Protecting my Mini

[Shace5]

Hi All, well I'm flying out to a dealer two states away to pick up my new MCS this weekend, tick-tick-tick. Has Sport/Premium and Cold packages + the HK sound system. Question, is it necessary to have an anti-theft sytem installed? If so, any recommendations on what kind?
Thanks,

Jace

[coolmini]

I have Lojack installed & I hope I never have to find out how well it works! Factory & aftermarket alarms rarely work & are ignored when they do.

[sergio rollerfunk]

...doesn't matter where you live.
It is always good to have it...you'll never know ...and besides, our Minis deserve to have the best to protect them from them car thieves *******s!


Sergio.

[malk0vich]

Car Alarms are generally just a big rip-off! Unless you live in a small house and leave your car on the driveway during the night, they're useless...
Have this in mind: if the alarm goes off, you're the only one who is going to care. Nowadays everyone is so full of listening to nagging alarms going out everytime because the wind just got stronger, that no one cares!
SO, it comes down to this: if your car is usually somewhere where you can actually listen to the alarm sound clearly, go for it, I think it may be worth it. If not, forget about it, it's a waste of money - cause if the thief is doing it to get something you forgot inside the car, the alarm won't stop him; if he's actually thinking of getting away with the car, I'm sure he'll know how to handle an alarm too...

[sergio rollerfunk]

To me, a good alarm system it gives me some extra piece of mind. And on top of that, the BMW alarms looks sooooooo cool!
It is quiet expensive, yes, but any decent aftermarket alarm will cost you that or even more $$$.
Just my 02 cents.



Sergio.

[joedude99]

Someone stole one of my Xenon bulbs, and now there is a sensor that will trip the alarm if the hood is lifted. I chose Viper because of its reputation.

[Redleg13]

lojack gives me peace of mind -- small, that is. But there are places in DC where my baby would be gone in 60 seconds!!

[mikeythemini]

Fitting a 'different' type of security system to my Mini at the moment, will be finished tommorow. Will post details then. It is not an alarm or a immobiliser as thieves arechanging the way they nick cars
mike

[mrhollio]

lojack, a garage and good insurance...

as malk0vich said "Nowadays everyone is so full of listening to nagging alarms going out everytime because the wind just got stronger, that no one cares!

had the alarm before, car was still stolen. If some one wants it they are going to get it.

[e28]

I'm getting the mini factory alarm when mine comes in. It's more of a deterrent than anything else. People aren't going to steal the car unless they can steal the keys (the car won't start without the code key). The alarm will help keep thieves away who are looking to steal aftermarket stereo equipment (why I never go aftermarket) and/or CD's and/or other personal belongings left in the seat.

I think it will save me money on the cost of broken window or other interior damage due to this kind of theft. And even though no one else cares your alarm is going off ... you will! I know you can't stop every thief, but if I just stop one, then it pays for itself!

[weejinky]

Is there any way to protect the valve caps? Caus mine got nicked last night. If I find a car in my area with MINI valve caps there is going to be trouble!!!!!!!!

[v8voodoo]

I reckon a tracker type system is your best bet. You can even get systems that recognise if your car is moving without the key being in the ignition. If they want, they'll take it one way or another. But the thought of the police turning up at the thieves lockup as they decide which bit to strip first has me sold.

Weejinky, another thread has been going in another section, general I think, My GF had hers stolen, so I nipped up both our min's caps with a pair of pliers (BE CAREFUL!) and then put a smear of grease on. They're still there.....

[weejinky]

Thanks v8voodoo. I spotted that thread after this one!