oh, i completely agree with this. i got the clutch pedal lock just so they'll see it and decide it isn't worth the trouble. i know for a fact that a subie WRX with the factory alarm is a piece of cake to steal (i could probably do it myself if i just knew the wires to cross). so, mix a crappy security system with frameless windows that are easy to bend and you got a simple car to steal. i wanted to make sure the mini wasn't as easy.

 

know how the mini drops the window to let you in/out? well that makes the seal at the top of the window a ton better than other frameless windows.

 

hehe, my brother's old integra used to do that. oh, wait, no it didn't. actually, you had to be driving on the highway with the sunroof open to create enough suction to pull the window in as you rolled it up.

 

Another hint to theftproof your car is to block the VIN on your windscreen. There are innovative thieves that can get keys from dealerships, so this is one more safeguard to take.

 

There are a lot of hoops to jump through to get replacment keys it can not be done over the phone, you need licence, id and proof of ownership PLUS it costs $300 or something to get a new key.

A theif isn't going to do this when he can steal a Subaru WRX without a key and for no cost.

 

I agree. I forget what kind of car we're talking about protecting...a rare, classic Ferrari?

Oh wait, we're talking about a MINI.

You think a thief is going to get your VIN, travel to the nearest MINI dealer (i.e. not very close), pose as you to get a duplicate key, travel back to your location, and steal your $30k car? When there are dozens in the parking lot around you that are more marketable as stolen?

Let's try to love our cars without turning into delusional paranoids, shall we?

I just don't see the MINI as any more "steal-able" than any other car.

 

Heh I think you are agreeing with me but not sure.

\

 

Okay, Blaster is like WAY cool! I'd love to rig it under the hood of my MCS to shoot out of the scoop!

I can imagine spending quite a bit of time in jail after purchasing and using one of those babies!

Theft wise, I'm planning on purchasing the MINI alarm system, doing the install my self and having the dealer code it in.

I like the cockpit motion sensor system of the stock MINI alarm.

Aloha!

JCW04

 

Greetings all,

First post here. Cool forum, I'm liking it.

I'll agree with JeffS.....As a long time convertible owner (Jeeps), the best advice weather permiting is to leave it open, AND leave the glove box unlocked, and or open.
If they want your Mini bad enough, they will steal it. But most thefts are from punks looking for something to turnover for $. Leave it open. Never show anything of value (including those worthless CD's) in sight, in a locked convertible.

My humble $0.02 anyway

Cheers,
Mike

 

Good advice Mike, thanks! Being as I am expecting my first, new convertible in a few weeks, I have to get into the convertible frame of mind.

 

this whole thing has been preaty much covered... but here is my $.02

It is my understanding the the mini key is 2fold. 1 is the lazer cut. 2 is at radio transmitter in the plastic bubble. The transmitter acts as a electronic loop in the cars ignition system... ( ever notice that sometimes if you are putting the key in the ignitions slot, it starts to beep before the key is actually in ) this is why you can not hot wire the car... I have not ever tried this, but thinking back to when I bought my first cooper 3 years ago, I was told you could use the plastic wallet key in the key slot, and have the bubble key on the floor and the car will start..NOTE : I have not tried this, but if my old age brain serves me well, this is what I was told way back when. If I remember correctly, the key has to be within the interior of the car.

I could be totally wrong on this,,

 

[QUOTE=MINIGURU]

The key is laser cut like said before and the code in the key is a rolling code it is impossible to duplicate. The code changes everytime you start the car and is a digital squarewave signal sent from the EWS module to the DME to release the injection and ignition for starting. So you can't just hotwire the car without the chip from the key with the correct code.

QUOTE]

I do not understand this "rolling code" . Can someone explain it to me? The above says everytime you start the car the code changes. OK, now I have two keys.....key one works and changes the code so from what I understand from above now key two will not work from the way I understand the above. But it does work.......See why I don't understand.

Besides, I have a system that will tell you when your car is moved, what 100 block of which street it is on, which direction it is going, and how fast it is traveling. Also you can go on the internet and see where it is and how fast it is going if you ever loan you MINI to someone and want to check on them.

Earl

 

well, i'm guessing each key has an id and the car has a rolling code for each key.

 

Even the plastic key have the transmiter, to test it with the door opened waive the plastic key in front of the switch. you will hear a bell aknoleging that that key is a match with the car. a mini could have up to 10 keys programed. ( for what I dont know)

 

I was in law enforcement for 13 years, and only saw one top slashed-and that wasn't to break into the car (FWIW, that same night we also saw a sunroof that had been smashed). They were done just as acts of vandalism. Slashing the top to steal stuff out of a car is a dumb thief--or one who wants to do a bunch of damage in addition to the theft. They can break a window and grab stuff out of you car in less than half the time it takes to slash the top.

 

Why was this thread posted to after 2.5 years?

 

Because it's there?

 

I guess in Puerto Rico the browsers sort the threads in inverse order or something...

 

If you have not read it, It's new 2 you. And you should not make fun of others. It may come back to haunt you.

;-)

 

My last convertible, I always left the doors unlocked. Actually, my insurance company suggested it! But one day the top got slashed anyway (guess the guy didn't try the doors!). The stereo got stolen (didn't even have a CD player!) so it cost me $800 to repair a top for a $20 stereo. GRRRR!

For some reason, I always keep my mini convertible locked... Oh yeah - the trunk! My last car, I could leave the doors unlocked but still lock the trunk...

 

If you are referring to my post, where did I make fun of anyone? There has been a rash of old threads being bumped up this year, which is why I asked. It's a reminder to folks to check dates to see if topics are still current.

And welcome to NAM, Xpunk. Are you sure you're really an Xpunk?

 

Wow - I love living where I NEVER need to park where top-slashing is an issue... I'd suggest relocation as a strategy for top slashing prevention...

 

from what I have been told by the dealer is that it is is near impossible for the average criminal to steal any modern car

 

Install this in the rear seat:
http://www.taser.com/products/military/Pages/TRAD.aspx

 

Or how about a trunk monkey? That would be the ultimate!

http://www.trunkmonkey.com