Chop Shop had key to my '95 S500. - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Ken300D · #16 06-27-2002, 03:19 PM

Yes, I've heard that about The Club. I haven't actually seen the Freon method demonstrated. At least the car thief has to bring along more than just the key.

Chances are they'll show up with just the key the first time, and if they see a club, then they'll come back with more equipment to defeat it.

Ken300D

blackmercedes · #17 06-27-2002, 03:51 PM

My wife lost her purse, including one of the keys for the C230. Thankfully, it was returned, but in the interim, we had a dilemma.

Someone out there had our address and a key for my car.

The dealer was closed (of course) so locking out the key wasn't an option at that point.

We parked both the Benzes in the garage, and locked the garage. Then, I disabled the C230 electrically (pulled some key fuses) but knew this would only slow someone down. Then, I parked the Mazda up against the outside of the garage door, blocking the door. They would have to hotwire the 626 (top line security installed), break into the garage, and then sort out my missing fuses.

Even then, I slept poorly that night!

Thankfully, the next day Home Depot called. Helen had left her purse on the counter, and it was returned safe and intact. We keep more careful control over keys since then.

However, this does nothing to protect against the dealer selling your keys. I think the only defence against that is to own an "undesirable" model that might not be worth them stealing. Maybe an S500 is high on the "hit list?" I have no idea.

Perhaps MB "head office" should step up key security and take steps to ensure employees cannot order keys. Maybe a new policy of ONLY shipping keys to owner's home addresses? Maybe a PIN you choose when you buy the car?

If MB's are being stolen in this way, MB should step up to bat and help out...

#18 06-27-2002, 04:42 PM

The best protection I have seen is a brake pedal lock. It slides up under the brake pedal and you set the brake with you foot and slide the locking mechanism down to the pedal and lock it. The special steel of the lock cannot be hacksawed and the toughest metal on the car is the brake pedal - apparently impossible to cut in a short period of time. They may start it - but unless they tow it - it ain't going to move. The club is indeed a farce - more for a "feeling good" than being useful. 15 seconds with a good hacksaw and you have a stolen vehicle. Alarms don't work - people hear them going off accidently all the time and are starting to ignore them in parking lots etc. A good starter-ignition defeat with the brake lock I mentioned - I think is the best way to go for now.
Just my opinion.

kanadary · #19 06-27-2002, 04:44 PM

what do you use then to prevent a five finger discount?

#20 06-27-2002, 11:23 PM

Moedip: Nice little tidbit on your part. So where does one purchase such an item!?

Ashman · #21 06-28-2002, 02:29 AM

search for autolock, which is the brake pedal thingy.

I have seen it for sale at my local pepboys.

Alon

Snowman · #22 06-28-2002, 02:34 AM

Wow as someone mentioned earlier, that's straight out of the movie "Gone in 60 Seconds." There was a guy at the Mercedes dealership selling keys there too. Who knows maybe they got the idea from there?

Ah but anyway, I think I should try that brake lock thing. It's the sad truth but if a thief wants your car, they're getting it. The only thing you can do is slow them down.

CJ · #23 06-28-2002, 03:27 AM

Just pay your insurance premiums and sleep well at night, that is how I look at it. I have bigger things to worry about like my son's tuition bill.

omegabenz · #24 06-28-2002, 03:55 AM

The club, instead of leaving it easily accessable from the front, turn it around so that you have to lock it with your key between the steering wheel and the instrument cluster.

The brake lock things tear up your carpet. I speak from experience.

I think that remote cut offs are the best bet. Something underthe hood inaccessable, and hidden.

Austin