R52 Leave Cabrio Doors Unlocked?
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Lee's Summit, MO
I believe that you should leave the door locked simply because many people who would consider stealing something won't go to extreme measures, I know a guy who got his ipod stolen because his windows were down, probably would have never happened if they were rolled up, simply because it takes to much effort, kind of like cutting through a convertible top. Of course, this won't detur everyone, but it will stop your "casual" theives
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
I don't think anyone makes convertible tops for the MINI except MINI, so I think you'll be getting a "stock" top regardless. The question is whether she trusts the insurance-recommended body shop to do the installation correctly, or if it's worth fighting with the insurance company to let the dealership do it.
Just out of curiosity, can you tell how they got the radio out of the cup holder after cutting the top? I'm a tall, monkey-armed dude, and I can't think of any part of the top I could cut that would allow me to stick my arm in and either reach the cup holder or the door-lock handle, unless I climbed on top of the roof, cut a hole as far forward on the top as I could (remembering that the front six inches or so of the top has a solid panel underneath the fabric), and then stretched my arm/shoulder through the hole to get to the door latch.
I guess if the thieves had a hook on a pole, they could cut a small hole in the top, stick the pole through, and pull the opposite-side door handle to get it to open.
(All things considered, if I had to get something out of a locked ragtop MINI in a big hurry, I'd just smash a window - same as a hardtop).
Just out of curiosity, can you tell how they got the radio out of the cup holder after cutting the top? I'm a tall, monkey-armed dude, and I can't think of any part of the top I could cut that would allow me to stick my arm in and either reach the cup holder or the door-lock handle, unless I climbed on top of the roof, cut a hole as far forward on the top as I could (remembering that the front six inches or so of the top has a solid panel underneath the fabric), and then stretched my arm/shoulder through the hole to get to the door latch.
I guess if the thieves had a hook on a pole, they could cut a small hole in the top, stick the pole through, and pull the opposite-side door handle to get it to open.
(All things considered, if I had to get something out of a locked ragtop MINI in a big hurry, I'd just smash a window - same as a hardtop).
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 739
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA - Old Town
I owned a Z3 roadster for nine years, and never once was it 'molested'. When the top was up, I always had the windows rolled up and the doors locked. The reason for this is that BMW doors, when electronically locked, will not open from inside. So, you can cut my top, and smash my windows, but you still won't be able to open the doors! I think MINIs do the same thing now. In areas where I was really worried about security, I threw a car cover over the car and locked it with a tether, crooks tend to pass by that which they do not see. Good luck, and always park in well-lighted, safe neighborhoods. Here in DC, if I need to go somewhere late, or to a bad neighborhood, I take a taxi or metro.
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