Question!:Can Soft-tops (Convertible tops) on E46 be cut into or broken into by thief - Page 2

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.

Sicily1918 · 03-05-2010, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvsntt

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

A $40 cable? Other than the car, what's it connected to?

dvsntt · 03-05-2010, 03:35 PM

my laptop.
so with a 40 dollar cable and hundred dollar laptop.

Sicily1918 · 03-05-2010, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvsntt

my laptop.
so with a 40 dollar cable and hundred dollar laptop.

Interesting... what program(s) does it run... and what kinda cable?

My mechanic does the same (cable/laptop) but there's a fairly pricey yellow box in that chain (one of the two programming modules or whatever they're called).

jayton · 03-05-2010, 05:17 PM

dvsntt:
Is it a cable like this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=370198847027

I'm considering getting one of these. There are several different software programs that can be found by searching for "obd" over on demonoid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sicily1918

Interesting... what program(s) does it run... and what kinda cable?

My mechanic does the same (cable/laptop) but there's a fairly pricey yellow box in that chain (one of the two programming modules or whatever they're called).

Maybe the yellow box is the interface? I have seen cheaper cables on ebay that connect to rs232 serial and require an additional interface to communitcate with a PC.

dvsntt · 03-05-2010, 05:26 PM

That cable might work. The software I am running is the same software they use at the dealership, DIS for diagnostics and SSS\Progman for coding\programming.
You can see me guides over at BFC, I guess I should mirror them here as well:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1297683
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1312104
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1401774

I am using a Carsoft interface as well as a VAGCOM KKL interface. Either works. I have also ordered another cable from China that I am hoping will allow auto-detect to work (that is the only thing that doesn't work, you have to know what kind of car you are diagnosing (E36, E46, etc..), not really a big problem)

xi_ter · 03-05-2010, 05:32 PM

Yes. They will also steal your garage door opener and steal everything in your garage by getting your address from registration slips in the visor. If you have an attached garage, there is obviously even more to steal.

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?

BobSC · 03-05-2010, 07:20 PM

This actually happened to me! My car was at a custom fabric shop getting the bolster fixed on the driver side seat. It was parked in back with a bunch of other cars and two other verts overnight and someone broke in and all 3 verts got broken into by slicing open the convertible top. Funny though...the other two verts had aftermarket radios and they were both ripped out and a lot of damage done to the inside of their cars. My stock radio wasn't touched and the only damage to mine was the sliced top. I guess our stock radios aren't such a hot item on the black market........

Chris-TK · 03-05-2010, 07:29 PM

Revival of a stupid thread.

By the way E46 vert tops are made of Kevlar, so don't worry about anyone breaking in. Leave all your valuables in plain sight.

330ciandr6 · 03-06-2010, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisTKHarris

Revival of a stupid thread.

By the way E46 vert tops are made of Kevlar, so don't worry about anyone breaking in. Leave all your valuables in plain sight.

chris, you win

Chris-TK · 03-06-2010, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 330ciandr6

chris, you win

Zeekster64 · 03-06-2010, 10:44 AM

Can a massive enough earthquake offset the axis of the earth's rotation by several inches?

Yes.

cityjohn · 03-06-2010, 03:15 PM

On my old E36, once the car was locked from the outside, none of the interior lock controls were operable. So even if you cut the top and were able to reach in, the only way to actually get in would be to climb through the roof, or just break the window.

I don't know anyone who has a convertible that ever got cut.

cyberkaa · 03-06-2010, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejamin73

Nice sig name

It's a helluva drug.

03-05-2010, 05:32 PM	#27
xi_ter Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 2,208 My Ride: 2003 325xi View My Garage	Yes. They will also steal your garage door opener and steal everything in your garage by getting your address from registration slips in the visor. If you have an attached garage, there is obviously even more to steal. __________________

03-05-2010, 07:20 PM	#29
BobSC Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 705 My Ride: 01 330Cic, 07 750Li View My Garage	This actually happened to me! My car was at a custom fabric shop getting the bolster fixed on the driver side seat. It was parked in back with a bunch of other cars and two other verts overnight and someone broke in and all 3 verts got broken into by slicing open the convertible top. Funny though...the other two verts had aftermarket radios and they were both ripped out and a lot of damage done to the inside of their cars. My stock radio wasn't touched and the only damage to mine was the sliced top. I guess our stock radios aren't such a hot item on the black market........ __________________ 2007 750Li 2001 330Cic 2000 328i(Sold) 2004 X3

03-05-2010, 07:29 PM	#30
Chris-TK Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sacramento Posts: 16,308 My Ride: Mazda View My Garage	Revival of a stupid thread. By the way E46 vert tops are made of Kevlar, so don't worry about anyone breaking in. Leave all your valuables in plain sight. __________________ K.

03-06-2010, 10:44 AM	#33
Zeekster64 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 494 My Ride: 2004 325i premium View My Garage	Can a massive enough earthquake offset the axis of the earth's rotation by several inches? Yes. __________________

03-06-2010, 03:15 PM	#34
cityjohn Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,680 My Ride: 2001 M3 View My Garage	On my old E36, once the car was locked from the outside, none of the interior lock controls were operable. So even if you cut the top and were able to reach in, the only way to actually get in would be to climb through the roof, or just break the window. I don't know anyone who has a convertible that ever got cut. __________________

03-05-2010, 03:35 PM	#23
dvsntt Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Longmont Posts: 138 My Ride: 01 325xi View My Garage	my laptop. so with a 40 dollar cable and hundred dollar laptop.

03-05-2010, 05:26 PM	#26
dvsntt Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Longmont Posts: 138 My Ride: 01 325xi View My Garage	That cable might work. The software I am running is the same software they use at the dealership, DIS for diagnostics and SSS\Progman for coding\programming. You can see me guides over at BFC, I guess I should mirror them here as well: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1297683 http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1312104 http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1401774 I am using a Carsoft interface as well as a VAGCOM KKL interface. Either works. I have also ordered another cable from China that I am hoping will allow auto-detect to work (that is the only thing that doesn't work, you have to know what kind of car you are diagnosing (E36, E46, etc..), not really a big problem)

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