[M33DLO]

I had no idea the 40i's or 4 series in genereal were stand out targets to the scumbags.
I hope our F31 340i goes under the radar a bit more.
It's really sad to hear people selling up as a result of fear from the theives, its a sorry state. But fully agree with the OP, it cant be fun worrying 24/7.

[winther1]

Originally Posted by Racing Teatray

Is that a gated car park where it opens automatically when you drive at it from inside? Which really just means they need to hop over the wall, or if it's a big development with a lot of people coming and going, they just tailgate somebody in, so sadly not a huge deterrent.

Our rear driveway has heavy wrought-iron gates that I keep chained shut with a toughened chain and padlock originally designed to secure a motorbike. Just as an additional deterrent to encourage would-be thieves to pass on by in favour of easier targets. Being central London, there are plenty of fancier cars parked outside on the street to pick from.

Yes it's gated and belongs to a small block with about 30 flats. Not busy, but yes they can follow someone in and easily get out. My flat is right above my car park so the GPS with vibration alert should be some peace of mind. Would take me a few seconds to run down if I get the alert the car is being touched. In that situation I would not think twice about who they are and what weapons they might carry. I'm fired up just thinking about it

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by medlow

I had no idea the 40i's or 4 series in genereal were stand out targets to the scumbags.
I hope our F31 340i goes under the radar a bit more.
It's really sad to hear people selling up as a result of fear from the theives, its a sorry state. But fully agree with the OP, it cant be fun worrying 24/7.

I don't think the 4 series is a stand out target in particular. It's a BMW, however, and that's enough for a lot of thieves. My 440i was badged, with the M Performance exhaust, which won't have helped.

The 3 series was the 3rd most stolen car in the UK (2018 data). I'd be surprised if that stat didn't include the 4 series. There were 3 BMWs in the top 10.

[SkyJawa]

There was an incident in my road (a cul-de-sac) on Monday at 3:20am where a white van showed up and was looking in car windows with a torch, we have 2 cameras out the front and driveway is lit up by a doorway light and a streetlight right in front. They never came to look in my 335 or the missus new Tiguan so can only hope the cameras kept them away. Shame I couldn’t make out the reg or would have reported them, though probably a stolen van.

They got spooked by another resident and left I was told.

Scum the lot of em.

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

Ah no, sorry to hear this. Society really is just getting worse, all the available security we have and the scrotes just have no fear.

Sad to see the car go I bet, not a perfect car but one of the most perfect designs of the last decade imho. It just looks right from almost every angle. And the B58 improves the car and masks its refinement deficiencies.

Good luck with the search for something new and discrete.

Thanks MB
Will probably get something like a bog standard Mk7 Golf as a DD for now, which is end of line so plenty of pre-reg discounted examples around, and add a nice Sunday driver at some point later, which I'll keep elsewhere
.

[Kam05]

Sorry you've had to sell up OP, a car isn't worth putting yourself or loved ones at risk, surprised your 440i caught so much attention?

I had my 440i gc for 2 years and it didn't attract much attention even with the mppsk and 20" low profile alloys, some people mistook my 440i gc for a 420d!

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by winther1

Yes it's gated and belongs to a small block with about 30 flats. Not busy, but yes they can follow someone in and easily get out. My flat is right above my car park so the GPS with vibration alert should be some peace of mind. Would take me a few seconds to run down if I get the alert the car is being touched. In that situation I would not think twice about who they are and what weapons they might carry. I'm fired up just thinking about it

I understand the feeling and sentiment but potentially not a wise move IMO! On the one hand your arrival might scare them off but if there are a few of them - and they're carrying weapons like knives or a baseball bat - a stolen car could end-up being the least of your worries....

[M33DLO]

Originally Posted by JNW1

I understand the feeling and sentiment but potentially not a wise move IMO! On the one hand your arrival might scare them off but if there are a few of them - and they're carrying weapons like knives or a baseball bat - a stolen car could end-up being the least of your worries....

Yep agreed..
I stolen car is less bother than a smashed skull or knife wound. Or if you see too much red, go crazy and flatten the scumbags, you end up with the record or in jail.
All for a car thats insured. It's just not worth it, let them get on with it.

[gr4z]

Originally Posted by B58_f32

Unfortunatly the way our laws are in this country when u hit a thief u get in trouble and not them. So we cant even protect our property. It sucks the op has to get rid of a good car cause of scum

Not only that but when the Police caught the thief with my car 4 years ago and it went to court, they threw it out due to insufficient evidence. Even though he was caught red handed with the damn thing!

You can't defend your property and the scum bags just get let off when caught. Makes you wonder why the Police even bother. Joke.

[winther1]

Originally Posted by gr4z

Not only that but when the Police caught the thief with my car 4 years ago and it went to court, they threw it out due to insufficient evidence. Even though he was caught red handed with the damn thing!

You can't defend your property and the scum bags just get let off when caught. Makes you wonder why the Police even bother. Joke.

Absolute joke.
Well if it comes to a confrontation one day with thieves carrying weapons, it will be self defence. Surely you can defend yourself. Fingers crossed I won't experience a situation like this but I would never "let them get on with it"

[M33DLO]

Originally Posted by winther1

Absolute joke.
Well if it comes to a confrontation one day with thieves carrying weapons, it will be self defence. Surely you can defend yourself. Fingers crossed I won't experience a situation like this but I would never "let them get on with it"

Each to their own..
I'd personally not take any chance of getting slotted or knifed by some scumbag over a car..

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by medlow

Each to their own..
I'd personally not take any chance of getting slotted or knifed by some scumbag over a car..

Wife, children, other very significant relatives or friends in danger. They are the only things worth physically fighting for. Possessions, not a chance.

[Sunnyb11]

Ffs bought a 340i instead of an m3 as I thought it wouldn’t be a targeted car. Was hoping people think it’s just a 320d.

Not good at all hearing this.

[TodmordenLad]

Bought a brand new, pre-reg Golf Mk7.5 TDi yesterday as an under-the-radar, ever-so-dull replacement DD for my 4GC. Got a great deal. Whilst the quality of the car is impressive, it's never going to bring a smile to my face, ever. So, planning on getting something fast and petrol-engined for the weekend to compensate, which I'll garage elsewhere and away from the house. Any suggestions are welcome

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by TodmordenLad

Bought a brand new, pre-reg Golf Mk7.5 TDi yesterday as an under-the-radar, ever-so-dull replacement DD for my 4GC. Got a great deal. Whilst the quality of the car is impressive, it's never going to bring a smile to my face, ever. So, planning on getting something fast and petrol-engined for the weekend to compensate, which I'll garage elsewhere and away from the house. Any suggestions are welcome

Not so much fast, but apparently smile inducing...Alpine A110.

Cheaper...GT86.

You can probably see my thinking, handling fun over power. Enjoyable drives over two seconds of excitement pinning the throttle.

[M33DLO]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

Not so much fast, but apparently smile inducing...Alpine A110.

Cheaper...GT86.

You can probably see my thinking, handling fun over power. Enjoyable drives over two seconds of excitement pinning the throttle.

I had a 30min drive in a A110.. Flippin ace..
The sound in sport mode was addictive.