does M3 (e46) have immobiliser fitted ?

[DaxTrajero2]

Insurance is asking for an immobiliser

Itsn an e46 M3 with Trakker

What should I tell them ?

[MOSE]

BMW were a bit evasive about the alarm system on the M3 when I asked them about it, cos I came up against the same problem getting mine insured. So.....I contacted a different dealer (Coopers BMW) and they told me that the alarm definately included an immobiliser. Mine also had the Trakker fitted and it brought the premium down quite considerably.

[DaxTrajero2]

Mose, cheers

Strange - I've had the car now for a year and a half and was told it MUST have a trakker, which I fitted.

I then put the insurance in my girlfriends name (cheaper) and now I've swapped back they no longer ask about a trakker. Just, "does it have an immobiliser?"

Perhaps now its a year or so older, its resale value influenced this ?

[MOSE]

Good question.

My father-in-law lives right out in the sticks and he has just ordered an S2000 which he collects this saturday. NOBODY will insure if unless he has the TRAKKER fitted. The whole S2000 GT with full body kit ad stack of extras comes in at around £26,000, so a bit diferently priced than a 12 month old M3.

He has been told that the S2000 is currently a "very desirable car".

I suggest giving Coopers a ring, they gave me the best advice. Barons didnt really have a clue.

Remind me to send you a PM about the M3 alarm system, I will drop you a line when I get a bit more time!

[NewNiceMrMe]

The E46 M3 does indeed have an immobiliser fitted as standard.

It has a Thatcham Category 1 Immobilser and you can check this, as could your insurers, by checking the Thatcham compliance list which is freely available <font color="red"> HERE. </font>

<font color="blue"> Allow time for the document to load fully because it's about 1mb in total. </font>

The requirement for a tracking device varies from insurer to insurer. My current insurers purely wanted confirmation of a Thatcham approved immobiliser (and I referred them to the document above). However, my previous insurers insisted on a tracking device.

That said, I've had Trackers on both of my cars anyway. Not for the insurers, but for my own peace of mind.

[Gareth]

On some of my cars my insurance company have insisted on having a Tracker fitted whihc gets my goat.

I receive no further discount for having it, it costs too much fitted (min £400, plus subs), adds nothing to the resale and finally it's been proven time and time again that Tracker is most inferior of the tracking devices.

On top of all that who really wants their car back when you have no idea what it's been used for and the thieves still maybe know where you live..??

Just my 2p's worth, not bitter and twisted at all..ahem...

[NewNiceMrMe]

[ QUOTE ]

it's been proven time and time again that Tracker is most inferior of the tracking devices.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not sure where I've seen that, personally speaking.

Tracker Horizons gets extremely good ratings for a start, and Monitor is very good value for money.

If you're talking about the basic Retrieve system then yes it's fairly basic.

We've had stories on here about the likes of NavTrak not even activating (a BMW M Coupe stolen recently).

Personally I have never been able to fault them for service and information - they even ring me when mine get's jacked up for tyres changed because they detect the angle of shift in the car.

Plus, I can ring them if it's parked somewhere I don't like for even 30 minutes and they'll heighten the state of potential threat to the car meaning that even if it was opened before a certain time I'll get a phone call.

In my experience, ringing any tracking company and telling them the hours you definately won't be using your car is the best possible thing to do. It can be a pain - but it protects your beloved vehicle.

I probably ring them at least 2-3 times a month.

[Gareth]

You make some good points there...however i know of 5 M cars that have stolen from friends over at BM3W that all had trackers fitted and it didn't make a blind bit of notice

No system is totally porfessional thief proof but Tracker is by no means the best or best value out there these days IMHO.

[MOSE]

If someone wants to nick the car they will do it, regardless of whether or not there is a tracker on it, an immobilser etc etc.

I read recently where a car was dragged along the road, towards a container. Once in the container the car could have been anywhere. Not seen again.

Nothings perfect, but I have had a fantastic service from Trakker.

[NewNiceMrMe]

[ QUOTE ]

You make some good points there...however i know of 5 M cars that have stolen from friends over at BM3W that all had trackers fitted and it didn't make a blind bit of notice

No system is totally professional thief proof but Tracker is by no means the best or best value out there these days IMHO.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm a member on BM3W and have been for quite some time.

Each to their own ultimately, but I've not seen a single device get more criticism than any other single device on BM3W.

You're referring to Matt and Zod's unfortunate experiences I presume? Who are the other 3?

I've already listed one Navtrak similar story on here, and there have been similar for the RAC Trakstar which comes with probably the most recommendations on BM3W.

The fact is you'll hear more stories of losses with TNUK systems - because they're installed in thousands more vehicles than any other in the UK - so the odd's are stacked against them.

I can only speak from personal experience and I'm yet to find anyone who has criticised the TNUK Horizons system much either.

I'm not trying to say it's the best or best value but it's also unfair to brand it as rubbish because of a few bad reports out of thousands.

[Gareth]

[ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]

You make some good points there...however i know of 5 M cars that have stolen from friends over at BM3W that all had trackers fitted and it didn't make a blind bit of notice

No system is totally professional thief proof but Tracker is by no means the best or best value out there these days IMHO.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm a member on BM3W and have been for quite some time.

Each to their own ultimately, but I've not seen a single device get more criticism than any other single device on BM3W.

You're referring to Matt and Zod's unfortunate experiences I presume? Who are the other 3?

I've already listed one Navtrak similar story on here, and there have been similar for the RAC Trakstar which comes with probably the most recommendations on BM3W.

The fact is you'll hear more stories of losses with TNUK systems - because they're installed in thousands more vehicles than any other in the UK - so the odd's are stacked against them.

I can only speak from personal experience and I'm yet to find anyone who has criticised the TNUK Horizons system much either.

I'm not trying to say it's the best or best value but it's also unfair to brand it as rubbish because of a few bad reports out of thousands.

[/ QUOTE ]

Small world..who are you over at BM3W then?? I've been there since the very beginning

You've mentioned two of guys I was referring to and I'm not going to openly name the others-will do via PM if you want of course.

At the end of the day I just don't rate or like these systems I guess. A professional car thief would just laugh at them and steal the car at will.

Nothing is thief proof and I'm sure some systems have merits over others..

p.s. Do you work for Tracker then??

[NewNiceMrMe]

Nope, I don't work for Tracker.

It's each to their own ultimately, but I don't think it could be argued that whatever tracking system is on your car you've got a better chance of recovery than someone who has nothing on their car.

I wasn't trying to say a Professional thief couldn't get by the systems either, as you've just mentioned that.