Came home from a weekend away to discover some lowlife had removed the MINI logo from the front of my wife's 03 MCS which was parked in our driveway.

It's been years since anything has been stolen from one of your cars which are routinely parked out front; and it really bothered my wife to see that her car had been "violated." And of course, the thief coulsn't do a "clean" job of it, gouging the paint with a screwdriver to pry the emblem off.

I thought I had read somewhere that thieves were steaing rear MINI logos from cars, but I couldn't find the post on NAM---if that was where I read it.

What gives? I never thought that there would be so much interest in a MINI logo! Is this something new to the Northern California MINI scene? I remember a few years ago, teens were stealing Mercedes hood ornaments to wear around their neck, but a MINI ? Go figure.

Anyone else have the misfortune to have theirs stolen?

If I install the MINI alarm, is it sensitive enough to detect someone prying on the hood (or rear hatch) of a MINI?

Charlie

 

Chief_Charlie,

So sorry to hear about those vandals. It's hard to know when and where they may strike because they can drive to you area to wreak havoc.

Our local dealership suffered several damaged new MINIs with torn off bonnet logos in the dealership parking lot. Not sure if any of those MINIs had the alarm activated at the time.

Alarms can be adjusted I think for sensitivity and they will go off if enough movement is detected.

Would it be the right time to have a body shop fill the hole, fix the scratch and repaint it? Sans logo?

 

When i was in high school in L.A., which was about 5 years ago, it was all the rage to steal emblems off cars. Kids would put them on their backpack and notebooks and other "cool" places. I then moved to the east coast, which does have its fair share of idiots, but it didn't seem like it was popular there.

 

Yeah if you read Car and Driver, they had the same thing happen to their long term MCS.

 

rumor has it they will fetch about 200 on th black market

 

Chief Charlie-

Sorry to hear this. My "other" car has been broken into twice in my driveway - the target was my aftermarket stereo. They got it the second time. I know how awful it feels!

I was under the impression the MINI alarm doesn't have a shock or vibration sensor. There is a sensor for movement inside the car and another one for "tilt" (in case someone were trying to tow the car away) but not one for someone just bumping against the car.

Someone correct me on this if I'm wrong!

(I should know in a while. My car is at the VDC now - picking it up a week from Friday! I've ordered the alarm - will install this myself.)

 

Chief Charlie - I am sending very BAD KARMA vibes to the little plick that did this... I'm so sorry to hear about yet another act of violence to our pride and joys.........dang.......

Chow!

Donna

 

Wow! Thats the same city I live in :\ Good thing park in a gated structure on the top floor! Otherwise I might have to set up security Where abouts in Santa Clara are you?

 

Sorry to hear about your logo and the scratch.
There are often kids in the neighborhood that collect those emblems.
If there's a kid asking about what happened, chances are, you just
found your thief.

Shock censors can detect such vandalism, but setting your sensor
that sensitive will be chaotic.... rain will trigger the sensor each time.


Are there any alarms that detect voltage changes? (similar to those
that are hung on hotel door ***** where the alarm senses changes
in voltage when someone touches the **** from the outside)

 

man this is getting outta control...a friend of mine the other day came out to his car and there were two kids (16 or so) one of which was peeing on his mini...he couldn't do much ...they mouthed off and such for a bit....in the end he shoulda called the cops I think...LOL...it's time for young people to learn a little respect...I don't think I woulda held my kewl as well as he did...

 

That would be the day I get arrested for assault

 

Yupp, theyd be locking me up for bashing those kids over the head with my Club. (Which I rarely, if ever, use. I think its time to take that thing outta my back seat.)

 

JCampos,

I'm in the western portion of Santa Clara...near Pomeroy & Forbes.

Guess it's time to get the '73 911S back together and out of the garage so the MINIs can park inside!

Charlie

 

AH ok. Im in those new Rivermark apartments off of Montague. Gated parking structure

 

see my post in "I'm so Angry"...set up a sting At least get even...

 

All this about our cars getting messed with....I'm gonna just go ahead give my garage door a kiss when I get home.

 

Hey we need one of those James Bond BMW protection stuff like in the movies-
Gives a non lethal electric charge or does some nasty effect on the criminals.
Oh and remote control driving for the MINI would be nice too.

Remedy for kids peeing on cars? Save some Pee in a urine container, let mellow and apply generously on said person before he zips up. You gotta be fast on this one for the full effect to be appreciated. Oh Oh, maybe this will start a war

 

Oh Yeah, that would be like a Hissing(sp) Contest??