S3 on order.. bit worried now !

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phildo

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Hi All, new to the forums as just ordered a new S3 last week. I've recently had a couple of Renaultsports (original 225 and R26) and never had any problem with theft/vandalism. Does the S3 really get a lot of unwanted attention as there seems to be quite a few posts about burglary for keys, wingmirrors and sat navs etc.
Can some s3 owners give me comfort or am i going to feel like i can't leave it anywhere at all?

ta
Phil
 
Hi & welcome. I guess part depends on where you live and where its parked. There is always going to be a demand from criminals for prestige cars/parts and the S3 is no different. Remember that people will only tell you when it does happen, not when they have had car for 5 years without anything happening.
 
and as well, think its a case of wrong place at the wrong time with stuff such as the wing mirrors and sat navs,
when it comes to keys being stolen from the house to take the car, thats down more to the car being stolen to order and there is very little you can do to guard against that except maybe getting a tracker fitted so will make finding the car an awful lot easier!! the S3 is just a very sought after car so will always draw attention, both good and bad, but best thing to do, is be careful where you park it, and take as many precautions as possible and enjoy it
 
Nearly 3 yrs and no unwanted attention or incident so far. (touch wood)

Wouldnt worry about, if you look at national stats I would guess S3 are no more a target than other premium/performance stuff.

Cheers
Paul
 
Where abouts do you live Phil? All depends on area from what i've seen

I've never had anything stolen or any of my cars broken into, and i put this down to living in an OK area

Not being funny, but a lot of this sort of stuff seems to happen around Liverpool and Manchester for some reason...not sure why

At the end of the day, you shouldn't be put off buying a lovely car just because of some horror stories. Remember that the number of A3/S3's that have had something done to them, is still a tiny percentage of the total amount out there.
 
I live just outside a smallish town in the midlands (sorry for being vague but i'm paranoid about advertising where it'll be parked up!). To be honest i'm more concerned about someone having a go at the house when we are in there than any damage to the car.
If we are out shopping then it'll be in Manchester or Brum so it'll be well locked up and parked somewhere as safe as possible!!
Think you are all right really, you only hear about the bad news and it shouldn't put me off!
 
It's the same as hearing about faults. If you go on a specific car forum you will read loads of posts from people saying they have various problems with their cars. The people that dont have problems wont post as they have no need to! So it's an unfair reflection on it.

If you made a poll on here saying how many people have had their S3's nicked and how many haven't it it would be a small proportion that have had them stolen.
 
well in my case when my rnse was stolen this week i'm probably partly to blame.i left it out of sight in a badly lit street near work.wouldnt have happened if i parked more sensibly.
having said that i'd be lying if i said i wasnt worried about it happening again but im sure i will feel better about it in a few days when ive calmed down a bit.
thinking about having all the windows(legally) tinted.that would make smash and grab a little more difficult-i think.
id say just be careful where you leave it and you'll be fine.and of course theres an element of (bad)luck about it all..
 
mate im from the midlands and my car was targeted they broke in to a friends home in the day time to find the keys as the car is parked on his drive as the mrs works in a hairdressers and the parking out side the shop is for customers only .
So we went and got a disk lock and keep the key separetly from the audi key so if they did get the keys they will still find it hard to get away with the car .
oh and its got rac track star fitted as well .
hope this helps .
 
These theves must watch certain cars because I think the S3 isnt obviously different to a normal A3, especially the new ones like the black edition. It takes a trained eye to tell them apart and i've not heard of any BE's being stolen!
 
West Mids is full of car thefts, drives me insane somtimes. Audi's are targeted quite alot up there. Best thing i would advise is to keep your keys somewhere safe that's all. You shouldn't worry about stuff like that thought matey, it can happen to anyone.
 
I suppose the Audi will always be targeted because its sold in such a basic form so there is a market for stolen extras.
 
I've had my S3 18 months now and spend half my time in the North West and the other half in the Midlands. So far I've had my mirrors stolen and two theft attempts, once they broke into the wrong house as my car was regularly outside my neighbours and the second time they got into the house whilst we were in bed but were scared off by the house alarm. Hopefully you'll be pleased to hear all these incidents happened in the North West !!! Seriously considering getting rid now as I have the feeling it's only a matter of time before the b****rds arrive in my bedroom in the middle of the night or mug me for the keys. What's the world coming to when you're constantly looking over your shoulder because of the car you drive
 
PaulAr said:
Wouldnt worry about, if you look at national stats I would guess S3 are no more a target than other premium/performance stuff.
Click to expand...

insurance companies would disagree with you there. A3s and S3s were in the top ten most stolen cars in the UK a couple of years back. i doubt much has changed
 
sub39h said:
insurance companies would disagree with you there. A3s and S3s were in the top ten most stolen cars in the UK a couple of years back. i doubt much has changed
Click to expand...

Really?

My premium would suggest other wise.
Its not much different to previous Golfs and Civic.

Im not suggesting they arent a target, just that lots of other desirable stuff is be too.
I would bet that if you go on EVO, Subaru, RS, VW, BMW etc forums there `appears` to be a similar trend. Even Porsche (except Bosxters because they are for poor people by all accounts)

I watch lots of these `Police stop Camera squad patrol` etc docs and cant recall seeing an obvious trend of stolen audis. From memory it was VWs, 4x4s, 911s, CTR.... ...

Happy to stand corrected if some one can show me some actual stats.

In fact I will go out in the snow with my mankini on if Im proven wrong.

Cheers
Paul
 
Just be sensible

Park it in sensible, busy, well lit areas when you have to away from home.

Make sure you are not being followed home. If you have a garage, for gods sake use it. Out of sight, out of mind, so many people use them as a big shed!!!!

Sleep with the house alarm on and take keys to bed with you

Be aware when driving too, don't get into situations where you could be boxed in easily.

Christ this sounds like such a drag, but after a while it just comes naturally, the car is well worth it so don't worry :)
 
Plenty of nice BMs, Mercs and Range's not to mention superbikes get nicked also , I know people who had them stolen more then once and if you went on another make's forum you would hear about the same shizzle going on.
 
PaulAr said:
Happy to stand corrected if some one can show me some actual stats.

In fact I will go out in the snow with my mankini on if Im proven wrong.

Cheers
Paul
Click to expand...

You're off the hook. Police data for 2010 shows that the only premium car in the top 10 is now the BMW 3 Series. The rest are all Fords and Vauxhalls, with the exception of the VW Golf.

I'm pretty sure it used to be in the top ten, but that's irrelevant because it isn't anymore!
 
I keep my keys in a Safe. Seems silly, but saves the regret
 
buzzkip said:
I keep my keys in a Safe. Seems silly, but saves the regret
Click to expand...

That's a pointless exercise I feel. If they want your car badly enough and walk in with a shotgun then you'll still give them the keys. If they were just looking to smash in and grab them then putting them in your bedside drawer at night is sufficient
 
sub39h said:
That's a pointless exercise I feel. If they want your car badly enough and walk in with a shotgun then you'll still give them the keys. If they were just looking to smash in and grab them then putting them in your bedside drawer at night is sufficient
Click to expand...

Its a tough call this one.

If the keys are out of sight then an opportunist smack head wont go looking about.

If the vermin has entered you home to specifically to steal the car then I agree that the keys are better to be easy accessible to avoid you or your family being put in danger.

Its why I dont see the point of Trackers.

Do you really want the car back?
Particularly in the knowledge that the criminals have already paid you a visit in the night?
After all, only the insurance companies REALLY benefit from the car being recovered. So why should WE insure our insurance?

cheers
Paul
 
PaulAr said:
Its why I dont see the point of Trackers.

Do you really want the car back?
Particularly in the knowledge that the criminals have already paid you a visit in the night?
After all, only the insurance companies REALLY benefit from the car being recovered. So why should WE insure our insurance?

cheers
Paul
Click to expand...

but if your car is recovered then you dont have to make a claim and take a hit on your no clams bonus... surely thats worth it?
 
Plus unless you've got gap insurance and get a new car you're only going to be able to afford a lower spec car or a second hand one which may not have the extras you want. I'd rather have my car back
 
audi upgrades
jungleman said:
but if your car is recovered then you dont have to make a claim and take a hit on your no clams bonus... surely thats worth it?
Click to expand...

No claims is protected, and I would be surpised if the cost of a tracker+subscription fees etc. would be less than the cost of my premium increase.
Suppose it depends on personal circumstances but it doesnt work for me.

cheers
Paul
 
I take a different tack on this.
If someone breaks in to my house to steal my car then he better be prepared to end up seriously injured ! because I am !
There is a principle here that is a slowly being eroded by a society that no longer places any value on possessions, ownership, or responsibility.
The reason the ******** come into your house to steal keys is because you leave then easily accessible, the reason insurance is so high is because people see it as easy money and an easy way out. The very reason he breaks in is because he knows you will not risk your life to defend your property but... conversely he would not risk his life to steal it.....
Would you stand by and watch as the scum snaps your mirrors off in a car park ?? but you would give him the keys if he breaks into your house ? its the same guy !!!
Each to there own and if you are worried for your family thats a consideration but so long as we continue to bow to these people they will understandably keep helping themselves.
 
sub39h said:
Plus unless you've got gap insurance and get a new car you're only going to be able to afford a lower spec car or a second hand one which may not have the extras you want. I'd rather have my car back
Click to expand...

IF the car is new then GAP is money better spent IMO, its where my money would go.
And if some scrote goes to the lengths to break into my home to steal the car then I dont want to see it again. Or him for that matter, having the car back on the drive wondering whether some shithead would come back for it would be more of a worry.

Ive had lots of nickable cars in the past and would have spent an absolute fortune on trackers, where does it end?

Appreciate that for some it makes sense and money well spent but not for me.

cheers
Paul
 
*** !!!!!!!!!
I am selling and going to buy a Fiat panda,
Lets be honest if a pro theif wants to steal your car you are pretty much ****** ! ! there is not any 100% safe guard.............
 
paddy said:
I take a different tack on this.
If someone breaks in to my house to steal my car then he better be prepared to end up seriously injured ! because I am !
There is a principle here that is a slowly being eroded by a society that no longer places any value on possessions, ownership, or responsibility.
The reason the ******** come into your house to steal keys is because you leave then easily accessible, the reason insurance is so high is because people see it as easy money and an easy way out. The very reason he breaks in is because he knows you will not risk your life to defend your property but... conversely he would not risk his life to steal it.....
Would you stand by and watch as the scum snaps your mirrors off in a car park ?? but you would give him the keys if he breaks into your house ? its the same guy !!!
Each to there own and if you are worried for your family thats a consideration but so long as we continue to bow to these people they will understandably keep helping themselves.
Click to expand...

i was gonna say... you're single. if (heaven forbid) something did happen to you if a criminal entered your home you don't have a family depending on you.

i'm single too (kind of) and i'm not a small chap so if someone broke into my home i'd gladly take him apart but a family friend of mine has had his car stolen at gunpoint. i wouldn't be willing to risk my life over some painted metal and wires that's gonna become obsolete in a few years' time
 
paddy said:
I take a different tack on this.
If someone breaks in to my house to steal my car then he better be prepared to end up seriously injured ! because I am !
There is a principle here that is a slowly being eroded by a society that no longer places any value on possessions, ownership, or responsibility.
The reason the ******** come into your house to steal keys is because you leave then easily accessible, the reason insurance is so high is because people see it as easy money and an easy way out. The very reason he breaks in is because he knows you will not risk your life to defend your property but... conversely he would not risk his life to steal it.....
Would you stand by and watch as the scum snaps your mirrors off in a car park ?? but you would give him the keys if he breaks into your house ? its the same guy !!!
Each to there own and if you are worried for your family thats a consideration but so long as we continue to bow to these people they will understandably keep helping themselves.
Click to expand...

Agree to a point, depends on whether you have family in the house though.

Stiffer punishment is a better long term solution in tackling this type of crime.

If some scum bag wanders into a bank with a weapon and demands 20K hes going to jail for a long term.
I doubt the penalty for coming into your home with a weapon demanding your 20K motor will be the same.

cheers
Paul
 
PaulAr said:
If some scum bag wanders into a bank with a weapon and demands 20K hes going to jail for a long term.
I doubt the penalty for coming into your home with a weapon demanding your 20K motor will be the same.
Click to expand...

what gets me is that i used to watch quite a lot of those police shows you mentioned eariler too, and it shocked me how lightly people got off for stealing cars. some of them only got charged with "driving without insurance" and got a fine!

in the USA it's a felony! stiffer punishment is definitely the way forwards
 
Back in my biker days there was guy who was stealing bikes locally. He was politely asked to stop but didn't take the request to seriously. Last i heard was someone poured petrol over him and threw a match....he survived "and" also stopped nicking bikes.
You may find that shocking but its no worse than a lot of people advocate on here when we hear about these threats to family and property. you have to speak to these people on their level, you dont go up to a pit bull and ask it if it would mind not barking...
 
Last edited:
paddy said:
Back in my biker days there was guy who was stealing bikes locally. He was politely asked to stop but didn't take the request to seriously. Last i heard was someone poured petrol over him and threw a match....he survived "and" also stopped nicking bikes.
You may find that shocking but its no worse than a lot of people advocate on here when we hear about these threats to family and property. you have to speak to these people on their level, you dont go up to a pit bull and ask it if it would mind not barking...
Click to expand...

Harsh but fair Paddy, harsh but fair..
 
All part of the risk of owning an amazing car mate, shame that irbid like this now a days but i forming won't let robbing scum bags stop me from having a car that I want!!!
 
phildo said:
I live just outside a smallish town in the midlands (sorry for being vague but i'm paranoid about advertising where it'll be parked up!). To be honest i'm more concerned about someone having a go at the house when we are in there than any damage to the car.
If we are out shopping then it'll be in Manchester or Brum so it'll be well locked up and parked somewhere as safe as possible!!
Think you are all right really, you only hear about the bad news and it shouldn't put me off!
Click to expand...


Yeah where do you live mate, what time do you go out? lol:eyebrows:
 
paddy said:
Back in my biker days there was guy who was stealing bikes locally. He was politely asked to stop but didn't take the request to seriously. Last i heard was someone poured petrol over him and threw a match....he survived "and" also stopped nicking bikes.
You may find that shocking but its no worse than a lot of people advocate on here when we hear about these threats to family and property. you have to speak to these people on their level, you dont go up to a pit bull and ask it if it would mind not barking...
Click to expand...

This is one area where the Arabs have it right. Cut of the hands of thieves. IMO the first time a thief is caught they get a warning that if they're caught again they will get their hands cut off. That should stop the lowlifes!
 
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