Another tale of woe

[Gwyn]

What a start to the day!

Had to move my FTO this morning, still half asleep, as it was blocking my wife's car in. Noticed some tissue paper lying on the ground under the door - then noticed a big black peice of rubber a few feet away. Took me a couple of seconds to cop what it was - my driver's side wind deflector - ripped right off. First though was just vandalism, could not see any signs of forced entry or other marks on the car.

Got in and lo and behold, all I can see are the wires that are usually hidden behind the steering wheel. Lever to adjust the steering position broken, and the steering wheel pulled way down. Just manage to steer the car back into place and let my wife out - which would suggest the steering column is generally ok - but it's undriveable as is - and will no doubt be expensive to fix.

99.9% certain I locked the car (I'm fairly anal/obsessive about locks) and would have double checked when I parked it last night - but the door and window looks fine. Maybe they managed to slip something in after pulling the wind deflector off ? If door was open I don't see why they would pull the deflector off.

Anyway - majorly pi**ed off. If United don't beat Arsenal on Sunday - weekend will be a complete write-off

[Wildhound]

There's nothing worse than waking up to find someone's been fecking with your car. My last car someone bent the entire door to get access and then tried (and failed) to steal the CD player, completely destroying it in the process.

You must be livid. Little bastards.

[elaine]

Man Thats not good at all ,they will take cars from anywhere they can now a days ,could cost a few euro to get right again.(Go on the GUNNERS)

[TopCat]

Not good man, sorry to hear about that.
But, at least she was still sitting outside in the morn. Had something similar happen a couple of years back to an mx3 I had. They tend to get the wire exposed first, and then attack the steering column to get the steering lock off before actually starting the car (probably why they never got to start yours). Sometimes there's damage too to the handbreak cos they have some way of leveraging off this to break the steering lock. I only know all this after the guards recovered my own car, but it was a write-off at this stage.
Still a horrible experience, weird to know a stranger had been in your car, you just feel that it has been violated, but at least its still there.
Best of luck with the repair work, hope it doesn't cost too much.
I've a suspicion you'll be happier after the game!

[mcgon1979]

Is it alarmed at all Gwyn?

[Muad_dib77]

sorry to hear that - at least they didn't get away with it.

If she isn't alarmed might I suggest removing the battery over night or something equally disabling.. Or maybe just sit up all night and keep an eye on her..

nasty people should have nasty things happen to them!

[Dragonheart]

This is something I've been wondering, maybe its a stupid question.
If someone breaks into your car right? Its an automaitc, now with my one anyway the key has to be to the 2nd notch to move the lever from park, does this mean that if someone hotwires the car, because the engine isnt turned on with the key, they cant move it. I only ask cause I installed a remote starter recently and even if the engine is on the key still has to be turned to put her in gear.
So let the slating begin for the stupid question.

[kevinod]

Sorry to hear that, on the upside the car was still there at least. Get onto Steelroe/RicerocketUK and they'll be able to sort you out with used parts in good nick.

[FTOny]

Really sorry to hear that, nothing worse than having your car broken into. Hope the repair bill isn't too hefty!
Mine was done the night before I had it booked in to get an alarm. They tried to steal the head unit, but, as mine is bolted in they couldn't get it. Ended up smashing the radio (out of frustration I suppose)

Wont go into how they got into the car, you never know who's watching/ reading
I'm sure some little b*stards out there would love a "how to" guide on getting into FTO's!

Well i hope their groins get infested by fleas and their arms are too short to scratch!

[Gwyn]

Thanks all for the kind words.

Got the mechanic round the corner to take a look (very quick look mind) and he reckons I won't need a new steering column - just a couple of hours labour to sort it out. Steering lock still works etc.....If that is the case, then great. It's booked in for Wednesday - will let you know how I get on.

Another positive - the car looks much better without the wind deflector - will be taking the other one off too!

Maybe something disturbed these guys, but there is nothing else wrong, did not touch the radio, left my deodorant (not Gilette men apparantly). left my MP3 convertor........not a scratch or mark on her..........

And no - I never alarmed it. In hindsight, a bad move, especially in a car that will attract attention - but my own tightfisted logic was that it would attract too much attention for a thief........wrong

Alarm already being sorted (to the sound of horses bolting........)

[mcgon1979]

thats not too bad at all Gwyn, all quite positive stuff there. Maybe the guy(s) were disturbed and just fled without going for radio or mp3 converter etc. Good stuff on the alarm too. I was almost broke shelling out for the alarm, but my mates kept insisting I get timing belt and alarm as soon as I got the car, I suppose it makes sense. The FTO would defo get attention.

[Muad_dib77]

Yeah - an alarm was one of the 1st things I bought for mine as well.

Infact I bought 2

1st one arrived and was too complicated for me at the time.. so sold it on - and had another one installed instead....
I'm considering adding more flashing leds to door panels to make it more visible that the car is alarmed..

[mcgon1979]

I have that glowing blue clifford badge... you cannot miss it...

[Gwyn]

Quick update - got the car back - brand new - 200 Euro.

Could have been much, much worse.

Could only get a lend of a car for a couple of days, so had to hire one on Wednesday night - they gave me an 08 Golf with 2k on the clock. Have to say, it's a really good car - can only imagine how savage the GTi or R32 are..........