Steering lock- is Stoplock recommended?

[hiker]

Had a bit of a scare yesterday - my D4 was parked in large supermarket carpark and I disturbed 2 young fellas hanging around and taking a very good look through my windows - moved off when I spoke "very loudly"

Have heard and read lots about gadgets that unlock cars via wireless etc and got me thinking about the old Krooklock we used to use. A bit of research led me to Stoplock - bright yellow and seems to the 2022 version of the krooklock.

Stoplock

Amazon list it as UK import

So is the one to have, or are there better?

cheers

[BradC]

Years ago dad had a Porsche. There was a gang in Perth that loved to steal them and they hit his car as his office was only a 10 minute walk from the lockup they'd just been bailed from. He had the alarm, immobiliser and steering lock (it was a CLUB lock from memory). They circumvented all 3 rapidly, but the key to the steering lock was the keyhole was accessible (front facing). The cops said the trick is to put it on backwards so the lock was facing the dash. You almost need a double-jointed midget gymnast to get it locked and unlocked, but then if you do mechanical work on a D3/D4 you should already have one on speed-dial.

Once word got around and people started doing that, they just used it as a lever to deform the steering wheel until it got out of their way.

If they want to nick it, they will and you won't want it back when they're finished with it.

[hiker]

Wow!

My idea is to deter - maybe look at some other options -possibly the big yellow arm is an attraction to some!

Years ago dad had a Porsche. There was a gang in Perth that loved to steal them and they hit his car as his office was only a 10 minute walk from the lockup they'd just been bailed from. He had the alarm, immobiliser and steering lock (it was a CLUB lock from memory). They circumvented all 3 rapidly, but the key to the steering lock was the keyhole was accessible (front facing). The cops said the trick is to put it on backwards so the lock was facing the dash. You almost need a double-jointed midget gymnast to get it locked and unlocked, but then if you do mechanical work on a D3/D4 you should already have one on speed-dial.

Once word got around and people started doing that, they just used it as a lever to deform the steering wheel until it got out of their way.

If they want to nick it, they will and you won't want it back when they're finished with it.

[DiscoDB]

Years ago dad had a Porsche. There was a gang in Perth that loved to steal them and they hit his car as his office was only a 10 minute walk from the lockup they'd just been bailed from. He had the alarm, immobiliser and steering lock (it was a CLUB lock from memory). They circumvented all 3 rapidly, but the key to the steering lock was the keyhole was accessible (front facing). The cops said the trick is to put it on backwards so the lock was facing the dash. You almost need a double-jointed midget gymnast to get it locked and unlocked, but then if you do mechanical work on a D3/D4 you should already have one on speed-dial.

Once word got around and people started doing that, they just used it as a lever to deform the steering wheel until it got out of their way.

If they want to nick it, they will and you won't want it back when they're finished with it.

That sounds like the infamous Porsche Kid. When he was only 14 he and his buddies would regularly hit the Curtin Uni car park as well after getting released or escaping from the juvenile detention centre in Bentley. I am sure in Juvie they all had classes in how to steal cars.

Out of interest did a google search on him and it turns out he died aged 43 in 2016 whilst in custody.

[BradC]

That sounds like the infamous Porsche Kid.

Got it in one.

[SimmAus]

Personally, I wouldn’t bother with additional locking mechanisms…if someone wants the vehicle..they will take it (one way or another). As quick as these things are designed, the workaround is established.

Lads looking through windows are more likely looking for valuables in the vehicle. Take the obvious steps here….OR they were admiring the worlds best 4x4.

We also live in one of the safest countries in the world…I’m more concerned about kids/geriatrics with shopping trolleys than joyriders.

[hiker]

Thanks for your input - yes agree with you.
May look at other options - unfortunately car is not garaged - permanently in public carpark.
Cheers

Personally, I wouldn’t bother with additional locking mechanisms…if someone wants the vehicle..they will take it (one way or another). As quick as these things are designed, the workaround is established.

Lads looking through windows are more likely looking for valuables in the vehicle. Take the obvious steps here….OR they were admiring the worlds best 4x4.

We also live in one of the safest countries in the world…I’m more concerned about kids/geriatrics with shopping trolleys than joyriders.

[Tombie]

More often they want to steal the contents.

Hence just looking in it rather than already inside.