my first break in

[splackavellie]

i was parked at a school parking deck this morning and found this when i got back to my car.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/earl_c2484/IMG_1866Medium.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/earl_c2484/IMG_1865Medium.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/earl_c2484/IMG_1864Medium.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/earl_c2484/IMG_1863Medium.jpg

they ripped it apart only to take that POS stereo. they didnt even bother to look in the trunk and take the cd changer. maybe next time i should just leave a damn write up on how to take the stereo properly w/o hacking away at my dash.

i dont even know where to start with this as far as the dash goes. seems like im going to need a few things to put it back together. but i'll worry about that later i guess. for now, i just want to get new windows ASAP.

[e34werkz]

Wow. Sucks man, one reason I kept the stock radio in. Hope you get everything back to normal quickly. Good luck.

[cabezzzdb8]

Damn that sucks, stock stereo?, when they broke in my teg they did a clean job taking my system did no break a thing, at least they didnt take the whole car.

[splackavellie]

no it was some old alpine stereo. had it been the stock stereo, i think i would have been more pissed.
i dont care about the stereo. im more pissed about the other damages as i have no idea how to put that thing back together yet.

[mainebimmer]

that sucks so bad. i get sick to my stomach when i see that stuff. its terrible

[Kate525i]

WTF? man, people really suck.... does it ever occour to anyone who does this, that it feels so much better to look at your car with the new stereo/paint job/etc... when you worked for the money to pay for the parts and put the work in!? I love looking at my car because it looks pretty good now, and I'M the one who washed/claybarred/waxed/ and cleaned and conditioned my black trim to make it black again. My car looks good because of me.... why the hell do people feel as though this is...*mumbled expletives*... ARGH!!! people piss me off..................

[e9nine]

I believe there's an e34 parts car than can serve your interior and window needs @ autofab. Give them a ring as I am not so sure what the status is on the car but the dash console looked good.

G.Luck

[Qsilver7]

Crooks & thieves suck! :shifty:mad:shifty

Remember...the online parts database's diagrams can be very helpful in re-constructing parts:

HVAC controls: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?model=HD13&mospid=47408&hg=64&fg=20

OBC: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?model=HD13&mospid=47408&hg=62&fg=40

Good luck.

BTW, does your car double lock? If so...it would have made them have to crawl in/out thru the windows since the doors won't open withtout the master key. Just a thought for the future...hang in there.

[alpinacsi]

Sorry to see this. I might have a spare panel that fits the radio but I know that Strickly German has several e34s for parts. I think their # is 706-654-9103 and they are up by Road A.

[ToppedOut525i]

man that looks rough..sorry for your loss.. it reminds me a buddy of mine got his tag watch stolen out of his car.. a 4800 dollar watch so it could be worse! good luck replacin that stuff

[E34N]

wow.. that sux bro... I hope everything works out for you.

[WolfStrong]

Did you forget to use the double lock feature? :nono

These things discust me to hell. Those people should be castrated!

[ohnoes]

Sucks!!!

I'm worried about my E30, too. It has an aftermarket head unit that is probably the envy of every thief and ricer--not particularly good, but easy to steal.

Do E30s have double-locking as well?

[MaloventEvil]

does anyone else find it funny that they took the stereo but NOT the OBC?

hoping you had insurance man! :(

[5271990]

Goodluck with that.

I hate the way they make a mess like that, a radio removal kit only costs ~$20

http://www.screwfix.com/sfd/i/cat/52/p3704652_x.jpg

[hokoman]

That sucks... sorry to see the pictures. What amazes me this day and age is that headunits are so cheap now at all the big electronics stores. I thought stealing headunits went out of style with the neon colors and reebok pumps of the early 90's.... If I was the next president, I would chop off fingers for stealing... we would see a lot less crime immediately.

[steveng1993]

Reminds me, I forgot to tighten back the screws holding my stock radio in my e36. I think I will leave it loose like that.
I am sure you can get some replacement parts to put her back together again.

[Qsilver7]

Do E30s have double-locking as well?

Well...it did originally...but sometimes over the years...well, ya know. :(

There is an easy way to tell...lower the driver's window...then exit vehicle, and lock the door manually (turning it to the doulble-lock position). Then reach in and try to unlock the door using the interior handle...or the lock pin if you can get a grip on it to pull it up.

If the car is double locked...you should NOT be successful in opening the door.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/433000-433999/433594_150.jpg

I do believe it was up until 1993 model year...BMWs could be single locked or double locked (manually). After 1993 (?) all BMWs are double locked when locked manually with the key in the cylinder (if your locks work properly).

[ohnoes]

Some good info as always, Qsilver!

What are 1 and 5 for, emergency unlock and synchronize?

[Qsilver7]

Emergency unlock is for when your battery dies and the doors are locked. The locks are electronically activated and many owners think that they have been locked out of the car...some owners freak out and toss a brick thru the window to get in! :eek:

But the doors can still be manually unlocked during a power failure. All you have to do is:
1. insert key
2. pull up & hold the door handle
3. turn key to the emergency unlock position.


If the doors locks get out of synch or you've performed the emergency unlock procedure:
1. insert key into passenger door lock
2. turn & hold key in resynch postion until you hear all the doors (& trunk's) lock actuater initiate
3. remove key and go to driver's door and unlock.

Repeat the same locking procedure on the driver's door....then go to the passenger door to unlock.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/433000-433999/433594_150.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/433000-433999/433594_366.jpg

BTW, on some BMWs...turning the key in the door lock cylinder to the synchronize (#5 position) will also roll up the windows and close the sunroof if you've exited the car and left them down. Also comes in handy if windows are open and it starts to rain...you can roll them all up by simply inserting the key in the door lock cylinder...turning & holding the key there until everything is closed up.

[splackavellie]

does anyone else find it funny that they took the stereo but NOT the OBC?

hoping you had insurance man! :(
yeah, as soon as i got the call about the break in, my first thought was whether they took the OBC or not. i wasnt even worried about the radio. i actually didnt expect all that damage since removing the radio from our cars is relatively easy. i mean it pretty much just slides out. figured a broken window and a stolen stereo is not so bad. then i come to find that they hacked away at it.

only have liability so everything will pretty much be out of pocket. :(


Crooks & thieves suck! :shifty:mad:shifty

Remember...the online parts database's diagrams can be very helpful in re-constructing parts:

HVAC controls: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?model=HD13&mospid=47408&hg=64&fg=20

OBC: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?model=HD13&mospid=47408&hg=62&fg=40

Good luck.

BTW, does your car double lock? If so...it would have made them have to crawl in/out thru the windows since the doors won't open withtout the master key. Just a thought for the future...hang in there.
yeah i was just looking at those this morning when i posted the thread. i guess as soon as i get my windows straightened out i'll go and find out exactly what i need.



BTW, on some BMWs...turning the key in the door lock cylinder to the synchronize (#5 position) will also roll up the windows and close the sunroof if you've exited the car and left them down. Also comes in handy if windows are open and it starts to rain...you can roll them all up by simply inserting the key in the door lock cylinder...turning & holding the key there until everything is closed up.

i have this feature and have used it plenty of times, but i never knew about the double lock feature. that would have been really good to know. i guess you live and learn

[Redfive]

Ouch, that brings back some bad memories for me. Make sure you replace the the HVAC control cables, They might look okay, but as I found out they're easily broken. Get your insurance to cover it if you can, because lots of times, the tabs that hold the whole dash together get broken, so there for the repair cost can easily exceed $500 so you might be able to get some cash. Then buy the parts for a member who's parting out a car. This way you might be able to afford a new radio with the insurance money.

[atl530i]

I hate thieves. In the last 2 weeks, I've replaced 2 complete (h/u, amps, speakers, and subs) systems in a couple boats.

Sorry for your loss though. Check with the guys at Strictly German for parts though.

[sportrider90]

no alarm on it??? I quickly put an aftermarket alarm with tilt sensor on my ride....the things goes off even on a windy day but i know for sure anyone (meaning amatuer thief) messing with my car will probably run off....also, if you put in an aftermarket head unit, always good to get the kind with the removable face plate.

[attack eagle]

does anyone else find it funny that they took the stereo but NOT the OBC?

hoping you had insurance man! :(
thieves are lazy but too stupid to not have to work at stealing.

About 2 weeks ago I aparently turned my wife's key the wrong way in the lock when I went to lock it (being used to the bimmer).the next morning they had broken her old 94 Saturn's dash to steal an OLD 1998 vintage deh-245... yes a 9 year old base model pioneer.

they had opened and searched the trunk and left everything (including some baby nikes and baby tommy hilfiger shoes worth far more per pair than the radio, and easier to sell) They had opened the gas lid and siphoned out a little bit of gas too.

That was a lot of work, and risk, for maybe a $10 radio... too stupid to go to best buy and just ask for a set of keys (or offer $5 for a set) I guess.


Took me all of 20 minutes to put a new radio harness, antenna wire, dash kit and a 2006 pioneer I had laying around in it. And yes, she removes the radio face now. but it still pisses me off that they were too lazy to work for it honestly, and too stupid to NOT do a bunch of extra work by breaking the dash to take it out.


Probably the same idiots that stole a kicker impulse 405d ($125) I was installing out of the back of my talon when I went inside to piss, but too dumb to take the Infinity basslink ($400) I had sitting next to it.


Maybe tourings are different... mine only double locks when using the key

[skylinergtr]

that sucks man. i told my sister not to take my 95 530ia to school since her car was in the shop. i showed her and told her i dont want this to happen. lol. but other than that, that must have been a crappy day. especially since everything is out and scattered, and messy as hell. especially the window. those people are DIRTY theifs.

[Ace_of_Spades]

That sucks man!

By breaking the windows...what did they accomplish?
When i leave my windows half opened and try to open the locks, it doesn't work:(

[splackavellie]

That sucks man!

By breaking the windows...what did they accomplish?
When i leave my windows half opened and try to open the locks, it doesn't work:(

they hacked up my dash and stole my stereo.

yeah i didnt know about the double lock feature. now im gonna make sure i double lock each time.

update:
got my windows fixed. thanks to AutoFAB Motorsports. they hooked me up with a window from their e34 parts car and i had them put it in :buttrock. now i just have to get it tinted again :(

now its time to figure out the dash...

[ohnoes]

Someone "broke" into (by opening the door) my E30 the other night. Never thought it would happen to me. They didn't take anything, but they rifled through my glovebox suspiciously... and left my door partially ajar. Wtf? I think I know who it was--well, in general. Some punk kids a couple years younger than me who steal small stuff, so they can hide it from their parents. :rofl They don't go for the stuff that they can actually make REAL money from, i.e. head units, 'cause their parents would find out and ground them for life. :lol

[brods525]

I know my car has the double lock, which I'm going to make sure I ALWAYS use. I have this headunit in my car: http://www.parkaveelectronics.com/images/big/kdavx1.jpg
PLUS Rockford Fosgate Power 12" subs and a Kenwood Excelon Amp.
If someone broke into my car I think I'd shit, and on top of that.... I dont have the money to pull out of my ass to pay for anything.
Thanks for the pics, it REALLY opened my eyes.
;)

[E34nication]

does anyone else find it funny that they took the stereo but NOT the OBC?

hoping you had insurance man! :(

first thing i noticed.

[WolfStrong]

they hacked up my dash and stole my stereo.

yeah i didnt know about the double lock feature. now im gonna make sure i double lock each time.

update:
got my windows fixed. thanks to AutoFAB Motorsports. they hooked me up with a window from their e34 parts car and i had them put it in :buttrock. now i just have to get it tinted again :(

now its time to figure out the dash...
And now you are going to show it off to all your friends just like the rest of us.

With your windows completely down
"Hey look! Locked...(pause)...(you turn the key a bit more)....dead locked!"
"what the hell does that do?"
"try and get in"
"What the hell" (as they try to pull the lock up and pull the door handle to no prevail)..."so what happens if the battery dies?"
"jumper cables through the trunk light"

[Qsilver7]

..."so what happens if the battery dies?"
"jumper cables through the trunk light"

WRONG!! :nono :nono :nono

If you have an owners manual OR read thru this whole thread...EMERGENCY UNLOCK PROCEDURE was posted (see post #20: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9920244&postcount=20). BMW engineered a procedure to unlock the doors when there is electrical failure.

Its not that you can't go thru all the trouble to hook up jumper cables thru the trunk light...it just isn't necessary. Just use the procedure that BMW designed. ;)

The master key can "manually" unlock the trunk & the doors when there's a power failure.

[CleanE34]

that sucks bro. same thing happened to a kid i knew whose cadillac got broken in to.

[splackavellie]

another update:

well since bfc was down for the most part this weekend, i decided to get a little work done. got the bracket from AutoFab and decided to see what i could do to get it back in some sort of shape.

well here she is now...
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/earl_c2484/IMG_1874Medium.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/earl_c2484/IMG_1873Medium.jpg


its going to be a temp/permanent fix as i dont think i can go any further than this. but atleast the OBC works and i can control my AC again. you can clearly see the gap underneath the vents. not much i can do about that...i dont think. also the bracket is only held in place w/ 3 screws as the botton right was ripped out. im hoping that it would be enough to hold it in place.

[tbcbroman]

that sucks man I hope you are able to find all of the parts you need.. and hey guys I dont know that double locking the car would help seeing as they broke through the window... I dunno thats just me.

[Adderz]

well it would if it WASNT safety glass and the window broke into 1000 tiny sharp little pieces hehe. sorry to see it like that, the sad thing is vandals of anything are almost never caught....id be ashamed everytime i saw something that id stolen....

[Qsilver7]

... and hey guys I dont know that double locking the car would help seeing as they broke through the window... I dunno thats just me.

If the car had been double locked...after breaking the window, they would have had to break out enough of the glass to be able to CRAWL thru the window to get inside the car...then do their damage to the dash to get the radio...THEN...crawl back out thru the window to get away.

Most thieves probably wouldn't want the extra hassle of having to crawl in and out of the window...that would make a "smash and grab" radio theft more difficult. Remember, a double locked car's doors can NOT be opened from the outside OR inside. And since he has electric windows...the thief couldn't roll down any of the other windows for a less messy escape. Which means that a busted window might have been the only damage instead of a busted window, dash, and missing radio.

[nixter]

came back to my car last week after work and found my window half down. They managed to force it down but I had double locked it they were unable to unlock or open the doors and they left without entering the car. No damage. I was in a fairly high traffic underground parking lot so I guess they didn't feel like climbing in an looking suspicious. I ALWAYS double lock.

n

[85rx12a]

hope these fucker fell and got hurt real bad on the way out of there. i hate theives. thankfully ive never had anyone steal anything from my car, yet....knock on wood.

[Adderz]

when did they introduce double locking as standard? because every time i lock with my key with the remote or key it gets double locked. there doesnt seem to be a single lock

[Qsilver7]

when did they introduce double locking as standard? because every time i lock with my key with the remote or key it gets double locked. there doesnt seem to be a single lock

For e34s imported to the USA...your question was answered in post #18. I do believe 1992 was the last year for the "single-lock" position...and from 1993-up the lock cylinder always double-locked the car. :D


http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/433000-433999/433594_150.jpg

I do believe it was up until 1993 model year...BMWs could be single locked or double locked (manually). After 1993 (?) all BMWs are double locked when locked manually with the key in the cylinder (if your locks work properly).

[arba1est]

damn that sucks, when i get another e34, im kinda worried about parking in atlanta. BTW ive got a driver side window for sale, cheap. heh.**


*nvm, just read the previous posts. But if you need any parts, let me know.