Spent all night protecting my M5...!

JoeMc · 5th December 2016, 07:00

The dry storage facility I have my car at, just outside of Preston, was broken into last night...

Seems the owner thinks it's been an 'inside job' as there's little evidence of forced entry, but rather someone who knew their way around the building and system... He's given the names of all the folks that work for him to the police (it's an active farm still, with secure/well built storage facilities), so no doubt they'll soon feel the heat!

A few items were taken. Mainly loose alloy wheels, motorbike parts and some small storage units.

They tried to nick the alloys off my M5, but I use 2 sets of locking keys, they gave up on the first attempt, knocked a wing mirror off though

Fortunately they only damaged the fixing, this is easily fixed. The glass is the pricy part! One locking nut is damaged, but already managed to get that off, so replacements ordered etc...

I'm going back today with axle stands and taking the wheels off and keeping them at home. Going to set the Cat 1 alarm system differently as well so that if anyone touches it, it'll go off! I'd left it in 'valet' mode so it didn't go off if things are being moved around it etc... But were going to move it to a part of the unit that's for long term cars etc

First time this has ever happened, but the owner was on the case (with his shotgun :lol: ) ASAP and the police were there before I was!

Great way to spend the freezing night!

coab · 5th December 2016, 07:13

Sad state of affairs that you cant lock your pride and joy away without scum bags trying to steal your things.
Glad you got away fairly lightly!

thundercat · 5th December 2016, 07:13

Oh dear, you would have thought that after paying for a secure unit it would be such, still, I suppose it's some consolation that it is only a door mirror and locking wheel not that needed fixing, it could have been worse.

JoeMc · 5th December 2016, 07:30

This is the thing! The units are VERY secure; that's why the owners know it's an inside thing... Couldn't have been any other way really.

I've just had a call to say there's been a development and that I can go back at 10am, so will go and do what I need to do and also speak to the owners.

Also just had a PM from a fellow M5 owner, who's a well known guru on these and he's told me a way of disabling the car, that will allow the alarm to stay functional, but you can't get any further without this 'fix' being sorted and having the key etc...

This is one of the reasons why I don't plaster pictures of my car everywhere too! My previous, excellent condition E34 M5 was stolen due to someone recognising where I'd taken the pictures a few years ago. Once bitten and all that...

t5tart · 5th December 2016, 07:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by thundercat

Oh dear, you would have thought that after paying for a secure unit it would be such, still, I suppose it's some consolation that it is only a door mirror and locking wheel not that needed fixing, it could have been worse.

thats like saying a bank should be after its turned over on an inside job ...which most are

look at that big safety deposit box heist in London a few years back

it doesnt matter how good the security if you get someone working there with bad intentions its going to go wron

JoeMc · 5th December 2016, 12:38

^^^

This exactly!

Security is fine; they've got top ratings as they store caravans, motorhomes etc, so have to stand up to rigorous expectations!

I've been up; jacked the car up, car onto axle stands and all 4 wheels off. Done the 'fix' and left the alarm fully armed

Wheels are back home, will get them washed and dried and stored away safely

Saw that the drop-links could do with replacing, so there's something for me to do when I'm bored :lol: Might uprate the ARBs as well whilst the cars up and accessible!

Owners came over and spoke to me; they have a good idea of who it may have been so they've passed those details onto the police! I've swapped insurance details with the owners insurers as well; just in case!

JoeMc · 7th December 2016, 11:06

Just to update those that had replied to this or read the thread...

Just had a call from the owners and they've said that the investigation has been sorted; it was a family member that had provided the info the people that broke in... Well, let themselves in!

They knew exactly what to target, but chanced upon my M5 and got nothing due to the measures that were already on it (apart from ruining 2 locking nuts and putting a dent into 2 of the alloys)

The owners, off their own back, have offered to pay for the a alloy repairs (will be about £100 by a specialist) and they've also refunded me my fees for the next 3 months storage!

I'd said to them that this wasn't necessary; but as I'd recommended them to quite a few other folk, inc. my wife's parents to store their motorhome, they wouldn't take no for an answer!

Pete · 7th December 2016, 11:14

Dear me, a family member potentially wrecking what sounds like a decent business. Very good of them to offer to compensate you so generously.

Kennyeth · 7th December 2016, 11:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeMc

Just to update those that had replied to this or read the thread...

Just had a call from the owners and they've said that the investigation has been sorted; it was a family member that had provided the info the people that broke in... Well, let themselves in!

They knew exactly what to target, but chanced upon my M5 and got nothing due to the measures that were already on it (apart from ruining 2 locking nuts and putting a dent into 2 of the alloys)

The owners, off their own back, have offered to pay for the a alloy repairs (will be about £100 by a specialist) and they've also refunded me my fees for the next 3 months storage!

I'd said to them that this wasn't necessary; but as I'd recommended them to quite a few other folk, inc. my wife's parents to store their motorhome, they wouldn't take no for an answer!

Thank you for the update Joe, the family member must have known he would get collared.
Just out of curiosity on storing a car, could I be rude and ask how much the average store charge per month ?
Ken.

klarzy · 7th December 2016, 11:29

Agreed, a conscientious business owner who clearly is worth sticking with...

5th December 2016, 07:00	#1
JoeMc Loves to post MG ZT V6 / BMW E60 M5 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Bamber Bridge Posts: 372 Thanks: 34 Thanked 62 Times in 51 Posts	Spent all night protecting my M5...! The dry storage facility I have my car at, just outside of Preston, was broken into last night... Seems the owner thinks it's been an 'inside job' as there's little evidence of forced entry, but rather someone who knew their way around the building and system... He's given the names of all the folks that work for him to the police (it's an active farm still, with secure/well built storage facilities), so no doubt they'll soon feel the heat! A few items were taken. Mainly loose alloy wheels, motorbike parts and some small storage units. They tried to nick the alloys off my M5, but I use 2 sets of locking keys, they gave up on the first attempt, knocked a wing mirror off though Fortunately they only damaged the fixing, this is easily fixed. The glass is the pricy part! One locking nut is damaged, but already managed to get that off, so replacements ordered etc... I'm going back today with axle stands and taking the wheels off and keeping them at home. Going to set the Cat 1 alarm system differently as well so that if anyone touches it, it'll go off! I'd left it in 'valet' mode so it didn't go off if things are being moved around it etc... But were going to move it to a part of the unit that's for long term cars etc First time this has ever happened, but the owner was on the case (with his shotgun :lol: ) ASAP and the police were there before I was! Great way to spend the freezing night!

7th December 2016, 11:14	#8
Pete Owners Club Director Rover 75 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sherfield-on-Loddon Posts: 4,872 Thanks: 137 Thanked 996 Times in 444 Posts	Dear me, a family member potentially wrecking what sounds like a decent business. Very good of them to offer to compensate you so generously. __________________ Follow The Club On Twitter

7th December 2016, 11:29	#10
klarzy This is my second home none but not gone Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: March, Cambs Posts: 16,437 Thanks: 894 Thanked 4,247 Times in 3,025 Posts	Agreed, a conscientious business owner who clearly is worth sticking with... __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]….All praise Bananaswan….

5th December 2016, 07:13	#2
coab This is my second home 2007 57 GOLF GTi EDITION 30 DSG Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Newport Shropshire and Coventry. Posts: 5,138 Thanks: 2,424 Thanked 1,452 Times in 852 Posts	Sad state of affairs that you cant lock your pride and joy away without scum bags trying to steal your things. Glad you got away fairly lightly!

5th December 2016, 07:13	#3
thundercat Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Club SE Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: saxmundham Posts: 1,438 Thanks: 289 Thanked 173 Times in 121 Posts	Oh dear, you would have thought that after paying for a secure unit it would be such, still, I suppose it's some consolation that it is only a door mirror and locking wheel not that needed fixing, it could have been worse.

5th December 2016, 07:30	#4
JoeMc Loves to post MG ZT V6 / BMW E60 M5 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Bamber Bridge Posts: 372 Thanks: 34 Thanked 62 Times in 51 Posts	This is the thing! The units are VERY secure; that's why the owners know it's an inside thing... Couldn't have been any other way really. I've just had a call to say there's been a development and that I can go back at 10am, so will go and do what I need to do and also speak to the owners. Also just had a PM from a fellow M5 owner, who's a well known guru on these and he's told me a way of disabling the car, that will allow the alarm to stay functional, but you can't get any further without this 'fix' being sorted and having the key etc... This is one of the reasons why I don't plaster pictures of my car everywhere too! My previous, excellent condition E34 M5 was stolen due to someone recognising where I'd taken the pictures a few years ago. Once bitten and all that...

5th December 2016, 12:38	#6
JoeMc Loves to post MG ZT V6 / BMW E60 M5 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Bamber Bridge Posts: 372 Thanks: 34 Thanked 62 Times in 51 Posts	^^^ This exactly! Security is fine; they've got top ratings as they store caravans, motorhomes etc, so have to stand up to rigorous expectations! I've been up; jacked the car up, car onto axle stands and all 4 wheels off. Done the 'fix' and left the alarm fully armed Wheels are back home, will get them washed and dried and stored away safely Saw that the drop-links could do with replacing, so there's something for me to do when I'm bored :lol: Might uprate the ARBs as well whilst the cars up and accessible! Owners came over and spoke to me; they have a good idea of who it may have been so they've passed those details onto the police! I've swapped insurance details with the owners insurers as well; just in case!

7th December 2016, 11:06	#7
JoeMc Loves to post MG ZT V6 / BMW E60 M5 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Bamber Bridge Posts: 372 Thanks: 34 Thanked 62 Times in 51 Posts	Just to update those that had replied to this or read the thread... Just had a call from the owners and they've said that the investigation has been sorted; it was a family member that had provided the info the people that broke in... Well, let themselves in! They knew exactly what to target, but chanced upon my M5 and got nothing due to the measures that were already on it (apart from ruining 2 locking nuts and putting a dent into 2 of the alloys) The owners, off their own back, have offered to pay for the a alloy repairs (will be about £100 by a specialist) and they've also refunded me my fees for the next 3 months storage! I'd said to them that this wasn't necessary; but as I'd recommended them to quite a few other folk, inc. my wife's parents to store their motorhome, they wouldn't take no for an answer!