Gone from the driveway in the dead of night. Cops think it was possibly a pro job since the had to use a slim jim to enter and " ost of the locals can't drive a stick".

Here is the question: Do the 2002 have some sort of immobilizer code in the key, so that the car cannot be hot wired? It did not have any alarm system - not an option with our relatively early build (July 2002).

Highly unlikely, but if you see a 2002 MCS Electric Blue/ white, white 16" wheels, MD plate 002 BLT, please let me know.

Thanks

Tom F.

 

Ack! Sorry to hear that happened! I'd go skitzo if someone stole my Mini. As for the immobilizer question, i'm not sure, you should probably call the dealer and ask. Good luck!

 

Pretty sure all MINI's have had immobilizer technology since their introduction here. So more than likely, your car was towed away. Question is why? Most stolen cars are the most common ones that there's a parts market for. Maybe if you're lucky, the car will turn up in good shape.

 

I was under the impression that all MINI's had a chip in the key. Without the key, the car would not run.

 

Man, that's horrable. I thought MINI's were nearly impossable to steal?

Hope you get it back or get properly compensated without a hassel.

 

Wow, this is the first MINI I have heard of being stolen. I too think that they all have that immobilizer key. I have never been to worried about theft because I figured that the only car thiefs that could actually get past the immobilizer or that owned a tow-truck would rather be stealing porshes and ferraris. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

 

and they said the key does have some sort of immobilizer technology but you can hot wire around it if you know what you are doing - but not in 60 seconds. Clearly, it was someone that knew what they were doing. Pros.

The only good news is that the blue book retail is just $3K less than what I paid for it 3 and a half years ago - now thats cheap fun!

 

How bizarre , and very sad . I hope it turns up, or can be replaced (I know, it can't really be "replaced") very soon. We feel your pain.

 

Well, I would hurry up and get the money from your insurance company.

If a car is stolen, pros or not, your probably not going to want the car back even if they do find it.

Good luck! I'm sure an '06 would look nice in the garage too!!

 

This is a FIRST ... (if not towed away)

 

Sorry about your loss. You can try to look at this as a blessing, though. My '02 MCS was totalled in December. After the initial shock I soon learned that insurance would cover 86% of the original value. The build of the '06 is apparently much better than the '02 and you can choose factory options that weren't even available back then. My dealer also offers some options that used to be aftermarket which they now install with a one year warranty.

The point is that even though getting an 06' is costing me some $$$$$ that I didn't anticipate spending, I'm getting a better vehicle with a new four year warranty at a very good price. Now I think about the loss of my '02 as a
blessing.

 

Sorry to hear that your car is AWOL.

Considering the fact that it could only be towed away (or driven with the key) the first thing I though was if it's paid for or not.

Your bank didn't change billing address or anything if not did they?
The only reason I ask is because for the past 17 months I've been paying my cable bill from my bank account then 2 months ago I get a shut-off notice. I do some digging and I'm paying the wrong account number (they changed them about a year ago).

I guess what I'm asking is: Was it possibly repo'd? I know it's upsetting, and it's not a nice thing to think about, but it's something you'd need to consider. I'm not writing to upset you further, but more trying to help with a bit of information that might help get your car back.

Again, Sorry to hear about your car

 

There have been a few stolen in the UK - but only by 2 means - your jumped for your keys or they break into your house and steal the keys! Never heard of one stolen without those though!

Hope you find it soon.

Paul

 

free and clear. You've cleared up a question I had, though. The police asked "does the car have a lien"...and now I know what they were thinking!

 

this is an opportunity for all mini owner's to unite against theft! Please give us more details about your car, including location...People around your area should help you look for it. Remember, WE (as on "MINI" people) are a diferent kind of drivers, we always have our eyes open to wave at others, and we are always looking at particular things in other MINIS... Also evrybody beware of used parts when buying on e-bay and other forums.. somebody may try to sell parts of his car over the internet. Let's protect our beloved MINIS!!!

 

Takoma Park, MD - just a block from the DC line, inside the Beltway.

The vehicle was parked in a driveway, nose in, about twenty feet from the street. Nose out would have been much more work for a tow truck.

 

The factory first-aid kit, the factory warning triangle in the blue box, and the Europe only drivers side knee bolster with the open storage pocket (not the tray).

Fortunately, the fitted luggage was in the house!

 

I've also read somewhere that the "professional" thieves sometimes carry their own stash of engine chips and keys to match. To steal a pass encoded car, they swap in the chip and use their own key to start the car. Not a 60 sec. job but if they really want your car....

I hope you get your car back....or better yet, have replacement insurance and they don't find your car.

 

Herby has a good point! My bro's first car (a Honda del Sol) was stolen from right outside my condo. That resulted in him getting his first ('03) MINI. He totaled that MINI, which resulted in him getting an '05 (better suited for auto-crossing), and he took 5th at his first Nationals! And I probably wouldn't have ended up with a MINI if he never had. So... Life's lemons sure taste good when they turn out to be lemonade.

 

I remember one person getting their MINI stolen via tow truck only to have their house broken into a few days later to ****** the keys. He actually seen them driving around town and called 911 and got them arrested. So sorry to hear of your troubles. HIDE YOUR KEYS
- Dan

 

Sorry To Hear About It!

 

Sorry to hear this but I'll be sure to keep my eye open for your MINI! I'm out in VA so you never know.

 

...or you leave your keys in the mail tray attached to your front door, and someone just reaches in through the mail slot and takes them. I think I saw that one over on MINI2.

 

someone is putting you on "Overhauling". How cool would a Foose Mini be?

 

There have been one or two stolen mini incidents posted on NAM, but the 2 I can recall involved the thief gettin access to the owner's keys (left in the Mini in one case, and in another car in the other....) If your keys were not involved.... that's a bit more alarming!

I'm sorry to hear about your loss!