New owner security questions

wuta3

wuta3

Registered User
Joined
Jul 1, 2012
Messages
1,535
Reaction score
568
Points
113
Location
Manchester
Hi all

As a new RS3 owner, theft obviously worries me. What security steps are everyone taking to void things like relay attacks? What trackers are people using? What are the general recommendations (links to threads welcome)
 
Autowatch Ghost, if you give people your rough location they will recommend installers. I had Chris at Veil Tuning and can't recommend him highly enough.
 
Yes definitely Autowatch Ghost, £399 fitted & a steering lock of good quality
 
Yep. Got a Ghost on mine. Complete peace of mind! I also put a stoplock on it when it's in the driveway, just as an extra visual deterrent!
 
I just use a faraday pouch for my keys. While autowatch ghost has its uses as a deterrent, if they really wanted your car they'd just hold you at knifepoint until you showed them the code. I've got decent gap insurance so they can take it if they were waving a knife around. A car isn't worth injury to myself or my family.
 
  • Like
Reactions: sve170 and GW1
Too camps here.....

1) The let em take it one after all it's just a car and not worth the ball ache

2) The do as much as possible to deter them, Ghost, Supa dupa Alarm system, DiskLok, Alarmed Garage, Gates, CCTV, Tracker, Big Dog, upgraded house security etc etc.....

Me ? I prefer the 'Deter them' Approach, An Englishman's home is his castle an all that.......
 
  • Like
Reactions: Goner and D0C
Drewsus said:
I just use a faraday pouch for my keys. While autowatch ghost has its uses as a deterrent, if they really wanted your car they'd just hold you at knifepoint until you showed them the code. I've got decent gap insurance so they can take it if they were waving a knife around. A car isn't worth injury to myself or my family.
Click to expand...
Yep what he said!

Also living in sleepy old Norfolk car crime isn’t rife like other parts of the country.
 
I live well out of the way so the chances are slim anyway. Do what you feel comfortable with.
 
Faraday pouches and thats it
 
There have been a few car thefts over the last couple of weeks in my area. I also live in a really quiet area but it would seem they're targeting BMWs. With that said I did buy a faraday pouch and box from Amazon yesterday. I might also invest in a steering wheel lock (any recommendations?)
 
wuta3 said:
Hi all

As a new RS3 owner, theft obviously worries me. What security steps are everyone taking to void things like relay attacks? What trackers are people using? What are the general recommendations (links to threads welcome)
Click to expand...
I have a mission darkness pouch and all intend to get an auto watch Ghost in the next few weeks.

Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk
 
Just had Ghost II fitted here last week, So simple yet effective :rockwoot:
 
IMG 0769
 
  • Like
Reactions: Goner
Daniel Knight said:
There have been a few car thefts over the last couple of weeks in my area. I also live in a really quiet area but it would seem they're targeting BMWs. With that said I did buy a faraday pouch and box from Amazon yesterday. I might also invest in a steering wheel lock (any recommendations?)
Click to expand...

I use the stop lock pro one, brilliant bit of kit that tucks in nicely alongside the passenger footwell when not in use.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Alistair D
Riko0073 said:
Yep what he said!

Also living in sleepy old Norfolk car crime isn’t rife like other parts of the country.
Click to expand...

Same here, insurance and gap. If they want it they can have it, it’s just a car at the end of the day.

No way I want someone coming into my house or waiting for me to get out of the car asking for a code..
 
I have ghost fitted and smartrack. I also use a faraday pouch. Ghost and tracker came with the car 18 months ago. I havent had to activate the tracker luckily but the ghost is a great bit of kit. RS3 is also garaged with a van in front on evenings so pretty difficult to get at. If someone did break in and my family were at risk then I’d walk out and start it for them simples
 
Riko0073 said:
Yep what he said!

Also living in sleepy old Norfolk car crime isn’t rife like other parts of the country.
Click to expand...

I really don't and can't agree with this view..... In 99% of the cases, people who steal cars are skinny teenage oiks who don't want confrontation. 4 weeks ago a couple of them broke into my brother in law's whilst he was in bed, took his keys, and drove off in his A35 AMG. If he'd had the ghost they wouldn't have come back in.

A pair also jumped my fence about 6 months ago. Shouted out the window and they ran like a stabbed rat. They were definitely looking for car keys.

And IF it was an armed gang who came for the car, well they're going to wake you up anyway aren't they? And then you'd just tell them the pin.

For me the ghost means if someone breaks in and takes the keys whilst i'm out, the car will still be there when i get back. If i park it at a train station overnight, it'll still be there when i get back. I never worry.

Trust me, having had an A45 AMG stolen and watching my insurance go from £400 a year to £100 a year and not drop for the last 3... I can't even begin to imagine what it'd jump to if i had another stolen!
 
N-Sinc said:
I really don't and can't agree with this view..... In 99% of the cases, people who steal cars are skinny teenage oiks who don't want confrontation. 4 weeks ago a couple of them broke into my brother in law's whilst he was in bed, took his keys, and drove off in his A35 AMG. If he'd had the ghost they wouldn't have come back in.

A pair also jumped my fence about 6 months ago. Shouted out the window and they ran like a stabbed rat. They were definitely looking for car keys.

And IF it was an armed gang who came for the car, well they're going to wake you up anyway aren't they? And then you'd just tell them the pin.

For me the ghost means if someone breaks in and takes the keys whilst i'm out, the car will still be there when i get back. If i park it at a train station overnight, it'll still be there when i get back. I never worry.

Trust me, having had an A45 AMG stolen and watching my insurance go from £400 a year to £100 a year and not drop for the last 3... I can't even begin to imagine what it'd jump to if i had another stolen!
Click to expand...
Not sure I agree with this.

If they’ve had the balls to break into your house then those skinny teenage ‘oiks’ may well be willing to take it to the next level, carrying knives as their chosen weapon!

Don’t get me wrong, I take some precautions like keys in a faraday bag for drive by opportunists and have CCTV fitted as a deterrent but for those criminals willing to take to the next level they’re likely to threaten for keys, codes etc at knife/gunpoint. If I’m out then the cars generally with me.

Cars insured and have GAP so they can take it and I’ll put up with the inconvenience of an increase in insurance to save mine and my families skin!

As I said, I live in a quiet village although with most neighbours being home most days so always plenty of activity, I work infrequent hours so anyone watching won’t be able to gauge that I’m out 9-5 every day etc, end of the day if they’re determined enough it’s not worth fighting for something that can be replaced although within my nature I’d take it to a level of resistance before knowing they’re not going to be startled and run...there’s always someone bigger and willing to apply dirty tactics!!
 
Riko0073 said:
Not sure I agree with this.

If they’ve had the balls to break into your house then those skinny teenage ‘oiks’ may well be willing to take it to the next level, carrying knives as their chosen weapon!

Don’t get me wrong, I take some precautions like keys in a faraday bag for drive by opportunists and have CCTV fitted as a deterrent but for those criminals willing to take to the next level they’re likely to threaten for keys, codes etc at knife/gunpoint. If I’m out then the cars generally with me.

Cars insured and have GAP so they can take it and I’ll put up with the inconvenience of an increase in insurance to save mine and my families skin!

As I said, I live in a quiet village although with most neighbours being home most days so always plenty of activity, I work infrequent hours so anyone watching won’t be able to gauge that I’m out 9-5 every day etc, end of the day if they’re determined enough it’s not worth fighting for something that can be replaced although within my nature I’d take it to a level of resistance before knowing they’re not going to be startled and run...there’s always someone bigger and willing to apply dirty tactics!!
Click to expand...

But that's my point... If they've got knives, they've got a different intent. They aren't going to sneak around to steal your keys and then realise it won't start and decide to come back into your house and then get their knives out? Just wouldn't happen! Haven't heard a single case of that ever happening.

And IF it did. You'd just tell them the pin?
 
N-Sinc said:
But that's my point... If they've got knives, they've got a different intent. They aren't going to sneak around to steal your keys and then realise it won't start and decide to come back into your house and then get their knives out? Just wouldn't happen! Haven't heard a single case of that ever happening.

And IF it did. You'd just tell them the pin?
Click to expand...
Yes I agree and that’s what I was inferring in my posts, I have a faraday bag and cctv, if they’re determined enough to try break into my house (or some ploy to get me to open the door and rush me!) then they’re intent is likely to use violence. Agreed there’s those that are just opportunist and will run at the first sight of anyone home but my original point was I don’t personally feel like a a Ghost is worth it for me, if I’m out then usually my car is with me, I’d rather them just take the keys and the car is gone instead of them searching the house, breaking things or using violence to take it or get a code, ETTO.

We all have our own views and circumstances, thankfully I haven’t heard of any car crime around where I live other than opportunists trying door handles or smashing windows if people are stupid enough to leave valuables on show.
 
The more deterrents the better don’t give the scruffy c**ts an easy ride
 
  • Like
Reactions: DW81 and Riko0073
Riko0073 said:
Yes I agree and that’s what I was inferring in my posts, I have a faraday bag and cctv, if they’re determined enough to try break into my house (or some ploy to get me to open the door and rush me!) then they’re intent is likely to use violence. Agreed there’s those that are just opportunist and will run at the first sight of anyone home but my original point was I don’t personally feel like a a Ghost is worth it for me, if I’m out then usually my car is with me, I’d rather them just take the keys and the car is gone instead of them searching the house, breaking things or using violence to take it or get a code, ETTO.

We all have our own views and circumstances, thankfully I haven’t heard of any car crime around where I live other than opportunists trying door handles or smashing windows if people are stupid enough to leave valuables on show.
Click to expand...

Yep. Fair points! I can see that side of it.

I suppose i have a different mindset now in that i was so angry some little scumbags took my A45 AMG from my wife, and that it increased my insurance by £800 a year, that i really will go to great lengths to ensure the RS3 isn't stolen!

So much so that i've made it almost impossible to climb into my back garden (high fences & anti climb spikes) My front door is pretty much bomb proof (100ml thick & reinforced). I lock my front gates with some really heavy duty chains, have steering locks on both cars, have ghost immobilisers, have motion sensors everywhere that set internal alarms off, have shock sensors on every downstairs opening, 3 face recognition cameras that sound a loud alarm on my phone if anyone is outside my house & the whole downstairs armed whenever i'm upstairs.

There's genuinely no way anyone would be able to be inside my house well before i'd called the police. The second anyone sets foot the other side of any of my gates or fence, about 40 lights go on and several alarms go off.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Riko0073
N-Sinc said:
Yep. Fair points! I can see that side of it.

I suppose i have a different mindset now in that i was so angry some little scumbags took my A45 AMG from my wife, and that it increased my insurance by £800 a year, that i really will go to great lengths to ensure the RS3 isn't stolen!

So much so that i've made it almost impossible to climb into my back garden (high fences & anti climb spikes) My front door is pretty much bomb proof (100ml thick & reinforced). I lock my front gates with some really heavy duty chains, have steering locks on both cars, have ghost immobilisers, have motion sensors everywhere that set internal alarms off, have shock sensors on every downstairs opening, 3 face recognition cameras that sound a loud alarm on my phone if anyone is outside my house & the whole downstairs armed whenever i'm upstairs.

There's genuinely no way anyone would be able to be inside my house well before i'd called the police. The second anyone sets foot the other side of any of my gates or fence, about 40 lights go on and several alarms go off.
Click to expand...
Wow, a mini Fort Knox!

Where about do you live if you don’t mind sharing?

I guess I’m lucky having never experienced car crime apart from some low life’s that broke into my car at a cemetery during a funeral when my ex left her handbag on show!
 
I'm in Windsor, Berks. Anywhere within 20 miles of the M25 is experiencing a wave of high performance car theft at the mo though.

Two teenage scrotes tried to take mine off my drive in September! I was at the window within 30 seconds of them coming into my driveway though. Cameras picked them up and notified me. They had tracksuits on and balaclavas.

I'd never experienced a single thing before two years ago either! It's ever since i had a performance car on my driveway.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Riko0073
As said above, most car thieves are opportunists. But you do get some psychos that drug themselves up before going for it. I was carjacked 8 years ago now. I put up a fight of it (didn’t have a choice I might add) and ended up with my arm snapped and his scumbag friend trying to run us both over while we scrapped on the floor!
It turned out that exactly one week before they had ran up to a car that was waiting at some lights, hit the driver in the head with a hammer and drove off leaving the poor bloke on the side of the road in a coma. He died a few days later and it made the front page of the local papers. It didn’t stop them coming for mine.

I suppose the point I’m making is that make it as difficult as possible for them but ultimately, it is a piece of metal. It can be replaced unlike your life.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DW81, Riko0073 and sve170
one thing I don't understand about Faraday Bag, so if someone can clarify, I understand that when you put the key in the bag, thieves can't scan the signal of the key, but the key has to be taken out of the bag when locking the car, for. etc on a parking lot, and the key has to be out of the bag the whole time when driving, can they scan the key while the key is out of the bag, for example when I'm searching slowly for a parking spot and they're driving behind me in their car?
 
s3facelift09 said:
one thing I don't understand about Faraday Bag, so if someone can clarify, I understand that when you put the key in the bag, thieves can't scan the signal of the key, but the key has to be taken out of the bag when locking the car, for. etc on a parking lot, and the key has to be out of the bag the whole time when driving, can they scan the key while the key is out of the bag, for example when I'm searching slowly for a parking spot and they're driving behind me in their car?
Click to expand...

As I understand it the key has rolling codes that change every time the car is locked. So, relay thieves either have to catch your new code after you lock the car or while the car is locked and the key within range of the relay device. Pop your key in its pouch immediately after you lock the car and there should be no time to grab the code unless they are really on the ball with the scanner. Correct me if I'm wrong but I do not believe a code can be grabbed while you are driving around. Handy tip form someone who's bothered to read the owners manual: To disable advanced key, lock your door with the fob, and within 10 seconds ouch the door handle lock sensor. Lints will flash again, and you can then only unlock the car by pushing the button on the remote. Keyless entry is disabled. I do this at night at home for peace of mind and anywhere that feels a bit suspect. I really only use keyless entry for short stops as a convenience of not having to fumble for the fob.

I also have ghost, and highly recommend it. I really hate steering wheel locks, but any time I'm in a bigger city or anywhere near the midlands it's added piece of mind :)
 
123Quattro said:
As I understand it the key has rolling codes that change every time the car is locked. So, relay thieves either have to catch your new code after you lock the car or while the car is locked and the key within range of the relay device. Pop your key in its pouch immediately after you lock the car and there should be no time to grab the code unless they are really on the ball with the scanner. Correct me if I'm wrong but I do not believe a code can be grabbed while you are driving around. Handy tip form someone who's bothered to read the owners manual: To disable advanced key, lock your door with the fob, and within 10 seconds ouch the door handle lock sensor. Lints will flash again, and you can then only unlock the car by pushing the button on the remote. Keyless entry is disabled. I do this at night at home for peace of mind and anywhere that feels a bit suspect. I really only use keyless entry for short stops as a convenience of not having to fumble for the fob.

I also have ghost, and highly recommend it. I really hate steering wheel locks, but any time I'm in a bigger city or anywhere near the midlands it's added piece of mind :)
Click to expand...

Everything you just said you do, i do too, the ghost i had fitted the same day i took delivery + a good old school steering lock, after having my S3 stolen i didn't want my new RS3 not even 1 night without all security, i also have some trackers too, when my S3 was stolen the even disabled find my audi, probable just took the sim out of the car, at least if this does get taken i will wave a bit of time to find it, hopefully every security device will turn out to be a waste of time because it never gets targeted.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 123Quattro
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
New owner...questions...
Replies
0
Views
529
Deleted member 117185
D
LouLouLou1978
Sportback Sport edition new owner questions
Replies
1
Views
1K
NHN
NHN
A
Facelift New RS3 owner - some questions !
Replies
4
Views
1K
Hal Adams
H
C
New owner questions (tyres and transmission vibrations)
Replies
11
Views
1K
Csllover
C
Keane
Facelift New rs3 owner ! Saying hello and gearbox/ brakes/ exhaust questions.
Replies
7
Views
2K
Rayner_1704
Rayner_1704
Top
Back