What is the best way to immobilise an M Roadster?

Dino · Post by **Dino** » Wed 08 Oct, 2008 22:13

Alright peeps

Im thinking if my car does not sell (350 BHP M Roadster for £9495 - see stock exchange!) i may try and immobilise it whilst not using it.

On my old MR2, i simply removed the aftermarket steering wheel when i wasnt using ut for some time.

Dont want to do this with the M as its got an airbag etc, so i was wandering what might be the best way to ensure the car isnt stolen - a freind advised to disconnect the battery? I was wandering if there was another better way to ensure she doesnt go walkies without me.

Thanks in advance.

skinny · Post by **skinny** » Thu 09 Oct, 2008 05:45

Just take the battery out, not that it matters really, it should have a factory fit immobilser (chip in key) so the only way to take it is either with another key or on the back of a lowloader.

321bhp · Post by **321bhp** » Thu 09 Oct, 2008 06:19

yeah battery out and for extra safty all the fuses,so if they bring there own battery it shouldnt start with all the fuses out,i mean how long would it take to not only fit a full set of fuses back in ,but put them in the right place as well

AntMan · Post by **AntMan** » Thu 09 Oct, 2008 07:59

If you remove the battery the alarm won't work!!!! Park it some where it's in a corner put the wheel on full lock so it can only be driven at what ever it's next to and fit a disc lock to completely cover the wheel.If someone wants it bad enough a low loader has been mentioned and with this class of car hasn't been unknown,again if on lock and steering locked the car can not roll in a straight line to pull it on to a loader with out making alot of noise and fuss.
I think in this day and age if someone wants a motor bad enough and they have the resources they'll have a pop all you can do is make it difficult as possible to deter them so they move to another thats an easier target.....

sanchez · Post by **sanchez** » Thu 09 Oct, 2008 08:14

With a sledge hammer

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu 09 Oct, 2008 08:47

Also, if you remove the battery the standby batteries - particularly on the Service Indicator board - will be discharged. In the case of the SI batteries, these MUST be initially charged at a constant current (ie low) before turning over to constant voltage (ie higher current) when they are half-charged.

If they are just connected tothe main battery, this will charge them at constant voltage - high current - and destroy them, along with some of the circuit board.

aj2007 · Post by **aj2007** » Thu 09 Oct, 2008 08:54

I think ANT is right if they want it they will take it away all you can do is make it harder for them. Ideally keep it out of site, living in a cul de sac or off a main road less people tend to see it. Take the fuel pump fuse out or fit a wheel clamp and charge em £200 to take it off

Ade

SpunkyM · Post by **SpunkyM** » Thu 09 Oct, 2008 12:24

Best thing to do is buy a spare fuel pump fuse, blow it with a high current than replace the good fuse with the blown one. I'd like to see any tea-leaf suss that out and drive it away.

Dino · Post by **Dino** » Thu 09 Oct, 2008 14:59

Thanks guys, im not the most mechanically minded so maybe wont bother disconnecting the battery as i dont want to damage anything reconnecting it as Mike mentions.

Like Spunkys idea though, put a blown fuse in the fuel pump fuse holder! Then maybe add a steering wheel brace and a wheel clamp.

Its parked in a communal car park behind my apartment which is off the main road, i have no garage but could leave it at my mums and dads where my dad could also block it in with his estate car.

That would be 4 different measures of security, surely that would be enough?

As im not planning to insure it if i do this, i need to be as sure as possible it wont go missing.

Maybe then will put it back up for sale next Spring or when things get a bit better on the 2nd hand car market, i wont let it go for less than 9 grand, its just not worth it.

In the meantime, If any of you here anyone who wants a modified beast of an M Roadster for a bargain, please let me know.

henrycrun · Post by **henrycrun** » Thu 09 Oct, 2008 16:35

I guess the problem is to stop them dragging onto a lowloader. In order to make it too much trouble how about removing the seat(s) ?
Or, can one buy theft only insurance ?

aj2007 · Post by **aj2007** » Thu 09 Oct, 2008 16:44

I wouldn't be leaving it uninsured anywhere even in the garage, tempting fate I think. Get a 6 month policy and try sell it next spring?

Justin Time · Post by **Justin Time** » Thu 09 Oct, 2008 17:14

A steering wheel security device backed up with a handbrake to gear stick security device, a wheel lock and being put under a car cover or in a garage will help deter the fool that wants to steal it.

Preferably stored in a garage under wraps as most things that are out of sight, are out of the mind.

pingu · Post by **pingu** » Thu 09 Oct, 2008 17:28

You can kill two birds with one stone...

Take the wheels off and store them somewhere safe. This will disable the car, and keep the tyres from being distorted.

c_w · Post by **c_w** » Thu 09 Oct, 2008 19:07

pingu wrote:You can kill two birds with one stone...

Take the wheels off and store them somewhere safe. This will disable the car, and keep the tyres from being distorted.

A car with no wheels will attract all kinds of attention and will probably lead to more things being taken off it IMO!

SpunkyM · Post by **SpunkyM** » Thu 09 Oct, 2008 21:13

Can get decent wheel clamps for about £50 now too.

Dino · Post by **Dino** » Fri 10 Oct, 2008 00:18

wicked anyone know where i can find such a clamp? or recommend and security device as good?

thanks again

sanchez · Post by **sanchez** » Fri 10 Oct, 2008 05:32

Did you even try and google it?????

http://www.thesafeshop.co.uk/Categories ... DE=adwords

Dino · Post by **Dino** » Fri 10 Oct, 2008 15:34

i didnt google it as was hoping to hear from someone who has had one or recommended one

phb10186 · Post by **phb10186** » Fri 10 Oct, 2008 15:56

Have you got a driveway???

If so park it behind another car.

If not....

I like the blown fuel pump fuse idea..... could also remove the gear knob.... that would put Jonny Joy-rider / car thief off.

Bear in mind without being driven the battery will go flat in a couple of weeks, therefore no alarm.

Wheel clamp also works.

Covers seem to attract attention, but as you have a cer that people will notice, you will have to check it regularly....

the best thing would be dry-storage on axle-stands.

Lastly, some insurers will ensure a car for fire and theft only.... i.e if it gets stolen, you will be covered, even if you won't be driving it.... that would potentially save losses of £9500 in case the worst happens.

Good point about the SI board cells Mike - had that happen on my 635, and its a real pain to sort, as they leak acid on to the SI board anich ruins the whole thing.

I ended up buying a fully transistorised board that uses flash memory instead of the rechargable cells from http://www.programainc.com/default.php which did away with the SI board and it's cells altogether.... good bit of kit. E24 6 series parts are old now, hugely expensive from the dealers and with something like that, not much good as used. I didn't realise that the E36 still used the old batteries in the SI board..... how that makes me laugh, BMW didn't refer that on to the R&D department 20 years ago then!

komis · Post by **komis** » Sat 11 Oct, 2008 09:32

A friend of mine is insured with Tesco (I think) and they lower his premium to about a fiver a month when he's not using his car over the winter. He keeps it in an underground garage though beneath his block of flats.

It might be worth asking your insurer if they would do the same.

zroadster.net

What is the best way to immobilise an M Roadster?

What is the best way to immobilise an M Roadster?

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