Protecting my M3

[Skipjacks]

I have a questions about protecting me new car. Driving a beat up old Dodge pickup for years it's never occured to me that anyone might actually want to steal it.

I can leave it on the darkest, dankest street in the middle of the night and be totally 100% certain it'll be there when I come back.

Suddenly owning an M3 I'm scared to take my eyes off it. What's the best thing I can do to protect it? I don't want a car alarm cause we all know those just wake people up at 3am without ever actually deterring a thief.

I understand the car has an electronic ignition lockout or something of that nature? What exactly does that do? How does it work? Is it effective?

And what reccomendations would you have to make the car more secure?

Thanks for any advice you might have!

[frw73]

Look into THIS SERVICE if it's available in your area. Not a bad idea but I'm not sure how much monitoring is for the US, and where/if you can get it locally. Similar to, but better than Lo-Jack.

[Mr White G]

There are lots of security options for your pride and joy.

I know of a fab company in the UK called Toad Alarms. Among their inventions are smoke bombs which fill the car so theives can't see to drive off..... proximity detection alarms..... total lockdown alarms..... break-in cameras, trackers and immobilisers..... even electrically charged devices which provide the potential thief with a minor electric shock!!!! Have a search around on the net for them.

If you can spend 50k on a car then 2k on securing it will make sure that it doesn't go anywhere you don't want it too!

[Skipjacks]

Smoke bombs?!

THAT THE COOLEST THING I'VE EVER HEARD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!!!!!!!

[Mr White G]

I know, it's the best thing I've ever seen.

They are like mini versions of the smoke machines you get at discos. When the alarm is tripped they disburse the smoke into the cab in about 2 seconds and it'll stay filled for about 10 minutes!

Combine that with a good monitored tracking system (about £30 per year in the UK) and you'll be sorted.

If you want something cheaper for your house then look at investing in a wheel clamp and steering lock. They are super-cheap but not very high tech.

[frw73]

THIS has to be the coolest anti-carjacking system I have ever seen
http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/africa/9812...e.thrower.car/

I doubt its legality in North America though... although maybe in Texas...

Make sure you watch the video!

[bigred318]

umm what i do is when someone asks me to leave my car some and they will drive idont do it, and always pay for parking when your in a big city like saettle for an event and just be smart, people will eye your car doesnt mean they are going to steal it, but park where its safe!

David

[Skipjacks]

Originally posted by frw73@Jul 20 2004, 08:43 AM
THIS has to be the coolest anti-carjacking system I have ever seen
http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/africa/9812...e.thrower.car/

I doubt its legality in North America though... although maybe in Texas...

Make sure you watch the video!

I STAND CORRECTED!!!!!

THAT is now the coolest things I've ever heard!

[Skipjacks]

The electronic ignition lock....

Is that standard on all BMW's? Specifically can I ensure it's on my 97 M3?

There's a sticker for itin the window, but there's a sticker on my Dodge that says it has an passenger airbag and it doesn't. So I don't always trust stickers.