Just opened a letter from my car insurance. Does anyone know why the S6 would be classified "High Theft" while my A6 isn't? How effective is the "immobilizer" in preventing theft -- more or less effective than immobilizing the owner?

Should I get LoJack? A club? My own Denver Boot?

Should I remove the S6 badges and then the would-be thief thinks it's a regular Avant? (or is Avant what gets categorized high theft?)

I will get an explanation from my agent Monday but I'd like to hear of anyone else's experience.

 

Immobilizer and others are a joke for the Pros. Hack your fuel pump relay and run a hidden switch.

 

Thanks! Can figure it out without one but is there a wiring diagram available?,

 

In Mass., All Audis On High Risk List

 

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I've instaled this system on my A6 the day I take the delivery of it(restriction of my insurance compagnie) It is a verry popular system here across Canada, more in Québec. In resumé it is a system that use a satellite-based recovery system to locate your vehicule when it's stolen. You call and they find it. Thats why it cost less from your insurance companie each month. There are practicly no chance that they will not recover your vehicule. Their % of recovery is 95% I think.

Here are some key facts of the Boomerang, you will see more on their web site (see the link below), aks them by e-mail if it is avaliable in your location:

* The technology employed by the Boomerang is not restrictive; stolen assets equipped with a Boomerang can be found even if they are located underground, in a metal container, or in an enclosed area such as a garage.

* The Boomerang does not use GPS (Global Positioning System), a satellite-based recovery system, but does use the cellular network, a system that provides a broader geographical scope in terms of locating a stolen asset equipped with the Boomerang.

* With its use of the cellular network, stolen property equipped with a Boomerang can be located across North America.

* Recoveries made through the use of the Boomerang are very quick; only 60 minutes on average! In most cases, the speed of the recovery assures minimal damage to the stolen asset, if any.

* The majority of the insurance companies recognize the advantages of the Boomerang so much so that they offer reductions in premiums and other rebates for individuals who have their vehicles equipped with a Boomerang, and in many cases are requiring the installation in risk vehicles.

* Law-enforcement authorities endorse the Boomerang and recognise the contribution the Boomerang makes to law and order.

For the owner's protection, the Boomerang is hidden in the vehicle and its location is unknown even to the owner.<ul><li><a href="http://www.boomerangtracking.com/flash/fd_flash.html">http://www.boomerangtracking.com/flash/fd_flash.html</a</li></ul>

 

Seems odd the car hasn't been around long enough to have a history

 

You could always just wire it from the fuel pump ground into the trunk area.

 

Its a good, low cost investment for a $62K car.
I would recommend you get it. For $550-595, you can't go wrong.

 

The immobilizer supposedly reduced BMW thefts an enormous emount and we have the same one they do.

How do you get around it? As far as I know you have to swap ECUs to do so, and that takes time and isn't easy either (as anyone who's tried to put in a chipped ECU on an immobilizer car).

 

These guys got a little loaded and the conversation turned to the nice cars being parked and auto security. I had a Boxster S at the time and stated that I felt safe with the standard systems. These reputed bad boys stated that anything on a hot list is high dollar in the global market. The conversation left me feeling that LoJack can be jammmed and that installers usually pick common locations for the same models. Also, that electronics can be easily defeated through the OBD II port. I guess the "pros" have no problem taking specific models because they know the specifics and have the tools. He said coastal and border cities will have the ripest markets. He joked that the best thieves are factory trained mechanics. He also said that most cars are taken by teams these days with each person having a specialized task. I guess the days of one guy stealing one car are over. He also said that these teams are armed and pretty ruthless if approached by owners with the theft in progress. It could've been BS, but it seemed pretty convincing. He also said that uncommon cars are better targets. My S would be a waste of time according to him. Turbos would need extra protection. He also said that oversea black market buyers prefer German cars over Italian for reliability reasons which I took as a compliment, kind of. When asked how he protects his car, (after the bravado of not needed to because of who he knew blah, blah, blah) he stated the mechanical switch to the fuel pump is the best because of two reasons. The first being that it could be anywhere, so the time to locate it is often a factor to just leave it. The other was that when the car dies out with the switch turned off, it is commonly out of stall already adding to the time factor. I guess a stalled car on the roll is a good reason for the theif to bail. This guy was trying to use the bad boy approach to get into this chick's pants, so there was a lot of "impressing" going on. This was years before Gone in 60 seconds came out, so I didn't feel his story was bolstered to much by Hollywood. Take the statements with a grain of salt, but my cousin who is a cop (only traffic) said that the stuff sounded pretty legitimate. I guess if the right people want your car and you live in the wrong place, it can easily be gone. My take is that if just one immobilizer car is driven away, then at least one person/s have the ability to steal it. Do I have this switch on my cars? No, because a theft would mean that I would just get a newer model after insurance payoff and fresh capital. There is always a newer toy waiting to be purchased.