stolen 500E.need help..

[vcci]

I'm sure many of you have seen pictures of my 92 500E posted here on MS. Well sadly to say that two nights ago my car was stolen. I never would have thought that it would get stolen. I know this may sound funny or stupid but if anyone hears or knows of a stolen 500E in the Southern California area I will reward them for information leading to my car. I am pretty sure it was stolen by a pro since there was no broken glass where it was parked. To all the 500E owners I suggest you think twice of where you park your car or you may end up like me. Now I have to sit around and hope that it will be found, but I'm sure if they find it most of my mods won't be there but I'll even take back just the car. This just goes to show you how screwed up of a world we're living in. Anyway you all keep enjoying your 500's and keep them close.
Thanks in advace for any help.
vcci

PS. Just in case you havent seen my car before here is picture of it.

[The Godfather]

oh no!
I just read up about it on bnzsport.com, someone told us about it.
I doubt it'll surface up here, but I know that if I see it I'll know it's yours!

Keep an eye on ebay for your parts for sale there or something.

[tabasco85331]

My MB is protected by an alarm and my Glock 9-MM . I'm a dead shot and practice weekly . Was your alarm set ?

[vcci]

Unfortunately I did not have an alarm as I feel they are a waste of money, I figure if someone wants to steal a car the alarm will not stop them. My car had the factory security system but that does no good. I don't even think that a glock will stop them because you have to catch them in the act and believe me if I caught them in the act I would use my hands as an AK47 to stop them..lol

[tabasco85331]

A friend of mine has an ignition system cut-off switch hidden , also an alarm to frighten thieves that is connected to his cell phone . He sleeps with his cell next to his head at night . I keep my MB in my garage with the alarm on . My Glock in my night stand .

[MTI]

Two Words:

Insurance
Lojack

[blackmercedes]

The W124 cars are pretty easy to steal. The lock is easily accessed, so getting in is the easy part.

From there, the ignition cylinder is tougher than many others, but not much of an obstacle for a determined thief. The steering lock is broken by sitting in the passenger seat and putting your feet on the wheel. I won't give the specifics of hotwiring the car (wire colours) but once the ignition cylinder is popped, starting the car is simple.

Don't bother with a steering wheel lock (like The Club) as they take just seconds to defeat.

The best systems use a starter interrupt (NEVER use an ignition interrupt for safety reasons) that is well hidden. Make sure the brain of the system is well hidden and VERY tough to access. For this reason, good quality electonics are a good choice.

Also, make sure the system's valet switch is not accesible. Try to find one that uses a different by-pass set-up. The valet switch gives the prospective thief a place to start.

Lojack and other tracking systems work well. With a desirable older car like a Vette, E500, or other car that's easy to take, the tracking systems are well worth the investment.

Alarm systems will only slow down a pro, but not prevent the theft. If you live somewhere where the pros work, you will do best to invest in a top-line system that's professionally installed (install is 75% of the prevention). Get one that has tracking activation and a pager set-up. If you're paying less than $1500 for a system, you're getting little or no protection.

Tips/tricks:

1. Remove the dash to bury the brain and components. If it can be accessed, it is vulnerable.

2. NO butt connectors, all soldered joints.

3. FORGET perimeter alarms. Jokes that make people kick your car and cause false alarms.

4. Install an interior piezo-siren system. On my own car, if you activate the alarm, the interior is a 150db living hell. Good luck trying to find the alarm while your eardrums begin to burst. Install the peizo's in the venting system while the dash is off.

5. DON'T put the alarm sticker on the window. That lets the thief know what they're up against. Your LED will be all you need.

6. FORGET fake LED's. Anyone that has even thought about stealing a car can spot one.

7. Go for tracking AND a pager system.

8. DON'T have the alarm "chirp" when you arm and disarm it. NO! It does nothing more than alert folks that you have an alarm, and possibly the type you have. Why make people look? Think F117: STEALTH.

9. DON'T tint your windows. People think that it helps "hide" the interior of their car. BS. IT makes thieves think you have something to hide, and makes your car more of a target. Same goes for trick wheels, etc.

10. Park in a locked garage, and think about moving if you don't have a garage. Alarm the garage TOO.

I have a better one, move out of the city.

I'm not saying that crimes do not happen at all, however, the people tend to watch out for each other (or at least to know what scuttlebutt they'll have a the next gossip section), and there is seemingly alot more respect for one's property.

[vcci]

yahoooooooooooooooo......My car was found (that's the good news). The bad news is my wheels, headlights, front bumper and some other parts are gone. On May 29th my car was stolen as many of you already know. Last night it was found on a side street in North Hollywood. Now I have to start fixin her up for the second time. I need to find some Euro lights front bumper and some wheels. Well just thought many of you would like to know that she has been recovered and I am back..lol..

vcci

Pictures to follow shortly.

[Snibble]

a bittersweet congrats to you! Good thing you found your car, but sorry to hear parts were stolen.... even the wheels that you got for a deal. Hope to hear it go back to how it was.

[jhal]

Glad to hear you got your car back. I hope the theives didn't trash the drivetrain joyriding around in it. Is the insurance company be helpful about this matter?

[vcci]

I will find out tommorow how the insurance company handles this situation, hopefully they will not burn me.

[mike690003]

I'm happy to hear you got thet sweet ride back. Was the steering column damaged? The punk thieves might have used a tow truck to steal it. Look on the bright side, the engine is still there and the body is not wrecked. Looks like someone with a w124 might have stolen it for the bumper lights and rims(maybe for a 500E conversion). I say look around and keep an eye out for any mbz with rims like yours or a "new" 500e in the area u just might find your car's stolen parts.

[vcci]

You bet i'm keeping my out now and I feel bad for the person if I find them.

[Ashman]

Glad to hear you got the car back.

Might be a good time to get some other work done to it while you are at it.

Alon