I think instead of Tracking maybe look at Autowatch Ghost product. https://www.autodefence.co.uk/autowatch-ghost.html

I think RustyBitz has one installed on his car as i think this topic got bought up in an earlier thread and he really likes it and it saves you signing up to a monthly fee for a tracker and actually stops them from robbing off with the car in the first place.

Best set up in my oppinion is..

1) Disklok - visual deterent to put off majority of thieves who want a quick easy theft of the car.
2) Autowatch ghost - In case they manage to get hold of your keys or your cars parked somewhere they can make a lot of noise and take their time removing a disklok.
3) Cheap Chinese tracker with SIM card - round it off with one of these just in case they take it away on a low loader. https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32696556917.html

Jobs a good un

[richatha]

Originally Posted by Hooded

Best set up in my oppinion is..

1) Disklok - visual deterent to put off majority of thieves who want a quick easy theft of the car.
2) Autowatch ghost - In case they manage to get hold of your keys or your cars parked somewhere they can make a lot of noise and take their time removing a disklok.
3) Cheap Chinese tracker with SIM card - round it off with one of these just in case they take it away on a low loader. https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32696556917.html

Jobs a good un

Yeh you're probably right. I'm about to pick up my 340i and the mrs and I both think the Ghost is the best thing for us right now. My house is on a fairly good road with neighbours who work from home the odd day and a guy across the road who's retired and keeps an eye out on the house for us if the house alarm goes off he normally gives me a text to tell me it has and everything is ok. Plus all my doors have Ultion 3* locks on them so the only way in is to smash the french door windows then if they get the car they'd struggle to get it off the drive without making some right noise.

It all depends on the street & house you live on as to what level of cover you need i guess.

[Hugrov]

Originally Posted by Hooded

Best set up in my oppinion is..

1) Disklok - visual deterent to put off majority of thieves who want a quick easy theft of the car.
2) Autowatch ghost - In case they manage to get hold of your keys or your cars parked somewhere they can make a lot of noise and take their time removing a disklok.
3) Cheap Chinese tracker with SIM card - round it off with one of these just in case they take it away on a low loader. https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32696556917.html

Jobs a good un

It's a shame we have to go to these lengths to protect our property from thieving scum isn't it but I think you've covered everything there.

[Hugrov]

Originally Posted by richatha

Yeh you're probably right. I'm about to pick up my 340i and the mrs and I both think the Ghost is the best thing for us right now. My house is on a fairly good road with neighbours who work from home the odd day and a guy across the road who's retired and keeps an eye out on the house for us if the house alarm goes off he normally gives me a text to tell me it has and everything is ok. Plus all my doors have Ultion 3* locks on them so the only way in is to smash the french door windows then if they get the car they'd struggle to get it off the drive without making some right noise.

It all depends on the street & house you live on as to what level of cover you need i guess.

Not sure where you're based but I can thoroughly recommend Safe and Sound Vehicle Systems from Leeds for Ghost installation.

[richatha]

Originally Posted by Hugrov

Not sure where you're based but I can thoroughly recommend Safe and Sound Vehicle Systems from Leeds for Ghost installation.

I'm based in Leeds to will give them a look! thanks a lot!

[Hugrov]

Originally Posted by richatha

I'm based in Leeds to will give them a look! thanks a lot!

Lol, what were the chances of that. Mark will come out to you and install at your home address, he's spot-on

[saltyamigo]

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/c...8278&0&cc5_785

Looks a good solution for the price, cheaper on Amazon but it doesn't get very good reviews but this may be down to the phone network they are using in the tracker.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Streetwize-...etwize+tracker

[SkyJawa]

Mines on Giff Gaff, works fine every time I ping it But obviously if its in a pocket of no service you'd have to keep trying until it was back in a service area - same will effect anything that uses mobile networks.

[RustyBitz]

I can't rate Safe and Sound enough! The Autowatch Ghost is an excellent bit of kit and with a Disklok provides a great piece of mind.

[Chrismac13]

Originally Posted by Hugrov

Lol, what were the chances of that. Mark will come out to you and install at your home address, he's spot-on

Originally Posted by richatha

I'm based in Leeds to will give them a look! thanks a lot!

They installed mine as well great service

[Soul_Glo]

Worth skimming through this for ideas:

BMW Thefts via OBD2 Port https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1348179

Tracker wise. I have a Pandora GSM tracker that does the job with driver tags.

[SteveChester]

How would you wire this into the car if you wanted a tracker that didn't run out of battery etc?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003XDN5..._OYALAb31F0KWJ

[Tr0y]

I have a Metatrack system in mine and it works very well. From memory it's about £350 installed and £100 per year thereafter.

What are you guys paying for the ghost?

[JLR1969]

Would it not be better to get GAP back to RRP

If it goes then good riddance and hello new fully specced car

If mine was nicked I would not want to see it again