Xzer0

Are wheel locks useful? Do you recommend getting them? Who has wheel locks installed or anything like that?

I was going to get wheel locks installed when I bought the car, but the dealership told me not to get them because they are a waste of money and that they won't deter the thieves. Are they that easy to break? If they are that useless why would anyone buy them or make them?


Who has some installed on their wheels?
Are there different kinds of wheel locks? Like good ones and bad ones?

HOW do you protect your wheels?.
I fear that I might Park in the mall or In front of 7-11 and find the car on bricks with the wheels and brakes missing

I also I imagine that one day im gonna be late for an exam and when I get into the car and put it on reverse, it won't move because they won't be any wheels

I apologize if I wrote too much, I'm saying what's on my mind

kenya

I opted for wheel locks. I've had my wheel stolen on a previous call. It was about $5000 to get them replaced. Insurance covered, minus the deductible, but it was still disheartening. And then there's the wait in actually getting the replacement wheels.

I disagree with your dealer in regards to deterring a thief. Any time you can slow a thief down its a good thing. Having wheel locks may be the difference between a thief choosing your wheels instead of another.

Xzer0

Where can I get good wheel locks?

Are there different types? Like ones with different security measures or are they all the same?

kenya

Most of the wheel locks I've seen are the same. Four lugs with a (mostly) unique pattern and single key to unlock them. I got mine from the dealer which he threw in for no charge.

If you do opt to buy them the key for lugs will come with a key code. I'd recommend storing or writing the code somewhere secure. That way if you lose the key you'll be able to order a replacement.

MASSC450

My sentiments exactly. Anything that will slow a thief down is a good thing.

I've read that MB wheel locks...although expensive...are very good quality, and those will be the wheel locks I buy for my expensive 19" AMG wheels. If my dealership offers me an internet price for the wheel locks, I'll buy from them.

miketc

I have the after market one and would do it again. See previous thread on the same subject:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...lock-size.html

DerekACS

In Canada, many MB dealers install OEM wheel locks @ no extra charge for new car purchasers.

Wheel locks work, they do deter thieves !

vic viper

Get OEM locks, we have enforced a number of different locks, and the OE ones are by far the hardest to break.


A0019901607 black
B66470155 silver

Xzer0

Do you think that the dealership will make me pay for it?
I asked for them before i picked up the car and they convinced me that they are useless and that its what insurances are for

Xzer0

Hey Vic, Should I buy them online? or from the dealership?

and are they for the 19' rims/wheels?

vic viper

They are not useless, that was very unprofessional to say that insurance would deal with it.


The OE locks fit all OE wheels.

Xzer0

which color do you recommend?

vic viper

Well, same as your stock lug bolts, all mercs after ~2014 have black bolts.

voip1

And is the dealer going to pay the insurance deductible? What about your lost time from work dealing with the theft? What about the rental of a car till new wheels come in?

Your dealer sounds like a dumbass.

I don't park in places where theft is really a concern but if I did I would absolutely have the oem wheel locks.

Xzer0

Do you think they'll charge me $200 for them?
For 4 wheels

vic viper

Over here the locks cost about $100, dont know about the US market, but usually they are cheaper across the pond.

jolt8631

They are fitted, by dealers, on all UK Sales.

Don't know why that isn't common practice - after all, they aren't free over here, they just include the cost into the MRSP.

LateC300

cost from the factory was $140 for mine, included in the msrp

vic viper

You cannot select wheel locks as a factory option, the dealers must have fitted them after the car arrived, also a factory option is almost always cheaper than fitting the part afterwards, in your case it doesnt seem that way?

LateC300

you CAN select as an option from the factory, however you are probably correct in that they are not installed until the car arrives at the dealer.

zsh

Wheel locks are useful against "drive-by" dope-head thieves who will choose the easier target. Pros scout it out before hand and bring necessary tools to remove them, which for 99% of the locks out there is not a big hassle.
Also majority of the people keep their lock "bolt" inside the car in case they need to change the wheel on the run. Thieves know this and this will most likely be a reason for even more damage like smashed window in their search for it.

So not useless but not a bulletproof solution either

voip1

There's no such thing as a bulletproof solution, in some cases they find it's just easier to take the whole car.

In the 1990's they used to drill the quarter panel of the Corvette where the battery was located, drain the battery and then just hoist the car (now with a dead alarm) into the back of a truck and take the whole thing. Apparently could be done in a matter of a few minutes by experienced thieves.

The point is to slow down thieves and make your vehicle a less enticing target. Dash cams can be another deterrent as there are some now that can also proximity alert you if someone is scoping your vehicle out for theft or vandalism.

Best solution is to just not park in ****ty neighborhoods.