Question!:Can Soft-tops (Convertible tops) on E46 be cut into or broken into by thief

Cocaine M3 · 09-20-2009, 02:18 PM

Wassup All You E46 Heads!

I always wondered can car jackers cut into a soft top when its on (Parked) and steal the car radio and interior parts??

And if they can how easy is it for them if you have an idea?

Also did it unfortunetly happen to any of you E46 owners out there???

Please let me know (PM`s) what you guys think because I sometimes consider buying a convertible..

Thanks - Cocaine M3

ejamin73 · 09-20-2009, 02:21 PM

Nice sig name

rabbitw00t · 09-20-2009, 02:22 PM

how hard is it to break a window?

cyberkaa · 03-06-2010, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejamin73

Nice sig name

It's a helluva drug.

nightdagger · 09-20-2009, 02:57 PM

Well it's fabric so if someone wanted to, they could cut it open pretty easily. But then again, they could also break the window or pick the lock so the verts probably aren't a whole lot more vulnerable than the coupes.

Titan 3 · 09-20-2009, 03:15 PM

Edit your name, bro. Pretty lame.

bulldozer · 09-20-2009, 04:04 PM

The only reason to cut the top is to unlock the doors. Realistically they are not going to be entering through the top or working from the top of the car to remove a radio. Breaking a window would be an easier way to gain entry. The cut needs to be big enough to stick something inside the car to reach the unlock button (on center console) or to reach in to access the unlock button.

I am curious about how common it is for them to be broken into as I'm not sure there is a lot in there that thieves target. I own an s2000 so this is of particular concern to me. It is very common for s2000 owners to have their tops cut for thieves to gain access. This is because the demand for s2000 seats, steering wheels, and instrument clusters is pretty high. The civic ricers want them. It is not unheard of for an s2000 to be "totaled" by an insurance company after just those items are stolen.

I suspect without such demand for e46 parts having your top cut may be less concern on the convertible models?

DGBMW11 · 09-20-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cocaine M3

Wassup All You E46 Heads!

I always wondered can car jackers cut into a soft top when its on (Parked) and steal the car radio and interior parts??

And if they can how easy is it for them if you have an idea?

Also did it unfortunetly happen to any of you E46 owners out there???

Please let me know (PM`s) what you guys think because I sometimes consider buying a convertible..

Thanks - Cocaine M3

Dude you suck

carlos916 · 09-20-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGBMW11

Dude you suck

LMAO...

i_ween · 03-05-2010, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGBMW11

Dude you suck

I think it's called "snorting" not "sucking". however, maybe he sucks for blow?

bishop1977 · 09-20-2009, 04:49 PM

damn troll!

RE AND CHERYL · 09-20-2009, 05:49 PM

The fabric top is obviously easier to get into (you knew that before you posted this), but anyone with a brick can break a window and gain entry to a coupe even easier. If you want a vert, get a vert. If you keep thinking about what could happen to something once you get it, you'll never own anything.

buy it, enjoy it, if something happens call your insurance agent.

Re'

blackhawkimpact · 09-20-2009, 06:31 PM

Why are they gonna cut the top when they can just stab your tires

GoingNuts · 09-20-2009, 06:49 PM

I don't understand why people would bother with your radio. They'd get more money to take your front and rear bumpers and the side skirts. If they wanted extra money, they could just take your wheels and leave your rotors on bricks.

iansanderson · 09-20-2009, 06:49 PM

it's actually pretty difficult to slice the convertible top material. Once you do that, you have another layer of sound insulation, then interior covering to get through. Windows are a much easier route and its unlikely anybody in the US has the basic security system that will go off.. let alone the euro interior motion sensors.

Bimmer^Hue · 09-20-2009, 07:31 PM

ur answer- yes its fabric, Duh

wetzie · 09-22-2009, 03:49 PM

Get a hardtop vert or add on HT. Sell more coke and you can afford whatever you want?

330msport · 03-05-2010, 11:49 AM

get a hard top and solve all ur problems
i would't worry about it unless u live in mexico city!!

Sicily1918 · 03-05-2010, 12:53 PM

Yes, they could... consider the following, though:

The interior components (Radio, Climate/HVAC, cluster, etc.) don't work automatically once installed. They can be pulled out/put in super easily, but the only way to get them to work on another car -- another E46, specifically -- is to install them in the new car and then code the car with the new component. Given how much the OBD machines (I forget their names -- Mobic and Logic-something?) cost, it's extremely impractical for thieves to really bother.

dvsntt · 03-05-2010, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sicily1918

Yes, they could... consider the following, though:

The interior components (Radio, Climate/HVAC, cluster, etc.) don't work automatically once installed. They can be pulled out/put in super easily, but the only way to get them to work on another car -- another E46, specifically -- is to install them in the new car and then code the car with the new component. Given how much the OBD machines (I forget their names -- Mobic and Logic-something?) cost, it's extremely impractical for thieves to really bother.

I can code and align modules in my garage with a $40 cable.

09-20-2009, 02:18 PM	#1
Cocaine M3 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Empire State (NYC) Posts: 1 My Ride: Cocaine White M3 View My Garage	Question!:Can Soft-tops (Convertible tops) on E46 be cut into or broken into by thief Wassup All You E46 Heads! I always wondered can car jackers cut into a soft top when its on (Parked) and steal the car radio and interior parts?? And if they can how easy is it for them if you have an idea? Also did it unfortunetly happen to any of you E46 owners out there??? Please let me know (PM`s) what you guys think because I sometimes consider buying a convertible.. Thanks - Cocaine M3

09-20-2009, 02:57 PM	#5
nightdagger Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX/Auburn, AL Posts: 557 My Ride: 2004 TiAg 325Ci 5MT View My Garage	Well it's fabric so if someone wanted to, they could cut it open pretty easily. But then again, they could also break the window or pick the lock so the verts probably aren't a whole lot more vulnerable than the coupes. __________________

09-20-2009, 03:15 PM	#6
Titan 3 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: SoFL Posts: 5,445 My Ride: E46 325ci ~E36 ///M3 View My Garage	Edit your name, bro. Pretty lame. __________________

09-20-2009, 06:31 PM	#13
blackhawkimpact Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Chino Hills, California Posts: 136 My Ride: 2002 BMW 325i View My Garage	Why are they gonna cut the top when they can just stab your tires __________________

09-20-2009, 06:49 PM	#15
iansanderson Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 2,778 My Ride: 2001 330CiC View My Garage	it's actually pretty difficult to slice the convertible top material. Once you do that, you have another layer of sound insulation, then interior covering to get through. Windows are a much easier route and its unlikely anybody in the US has the basic security system that will go off.. let alone the euro interior motion sensors. __________________ Cheat Sheet: GT1/ISIS/MoDiC = Factory authorized diagnostic system used by BMW dealerships across the world. NCS Expert = BMW Factory R&D programming tool available on the internet (not intended for the public and not available to the dealership network) OEM = Genuine BMW part only available from a franchised BMW dealership. DME = Engine Management Computer eGay = eBay

09-20-2009, 02:22 PM	#3
rabbitw00t Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Morgantown, WV Posts: 520 My Ride: 99 328i View My Garage	how hard is it to break a window?

09-20-2009, 04:04 PM	#7
bulldozer Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: IL Posts: 27 My Ride: S2K View My Garage	The only reason to cut the top is to unlock the doors. Realistically they are not going to be entering through the top or working from the top of the car to remove a radio. Breaking a window would be an easier way to gain entry. The cut needs to be big enough to stick something inside the car to reach the unlock button (on center console) or to reach in to access the unlock button. I am curious about how common it is for them to be broken into as I'm not sure there is a lot in there that thieves target. I own an s2000 so this is of particular concern to me. It is very common for s2000 owners to have their tops cut for thieves to gain access. This is because the demand for s2000 seats, steering wheels, and instrument clusters is pretty high. The civic ricers want them. It is not unheard of for an s2000 to be "totaled" by an insurance company after just those items are stolen. I suspect without such demand for e46 parts having your top cut may be less concern on the convertible models?

09-20-2009, 04:49 PM	#11
bishop1977 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: DFW Posts: 489 My Ride: 04 330i ZHP S/C View My Garage	damn troll!

09-20-2009, 05:49 PM	#12
RE AND CHERYL Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Dover DE Posts: 85 My Ride: 2003 M3 M6 vert View My Garage	The fabric top is obviously easier to get into (you knew that before you posted this), but anyone with a brick can break a window and gain entry to a coupe even easier. If you want a vert, get a vert. If you keep thinking about what could happen to something once you get it, you'll never own anything. buy it, enjoy it, if something happens call your insurance agent. Re'

09-20-2009, 06:49 PM	#14
GoingNuts Just Nuts Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: London Posts: 7,254 My Ride: 2004 330Ci View My Garage	I don't understand why people would bother with your radio. They'd get more money to take your front and rear bumpers and the side skirts. If they wanted extra money, they could just take your wheels and leave your rotors on bricks.

09-20-2009, 07:31 PM	#16
Bimmer^Hue Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: ^CT Posts: 1,027 My Ride: 330i View My Garage	ur answer- yes its fabric, Duh __________________ 2002 BMW 330i Titanium Silver Metallic \| Gray Dakota Leather \| 5-Speed \| /// Sport, Winter and Premium Package

09-22-2009, 03:49 PM	#17
wetzie Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: monkton, md Posts: 153 My Ride: 2000 BMW 323Ci View My Garage	Get a hardtop vert or add on HT. Sell more coke and you can afford whatever you want? __________________ 2000 323CiC in Silver with Black Interior; 88,000 miles; Beyern Chrome mesh; Ebay angel eyes; 5 speed; moslty stock for now

03-05-2010, 11:49 AM	#18
330msport Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: atlanta ga 30319 Posts: 96 My Ride: 02 330ci vert View My Garage	get a hard top and solve all ur problems i would't worry about it unless u live in mexico city!!

03-05-2010, 12:53 PM	#19
Sicily1918 There I was, Sicily, 1918.. Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,628 My Ride: 1995 E36/2003 E46 View My Garage	Yes, they could... consider the following, though: The interior components (Radio, Climate/HVAC, cluster, etc.) don't work automatically once installed. They can be pulled out/put in super easily, but the only way to get them to work on another car -- another E46, specifically -- is to install them in the new car and then code the car with the new component. Given how much the OBD machines (I forget their names -- Mobic and Logic-something?) cost, it's extremely impractical for thieves to really bother. __________________ My Step transmission fluid change thread. Ti330Ci's awesome Step fluid thread.

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