Ready to buy Audi RS3 but concerned about theft...

[944 Man]

vaud said:

I had a Golf R for 6 weeks and a gang from Birmingham (a chop shop) came all the way to Yorkshire on a spree of thefts. Golf Rs, S3s, RS3s, etc. It seems they had a list of addresses... including one that had been delivered to a house in the middle of nowhere via a covered lorry only 6 hrs earlier..

They got them in the end and they went to prison. But I wouldn't underestimate what an organised gang will do for such cars.

This story needs some meat putting on its bones.

[Driver101]

If you are worried about your car being stolen it will really get to you. There is nothing worse than having that fear.

[gazza285]

944 Man said:

vaud said:

I had a Golf R for 6 weeks and a gang from Birmingham (a chop shop) came all the way to Yorkshire on a spree of thefts. Golf Rs, S3s, RS3s, etc. It seems they had a list of addresses... including one that had been delivered to a house in the middle of nowhere via a covered lorry only 6 hrs earlier..

They got them in the end and they went to prison. But I wouldn't underestimate what an organised gang will do for such cars.

This story needs some meat putting on its bones.

Did a quick google for Birmingham car theft gang, there’s been quite a few over the last decade of so…

[vaud]

944 Man said:

This story needs some meat putting on its bones.

I'll post some more later.

[0a]

Why are these cars so targeted, out of interest?

Easy to drive fast I guess, but what’s happening to all of them after they are stolen?

[FiF]

andymc said:

I lived trough the Cosworth/TWOC years, it has always went on

True, in 1987 I bought a brand new 205GTI, that night someone tried to get into my garage and failed.

I think the difference today is mainly the competence and willingness of the lengths that the criminals are prepared to go to, including threats of violence.

Coupled with that in 1987 it was reported and the local bobby turned up and had a scout round to check if there was any mileage and to ensure we were OK. What would happen today?

Having said that there's a Golf R just down the road, no hassle there, but an unsuccessful attempt on an M4 at another address. Depends where you are, but if it's going to be a genuine worry, then something that can be avoided.

[Acorn1]

My last 3 cars have been Audi S3 > Golf R > Golf R all new.

The S3 was stolen and recovered in 2012,

Not had a problem since thankfully.

Buy the car you want I would say and enjoy it.

[vaud]

vaud said:

944 Man said:

This story needs some meat putting on its bones.

I'll post some more later.

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/crime/2019/12/...

Here you go. They took my Golf R and a 10 year old A6. They used components from my Golf (and my statement) as evidence. The local police did a great job at the scene, and kept me updated over time.

[RSstuff]

Adam-8hsau said:

Hi all,

My only concerns holding me back are over it being stolen. I am unable to garage it but am able to block it in with another vehicle - albeit this is a pain at 630am to myself and neighbours.

I couldn't be bothered with all that mucking around every morning. Plus unless you're huge or a martial arts expert, what's to stop someone giving you a whack and taking the keys and the RS, when you're shuffling the cars around.

[cossy400]

RSstuff said:

Adam-8hsau said:

Hi all,

My only concerns holding me back are over it being stolen. I am unable to garage it but am able to block it in with another vehicle - albeit this is a pain at 630am to myself and neighbours.

I couldn't be bothered with all that mucking around every morning. Plus unless you're huge or a martial arts expert, what's to stop someone giving you a whack and taking the keys and the RS, when you're shuffling the cars around.

Sounds like a lot of hassle for owning a car to me OP.

And i personally dont see the point in CCTV as i dont wish to replay some scroat taking my car.

[bigdom]

Adam-8hsau said:

Thanks for all the replies!
Put off getting a ghost or similar as if someone is determined enough to take it I don't want them threatening me or more so the wife for the code.

My boss has had one from new for 4 years, parked up on on the street in Richmond, hes never had a problem.

I live further out in leafy Surrey, about 9 years ago I had a 530d estate taken off the drive overnight. Doesn't matter what the car is, there is always a market for them. Professional gang, disabled the BMW tracker, must have changed plates/trailered as not picked up on ANPR. Police stated likely to have been broken up near Heathrow or in an container at Dover or Southampton within 2hrs.

As one of the other posters mentioned, I lived through the Cosworth era in the 90's. I had a detachable steering wheel/battery immobiliser. Car was never stolen.

Just buy it, enjoy it. If it goes, it's annoying but not the end of the world.

[NikBartlett]

vaud said:

vaud said:

944 Man said:

This story needs some meat putting on its bones.

I'll post some more later.

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/crime/2019/12/...

Here you go. They took my Golf R and a 10 year old A6. They used components from my Golf (and my statement) as evidence. The local police did a great job at the scene, and kept me updated over time.

2019 so they'll be either out already or out soon having spent the last 4 years learning from others.

[_Rodders_]

Personally I wouldn't.

I've got kids in the house and I don't want even a small increase in the risk of someone breaking in.

Golf R
Any Audi S or RS product in hatch or estate forms.
Any newer RR above a Disco Sport

Probably a few others too.

The gangs work with near impunity and don't give a fk about you or your family.

[BunkMoreland]

vaud said:

I had a Golf R for 6 weeks and a gang from Birmingham (a chop shop) came all the way to Yorkshire on a spree of thefts. Golf Rs, S3s, RS3s, etc. It seems they had a list of addresses... including one that had been delivered to a house in the middle of nowhere via a covered lorry only 6 hrs earlier..

They got them in the end and they went to prison. But I wouldn't underestimate what an organised gang will do for such cars.

Thats got to be a case of the gang having a link to customers addresses surely. Presumably a inside guy at a Audi or VW dealers. Bit more than the casual "we've seen this car we want to nick"

To the OP. Is there not a lock up or similar you can rent nearby? Out of sight helps a huge amount. As do Steeering wheel devices like Disklok. Theres a guy near me who had his RRS SVR stolen a while ago (friend of a friend is his daughter) Clearly he got the pay out as a while later another RRS SVR arrived with a disklok in their garden. What are the chances of lightening striking twice in reality? (not the supposed thing that you get it replaced and they come again)

Edited by BunkMoreland on Saturday 20th January 14:03

[Robertb]

Whilst thefts happen, actual contact with the owners rather families is very rare.

What the scrotes want is an easy target and limited chance of getting caught.

They know that as soon as they enter a house and/or threaten/hurt someone the crime steps up a few levels of importance and police interest.

Buy the car, insure it well and enjoy!

[moktabe]

Adam-8hsau said:

Thanks for all the replies!
Put off getting a ghost or similar as if someone is determined enough to take it I don't want them threatening me or more so the wife for the code.

Then get a MetaTrack system fitted instead.

If the fob isn't relatively close to the car on start-up within a couple of minutes you'll be getting a call asking "Are you with your car Sir?".

If the answer is no then they get permission from the police to switch the engine off once it's safe to do so e.g. not on a motorway or the like. They have live tracking as you will also.

[BunkMoreland]

Robertb said:

Whilst thefts happen, actual contact with the owners rather families is very rare.

What the scrotes want is an easy target and limited chance of getting caught.

They know that as soon as they enter a house and/or threaten/hurt someone the crime steps up a few levels of importance and police interest.

This is a valid point. If you make it much harder to get out or it will take time. 90% of the time they'll move on. If they REALLY want it theres nothing you can do. But anything you can do to increase their "time exposed to getting caught" is going to help. Security bollards, steering wheel locks, behind other cars, garages etc etc.

[alscar]

Realistically owning such a car and keeping it behind another car and having to constantly move them about just to drive it will quickly ruin the ownership experience.
If security bollards are easy enough to install then that would be a better alternative and certainly less of a faff.
But I think the overriding question is simply do you live somewhere where this type of incident of theft is common place ?
If not and you aren’t genuinely going to worry about any theft potential once you have bought it then crack on - great cars.

[Fr0dders]

moktabe said:

Then get a MetaTrack system fitted instead.

If the fob isn't relatively close to the car on start-up within a couple of minutes you'll be getting a call asking "Are you with your car Sir?".

If the answer is no then they get permission from the police to switch the engine off once it's safe to do so e.g. not on a motorway or the like. They have live tracking as you will also.

This is the way forward - let them drive off with the car. You get a call when they're off down the road and then remotely shut off the vehicle.

[NikBartlett]

Fr0dders said:

moktabe said:

Then get a MetaTrack system fitted instead.

If the fob isn't relatively close to the car on start-up within a couple of minutes you'll be getting a call asking "Are you with your car Sir?".

If the answer is no then they get permission from the police to switch the engine off once it's safe to do so e.g. not on a motorway or the like. They have live tracking as you will also.

This is the way forward - let them drive off with the car. You get a call when they're off down the road and then remotely shut off the vehicle.

How far does the system let them get before shutting off the engine ? Does it deadlock them in the vehicle until the Police arrive or let them escape ? You don't want them jogging back to where they stole it from to wreak some vengeance.