W212 Security Question

[mbenz76]

Just wondered how secure the boot of the W212 is.

I need to carry some expensive equipment around for work over the next few days, and will leave it locked in the boot when not being used (also will not put it in the boot when I can be seen if possible).

Does anyone know how secure the boot lock itself is against someone taking a crow bar to it (for example), and if someone were to put a window through while the car was parked and locked, could they use the boot release button (in the drivers door) to open the boot?

Thanks

 

[Dieselman]

Does anyone know how secure the boot lock itself is against someone taking a crow bar to it (for example), and if someone were to put a window through while the car was parked and locked, could they use the boot release button (in the drivers door) to open the boot?

Thanks

The boot release is disabled while the car is locked and key out, but you can also lock the boot with the key to completely disable the unlocking.

Any boot can be crowbarred open, but MB do/used to supply additional boot deadlocks to reduce the risk.

If it was me, I'd be more bothered about the risk to my car than the loss of work equipment as that will be insured by them.

As long as you are sensible the risk is minimal. What is the equipment?

 

[mbenz76]

Agree about being bothered about the car - which is why I will minimise risk by not letting people know there is anything stored in there - I don't plan on opening the boot away from company sites. Just curious as to how secure the boot actually is.

Got a large IT project on and need to carry several servers and comms kit around a few sites while installing.

Just digressing, but do any other W212 owners find the fact the boot floor has a ridge in it (thus preventing heavy objects being pushed all the way back) poor design to the point of being stupid?

 

[Gareth]

I've carried servers in the boot of mine a few times, as said you just have to be careful where and when you are opening the boot.

 

[snoop51]

Just digressing, but do any other W212 owners find the fact the boot floor has a ridge in it (thus preventing heavy objects being pushed all the way back) poor design to the point of being stupid?

Not unless you are talking about the bit immediately behind the rear seat, raised plastic. The rest of the floor is flat as a pancake.

 

[mbenz76]

Not unless you are talking about the bit immediately behind the rear seat, raised plastic. The rest of the floor is flat as a pancake.

Yes, the bit behind the seats.

Anything heavy and you simply cannot get it over the ridge. And since I have fold down seats I expected the entire floor to be flat. It's not the end of the world but is annoying.

 

[snoop51]

Yes, the bit behind the seats.

Anything heavy and you simply cannot get it over the ridge. And since I have fold down seats I expected the entire floor to be flat. It's not the end of the world but is annoying.

Mmm I can understand that. I didn't bother with the split fold seats, I figure if I want that sort of facility I'll buy a hatchback or an estate but then I don't carry anything near as valuable as you are. If we need anything that big it would require the rear seats folded then the F.I.L. has a tail lift Transit van.

 

[JohnDeere8530]

Best keep the car out of view when loading it

Make sure the items are insured against theft in a third party car

No one will break into the boot on a whim if they do not know what is in there.

The boot lock is quite strong actually against crow-bar attack

Years ago I had an old M reg C class Merc on the farm. We lost the key for ages and before taking it to the scrap yard I wanted the boot open.

I placed a tine from a large loading shovel through the back of it then lifted, it lifted the whole back end of the car off the ground before finally breaking !

 

[mbenz76]

Mmm I can understand that. I didn't bother with the split fold seats, I figure if I want that sort of facility I'll buy a hatchback or an estate but then I don't carry anything near as valuable as you are. If we need anything that big it would require the rear seats folded then the F.I.L. has a tail lift Transit van.

I also don't really carry loads regularly, and my main reason for getting the split seat option was because I always drive myself to the airport and wanted to be able to get the luggage in easily! Which incidentally you can

This was also my first saloon after years of hatchbacks, so I wanted the flexibility "just in case".