SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: STOLEN - My 4 month old SL55
05-27-2003, 10:04 AM
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Jan. '03 SL55
STOLEN - My 4 month old SL55
Parked outside my house in London last night at midnight.
Went to leave for waork at 8:00am this morning to find my car had gone!
Amazingly, my Tracker alarm did not activate and whoever took it must be a real pro to get the car started with no keys. That's if they did start it. Mercedes think it was lifted on to a transporter.
The car's probably in a container on its way to some dodgy African republic as I'm writing!
Now I've got all the hassle of the paperwork with the police and insurance company. Settling on the value should be fun in that the car's only 4 months old and replacing it immediately is bound to cost more then list.
I'll keep the board updated. In the meantime, if anyone sees an Obsidian black SL55 less a few essential parts, it's probably mine.
Looks like the wife's X5 might get some proper mileage under it's belt now!
Went to leave for waork at 8:00am this morning to find my car had gone!
Amazingly, my Tracker alarm did not activate and whoever took it must be a real pro to get the car started with no keys. That's if they did start it. Mercedes think it was lifted on to a transporter.
The car's probably in a container on its way to some dodgy African republic as I'm writing!
Now I've got all the hassle of the paperwork with the police and insurance company. Settling on the value should be fun in that the car's only 4 months old and replacing it immediately is bound to cost more then list.
I'll keep the board updated. In the meantime, if anyone sees an Obsidian black SL55 less a few essential parts, it's probably mine.
Looks like the wife's X5 might get some proper mileage under it's belt now!
05-27-2003, 10:20 AM
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BMW 535d Touring
Unbelievable! So sorry to hear that. I thought the SL55 had a lift detector as well on the alarm system. Without keys disabling that would have been impossible without tripping, surely?
What a hassle you will face with the insurance, as you say. Remember you have an absolute right to be reinstated to exactly as things stood before the theft, something we recently insisted on, as lonng as you declared the full value.
Get the loss adjuster or insurer to source the same spec. vehicle for you, or have someone like Tom Hartley (er, perhaps not him) or a similar specialist dealer give you a quote on an immediate replacement cost (including the premium), not an MB dealer.
Hope it goes smoothly, and our commiserations. Tough luck.
What a hassle you will face with the insurance, as you say. Remember you have an absolute right to be reinstated to exactly as things stood before the theft, something we recently insisted on, as lonng as you declared the full value.
Get the loss adjuster or insurer to source the same spec. vehicle for you, or have someone like Tom Hartley (er, perhaps not him) or a similar specialist dealer give you a quote on an immediate replacement cost (including the premium), not an MB dealer.
Hope it goes smoothly, and our commiserations. Tough luck.
Last edited by Mustard; 05-27-2003 at 11:43 AM.
05-27-2003, 01:28 PM
#3
That does suck. To a car fanatic this measures along up the alley of losing a family member. Therfore my condolences go out to you and your family. I hope that you will be compensated for your loss and if i see any black SL55's in USA, i'll make sure i contact you! 
05-27-2003, 01:32 PM
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Ohh....
, sorry to hear that, that is a terrible thing!!!
The thieve(s) really knew their job, I know the terrible thrill with police and insurance. Somebody needs to invent an electric shocking system.
, sorry to hear that, that is a terrible thing!!!The thieve(s) really knew their job, I know the terrible thrill with police and insurance. Somebody needs to invent an electric shocking system.
05-27-2003, 02:21 PM
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2013 ML63 AMG PP
Sorry for the loss!
Must have lifted it onto a transporter. The only problem is how in the world will they get new keys because if its like over here you need a passport and all kinds of identification before the dealer can get you a new key, and I know because I work for the dealership here.
Plus all those control units are coded to that car and can't be used in other Mercedeses. In any case, I'll let you know if I see one like yours around here.
Sorry again, that just ruins anyones day.
Plus all those control units are coded to that car and can't be used in other Mercedeses. In any case, I'll let you know if I see one like yours around here.
Sorry again, that just ruins anyones day.
05-27-2003, 03:44 PM
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2001 Chrysler Indrepid
Sorry to hear about that, having your car stolen is never fun, but when it's a young beauty like yourse it must be heart breaking!
05-27-2003, 03:57 PM
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SL55amg , Range Rover TD6 Vogue , Lotus 340R , Saab 9-5 SE Estate
Hard luck Homemark. You have to admire them though... to get past the doorlocks , alarm , tilt alarm and tracker. And all out in the street !!
My wife's SL55 is also 4 months old and we went for the tracker with security guard option. They told us that 9 out of 10 are recovered. That does'nt sound right if yours has'nt even been triggered. Notwithstanding the new-for-old replacement you should get off the insurers (check for free hire car in the interim) , I think you should be very vocal with the tracker company. Lethal publicity for them!
Still , tyres were probably ready for replacing? Look on the bright side!
Hope you get sorted without too much hassle
David
My wife's SL55 is also 4 months old and we went for the tracker with security guard option. They told us that 9 out of 10 are recovered. That does'nt sound right if yours has'nt even been triggered. Notwithstanding the new-for-old replacement you should get off the insurers (check for free hire car in the interim) , I think you should be very vocal with the tracker company. Lethal publicity for them!
Still , tyres were probably ready for replacing? Look on the bright side!
Hope you get sorted without too much hassle
David
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05-27-2003, 04:59 PM
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Amazing, I agree re: tracker. The one that most insurances insist on is the Horizon - this has the GPS location device.
Which one did yours have?
I would be very interested to hear from tracker what they say, please post their responses if you can.
DB1
Which one did yours have?
I would be very interested to hear from tracker what they say, please post their responses if you can.
DB1
05-28-2003, 10:42 AM
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Jan. '03 SL55
I live in St. Johns Wood.
I spoke to Mercedes in Colindale this morning.
They confirmed that my SL55 is the 7th to go missing since January in the London area!
Most thefts involve breaking in to homes and stealing keys.
I'm asking myself if this is all worth it.
I spoke to Mercedes in Colindale this morning.
They confirmed that my SL55 is the 7th to go missing since January in the London area!
Most thefts involve breaking in to homes and stealing keys.
I'm asking myself if this is all worth it.
05-28-2003, 03:14 PM
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Amazing - I wouldn't think there is much of a market for RHD SL 55s - nor for that matter parts. These are quite distinctive, rare cars particularly in RHD.
Anyhow, in my opinion I would get a cheap track car....these days fast nice cars are becoming pointless, cameras everywhere (even my friends tell me in France!!) despite the fact that they are lovely to drive and own....
You could probably spend the difference on 3 years track days plus tyres etc etc....
Just my opinion...
What a bummer...
Anyhow, in my opinion I would get a cheap track car....these days fast nice cars are becoming pointless, cameras everywhere (even my friends tell me in France!!) despite the fact that they are lovely to drive and own....
You could probably spend the difference on 3 years track days plus tyres etc etc....
Just my opinion...
What a bummer...
05-29-2003, 09:20 AM
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Jan. '03 SL55
Wondering
Seems as if you just can't have a decent car in Central London without a garage these days.
The more people I speak to about my theft, the more stories you hear. Like the ones where people have had their houses broken in to for the keys and then the car gets shipped off never to be seen again.
I have to say, that I'm considering something as simple as a Cooper S.
The more people I speak to about my theft, the more stories you hear. Like the ones where people have had their houses broken in to for the keys and then the car gets shipped off never to be seen again.
I have to say, that I'm considering something as simple as a Cooper S.
05-29-2003, 11:06 AM
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Originally posted by homemark
I live in St. Johns Wood.
I live in St. Johns Wood.
Where abouts in St Johns Wood do you live? I use to live on Charlbert Street.
05-30-2003, 01:38 AM
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Hi home, really sorry to hear that your car was stolen. I was surprised that MB doesnt build a better car alarm if they don't use the key to start the car.
05-30-2003, 03:28 PM
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Originally posted by pocholin
Ohh...., sorry to hear that, that is a terrible thing!!!
The thieve(s) really knew their job, I know the terrible thrill with police and insurance. Somebody needs to invent an electric shocking system.
Ohh....
, sorry to hear that, that is a terrible thing!!!The thieve(s) really knew their job, I know the terrible thrill with police and insurance. Somebody needs to invent an electric shocking system.
05-30-2003, 05:37 PM
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2004 SL55, 2015 A250d, 2016 GLC250d
Homemark,
Whats your registration number (and chassis nr ?) that way all us SL55 lovers can keep an eye out - there was an obsidian black one in Ascot station carpark last night
Havent tracker been able to activate the tracker and find it ??
Anything except basic tracker should get triggered by movement ..
Cheers
Richard
Whats your registration number (and chassis nr ?) that way all us SL55 lovers can keep an eye out - there was an obsidian black one in Ascot station carpark last night
Havent tracker been able to activate the tracker and find it ??
Anything except basic tracker should get triggered by movement ..
Cheers
Richard
05-31-2003, 04:43 AM
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sounds to me like there should be some security enhancement - for example a pin-code requirement entered on COMAND that enables the ignition as well as the key. This could be optional, but would mean a key by itself would not be sufficient. I know some of the older BMWs had this. Of course it should not be easy to hack, but every little obstacle helps I guess.
05-31-2003, 04:52 AM
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monowiper
sorry to hear about your loss
as far as a car not being able to get stolen that's impossible
there's always a way
and only takes a few seconds
$$$ go a long way to get new keys for it
coruption helps
hopefully they won't target you again
even if insurance covers it 100% it's still a hassle
as far as a car not being able to get stolen that's impossible
there's always a way
and only takes a few seconds
$$$ go a long way to get new keys for it
coruption helps
hopefully they won't target you again
even if insurance covers it 100% it's still a hassle
05-31-2003, 09:21 AM
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Originally posted by vraa
I think they do?! I thought i saw some ads in those ricer mags!
I think they do?! I thought i saw some ads in those ricer mags!
Seriously, black market for those little parts is high in Mexico, even when they brake parts of the grill or the headlamps when they remove them, for them it is cheaper to fix it and sell it.
