I'm a first time Mercedes owner now! Got a new C230 Kompressor. Look forward to surfing the forum. I'm also on the jeep forum which has been a great help with many issues. I hope this one will be also. Thanks. J

 

Congratulation. Here in Mass the C230 kompressor, 03, 04 is the top mercedes model on the stolen car list. You don't live in Ma? Number 2 is the C230 Kompressor Sport coupe 05, 06 then the S500. 01 02, followed by the SL500 01, 02,03,04,05,06 the E500, 06 and the E500 4matic AWD 06. Interesting list. But even more interesting BMW has practically every model they make is on the list. Strange, the Acura is not on the list at all, and this is a tuner state? But there are plenty of Honda's

 

Here in Oregon the Honda is the most stolen car. Is there anything special they are doing to get them?? Guess I'll have to put in the garage withthe Jeep.

 

I've been told by several local cops I know, any car can be stolen no matter what type of security systems they have. Cars with factory security, just make it harder for the thief. Also, around here, most stolen cars are taken by "thrill seekers" and usually dumped or stripped. Top end cars, usually are exported out of the coutnry, customs finds these cars stuffed into containers and usually the IBL is to South America.

 

Here's a cool security system.

http://www.lojack.com


This is what I have on my SL

It actually came on it when I bought it, so I'm not sure what it costs to get installed. I thought it was pretty cool though ... specially for the price I paid for it.

 

Personally I think Lojack is overpriced and overrated, doesn't work everywhere. My son bought a Acura preowned with Lojack a few years ago, and no one knew how to activate it, or where it was in the car. the dealer called lojack and they sent someone out who finally decided that the car didn't have the lojack, as it was probably removed by the previous owner. The dealer did refund him $175.00 as they advertized the car being lojack equipped.

 

They are a strange looking module with an antenna on it and are scattered throughout the vehicle.

Yeah ... not sure how over rated they are or aren't as I'm not sure how much they cost new.

Pretty cool concept though.

 

My understanding of what you describe, are modules that run different systems in the car and are tuned to the CPU / black box. For a S Class car very expensive!

 

LoJack is a recovery system. It doesn't deter theft. The car has to be stolen for it to work.

A police department has to have LoJack equipment in order to track a LoJack equipped car. Not all do.

I'm not saying it's a bad system, just that it's not perfect. Nothing is, though.

 

Good point Lugnut, you have to have your car stolen first and the police need the equipment to track it. Only one city in this area, police force has the equipment and that is Springfield, Ma. By the time they found the car a good strip shop could have most of the car taken apart or the parts they want off and their gone.