Alarm fitting to an S
Discussion
The insurance company has told me that I have to have a Thatcham Cat 1 alarm / immobiliser jobbie fitted to any S that I buy.
Although several cars I am looking at have them fitted, some don't, so I need to consider getting one fitted IF I buy a car that hasn't got one already!
Therefore can anyone recommend a decent / trusted fitter in the Essex or Surrey region? (I am slightly concerned about going to any old place, due to the playful electrics and GRP body of a TVR).
Although several cars I am looking at have them fitted, some don't, so I need to consider getting one fitted IF I buy a car that hasn't got one already!
Therefore can anyone recommend a decent / trusted fitter in the Essex or Surrey region? (I am slightly concerned about going to any old place, due to the playful electrics and GRP body of a TVR).
I'd definitely recommend fitting at least an immobiliser, whether the insurance demands it or not, just for the peace of mind. If you also get an alarm, it's worth making sure that the immobiliser will work without the alarm set, so that it will be active when parked with the roof down (vital!), unless, of course, you get a perimetric alarm which will work OK with the roof down.
Sorry not to answer your original question, but I just wanted to let you know how nervous I'd feel if my S didn't have the immobiliser fitted.
Sorry not to answer your original question, but I just wanted to let you know how nervous I'd feel if my S didn't have the immobiliser fitted.
If you buy one with an immob fitted then make sure you get the fitting certificate as your insurance company may ask you for it.
Although several cars I am looking at have them fitted, some don't, so I need to consider getting one fitted IF I buy a car that hasn't got one already!
Mark
Try:
www.clifford.co.uk/html/dealer_search.html
I assume anything listed would be endorsed by the manufacturer.
www.clifford.co.uk/html/dealer_search.html
I assume anything listed would be endorsed by the manufacturer.
When I got my S3 last month it was fitted with a fancy alarm immobilsier,but not registered as a CAT 1 I I had to have a Cat 2 immoblisier fitted, its a little passive dangly thing on the key ring,no plugging into the dash. about £100 fitted. 
>> Edited by Brioss on Thursday 14th November 00:03
>> Edited by Brioss on Thursday 14th November 00:03
My 390SE has a Clifford (Thatcham Cat 1)on it; my Tasmin had a Thatcham Cat 2 (immobiliser only) as the insurers all required it.
Telling them it's garaged will get you a discount (they won't check, but you'll be up shit creek if the car goes walkabout and wasn't garaged).
The Clifford has a microwave sensor (2 zone) so you can leave the roof off with it set (you can't use ultrasonics with a DHC as the wind will set it off). There's a glass break sensor, but since you'd hardly break the windscreen when you could limbo under the hood I don't see the point. It also has remote boot opening, option for remote starting and remote garage door opener. I already have a remote for the garage door so I wasn't about to pay Clifford's extortionate rate for a radio receiver.
As it is, the previous owner paid £575 for the system, and it still wasn't fitted properly. I sorted it and added the boot opener (an extra relay!) and fitted central locking motors (the Clifford had all the toys, just not many of them were employed!). I'm in two minds whether to go down the Cerbera route and lose the door handles altogether....
Ian
(Is it bedtime yet?)
Telling them it's garaged will get you a discount (they won't check, but you'll be up shit creek if the car goes walkabout and wasn't garaged).
The Clifford has a microwave sensor (2 zone) so you can leave the roof off with it set (you can't use ultrasonics with a DHC as the wind will set it off). There's a glass break sensor, but since you'd hardly break the windscreen when you could limbo under the hood I don't see the point. It also has remote boot opening, option for remote starting and remote garage door opener. I already have a remote for the garage door so I wasn't about to pay Clifford's extortionate rate for a radio receiver.
As it is, the previous owner paid £575 for the system, and it still wasn't fitted properly. I sorted it and added the boot opener (an extra relay!) and fitted central locking motors (the Clifford had all the toys, just not many of them were employed!). I'm in two minds whether to go down the Cerbera route and lose the door handles altogether....
Ian
(Is it bedtime yet?)
To clarify some issues...
Mannings require a Cat 1 immobiliser to be fitted BECAUSE the car will not be garaged on MY property - it will be garaged at a friends house.
Due to where I am keeping the car, every other insurer I have asked has specified the same... simply becuase the garage is not on my property!
Mannings require a Cat 1 immobiliser to be fitted BECAUSE the car will not be garaged on MY property - it will be garaged at a friends house.
Due to where I am keeping the car, every other insurer I have asked has specified the same... simply becuase the garage is not on my property!
Podie,
I had the same problem - no one would insure my S without a CAT1 alarm/Immobiliser. I'm in London, parked on the Street. But glad I had one fitted though.
I used Station Hill Garage in Farnham, Surrey. They have an alarm guy who knows TVR's very well. You definately want someone who know's what to expect when they take apart the trim.
It cost around £300 I think and was one of the "recommended" alarms from my Insurer.
Bit of a hike to get there, but they're right near the train station.
I had the same problem - no one would insure my S without a CAT1 alarm/Immobiliser. I'm in London, parked on the Street. But glad I had one fitted though.
I used Station Hill Garage in Farnham, Surrey. They have an alarm guy who knows TVR's very well. You definately want someone who know's what to expect when they take apart the trim.
It cost around £300 I think and was one of the "recommended" alarms from my Insurer.
Bit of a hike to get there, but they're right near the train station.
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