Bizarre Scratches On Door Surround

[craigwalton]

I noticed these scratches on the inside of the drivers door yesterday.

scratches1.jpg

At first glance, it looks like someone had trapped something in the door and tried to shut it, except I'm the only driver and I'm certain I would have noticed if the door did not shut or something was trapped. I also checked to see if door was maybe fouling on B-pillar when closing, but the door does not wobble and has a big clearance in that region. I had the doors off just after christmas to do some touching up and rehang them to improve the squintness and difficulty to shut. These marks are definitely new.

door-shut.jpg

These scratches are visible with the door shut and locked. My only other thought is that maybe someone tried to prise locked door open by sticking a lever in. But maybe this is paranoia that someone is trying to break in, fuelled by the strange seriously bent lock tumbler a month ago - viewtopic.php?f=13&t=19452.

The B-pillar has accompanying marks, which supports just about any theory.

b-pillar-marks.jpg

Thoughts or theories anyone? Thanks!

[DT1]

If you are sure that they're new then someone's had a go. Looks like they were trying to prise the door open enough to slide something in to get the catch.

[Nate]

That is someone trying to break in and not knowing what they're doing.

[the edmundator]

That is someone trying to break in and not knowing what they're doing.

Seconded.

[mr.brown]

That is someone trying to break in and not knowing what they're doing.

Seconded.

Thirded.

[craigwalton]

Well thank you all for your opinions. I first noticed the scratches Sunday ~2pm after my car had been parked for 4 hours outside a university building on a busy one way street in broad daylight. It's possible (but unlikely in my mind) that I just missed the damage on Sunday morning and that the attempt was made on Saturday night outside my flat.

I'm glad it was only an amateur's eye that was caught. What deterrents or security measures would you guys recommend? Ta!

[mark1gls]

Disklok is what I use, a rather big bit of metal to carry around when driving but the best steering wheel lock you can buy.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=disklok

Do you have an immobilizer or alarm?
If not fit at least a flashing red led to look like an alarm.
If someone really wants your car they will take it but the more visual deterrents you have on show may put off the "scum bag" trying to get in.

[the edmundator]

I use Diskloks on all of mine as they're the best visual deterrent - and likely to deter the kind of opportunistic thief who would cause the kind of damage you've experienced. The vast majority of stolen Sciroccos reported here have been taken by joyriders and burnt out - something like a Disklok will probably be enough to get most of them to look for an easier target.

Anyone who's stealing a car to sell on will probably take it whatever security you've got, as mark1gls says.


NB there are frequently discounts available if you buy direct from Disklok. The best I could find when I bought one recently was 15% (I think the code was LRO15) but they have done up to 25%.

[Nate]

If you're fitting any form of steering wheel lock, make sure it is Thatcham approved. The "anything is better than nothing" theory doesn't always hold good. Some steering wheel locks (in particular the arm that goes through the wheel type) are very easy to remove, and give extra leverage for breaking the steering lock.

Back when I had mk2 astras, the disklok and the halfords own brand equivalent were the only 2 available that were Thatcham approved.

Other small cheap things:

- fake alarm flashing light, look at pukka alarms and copy the way they are fitted
- bit of a pain, but chaining the steering wheel to the door pulls is visual and will slow them down
- take the face off your radio and don't just chuck it in the glove box or under the seat
- I did wonder about swapping the lock buttons for ones from something like a 6n polo that are smooth, to make it harder to hood them with a bit of wire. Harder, but not impossible

[craigwalton]

Thanks for advice and links. At the moment I have no immobiliser, no alarm, no security stickers or anything. I've ordered a £3 flashing LED that I can hook up to 12V supply - I'll try my best to fabricate a housing for it that looks legit. Were there official Mk2 alarm installations at any point? I couldn't find any photos.

Disklok claims to be the only steering wheel lock Thatcham approved. How cumbersome and time consuming is it to remove and install disklok? And I guess it might fit in the back seats footwell for quick easy access. Looks like voucher code has expired.

I'm toying with the idea of installing a concealed switch in series with the ignition. But perhaps if a thief has gone as far as to break in, they'll be determined enough to find a switch?

I don't believe the face comes off my radio - it's a Blaupunkt Gamma radio from a Polo. Do people still knick radios?

Makes me sad that someone could burn one of these!

[the edmundator]

Were there official Mk2 alarm installations at any point? I couldn't find any photos.

I had a VAG alarm in a 1983 Scirocco GTI. It was rudimentary, to say the least. There was a toggle switch in the passenger footwell that turned it on or off. I don't know if they offered something a little less decorative on later cars, probably would have been dealer-fit in any case.

Disklok claims to be the only steering wheel lock Thatcham approved. How cumbersome and time consuming is it to remove and install disklok? And I guess it might fit in the back seats footwell for quick easy access. Looks like voucher code has expired.

I haven't timed it, but I imagine fitting and removal take something like 30s each. I keep mine on the back seat or in the passenger footwell when driving.

FBTW-5 gets you £5 off, which is better than nothing, I suppose. You need the Small size.

I don't believe the face comes off my radio - it's a Blaupunkt Gamma radio from a Polo. Do people still knick radios?

Yes, but probably not one like yours!

[hiltow]

Mine has its original VW / dealer fitted 1980s Scorpion alarm fitted. The LED warning light for the alarm is right in the centre of the plastic blanking plate right next to your ash tray - this is where the voltometer (I think) goes on the higher specc'd and foreign models. This is in a visible location, with good wiring access. It also means you won't need to butcher your dash.

The system also has a robust, hidden kill ignition switch - PM me if you would like details of it's location. I suspect thieves know about these things nowadays, but it slows them down a bit I suppose whilst they fathom it.

The aftermarket alarm market is probably more niche thesedays as most cars have decent security fitted as standard, but it might be worth considering having a full system professionally fitted if you're going to the extent of installing lights and kill switches.

[mark1gls]

Disklok only takes a few seconds to get on and off once you master it and I store mine in the passengers foot well or on the floor in the back on the passengers side.
I've used mine for about 18 years and it's still going strong so I would not be put off by a 2nd hand one, they came with 2 keys new.

Lots on ebay.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Disklok-Steer ... SwzgRWyXP4

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/disklok-steer ... SwuAVWy3A5

[craigwalton]

I can certainly live with ~30s of hassle to deter some thieves. I'll keep an eye on those eBay listings for second hand Small disklok - if no signs of anything promising in the next week, I'll buy new if the £5 voucher is still valid.

Perfect location, I'll fit the flashing LED right in that panel.

I'll investigate kill switches, but promise I won't go Mad Max over it and end up with 7 with a specific firing order...

[DannyH]

What size fits a Scirocco?