Hello. I would like to know just how safe from thieves my 1990 300sel might be?

Mercedes are difficult to steal unless the thieve can gain access to your keys. I have found steering wheel lock devices like "The Club" to be very effective as well (these are inexpensive and easy to install quickly after a drive).

http://www.theclub.com/

Good luck,

-GH

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For Now:
1992 Mercedes Benz 500SL
1998 BMW 528i
2003 Honda Element
2002 CBR600F4i
1977 Coachmen Motor Home

Well, they have a pretty good factory alarm system, the doors and windows are virtually impossible to jimmy, and the ignition lock is hardened steel.
Besides that, they are very low on the most-stolen list these days.

DG

Forget "The Club", it's next to useless. All a thief has to do has hack saw through the steering wheel (30 seconds) and the club is removed.

Your best bet is a well hidden kill switch, or remove a critical relay when you park in a dodgy area.

Then all you have to worry about is a tow truck.



-tp

Many thanks for your info on my query. This is my first MB, decided to get it before I kicked the bucket (70yr old) probably payed too much but it is in excellent condition (255,000klm) and really does bring a smile to my dial every time I drive it. It is an Australian version of the 300SEL. Does not have Factory Alarm System, but all the other options as far as I am aware. Kind Regards, John - VK4AXA

I don't worry about my old mercedes being stolen. I think thieves want something newer and faster than a 300SEL.

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1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual

My thoughts exactly, they'd be more prone to just take something inside than the entire vehicle at this age.

Lock any valuables in the trunk.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Yeah its not going to get stolen, lock the doors and don't leave it running with the keys in it and you'll be just fine.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

lol - yeah the 300SEL looks like a faster car than it is for sure, especially since its the same body style as the 420/560SEL. Mine has adequate power for me, but for most people this car would be a slug.

Yeah, I do not see them getting stolen easy anyway. They seem to be diffucult to get into around the windows and the alarm system (at least on mine) works good. One day I "popped" the hood on mine and locked the door, because I wanted to change a parking light bulb then go in. Well that was a mistake - when I raised the hood, the horns started blaring, lights flashed like a Christmas tree, etc.

If you know your way around them, they're not hard to disable the theft systems and steal one. This includes the steering lock, ign switch, etc.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]