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My car is a keyless entry BMW. I bought it outright so worried about it getting stolen. Thinking about a tracker device. Any recommendations? Thanks
Any recommendations? Thanks
ask the insurance company what they require. do that.
Any recommendations?
Buy a less desirable car.
RFID wallet for the keys and a disklock steering wheel lock.
plus-one
I hear good things about thishttps://ghostinstallations.co.uk/ghost-installations-purchase//blockquote >
It was all going so well, until:
The Ghost Immobiliser is also extremely hassle free, with an accompanying Apple and Android smart phone application which enables you to disarm the car without having the enter your PIN. This simply connects to your car using Bluetooth within a 5-10m range.
Thing about trackers is they only help to get a car back that's already been nicked, which is a good thing obviously but in the mean time it might already have been thrashed, trashed or worse.
I'd be supplementing it with something visual and physical like a Krooklok as an additional deterrent. Last Autoexpress Krooklok off here.
edit - already suggested, cross post I think!
What Jam-bo said.
Most of the access methods just use a repeater to access the key fob when its out of range, always sticking it in an RFID wallet will prevent that method of attack.
Insure it, and don't personalise it, down to the insurers.
Think car security these days is so good that the only way to nick a car now is to break into the house and get the keys. The RFID wallet is good because the crooks can use hand held scanners that can scan the key code remotely if you keep the key within range of the door or window and once they've got the key code they can access the car from the scanner, start it and drive off. But without the key code they can't start the car and drive off. So RFID wallet prevents the scanning, but peoples houses are being broken into just for car keys. This happened to the next door neighbour. Luckily they were disturbed and scarpered, but the attending police officer advised him to keep keys downstairs so if someone breaks in they can just take the keys and go preventing them from going into peoples bedrooms and terrorising people to hand over the keys. Most prestige cars are nicked by organised crime gangs these days so if they target your car specifically there is probably little you can do to prevent it from being nicked.
I use an RFID wallet and keep my keys on a side cabinet in plain view inside the house, but if I'm away from the house for a few days or more and leaving the car on the drive (in the days before lockdown of course) then I'll take the car keys with me and use a steering lock as a visual deterrent. Determined thieves can get through steering locks quickly enough (they just cut through the steering wheel itself), but stops the opportunist or more amateur car thief.
Just forget about it, that's what insurance is for.
While additional physical security might mean they move to the next target, it's a faff and if you go on YouTube you'll see how to defeat all of them.
If it gets nicked buy something less obvious.
Have a look at Automatrics. GPS tracker with RF locator. They've also got a YouTube channel. No experience of these as mine's a Phantom. The videos show the sort of places all the nicked caravans & diggers end up.
Automatrics are very good - they also have a 'search and retrieve' service. Get something that uses multiple channels like VHF (radio) and GSM (mobile phone) or lo-jack (the original 'tracker') and has a long-life battery.
The 'jammers' also have a limited range so while they might be used in the theft, they are unlikely to be left in the car afterwards. From that ghost site, I would pick something like this:
https://ghostinstallations.co.uk/product/tracker-locate-s7/
It does depend though on the value of the car, local crime rate, your behaviour, attitude to risk etc.
You can pick up a cheapo one with engine disable on amazon for £100, but it will be GSM only, with no battery.
It was all going so well, until:
The Ghost Immobiliser is also extremely hassle free, with an accompanying Apple and Android smart phone application which enables you to disarm the car without having the enter your PIN. This simply connects to your car using Bluetooth within a 5-10m range.
@jake you don’t need to set the Bluetooth feature up on the Ghost. That resolves that particular issue.
We've got a Ghost immobiliser but don't have the Bluetooth enabled. You have to disarm it using a combination of whichever buttons you've programmed before you drive away.
I just use the steering wheel buttons to disarm it. Try to pull away without it and the engine dies. You can't drive it away even with the keys if you don't know the magic code.
Ghost or pandora if you want to keep it on your drive. Fit some PIR floodlights and anti snap locks, alarm, lock windows etc. Anything else is after the fact, cameras, trackers etc. Yes don’t use the Bluetooth feature on the ghost it renders the thing useless.
How pinchable is it - the one drawback to a ghost system and a keyless blocker is you can potentially turn a relatively painless keyless theft into a break in, into 4 armed men in balaclavas holding a knife at your wife with your kids watching. If you’re single then crack on and keep a loaded maglite by the bed ‘in case of power cuts’.
Other thing to bear in mind is insurance are getting sharp on lack of forced entry - if the car goes it’s insured but dont leave anything valuable inside it.
Have a look at Automatrics. GPS tracker with RF locator.
My option is what's the point? If your car was nicked would you really want it back? When I were a youth I had an Astra that was nicked and recovered a couple of weeks later. The thing stank of weed, was significant damage to the interior and lord knows what else had gone on in the car. It had also been used for a number of raids and robberies by the people who nicked it so who knows what abuse had been done to the engine, gearbox and clutch. The insurance company forced it on me at the time so had to accept it back on the basis it wasn't burned out and still functioning. I just tarted it up as best I could and flogged it.
If my car got nicked as far as I'm concerned I don't want it back. I'll take reasonable measures to cheapen insurance and prevent it being nicked by an opportunist or amateur, but if anyone serious wants the car then they're going to have it whatever you do and a GPS tracker device wont deter them and within 24 hrs it will either be stripped for expensive parts and the rest dumped somewhere or ferried off to Albania or something, so if it does get nicked good riddance and, as above, that's what insurance is ultimately for.
I'd avoid anything aftermarket.
But then I had GTI's in the 80's and with the TWOCing had constant issues with aftermarket alarms, immobilisers etc.
Just make sure it's insured and you can afford the excess.
Good Insurance with low excess.
RFID box for the fob if you feel the need.
Anything else is excessive if you have the above sorted in my opinion.
I’d avoid anything aftermarket.
Interesting opinion, I'll read on to see what experience this is based on...
But then I had GTI’s in the 80’s
Ok, it appears we're just ignoring the entire digital revolution.
My option is what’s the point? If your car was nicked would you really want it back?
Some people have rare, unique or irreplaceable cars or cars which they've owned for decades and have sentimental value. If I had my personal dream car of some resto-modded, 70's saloon I'd fit anything I could which would help return it.
Anything on a 3 year PCP with gap insurance or a bangernomics barge, yeah don't bother.
the one drawback to a ghost system and a keyless blocker is you can potentially turn a relatively painless keyless theft into a break in, into 4 armed men in balaclavas holding a knife at your wife with your kids watching
I know this actually happens but it's one of the reasons we have a Fiesta and not a Focus RS or anything more exciting. They'll go for the RS3 or the Range Rover Sport a few doors away.
I know this actually happens but it’s one of the reasons we have a Fiesta and not a Focus RS or anything more exciting. They’ll go for the RS3 or the Range Rover Sport a few doors away.
Do you live in an area that is so rife with car theft, it affects your decision when buying a car? Genuine question, I'm no having a dig btw, just interested in this thought process.
Cheaper/DIY option could be the SPOT Trace tracker, you can also then use it when riding!
Do you live in an area that is so rife with car theft, it affects your decision when buying a car? Genuine question, I’m no having a dig btw, just interested in this thought process.
There’s no area that isn’t. Ok so if you’re not in parts of Yorkshire or Birmingham or London the risk is lower, but anybody parking a nickable car on the drive has to think about it. Whether your opinion is let them take it, or defend it, or just not worry about it anybody not at least thinking about it is a bit stupid these days.
I know this actually happens but it’s one of the reasons we have a Fiesta and not a Focus RS or anything more exciting. They’ll go for the RS3 or the Range Rover Sport a few doors away.
Which is why I prefaced my comment with is the car pinchable, the easiest way of avoiding it is to not have the thing in the first place. Op’s bmw is very unlikely to go walkabout if it’s a company 3 series diesel even if it is a nice spec. Take a bit of care with security and you’ll be fine. If op’s bmw is an m2 or a nice x5.. different story with regards to risk of it being targeted.
Do you live in an area that is so rife with car theft, it affects your decision when buying a car? Genuine question, I’m no having a dig btw, just interested in this thought process.
No, I live somewhere eerily quiet but even when I didn't I've never had a problem personally. I just use enough car websites and owners groups that I know cars go missing every night from all over the country. I see the cries for help in Facebook groups every day, just like you do on MTB groups after someone's shed has been done over.
Even so, there's loads of cars that I wouldn't be happy to leave on the drive. Before we got the Fiesta I was looking at Elise's and test drove a mk2 RS. In that case we would have kept the Panda as a daily and put the fun car in the garage because you can't just go to the dealer for an identical replacement of a 15 year old car.
I turned off the keyless entry on my car using the dealer software. Not because of security, more because it contributes toward battery drain (the car was always looking out for your key for about 5 days), and that's a bit of an issue when you can't go anywhere.
If it worries you just turn it off.
Some people have rare, unique or irreplaceable cars or cars which they’ve owned for decades and have sentimental value. If I had my personal dream car of some resto-modded, 70’s saloon I’d fit anything I could which would help return it.
Agree with rare or irreplaceable cars, but restomodded? not so sure. Despite the fact not many people can actually afford them and those that do will have them locked up and more secure than Fort Knox, probably easier to just take the insurance and start again. Most of those restomods are like Triggers broom anyway as there is such little original parts in them - mostly bare shell with re-manufactured carbon panels and engines from Japanese cars or American V8's, modern brakes, transmission, suspension parts, wheels etc. They're neither rare or irreplaceable or particularly original. But my response was more with respect to the OP's original question which is about a new modern BMW.
anybody not at least thinking about it is a bit stupid these days.
All good points but I'm not sure about this bit, growing up 20-30 years ago car theft levels were a lot higher among my circle of friends and family, in the last 10 years I'm only aware of one car and one camper stolen locally*, I'd imagine the folks that used to be able to crudely get a car started don't have the wherewithall to get into and take the likes of the modern car the OP has, thankfully.
I pay my insurance every year, that's about the only time I think about it.
* As you rightly say though, it's a geographical thing, not sure our local thieves are smart enough! 🙂
Agree with rare or irreplaceable cars, but restomodded? not so sure
I wish you could make a throwaway comment on STW without being forced to come back and justify every word.
I was just trying to think of an example of the kind of car I would have if money was no object. It wouldn't be an off the shelf German barge that's for sure. Probably an old Escort or Alfa with a Duratec, 6 speed box and multilink suspension. The kind of thing you can sink many, many thousands of quid ands and hundreds of hours work making your personal dream machine. I'd cry if I ever managed to build something like that and some scrote nicked it.
Since we're discussing a range of options from letting them have it and making a claim, to fitting a tracker, then it's the type of car that makes a difference. If someone knicked a BMW or a Focus, yeah I want a brand new replacement. If someone knicks my 1970's Italian rally machine that I built with my own hands then I absolutely want it back no matter what. Even if they used it to rob a Post Office or conceive their next child in the bucket seats.
I'm in the don't worry about it camp. Insurance for cheap cars is broadly similar to the cost of insurance for expensive cars (there's maybe £100 in it, for an additional £20,000 of risk). That tells me that the risk of writing off (at fault) your own car plus the risk of it getting nicked is less than 1/200 in a given year, so its just not a concern.
its also not a concern as I have a vauxhall, which no-one would want to steal
Do you live in an area that is so rife with car theft, it affects your decision when buying a car?
I considered a Golf R or (more realistically) a Leon Cupra - but decided against either, a large part of the decision was because they’re the sort of cars you get your house broken in to for the keys.
I’ve got a camper now that I’m slightly worried about as so many seem to be getting stolen now, I plan to get a Ghost immobiliser fitted.
I considered a Golf R or (more realistically) a Leon Cupra – but decided against either, a large part of the decision was because they’re the sort of cars you get your house broken in to for the keys.
Funnily enough Phil, that was the one car theft I knew of locally, a brand new Golf R, house broken into down Prestwick shorefront, just for the key to the car.
They did seem to get targeted for a while a couple of years ago (maybe still do but I’ve stopped looking at them so might just not be aware). There was even a photo of one at a dealer up on bricks with the interior stripped.
Mate at work had his house broken in to in Bearsden, stole both sets of car keys and took the cars while they were sleeping...... a Dacia Logan and a Skoda CityGo of all things!
One advantage of on street parking is you don't know which car belongs to which house. PITA when one is blocking the road and someone knocks on the door at 6am asking you to move it just because its outside your house. Quite often I have no idea as its not even someone who lives in the street.
I'd not bother with all the tracker stuff. A simple hidden switch that cuts the feed to the starter is still the sure-fire way of stopping theft. You need to be creative with the location though. Something that you can get to from the drivers seat will be too easy.
RFID wallet for the keys
This. It's the only thing that RFID wallets are any use for.
DIrectLine sent me a pair of RFID pouches for my Tesla keys a couple of years back. You can stand right by the car with the key in the pouch and aside from the cameras seeing you and the sentry mode appearing on the screen it has no idea you're there. Tip the key out of the pouch and the car wakes up, pops the door handles out and unfolds the mirrors eager to have you get in. Some pouches are less effective than others.
Does your BMW have an option for 'PIN to drive'? This is a handy feature that adds little inconvenience and some additional security.
One of the main reasons I love my T6 is it just fits in my garage. It also has 2 trackers, ghost immobiliser and physical steering lock thing. None of which will stop a pro who wants it but helps me sleep better!