sorry the last post was me i just forgot to log out after zack

 

Hey 10851CS,

You have the best user name for this thread. Your system is obviously the best if your car is stolen. That is pretty unlikely in a MINI but a smash and grab is much more likely. Alarms do stop some of those break-ins.

For those who don't know, 10851 is ths vehicle code for a stolen car here in California. I used to prosecute cases on a special auto-theft task force, so I smile every time I see 10851 on these boards. It would make a great vanity plate if you didn't mind getting pulled over all the time.

Cheers,

 

Stolen US cars doesn't end up in Mexico, they end up in South America.

 

I think the main reason MINI's do not get stolen is that the second hand market for parts is non existent. No self respecting MINI owner would buy a part from some shop that they know is not affiliated in one way or antoher with MINI.

And, most popular cars get stolen to get gutted and then resold for parts.

 

LoJack does all that and the dealer pushes it (and you dont have to worry if you have a view to the sky for GPS)

 

Actually, LoJack only works IF you know your car is missing. Earl's system LETS HIM KNOW his car has been moved! Big difference!


Clover

 

Sorry MINIClo but see http://www.lojack.com/what/early-war...ery-system.cfm

the new system they were pushing on me lets you know by phone, email, pager, whatever ... the moment the car is moved ... Unless you authorize it. Sounds like the same thing to me

 

I stand corrected, chowsie! I didn't realize LoJack had improved their product to offer the LoJack Early Warning Recovery System! Good to know! :smile:


Clover

 

Is this system purchasable, and what does it cost?

Just wondering.

John

 

Yeah, I remember the dealer pushing it on me but after reading all this, I'm pretty much convinced that unless you hand them your key, I'm not sure anymore that aftermarket deterrenece is needed.

Thats why I asked others experiences!

 

I am quite comfortable without an alarm system. I do think the thieves go after the Hondas and Camrys for parts. The MINI is too exotic to be a target.


Clover

 

I have a November-build 2005 and they didn't have an alarm system at that time for the Cabrio. Almost seems a contradiction in terms, I mean with a ragtop if you really want to get in, it's pretty easy to do with a box knife (I do shudder at the thouught of little Emma's head being sliced open! )

I was initially planning on getting an alarm, but after almost eight months without one, nah.... I agree with MiniClo that they are too exotic for most theives, who really want Acuras and Hyundais and Camrys...

 

I'm not much for bling, but I admit I did get the alarm ($165 on ebay, self install). Why?
1) The red flashing stalk is cool.
2) The chirp when you lock is almost as cool.
3) Deterrence. If any bad guys are looking to get stuff/car, they are more likely to go to the car without the flashing light. :smile:

As someone said, if they want it, they'll get it. But the number of petty thieves and 'casual criminals' far outnumber the 'Gone in 60 Seconds' type guys.
Motor on!

 

It seems that the overwhelming response is that the MINIs are pretty safe from theft (unless you are a nominee for the Darwin Award and hand your keys to strangers).

Good to know ... Makes you kind of sleep better at night, don't it?

But, if anyone ever does find someone whose MINI has been actually stolen (without the key) ... Please do speak up

 

by the way, factory installed alarms are garbage. i wouldn't trust one to protect anything. i had a subie WRX that got stolen and i found out that all the factory alarm did was disable the ignition at the column. so they ripped it out and hotwired it in no time. if you read around on the internet you'll find that factory installed alarms are really useless.

so, when they recovered it (with some body damage), i put an Viper alarm in it that had the starter disabler and an option called the Pain Emitter or something like that. it was a super loud alarm for inside the car. now, that would be great at keeping someone out of your car because it hurts your ears. i also got a kill switch to disable the starter. if they didn't turn it off they couldn't even start the car with a key. i didn't care so much about the alarm outside the car since everyone ignores them anyway.

 

Got to give credit to a poster in the OL but check out http://www.hldi.org/vehicle_ratings/ictl/ictl_2dr.htm

MINI thefts are EXTREMELY LOW

I guess I conclude an alarm is a waste ...

 

--What system is that? How much did it cost? Does it have a monthly fee? Do tell. Thanks.

--pyratio

 

I have the alarm installed in my car. Broken windows and stolen contents are what I bought the alarm for even though the I keep nothing in the car when parked on the street. I have wheels locks on the aftermarket wheels but the alarm also has (although i've never tested it) a tilt sensor that hopefully goes off after the car gets jacked up.

The siren probably isn't a super big deterrent, but if you could break into one of two car's one with and one without an alarm which would you choose?

Plus the red light looks cool at night.

Erik

 

WOW! to think at one point I was actually considering an acura RSX!

mini all the way!

 

LOJACK does that as well as some other system from one of the vendors here

 

We are all carrying GPS like devices already!!

My girlfriends brother-in-law is a cop and he said alot of criminals are caught because they carry their cell phones while doing it. Your cell phone sends out a signal every three seconds (which tells you how much reception you have). All you need is the range of time the car was stolen and the cops can find out who was around your car at that time.

MCuS

 

But that means the thief has to have a cell phone and it has to be on. In fact, many of Nextel cell phones has a gps chip built in. very cool