8 replies to this topic

[Captain Mayfair]

Afternoon all,

Since I’ve had my car radio stolen so many times in my life, sadly, it puts me off investing heavily into a decent system!

Therefore I recently purchased a cheap £80 snatch plate stereo which I wouldn’t be too gutted about if it got nicked, and within the first month or so it has been!! Due to the simplistic car door locks on a mini, they didn’t even have to break a window or damage the lock which I was pleasantly surprised about! I am slightly at fault though as it wasn’t practical to take my face plate with me, and so left it in the car

My question is, has anyone actually had there radio nicked even though they’ve taken there face plate with them??

I know when the removable face plate stereo first came out they still nicked the backs, whether there was a way of obtaining a replacement I don’t know! I wondered if thieves had stopped nicking stereos if they’re not accompanied by their face plate??

Just wanted to know as I ain’t gonna buy another when I live in London and it’s bound to get nicked within another month or so!

Any other cheap suggestions welcome?!

Many thanks in advance,

Courtney

[666junky]

buy another.. but fit it under your chair or somewhere "unseen" from the outside..
Recently caught a bunch of yobs eyeing up the back of my min when i left the sub on the back seat after working on it for a day..

You will be suprised.. by radio systems.. our mondeo stereo fitted all other fords.. you know.. the long "key" with the numbers..

and i got our hyundai radio to work with a paperclip

[Mini_the_Minx]

I have a rather expensive Sony headunit so always remove my face. Got my old min broken into, the face was off so they stole my speakers minus the headunit. I don't think you can put a different face on so it shouldnt work.

[Lukie-J]

If it's of any value it'll get nicked!
If it's a nice stereo, even without a faceplate it'll end up nicked because as we all know, you can get ANYTHING off eBay.
I went for the 12-stack in the boot so that even if i do leave my faceplate on it looks like i just got a cassette player.
My Dad's car used to get broken into all the time (he had a honda prelude)
The cheapest thing you can do as a deterrent (which i have now done in my mini) is fit a small flashing LED somewhere on the dash and hide the switch somewhere and just flick it on when you leave the car.
I got into a habit of doing it and mine has never been broken into (touch wood!!)
Flashing LED is easy to fit and really cheap
Hope it helps!
Lukie-J

[Captain Mayfair]

Thanks for all your comments guys!! I think if I get a new one It's going to have to be one of those old pull out radios, or something that can be fully removed! May get a flashing LED as that shouldn't be too difficult to fit, and it all helps!!

Cheers again!
Courtney

[miniEgg]

Most face plates are able to be bought from dealers if you have the main unit. a while back they clamped down on it and you had to prove it was your unit to get the faceplate for it, i found this out when i broke my face plate.....

the flashing LED will be a good idea but then some people with still go ahead and put the window through, and try there luck. then they dont hear an alarm and there luck is in... its unfortunately just a way of life now and we have to deal with it. my old car had its window put through when it was parked on my drive and i was at the window and they waved at me as they did it. SCUM

[WiredbyWilson]

i recently enquired about replacing my broken face plate. it was going to be £200 and i had to prove where i lived and also the original purchase invoice!! So they have made it a) very difficult to get new face plates and b) bloody expensive!!

So i bought an identical unit of ebay for £100 and put the slightly dodgy one in my mini and the good one in my other car - winner

[markaboot]

Most face plates are able to be bought from dealers if you have the main unit. a while back they clamped down on it and you had to prove it was your unit to get the faceplate for it, i found this out when i broke my face plate.....

the flashing LED will be a good idea but then some people with still go ahead and put the window through, and try there luck. then they dont hear an alarm and there luck is in... its unfortunately just a way of life now and we have to deal with it. my old car had its window put through when it was parked on my drive and i was at the window and they waved at me as they did it. SCUM

id have been straight out the door and down the road after them if id seen em do that.

[insamoufonyx]

Most face plates are able to be bought from dealers if you have the main unit. a while back they clamped down on it and you had to prove it was your unit to get the faceplate for it, i found this out when i broke my face plate.....

the flashing LED will be a good idea but then some people with still go ahead and put the window through, and try there luck. then they dont hear an alarm and there luck is in... its unfortunately just a way of life now and we have to deal with it. my old car had its window put through when it was parked on my drive and i was at the window and they waved at me as they did it. SCUM

id have been straight out the door and down the road after them if id seen em do that.

And weilding a shotgun