2/20    Is it really true that BMWs are theft proof because of that chip in
        the key?
        \_ NOTHING is theft proof. Theft-resistant, but not theft-proof.
           \_ Not even the one James Bond drove.
        \_ related note:  how many of you actually shell out $700 for the
           GPS tracker security system or $900 for the alarm system?
           \_ I outfitted my car with "Lethal Deterrent".  And it doesn't
           even drain the battery!
        \_ Of course not.  What if the thief has a tow truck?  What if the
           thief plans ahead and bribes someone at BMW to get him the key
           for your car?  Difficult and unlikely, yes.  Impossible, no.
        \_ Follow up question : Is there concrete data on this stuff anywhere?
           \_ You're on the motd.  There is no concrete data here.
        \_ No.  However, it takes a little more skill, a few more tools, and
           a little more time to steal a BMW because of those chips (VWs and
           Audis too).  All of those will cut down on theft.
        \_ anything you do that requires the thief to physically have the
           proper key (i.e. GM's VATs, the lasercut lexus keys, the bmw chip
           etc - is just goin gto increase the carjacking incidents)
           - ex AAA Automobile Locksmith.
           \_ hi paolo, er, prole... er, pst
           \_ Only if they want the car that badly.
        \_ Basically, it comes down to: is the car worth the time to steal?
           If you can steal an unarmed car in 15 seconds vs. one with an
           alarm, a Club, etc in 60 seconds, most likely the unarmed one
           will be taken first.
           \_ not if the unarmed one isn't worth taking.
              \_ well, goes w/o saying, don't park your 535i next to a Pinto.
                 \_ 535i ?  What do you think this is, 1999?  I can't afford
                    that shit.  I only have a 325Ci.
           \_ Practically any car can be stolen if a thief wants it. Thieves
              don't use a lot of the same logic we do, either. I've seen
              older cars stolen that were parked right next to much nicer
              and newer cars. My neighbor had a Saturn (!) stolen that was
              parked next to Hondas, Cadillacs, a BMW, an Acura, and a Porsche
              (none of which had alarms that were armed). My dad was
              carjacked for his beaten-up 1982 Toyota pickup! All you can
              do is your best. Things like Lojack will help you get your
              car back, if you think you want it back after it's been
              stripped. --dim
              \_ I guess that what car they want to steal depends on the
                 current demand in the used parts market.
           \_ This is not related to cars, but I've heard stories where someone
              on campus had a crappy bike and locked it with at Kryptonite
              bike lock that costed more than the bike, yet the bike was still
              stolen.
              \_ I've had a friend who got his *junky* bike stolen off a
                 balcony of a 3rd floor apartment.  The bike theifs in
                 Berkeley will go any distance to steal even a piece of crap.