Trackers

[Avtar]

How many of you have trackers fitted, some insurance companies will not quote without one.

Is it a worthwhile investement in the long run and if so which are recommended and what would be the costs?

[NewX5]

I had it on 2 cars in the past and did not make a real difference on insurance in fact I was never requested to have on any of the cars by insurance company cars were a 996c4 & RS4. I have only ever had one car stolen and to be truthful I did not want it back only problem pay out took 7 weeks (loved the money though).

[Sanj]

Not an easy one to justify for some:

1. They cost about £500 to buy and fit
2. They need a yearly subscription (for life of ownership I paid £329, rather than the £99 pa)
3. If it gets stolen - do you want it back (some have argued)
4. Weigh that all up with the cost of your yearly renewal figures... is it cost effective to go with a higher premium offered for not having one?
5. They also require maintenance - the battery can go and then when you need it most, it's useless! £80 for a once over...

HTHs

[Avtar]

Bugger that then.....

[Philb]

Admiral didnt ask for tracker off me, but BMW did.....

[Avtar]

Am with Admiral at present and yes I thought it was amusing when I used my free 7 day cover when purchasing the car and they caused a fuss that it did not have a tracker but covered it anyway. However, the annual quote did need a tracker and was ridculously expensive anyway.

[NewX5]

[quote=""Sanj""]Not an easy one to justify for some:

1. They cost about £500 to buy and fit
2. They need a yearly subscription (for life of ownership I paid £329, rather than the £99 pa)
3. If it gets stolen - do you want it back (some have argued)
4. Weigh that all up with the cost of your yearly renewal figures... is it cost effective to go with a higher premium offered for not having one?
5. They also require maintenance - the battery can go and then when you need it most, it's useless! £80 for a once over...

HTHs[/quote]

Damn I was not aware of the maintenance I had mine for 2 years on both vehicles and never had to do anything, If I had to maintain I would of switched off. Only use I have had from Tracker is them calling me telling me my vehicle has been lifted and being transported ( Going to dealer for clutch replacement).

[Sanj]

It's 'recommended' and never enforced as such. Just a thing you should get checked every 3 years (I think) they say...

[kena]

My insurance never asked for one but I recently had the sound system upgraded and whilst doing so I found one already fitted. Rang the insurance to see if i could get a reduction on premium if I had it activated. They offered me a 1p, YES 1P, reduction so I never bothered.

[Avtar]

1p, that's hilarious.......

[g60renshaw]

Made a huge difference to our insurance. Without most would not insure it or it was over £1000, but with it the premium dropped to £500.

Jay

[X5Sport]

We were unable to get insurance on any of our Beemers without said devices being installed. We've only had issues with one of them in 6 years - and that was caused by BMW themselves messing up the wiring.

A mate of mine has one in his car. His keys were stolen from the house and the car driven off. It was probably nicked to order as it was dumped in a lockup garage and left. It was recovered with slight damage to the interior trim which the thieves had bent to try and find the tracker, and taken to a Police station for Forensics within 4 hours of being nicked.

If you do have one installed - and X5's are a favourite to get nicked and shipped to Africa as they also drive on the left - there are benefits to not having the dealer install it. These vehicles tend not to be thrashed as they are being stolen to order. None of ours have been done by BMW so they are not in the 'usual place'. Even I don't know where the current one is, nor does the dealer and they had to stay away from the vehicle while it was being done.

For me it's peace of mind too. Even if the insurance had not required it, I would still have them.

[BL02WAS]

I always question whether I would ever want my car back should a theiving git get his hands on it!!! Think I would prefer never to see it again as you never know what damage they have done to it internal wise! I have tracker fitted but it's not activated as I went with insurance who didn't require it.

[petert]

Never had one and never had a problem getting insured.

Peter T

[Chompers]

Had one on my old e53 V8 but never had it activated. Dealer I bought it from didn't even know it had one as it had been an ex BMW car I put 2 & 2 together and call Tracker to confirm one was fitted.

To any who hasn't got one or atleast thinks they don't have one, it's always worth a call to Tracker just to check.