Security

[E_T_V]

As we've all heard about maestro theft is on the increase because lets face it they are easy to get into and steal.

Now I know there are many thoughts already mentioned in another thread somewhere a while ago such as removing the steering wheel etc, but can anyone recommend a decent alarm/immobiliser to protect our pride and joy, and also ways to stop them getting in in the first place.

Any thoughts please? I was thinking of fitting remote central locking and de-locking the car when I re-do the doors.

[bandycat]

there's no way you can stop them getting into your vehicle but once they are in, make it as hard as possible for them to take it.
Easy way to do this is put a dead switch on the ignition system this comprises of a 'chicken switch' which shuts down the ignition system of the vehicle until you turn the key in it to a 45 degree angle very simple, very effective, and very basic immobiliser.
we have got one on our monty, hidden just under the dash,and the key is on the same ring as the ignition key, on one of those plastic coils that people attach dummies to their kids with.Thus it doesn't matter where the switch is because the coil is stretchy! i fitted them to quite a lot of my mates cars too.:D

[Wonko_The_Sane]

I recently fitted a Moss MS775 alarm/immobiliser...How could I resist when I saw a stall on the Sunday Market selling them for £20..:) Add to that I have a Crooklok on the auto shift/handbrake, an old PC keyswitch in line with the Neutal start switch, I leave the ECU unplugged if I go away for a while, I have a removeable shift handle, and the fact that most of the time my doorlock won't even let me in, and you have a car that's enough to deter most opportunists..:laugh:

The alarm is good...it's a passive arm job, so I get out and walk away. Vibration/Voltage/Ultrasonic sensors too..and they do a Central locking interface I think..

For what I paid...it's excellent..:D

[Firefly]

failing that,u can just take the rotor arm out every nite!!!

[Jonathan]

Mine's a Cobra system (I think some manufacturers use these as original equipment) - immobiliser, alarm, radio frequency remote & CDL interfaced, protection of all the usual places and internal sensors. No false alarms so far or other such problems, it all seems to work very nicely. Buy one for about £80 - £100 to fit yourself, or get a specialist to do it for a bit more.

[Alan the Vanner]

I've heard that getting a specialist to fit one for you could lower your insurance premium a bit more.

[E_T_V]

Yes if it is a Thatcham approved one fitted by an "approved" fitter you'll get an insurance discount.

[MaestroMatt]

Not much though. Try a few online instant quote places and get a quote with a Thatcham alarm and one without. When I did it, there was less than £1 difference. Hardly going to pay for itself, is it?!

[E_T_V]

I thought it was 5 or 10% but it depends on alarm (non thatcham ones don't seem the count for much if anything).

[Jonathan]

Sounds familiar, despite being professionally installed my non thatcham system didn't make *any* difference to the insurance quote. If you were to do something like add some non-standard alloys I'll bet that'd be a different matter!

[D87 SMW]

GG's security consists of an unsecure garage and the following...

[MaestroMatt]

Has anyone tried the very cheap immobiliser from those e-bay stalwarts SMC (highly recommended e-bayers by the way)?

http://hometown.aol.co.uk/smctrading/index.html

For £11 inc. postage it could be worth a go! Looks like it is Unipart as well, so sympathetic to the Maesty.

[Maria]

Got one from SMC, but haven't fitted it yet.

[MaestroMatt]

Does it look like a quality device? I am very tempted to get one.

[Maria]

It looks like a switch box with lots of wires!! :D

[E_T_V]

Was that the switch thingy with loom I saw.. You can make one yourself but the instructions in the one Masie showed me were pretty clear if you don't feel confident with car electrics. I think it is just a simple switch you hide away somewhere that immobilises the car. Am I right or did I get my wires crossed, (sorry every pun intended)