Exhaust THEFT!!!

[m500crt]

Hi Guys i need some help,

I live in ok area by had my exhaust was stolen from my classic 93 mini just over a year ago. The police did bugger all, but said my car was specifically targeted because of that it was (and the fact it had a nice stainless exhaust system)

I now have a 06 Cooper, and desperately want a play mini system. Problem is, im really worried after last time that it might get nicked.

Can anyone give me any (sensible) ideas on how to secure it?

Thanks in advance

Marc

[dsakko]

Wow an eye opener. Sorry to hear. Surprised more haven't made use of the fact the funky clear side markers on the S, heaps of the bodywork trim, and the aerial all remove by hand from outside the car without tools.

Maybe a set of lowering springs (so they can't get underneath ) and a motion activated alarm that'll go off if the car is jacked up?

[mab01uk]

Pretty unlikely to happen again and Crawley West Sussex is not really the UK's No. 1 crime hotspot. If your Mini has a factory alarm it should go off if the car is jacked up.........my 02 does as I found out when changing a wheel with the car locked.

Classic Mini's are much more prone to theft due to lack of modern security on most of them.

In the press recently it was reported that vehicles especially those with easy access underneath (such as high riding 4x4's) were being targeted for removal of their exhaust Cat converters due to the price of valuble scrap metals used in their construction!

[m500crt]

Well I was very surprised when it was nicked, especially when you think how low the classic mini is.

But on the other hand, exhausts are an easy target. Back boxes are the expensive bits and are usually just held on with two bolts and the usually rubber hangers.

Surly there must be a good way to secure it. A friend suggested a couple of small spot welds, but that could be a problem if it needed to be removed by a garage?

I use to be on a ford forum, and people where always posting about things like spoilers being nicked.

[mab01uk]

Where standard hex bolts are used you could perhaps use something more unusual like allen key bolts for which a thief is less likely to have a suitable tool with him to undo them.

[m500crt]

Quote: Originally Posted by mab01uk (original)

Where standard hex bolts are used you could perhaps use something more unusual like allen key bolts for which a thief is less likely to have a suitable tool with him to undo them.

Thats not a bad idea. Maybe a bit of locktite on the bolts aswell.

[tedward]

If somone really wants your exhaust there is no amount of loctite or fancy bolts will stop them....they will just cut it off.

We get plenty cars in at work that have had the cat's cut off for the precious metals contained in them. Usually in car parks whilst people are out shopping. You dont realise till you fire it up and it sounds like a tank!

Seriously it may seem like hard work nicking an exhaust but when they have done a few they are pretty damn quick at it.

Its luck off the draw, you are just as likely to suffer a bodykit, wheels, ariel, spotlamps etc etc theft.

As above trust your alarm, and try not to worry to much about it.

[m500crt]

Quote: Originally Posted by tedward (original)

If somone really wants your exhaust there is no amount of loctite or fancy bolts will stop them....they will just cut it off.

We get plenty cars in at work that have had the cat's cut off for the precious metals contained in them. Usually in car parks whilst people are out shopping. You dont realise till you fire it up and it sounds like a tank!

Seriously it may seem like hard work nicking an exhaust but when they have done a few they are pretty damn quick at it.

Its luck off the draw, you are just as likely to suffer a bodykit, wheels, ariel, spotlamps etc etc theft.

As above trust your alarm, and try not to worry to much about it.

That is true, but secured bolts and silly things like that slow them down. Even if just for a few seconds. And cutting makes noise, which hopefully might be heard.

I do agree about the alarm being a good thing, but how will that help an exhaust?

[Hartge220]

Quote: Originally Posted by dsakko (original)

a motion activated alarm that'll go off if the car is jacked up?

This

[tedward]

Quote: Originally Posted by m500crt (original)

That is true, but secured bolts and silly things like that slow them down. Even if just for a few seconds. And cutting makes noise, which hopefully might be heard.

I do agree about the alarm being a good thing, but how will that help an exhaust?

It wont really. Mini's are generally owned by half enthusiastic people and can draw un-wanted attention at times from un-desireables as they tend to stand out especially with a few nice mods etc. That's just how it is.

Id rather chance having my exhaust nicked than blend into nothingness and buy a mondeo and sleep tight knowing no-one will attack it.

Any car can suffer this type off attack. We have recently had a spate of the new Fiat 500's coming into our bodyshop that have been broken into and had all the airbags and seatbelts stolen. Beleive me, thats not a 5 minute job to do that!

[m500crt]

Quote: Originally Posted by tedward (original)

It wont really. Mini's are generally owned by half enthusiastic people and can draw un-wanted attention at times from un-desireables as they tend to stand out especially with a few nice mods etc. That's just how it is.

Id rather chance having my exhaust nicked than blend into nothingness and buy a mondeo and sleep tight knowing no-one will attack it.

Any car can suffer this type off attack. We have recently had a spate of the new Fiat 500's coming into our bodyshop that have been broken into and had all the airbags and seatbelts stolen. Beleive me, thats not a 5 minute job to do that!

Thats a hell of a job to do quietly in the dark!

Total agree with you about "normal" cars. People just blend in and look boring. Couldn't tell you hoe many Mondeo's i drove past on my way home tonight, but i do remember the 3 minis i saw as they all stood out!

Does anyone remember the car alarm in Robocop? The one that straps the thief in and electrocutes them to death? wonder where can get one........

[dsakko]

I'd love to see the look on the salesperson's face when you order a 5kW inverter, two truck batteries and a pair of heart start paddles