What can I do?

[minicooper172]

Recently, there's been a few break-ins around here. I don't live in a rough area, they come here because it is quiet at night.

Outside the back of my house is a private road with a row of garages, of which I own two.

Within the past month or so, a car got broken into outiside a neighbour's house, two doors away from me, round the back. The rear screen got cut out with a knife and the rear lights were stolen.

Last night, my mum's E36 got the passenger side lock pulled out with a screwdriver, and now there's a big gash down the door where the screwdriver slipped.

I've got an E36, and it's a mile nicer than my mum's E36, with the big 2.8 engine, whereas my mum's is 1.6.

I've got a feeling my car's next, since I've got a few tasty extras on it, too, with quite a tasty leather interior.

Now, my car is immobilised and alarmed, but, that still doesn't stop them mashing the locks and paintwork to get inside to nick stuff. Insurance won't pay me out for anywhere near what it's worth, I can guarantee.

What can I do? It's doing my nut, I'm just waiting for it to happen!

I want to wait outside with a sledge hammer and kill the fuckers. But that's illegal.

[fuzzy]

why not park it in one of your 2 garages?

[minicooper172]

Because one has an enginless and pretty council looking E30 and the other is full of sh!t and an E34. And I can't drive into either because of other cars in the way.

[fuzzy]

id roll out one of the scrappers and stick the good one in the garage. then you can sleep easier at night.

[minicooper172]

Can't do that - one doesn't unlock or start, and the other doesn't lock as it has no front screen. Granted they're not going to nick either of those, but I'd sleep even worse if they were out.

[Rav335uk]

Using reasonable force is not Illegal.

[gooner1]

Sell the E36 and buy a Citreon. Crap car, but it,ll always be there in the morning.

[minicooper172]

Yeah, but I won't be at work in the morning with a Shitroen, because it'll blow up in a cloud of smoke and steam.

[Rav335uk]

Don't be dishin' the citroen, Me van is a shitroen bruv and does me ok for the tree years man me has had it, "Bruv".

[capri_rob]

Sell the E36 and buy a Citreon. Crap car, but it,ll always be there in the morning.

They should run that as an advertising campaign - "buy french - cut car crime"

[Ollie_bwoii]

Don't know if they actually work, but how about a crook lock?

[Rav335uk]

Crook locks are 10 sec job to take of ollie.hope you don't have one on yours

[minicooper172]

They are unable to nick the car anyway, as it's got an immobiliser that cuts the fuel pump, coil and starter solenoid.

Crooks locks are pants.

[Rav335uk]

Crooks locks are pants.

Exactly

[fuzzy]

as none have been stolen completely a crook lock wouldnt be much of a deterent to being broken into or damaged.

[Ollie_bwoii]

Crook locks are 10 sec job to take of ollie.hope you don't have one on yours

[Rav335uk]

Crook locks are 10 sec job to take of ollie.hope you don't have one on yours

No you don't

[Ollie_bwoii]

Well I thought it may have helped.

[djk]

I'd edit that Ollie - you don't know who might read it.

On original topic, bastard loud alarm is the only way, and even then, if they've half a brain they'll get round that. Might not comfort you that much, but in my experience, scally type break ins tend to happen to snotters - they're less likely to have decent security, and more likely to have a bootful/gloveboxful of valuables that the lazy owner can't be arsed to remove each time they use the car. Also best to park close to your home - we've had cars broken into there too and not heard a thing, but I think it at least puts off the more casual crims.

On a related point - is the car a daily? If not, can you not get it on a classic or 'cherished' policy with an agreed value. There's not much point being underinsured, particularly on something you covet even more than its financial value.

[Ollie_bwoii]

Thanks djk!

[ImysE30]

What's a crook lock?

[Ollie_bwoii]

Mine's like:

[ImysE30]

Seconds to get that off

[magpie]

i'd say it's the same scum returning for more easy pickings,only going by the 1st couple of posts.
cctv is cheap enough now,peace of mind you can buy.