Stolen Tonight W124 300TE K430YOC South East London

[Johnniek]

Dear members
Some sad news tonight, our W124 300TE has been stolen from outside our home. The car was street parked on Honor Oak Park London SE23 3LB
The theft has been reported to the police, the car was alarmed but without tracker.. I hear rumours that these are stolen to order or desirable? It was a good example and much loved by us and the previous owners.
The events are just sinking in sadly.
If you see or hear of anything please message or call the police.
Kind regards JohnnieK

 

[martyz]

Gutted for you,it's such an eye catcher,will keep them open for you.

 

[trapperjohn]

Will keep an eye out "Up North" Hope it turns up.

Have you tried looking in the local streets or car parks. Sometimes cars that are stolen get left locally to see if they are fitted with trackers.

 

[Johnniek]

Thanks all. It was a very nice example
Not yet looked to be honest, details out to police, have consoled myself with some chanti but take your point about tracker activation etc.

 

[LTD]

Destined for a container sadly.

Either complete or in bits.

 

[Johnniek]

God well with these tales of woe, should i be replacing it with another if these w124s are so vulnerable?!
I really am not keen on a w210, but is that the only option for an old e class estate as its not as desirable?

 

[R W]

I know the feeling, you will be gutted, hope you get it back.
Some years ago my friend had his Escort van stolen; it was missing for 3 weeks then police phoned to say the van was found. It had been stolen it seems “just to get home “ & dumped in a private housing estate. The only reason it was found was a woman phoned the police to complain about this van parked outside her house all the time. The van was undamaged apart from steering lock & ign sw , even personal items inside were still there.
Sadly the 124s are often stolen by professionals. Dont give up hope yet though.

 

[Johnniek]

Indeed it might get found, but my thoughts are that if not.. is there really such a market in stealing these cars? The parts aren't expensive on the whole..
I really love them but if locks etc are not up to modern standards and the car is not going to be kept in a vault, should I look at another model instead of risk being done over twice?

 

[Simon_M]

Looks like a nice example, no doubt why it was lifted. Big market for these in parts of Africa.

On a slightly different note, I know of someone who's SL55AMG was stolen and turned up almost a year later still driving around the UK!

S

 

[nick mercedes]

Indeed it might get found, but my thoughts are that if not.. is there really such a market in stealing these cars? The parts aren't expensive on the whole..
I really love them but if locks etc are not up to modern standards and the car is not going to be kept in a vault, should I look at another model instead of risk being done over twice?

They get cut up and sent to Africa, W124 theft is a big problem inside the M25.

Any owner should consider a tracker, as these cars really are at risk.

 

[d w124]

Sorry to hear that,just round the corner from me and all.The car did look nice,seen it a few times

 

[englishdas]

Indeed it might get found, but my thoughts are that if not.. is there really such a market in stealing these cars? The parts aren't expensive on the whole..
I really love them but if locks etc are not up to modern standards and the car is not going to be kept in a vault, should I look at another model instead of risk being done over twice?

After just changing the barrel on my w124, it makes you wonder how on earth they managed to start it up! The metal protecting the ignition is almost indestructible.

Very sad news OP. But if it were me, I'd definitely have the w124, with full security, than a w210. Too many issues with 210.

Hope the cops show up with good news.

 

[d w124]

But if it were me, I'd definitely have the w124, with full security, than a w210. Too many issues with 210.

Hope the cops show up with good news.

I chap I sold a car recently had his 210 stolen so not only 124s.All old mercs are targeted and mainly estates

 

[englishdas]

I chap I sold a car recently had his 210 stolen so not only 124s.All old mercs are targeted and mainly estates

I wish somebody had nicked my 210.

 

[SHAKTER]

Sorry to hear this. I am around the corner from you and have both my 124's outside my home.

Dash - why do you say the estates are more desirable for thieves? Should we start to get worried? I know there are a good 5 or 6 nice 124's in our area...

 

[d w124]

Dash - why do you say the estates are more desirable for thieves? Should we start to get worried? I know there are a good 5 or 6 nice 124's in our area...

That`s what get`s stolen more often,hence my post.Rarely heard about coupes but a cabrio also local to us got nicked
I think me and you have just been lucky to be honest

 

[GordonTarling]

Commiserations, I feel your pain! If your car is stolen by professionals, as opposed to joyriders, then a Tracker seems to be a waste of time and money to me, as there are several ways of jamming it.

 

[grober]

The appeal of W124's is anyone can service them-- no fancy electronics that have to be hooked up an expensive diagnostic computer to find out what's wrong. Container job as has been said.

 

[Braincrank]

Mine is a 124 saloon. Anyone got info on tracking devices, prices, where to get and how to install?
Had to disable my old cobra a couple of years back and never got a new one.
Am a bit concerned now after reading this thread. S-:

 

[grober]

Some folks advocate using an old mobile phone ------strategically secreted + wired up somewhere as a cheap tracker? How to Make a Vehicle Tracking Device | eHow.com The period it remains effective will be limited however if they start to strip it or hide the car in a dead reception area/box