Vandalism or something more sinister?

[GordonTarling]

Came out this morning to get in my car and found the scene pictured. That's the driver's side front wheel. I hadn't used the car since Saturday lunchtime, so this could have happened anytime between then and now. The car is kept in a locked private car park just around the corner from my house. There isn't another mark on the car that I can see and I'm guessing that these three wires go to the alarm siren (can anyone confirm?), so why bother to go to all that trouble if you're not going to steal the car? The black sleeving has clearly been cut with a knife (probably) and the wires have bare ends. My own thoughts are that the culprit was perhaps disturbed, or was/is planning to come back later to take the car away. I've reported it to the police, but there's little more I can do until the local dealers opens on Wednesday.

 

[st13phil]

My own thoughts are that the culprit was perhaps disturbed, or was/is planning to come back later to take the car away.

I'd say you've worked out what's going on quite accurately. Is there somewhere else (secure) that you can park the car for a few days? Alternatively, put a bar-type lock on the steering wheel, and/or a wheel clamp on one of the wheels to make life as difficult as possible for the low-lifes if they come back.

 

[Stratman]

That tyre looks rather worn

 

[evdok]

Steakout with a flask, balaclava & baseball bat

 

[Pitts Pilot]

Consider yourself lucky you have a garage (not that some scum has broken in to it).
I park on the street in a resident’s bay.

Last week a Porsche Boxer got 'keyed', so I'm worried about my SL

I'm seriously considering some subtle CCTV surveillance, as a) the technology is relatively cheap nowadays (certainly compared to the car, or a paint job), and b) I park in the same spot opposite my house, so a camera would always 'see' the car.

Sure, it won't stop the ‘bar-stewards’ from damaging my pride and joy, but I might catch them on camera, so I can prosecute their ar$es!

Sadly, it won’t work if they are wearing a hoody and vandalising the car, but what else can you do?

Incidentally, in your circumstances, they do wireless CCTV..... just a thought

 

[Dieselman]

I'd say you've worked out what's going on quite accurately. Is there somewhere else (secure) that you can park the car for a few days? Alternatively, put a bar-type lock on the steering wheel, and/or a wheel clamp on one of the wheels to make life as difficult as possible for the low-lifes if they come back.

+1.

The immobiliser should stop the car being started, but obviously working without an alarm sounding is helpful for the thieves.

 

[GordonTarling]

Just had a visit from the police - very inconclusive and it seems there's little they can do. Frankly, I didn't really expect them to do much anyway, but at least it's been recorded. I might arrange to park the car somewhere else for a few days, but I very much doubt they'll come back.

Stratman - must be the angle of the photo, that tyre was new in March and only has around 2000 miles on it.

Evdok - appealing though your idea is, I need my sleep too much to be doing that!

There's a very feint chance that something will show on the CCTV of the adjacent industrial unit, but I won't be able to check that until Wednesday at the earliest.

Dieselman - while they might have trouble driving it away, there'd be nothing to stop it being lifted and/or towed to a place where work could proceed unseen.

 

[Alps]

^^ as above maybe take out the fuel pump relay

 

[evdok]

Then maybe you need one of these...

Funniest Commercial Ever - Monkey Alarm - YouTube

 

[Dieselman]

Make sure you take all valuable and personal possessions out of the car when left, if the car goes, no point losing those as well.

What about dumping an old phone in it somewhere secret and registering it with MOBILE PHONE TRACKING | PAY AS YOU GO | PHONE TRACKER | MOBILE PHONE TRACKER | MOBILE TRACKING | TRACK MOBILE PHONE | PHONE TRACKING | MOBILE TRACKER | TRACK A MOBILE PHONE | TRACK MOBILE | TRACK PHONE

 

[Deleted member 55947]

They haven't just nicked the siren for a spare part by any chance?

 

[Dec]

How far is the car from your house, if the distance is not too far its possible to hook up a radio operated door bell, triggered by one of these… New DUAL ZONE MICROWAVE SENSOR for any bike, car alarm | eBay … if anyone were loitering outside the car the radio door bell would sound inside your house. Or it could be set up to trigger the cars alarm without the need for a thief to enter or smash a window or force a door.

Not suitable for where there is legitimate pedestrian traffic passing.

Dec

 

[TDE1]

Steakout with a flask, balaclava & baseball bat

Maybe..

Last week i was awoken at midnight by a noise outside. Looked and there were two drunken lads struggling to place an enormous traffic cone onto the roof of my W211. The piece of bannister I keep behind the cellar door put an end to their jolly japes. Luckily Pano roof was not scratched. Unfortunately, cat was terrified by my bellowing and left a 'message' to that effect in the sitting room.

Gordon, I don't imagine your scrotes will come back as they'll know you've been alerted but certainly wise to take whatever precautions you can, if only for peace of mind. Your insurance may have a clause which states that an operational alarm must be fitted.

 

[st4]

Maybe..

Last week i was awoken at midnight by a noise outside. Looked and there were two drunken lads struggling to place an enormous traffic cone onto the roof of my W211. The piece of bannister I keep behind the cellar door put an end to their jolly japes. Luckily Pano roof was not scratched. Unfortunately, cat was terrified by my bellowing and left a 'message' to that effect in the sitting room.

Gordon, I don't imagine your scrotes will come back as they'll know you've been alerted but certainly wise to take whatever precautions you can, if only for peace of mind. Your insurance may have a clause which states that an operational alarm must be fitted.

I'd move the car ASAP Gordon, and get a steering lock.

Perhaps yours is a desirable model and is targeted for Stolen to Order.

 

[GordonTarling]

Dieselman - nothing valuable is left in my car, particulary at night.

Harry - Can't think why they'd want to steal an alarm siren. In fact, I'm not even sure that's where it's located or if it has been taken.

Dec - Interesting gizmo, but I suspect it might be prone to false alarms from passing cats, foxes etc. Good idea though.

TDE1 - I'm sure it would all be covered by insurance if the car now disappeared.

Steve - I'm sure it is a desirable car, but then so are many others, but if someone really wants to steal it, then they're probably going to get it eventually.

It's being parked elsewhere tonight and I'm going to investigate wireless cameras as soon as I can. Fortunately, car crime around this area is fairly low normally, but I know that gangs do target certain areas from time to time, so we'll be keeping an eye out for anything unusual. I've also alerted neighbours to keep an eye open.

 

[grober]

That's exactly where the siren is located. They often go wrong evidently!!! part no A1718205326 replaced by A2198203226 I believe but check against your chassis no. Cost approx £100
Occams Razor = they nicked an alarm used on many MB models of that vintage inc W203s stolen by people whose first inclination is probably not to enter the portals of MB with a chassis no.

Test for absence by triggering the alarm system?

pps if you have air suspension [ rear] I have a suspicion that the air compressor may be under the wheel arc liner too--- its £300!!!

 

[st4]

All those cut wires, damage to the wheel arch liner. This won't be a £100 fix.

 

[GordonTarling]

Grober - thanks for confirming the location of the alarm siren. I need to find out if it's actually missing first, but I doubt it was taken - not enough damage. Please be good enough to tell me the best way to trigger the alarm for sure - rock the car?

Steve - thanks for that, mate!

 

[evdok]

To activate, sit in car lock car watch the roof gizmo open then start waving your hands like a mad man.

 

[Dec]

Lock yourself in the car, stay completely still for 30 seconds then open a door/s OR open the door of the locked car with the key blade in the door lock, don’t use the remote key fob, the alarm will go off when you open the door, putting the remote into the ignition will stop the alarm OR just press the unlock button on the remote.

Dec