Author Topic: Anti-theft devices? (Read 12114 times)

Douglas · « **on:** February 03, 2004, 07:55:45 »

A few people have recently mentioned that they have alarms and other devices installed to discourage "Pagoda pilfering." It occurred to me that this is a worthy subject of discussion. How do you recommend keeping a Pagoda safe? What anti-theft measures do you recommend?

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #018260

tobacco · « **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2004, 10:35:38 »

At the risk of appearing naive, I'm not sure why you'd do much more in the U.S. than secure your valuables and lock up the car while you're away from it.

There's no illegal market for Pagoda parts that I'm aware of. There's no black-market value in a car where matching serial numbers and documented pedigree are a major (and increasing) part of its resale value. The mechanicals aren't intuitive enough for the casual thief to spend time learning. You shouldn't have a new radio in it anyway. The better the SL's condition, the less a thief wants to chance getting caught or wrecking it. The poorer the condition, the more he imagines a wheel falling off. The doughnutting joyrider just wants a new Mustang.

Trumping it all in my experience is that in most places -- and I'm including some tough neighborhoods -- folks are unusually respectful and even protective of a neat old car like a Pagoda.

There's not much, on the other hand, that you can do about deliberate vandalism or malicious parking-lot dings. And for that all you can really do is anticipate problems, stay out of harm's way, and avoid incivilities like straddling two parking spots. A pair of orange traffic cones in the trunk can help isolate you in unusual situations.

I suspect there's a website somewhere that details things to do if you're really concerned about someone stealing your car, but to my mind anything beyond a small security-protection sticker on a Pagoda is inviting the wrong kind of attention . . . and may result in just what you're trying to avoid.

Bill Greffin
Chicago
#22375

peterm · « **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2004, 11:05:45 »

I think that theft is not a domestic problem, but here in NY there is a greater risk that the vehicle once stolen winds up on a container ship going to south america or the middle east. Very little would be done to track it down over/under there!
That being said, there are very few instances where my car is left in public. I don't take it to the mall or movies at the very worst it will be valet parked at a restaurant, and there, a well placed tip will keep it from harms way.

Peter M

Douglas · « **Reply #3 on:** February 03, 2004, 11:18:06 »

Bill,

I agree that basic protection (parking in a safe place, locking the car, perhaps turning the steering wheel to lock it, etc.) is probably the best thing you can do to protect your Pagoda.

I also agree that people are generally respectful of pampered old cars like Pagodas.

On the other hand, I've also heard stories that give me pause.

For example, I've heard stories where thieves will pillage a car, sometimes repeatedly over the course of several days/nights. It happens to cars that are known to have certain good parts. This happened to a friend in the suburbs of Washington, DC with a 6.3 and I've read about classic BMWs in London where this has occurred. No doubt there's a recipient car on the other end that has specific needs. The grill, bumpers, and tailights are all extremely pricey on our cars and would make for easy prey to those inclined.

On my sedan, I've experienced a stolen hood star and broken Hirschmann in my garage here in NY. I try not to let it get to me, but I do know people who have honed the edge of their hood star to give it a knife-like edge for any prying hands. (Of course, the only Pagoda this would apply to would be the customized green SL at Geevers in Cees' recent posting.)

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #018260

tobacco · « **Reply #4 on:** February 03, 2004, 13:54:24 »

Douglas,

I see your point. The question is much more about stealing parts from the car than stealing the car itself.

I remember 25 years ago when painted Mercedes hubcaps were considered attractive to thieves, as were hood ornaments to college pranksters. Today, if cruising for specific cars and parts makes sense, then I guess it's caveat emptor. Absent an invisible electric pet fence, how could you protect anything on your Pagoda from a determined thief with the right tools and enough time and privacy to complete the job?

At least those last variables -- time and privacy -- are ones over which you have some control.

Keeping your car outside or unattended overnight would certainly be the first thing to change. Collector insurers like Hagerty insist that your car be garaged (I wonder what distinction they make between an attached garage at a house and a public or private garage where people wander around). And any insurance policy should include coverage for the kinds of theft you're talking about, with an understanding of any originality or exact replacement you demand.

If I owned that D.C. 6.3 or one of the London BMWs, I could only allow myself to be upset the first time, knowing there are things I can do -- including getting out of the 6.3 and Bimmer business -- to keep it from upsetting me all over again the second time. Part of the risk of purchase and ownership is imagining the odds of somebody wanting a W113 front bumper badly enough to rip one off the front of your W113.

You kind of have to decide, as Peter suggested, how big a tip you're willing to leave to prevent that.

Bill Greffin
Chicago
#22375

Cees Klumper · « **Reply #5 on:** February 03, 2004, 16:43:17 »

Well ... last year, I heard of at least two Pagoda's that were stolen from their owners, and never recovered. One in Switzerland, and one in The Netherlands (right out of a locked garage). Then there were reports of Jaguars, Lancias and Porsches going missing. Where they end up I don't know and frankly don't care - but getting reimbursed for the damage is at least one concern. My insurance policy requires me to have a "class 3" alarm system, including immobilizer and a siren that has its own battery, in case someone disconnects the main battery. If I would not have this alarm system and the car would be stolen, I would not be reimbursed. Also, I am not allowed to park the car in front of my house at night, for it has to be locked in a covered garage. I can leave the car out overnight, but only at least a couple of miles away from my residence (as in on vacation, or while visiting friends etc).

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

n/a · « **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2004, 17:21:09 »

A 30' insulated cable hooked to the chassis and a Rotweiller at the other end would keep the crooks at bay for a while.

tom in CA

Cees Klumper · « **Reply #7 on:** February 04, 2004, 07:12:28 »

Just don't forget about the Rotweiller when you take the car for a drive (as Chevy Chase did in 'Vacation') please!

Cees Klumper
Treasurer, Dutch Humane Society

JamesL · « **Reply #8 on:** February 04, 2004, 09:23:24 »

There was a tale a couple of months ago about an Aston Martin going missing in Central London

Neighbours watched as the car drove off down the street.

The toe-rags that nicked it wwere posing as parking enforcement and like those nice people that tow your car when illegally parked, turned up with 2 men and a flatbed truck with a crane on the back

Lifted the car and drove off

Neighbours thought nothing of it.

I have an immobiliser on my car and am debating getting a satellite tracker installed

Douglas · « **Reply #9 on:** February 04, 2004, 10:39:14 »

Tosh,

I've heard some people go so far as to purchase a clamping device that locks to one of the wheels similar to what the police use. Is that what an Immobiliser is?

And though it doesn't help with towing thieves, one classic anti-theft measure is to remove the wire to the iginition coil.

On another car of mine, I've installed a hidden kill switch to the fuel pump.

I'll end with a recent story about thievery: An enterprising group of hoodlums in New England made a business out of stealing skis at a local resort then fencing them on ebay. They were eventually caught when one of their victims went online to locate a replacement set on ebay and recognized his former skis!

Let the buyer and the owner beware!

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #018260

JamesL · « **Reply #10 on:** February 04, 2004, 15:06:11 »

Douglas

Immobiliser is an ignition cut out

Means the car cannot be hot wired

n/a · « **Reply #11 on:** February 04, 2004, 17:10:20 »

I park my Pagoda in a public car park in central London. It feels secure and there are other residents who park some pretty desirable cars there too. One is an eternally covered Pagoda - who are you?

I have an immobiliser fitted with a tell tale flashing red light, but on top of that I have had a Tracker system fitted. The type I have is connected to the immobilser system so if the car is moved without the ignition system then I am alerted by phone and asked if it is me moving the car. If it is not then the system is activated and the car tracked using radio frequencies. These are tracked by every UK Police force and the theory is your car is traced and recovered. It is expensive. £500 to fit and then either a lifetime fee of £375 or an annual payment of £110. Assuming this system works, I have to say I feel much more confident parking where I do, knowing that if my cherished one goes walkabout that I will be notified and then the car is tracked and recovered. I use my car as a daily and feel that living where I do, I have a peace of mind that otherwise I would not.

I still like to feel that our cars are less likely to be targeted because their owners are clearly such tasteful people!

Ben · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2004, 02:41:54 »

Here in Ireland we have ALWAYS had a problem with car theft. Mainly it is what are innacurately termed "Joyriders" who basically steal a car, drive the crap out of it and maybe try to get the police to chase them before ramming the cars and finnaly crashing and running away !

These *!*!*! mainly target high performance hot hatches, Civics/Golf Gti's etc of an era before factory imobilisers were the norm.

We also have the usual smash and grab carry on but not a lot of "stolen not recovered" though a large gang was uncovered about 2 years ago dealing in car parts!

Anyway I fitted an ultrasonic alarm to my Pagoda with an "auto enable" imobiliser. Basically once the ignition is turned off it cant be restarted unless you press a second button on the remote. Then the rest of the alarm work in the regular way but during the summer I can get out and walk away from the car with the roof down and by pressing the remote button twice in quick succession the car is alarmed but without the motion sensors. It is immobilised and if any attempt is made to open the doors, start it (it wont) or move it the alarm goes off !

"The alarm goes off "..............for all the good that'll do !

Anyway it protects it from the aforementioned !*!*!* and prying eyes and I can sleep better, but I still never park in the city or indeed anywhere where I feel is dodgey ! The red flashing LED's are a good detterent and are mounted into the wooden speaker grille. Also the system is hidden wired and can be fully removed without leaving ANY trace !

Howver lets face it if someone wants it.......they'll get it !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

JamesL · « **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2004, 04:42:19 »

NickFitch

Where do you park? (i'm after a set of hubcaps

)

Which Tracker did you go for? At that price it's three years car insurance and feels like a bunch of cash. Replacing your cherished car... for everythign else, there's mastercard

Malc · « **Reply #14 on:** February 05, 2004, 07:11:07 »

Alarms etc are good , but after talking to a mate in the police about this he basically stated there are two types of car thieves out there, the proffessionals who often steal to order and the oportunists.
Stopping the former is very difficult as they know all the tricks including the already mentioned loading onto a lorry and taking it away. They can usually get past a car alarm etc in about 10-20seconds
Its the second type who are worse.They smash windows to get at mobile phones, wallets, briefcases etc left in view, CD's and tapes. They have to make a quick decision about taking the car so if you have one of those steering wheel clamps, gearlever clamps or some other visible sign of extra security they will walk on and look for something better.
Its the timing that is important I was told, basically how long does it take you to get in your car, start it and drive away? 30, 40 seconds?? So if you can "steal" it in that time it all looks normal.
Remember also when was the last time you took any notice when a car alarm went off?

Finally I used to live in Edinburgh which had and still has a bad reputation for car theft. I used to run around in a MGB with a soft top, people did break into it, not that I left anything in it but they never moved it, I used to take the rotor arm out at night.
Malc

n/a · « **Reply #15 on:** February 05, 2004, 07:20:28 »

Tosh,

Oh, just a little car park within the M25 somewhere!

I went for Tracker Monitor. They offer a starter package that will track your car if you notify them it has been stolen. Tracker Monitor has a motion sensor that alerts them that the car has been moved and they contact you. The all singing version - Tracker Horizon has a GPS system that will tell them to within a few yards where your car is. I think that costs around £1200! Get your Mastercard out Tosh.

The disconcerting thing is that when they fit it, they don't tell you where (for security reasons). I have yet to pull my car apart and find it so maybe I have spent £875 on nothing. Ha! I am going to move it and see if they call, just to check!

I have no option on parking so thought Tracker would ease my worry. Bet you could still have my hubcaps if you were gentle!

Cheers, Nick

George Davis · « **Reply #16 on:** February 06, 2004, 09:41:31 »

I don't worry too much about theft of the car, but the grille is pretty easy to remove and is quite expensive. A few owners have had theirs stolen. One owner installed his new grille (after having the original stolen) using pop-rivets instead of screws. Following his lead, I replaced the two upper, outer screws with stainless steel pop rivets.

George Davis
'69 280 SL Euro manual

kns · « **Reply #17 on:** February 14, 2004, 02:53:48 »

Hello All.

Like Douglas (at least, like one of his cars), I have a kill switch fitted to the fuel pump which looks innocuous and anonymous low on the dash. I guess if you wanted greater anonymity you could wire it to a switch passing for a radio or heater switch or some such. Lets the bad guys get the car away, without doing too much damage, and without them pointing a firestick in your face to get you to undo the steering wheel lock or whatever. Once stolen, the car runs like a pig for a kilometre or so then dies out. It will not re-start in any hurry. Bad guys give up, and go steal a Porker, vowing never to nick an old Merc again.

UNLIKE Douglas (I hope, for his sake), I once had the misfortune of forgetting all about the kill switch on the Pagoda after bringing it out of hibernation. The roadside mechanic (RAC here - AA in England - ?? in USA) didn't see the funny side of it when finally the penny dropped. I can vouch for the efficacy of this simple precaution!

Cheers,

kns.
1965 230SL, Manual
[1965 220SEb Coupe, Man.]

hands_aus · « **Reply #18 on:** June 20, 2004, 06:19:53 »

Hey Group,

My local Auto Club is offering 5000 Anti Theft spray on micro ID dots for $189.00.
(These are micro sized dots that have the VIN number etched/lazered on to them and supposedly only visible under UV light.)

Has anybody had them put on their car and if so are they totally invisible under normal day light?

Bob (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

Benz Dr. · « **Reply #19 on:** June 20, 2004, 10:46:33 »

Believe it or not, the worse thing you can do is lock your car with the top up. A cut in the fabric is sure thing if someone wants in to grab a radio.

I talked to a guy a while back who had his grill removed from his car while parked in his driveway. He contacted his insurance and waited for his money to buy a new one. A bout a week later he saw an add for MB parts for sale. He called and met the guy selling parts in a parking lot. Sure enough there was his grill for 400 bucks. He bought it back but didn't report the guy because he obviously knew where he was living but didn't know he was the guy that he just ripped off - the connection could have been easily made and he felt his life ws worth more than the grill.
Grills and soft top frames are often resold to the same people and more than once.

Daniel G Caron

babarsheikh · « **Reply #20 on:** June 11, 2006, 20:18:21 »

I am looking to fit an alarm to my "new" and first Pagoda and am a little over protective to say the least...I was wondering if there was a particular recomendation, with respect to the alarm system and type I should get fitted. I would obviously want something that is very unassuming and that can be removed without anyone knowing it was ever there... I don'tmind spending more if it is worht it.

Also for Pagoda owners in SoCal: anyone know of solid trustworthy places in the LA region that they have used to fit systems? Thanks.

Bob G ✝︎ · « **Reply #21 on:** June 11, 2006, 22:28:00 »

Were do you people think most these parts on E-bay come from?

I have delt with some very questionable people on Ebay. Thank goodness I did not meet them in a dark alley with my 280SL. but I shy away from pople who will not answer my questions , lesser hudloms look for the quick buck and then disappear. Be carefull of these kind of sellers and check with a Mercedes-Benz vendor if you suspect fraud and ask questions. good sells will answer them . If you get no answers I would not buy the part. It could be from one of our cars.

Bob Geco

Chad · « **Reply #22 on:** June 11, 2006, 22:38:09 »

If he received money from insurance for it and knew he bought it as stolen back from the guy who stole it and he DIDN'T report him... doesn't this sound like insurance fraud in a way?

The thieves count on our fear and willingness to pay ever increasing car insurance premiums, I fear. But I understand. Wow.

quote:
Originally posted by Benz Dr.

Believe it or not, the worse thing you can do is lock your car with the top up. A cut in the fabric is sure thing if someone wants in to grab a radio.

I talked to a guy a while back who had his grill removed from his car while parked in his driveway. He contacted his insurance and waited for his money to buy a new one. A bout a week later he saw an add for MB parts for sale. He called and met the guy selling parts in a parking lot. Sure enough there was his grill for 400 bucks. He bought it back but didn't report the guy because he obviously knew where he was living but didn't know he was the guy that he just ripped off - the connection could have been easily made and he felt his life ws worth more than the grill.
Grills and soft top frames are often resold to the same people and more than once.

Daniel G Caron

1967 230SL (Manual)

Cees Klumper · « **Reply #23 on:** June 12, 2006, 17:19:55 »

Here in the Netherlands alarm systems are very common, also on older cars like ours. If you want your car insured for theft, it has to have a what we call 'Class III' alarm, which incorporates its own power supply if the battery is disconnected, an immobilizer and infrared sensors for when we leave the car parked with the top down. I had mine installed at any old car audio/alarm installer when I first got the car and it functions just great (a bit too much so; if I forget to disarm it when I disconnect the battery for some reason, the noise will be so loud I will not hear for a couple of days ;-)
So moral of the story is, if your neck of the woods in SoCal is anything like Amsterdam, you can have a good system installed for a reasonable amount (I believe I paid around $600 installed).

Cees ("Case") Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

ChrisInNashville · « **Reply #24 on:** June 12, 2006, 17:29:23 »

I live in low crime areas. I drive mine occassionally to work (where it can be watched) and take an occassional trip to the store for a short time.

On the rare occassions that "my girl" is out of sight for an extended period (like last month when it was parked at the marina all day), I use a screw in connection on the battery lead that is easy to remove.

Two problems with this method:
a) One time, I didn't screw it back in tightly and shot the alternator
b) it doesn't prevent towing or vandalism.

I really don't fear theft very much...I live in two cities - one has three pagoda's and the other has five...so you can see me coming and know it's me!

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Author Topic: Anti-theft devices? (Read 12114 times)

Douglas

peterm

Douglas

n/a

Douglas

n/a

Ben

Malc

n/a

George Davis

kns

babarsheikh

Bob G ✝︎

Chad