advice: How to secure xenons from theft?
 

I won't be getting my X back for another week or so, and I'm trying to think of ways to secure the car better so that the headlights won't be stolen again.

I asked the dealer to re-program the car so that only the remote will turn off the alarm. While i'm having the door lock replaced, I'm also having the door lock capped, at least it will slow them down.

I am considering installing a hood lock (chapman lock) so that the hood can't be opened.

Does anyone have any other ideas? I really don't want ot have to worry about the damn headlights being stolen every time I park the car for more than a 1/2 hour.

That's a good question, Gresch. Hope your X comes back as good as new. :thumbup:

Really the only way to prevent theft, imo, is to convert from xenon to halogen. :dunno:. Sucks doesn't it?

i asked about that, but my X is leased and the xeons have to be replaced with the same type. Not only are they xenons, but they're also adaptive that turn right/left when you turn the steering wheel, so I can't replace with halogens.

I'm past the shock stage of being ripped off, and very much into the anger stage, I'm going to figure out a way to secure those lights, eff the dbag theives.

:genius: How does the thief know our X5s have xenons or halogens? Hmmm, I don't think that solution works.

maybe i'm missing your point, but xenons are standard equipment on a '04 4.4i... either way, if they think they're xenon's, they're still going to break in and take them, so either way i have an insurance claim and i'm out the $1000 deductible... :(

http://www.self-defender.net/weapons/shotguns.htm

I have a couple of Mossberg models, though I really like the SPAS-12, though it is a tad heavy. One of these, a night scope, a lawn chair and a lil'patience...J/K, sorta. GL on keeping your xenons.
BR,md

:D Good suggestion MD! I think that would be X5Jones' approach.... That SPAS-12 sure is nice!

Anyway, good luck with your xenons!

Can they steal lights without getting into the car or opening the hood? or hood opens without alarm going off?
Don't remember exactly but I think Lojack has an option where if the car opens without your key, it will page you immediately.

I don't think that the lights can be removed without opening the hood. For some reason, they tore the bumper off at the wheel well on both sides as well, I can't figure out how that helps them get the lights out. I'll give lojack a call, thanks for the idea, i didn't konw that they had that option.

EDIT UPDATE: I checked with lojack, their paging option only works if the car is moved and it takes anywhere from a minimum of 15 minutes, to a maximum of an hour for you to receive a call, email or page that your car has been moved....

I'm looking into alarms that can possibly send a page to a blackberry/cell phone if the alarm is triggered.

Well did they take the time to unbolt the headlights from the car or just rip them out? How about some one way bolts to bolt 'em in? That'll give them a REAL hard time....

They took the entire assemblies. They knew what they were doing, they were hamfisted getting into the car, but careful getting the lights out. The wiring harness will need to be replaced because they slammed the hood shut on it.

I'm thinking locktite on the bolts?

I'm new to the X5 and haven't even looked at how the headlights are secured - but how 'bout something like this security bolt from McMaster-Carr:
http://www.mcmaster.com/library/9/955767/90058A542L.GIF

I didn't see it listed in a metric thread. If the OEM fastener screws into a "pim" nut, you could swap it out for one in SAE threads.

If you can just slow the thieves down a bit, they'll usually go on to easier pickings. Altho' you'd still have the damage from their attempt to get at the lights... :mad:

Patrick

They tore the front bumper off in broad daylight? I'm surprised nobody saw/heard anything.

It was sometime between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Well if you do locktite than you will have a heck of a time trying to get them out (if you ever have to). I would suggest that security bolt or the one-way bolt. I think the one-ways you could get at Lowes or depot (its a slotted screw that only allows you to turn it in but not out. To get it out you have to drill it out.).

I agree, do everything you can to give the little bastards trouble.

Lock tite won't help you. I use it on my mountain bikes and you can still get bolts off with some muscle...

That security bolt looks like a cool way to go through

drum rolll please.......


and the grand total: $5,624 to repair the car. Over $3,000 in parts.


People suck.

i once read a thread on e46fanatics how someone glued razor blades on/around his xenon assembly

Bad idea - "booby traps" are generally frowned upon by the US legal system...

Patrick

I had a Chapman lock on another car of mine. They tried to steal it and they did manage to pry the hood open. The weak link with that lock are the bolts which mounts the lock. It's the best option, I believe.