marvingunz@mac.com

I live in New York City . Just got new 2019 SQ5 Prestige with Black Optic package .
Question : is the factory installed alarm and wheel locks adequate to significantly prevent theft of vehicle and wheels or should I invest in other products ? If so, any recommendations ? I live in fairly high crime area .
does anyone know ?

shokhead

Nothing will prevent theft if they are half good. What you have will work for an amateur. Lojack and an audi phone app might get your car back.

Bob Petruska

Good thieves scan for Lojack with ease. It's extremely easy to unlock and start Audi/VW products with a cheap OBDII connected black box. They just tow it away anymore, every see a tow truck grab a curb side parked car and be gone in less than a minute.

Redd

LoJack is overhyped. The basic LoJack system does nothing until you report the car has been stolen, and they activate it. So if you're parked until the weekend, your car can be gone for three or four days before you call them and they turn on the LoJack. By which time the car is in a container and heading out of town on a freighter.
If you order the optional (double the base price) theft warning system, then they install a different box. You get two key fobs, and if anyone starts the car without a fob, the car sends out a text message to your contact list and asks if it is being stolen. That's the only way to go, if you want to use LoJack. Also, there is no way to test that the system is actually working--unless you pay for system tests, which arguably should be done once a month or once every couple of months, IIRC another $25 each time. Which makes LoJack pricey.

Better to look online for a GPS/cellular tracking device that can be embedded in the car, which will alert you when the car is moving, and send continuous tracking. That can be used on any smartphone, for any purpose. Typically $50-300 for the gadget and $10-30 per month depending on the carrier data plan you'll need. But all in all--probably cheaper and more reliable than LoJack.

The normal US factory security system has no tilt or shock sensor, so if someone puts your car on a tow truck (takes 20 seconds with a modern truck, they don't even have to get out to hook you up) the alarm doesn't go off. If someone breaks a window, the alarm doesn't go off. The alarms we have, would be $20 back in 1970. Not very sophisticated. A GOOD third party alarm that ties in GPS/cellular tracking and notifications won't be cheap, and finding a good shop to install it (no wires twisted and tied, everything done properly) won't be easy. But if you want a system that will do a job of security--that's what is needed.

Also, you can ask a 3M window tint dealer to install the clear (or tinted) vehicle security film on the windows. This is a lexan film which prevents someone from smashing the glass. They literally have to break out the entire piece of glass, edge to edge, to get through. That will stop the smash-n-grab crowd, including carjackers while you are in it. Again, not cheap--but effective. And you'll have to tell your insurer "this is a permanently installed SECURITY item, NOT A COSMETIC TINT" if you want them to add it to the value of the vehicle. Not all 3M dealers are authorized to install this. it is invisible when installed if you select the "clear" grade.

jbbarrette

If it gets stolen, do you really want it back? It will
have been ripped apart and/or driven hard. I say let it go!

shokhead

Depends how long it's been.

MurrayA4

Up here in the great white north (Montreal) we used to be one of the car theft capitals of N.A.Major international port and strong Mafia.Lots of anti theft and tracking stuff produced here.Current favourite of the insurance companies, mine included, is a system called "Tag" .Website is thin on info. appropriately so, But my understanding is that they spray a very large quantity of miniscule Rfid chips throughout the vehicle so parts become instantly identifiable by police & customs.Additionally they install a number of GPS signal emitters in a variety of locations.Seems to work, thefts are way down and insurance companies are happy because they care about their customers - Hah.

shokhead

Customers spelled with several $$.

Redd

There are similar systems in the US, I think one was called "Smartwater". If you are familiar with explosives, they are all manufactured with multi-layered paint chips in them. Even after the explosion, you can find the dust-spec sized chips, carefully check the layers, and determine which batch the explosives came from. These kind of "taggants" are used in all sorts of things (like industrial adhesives) to identify batches for warranty claims, etc.

What the auto theft folks do it take tiny laser-engraved bits of plastic(?) with a UV dye in them. Spray them all over the car, they get into cracks and crevices just like broken glass after a smash-in. If the car is recovered, the cops are supposed to look for the shiny UV dots, put one under a microscope, and look up the number that was laser-etched in it. Really low tech, probably very effective if used and found. No electronics or batteries, no GPS or RFID needed. RFID is still way bulkier and more expensive, this comes down to something like a cost of a buck per thousand "chips" for one car.

Not active security or recovery though. Good way to prove a junkyard seat came from a stolen car...but not a game changer.