Count me among the NJ B5 owners with theft attempts...
02-10-2007, 08:06 PM
#1
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Count me among the NJ B5 owners with theft attempts...
... I've lived in North Jersey for over two years and had a good run of luck, but it ended tonight. I made the mistake of going to Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth to exchange some Christmas presents, and came outside to the damage you can see below.
Unfortunately or fortunately, the worthless wastes of human bodies who tried to steal the car were too goddamned stupid to even know how to properly break into a B5. They ripped out the door locks, rather than punching holes in the door.
The abject incompetence of these would-be thieves was, sadly, little consolation while trying to figure things out in 20 degree weather. It appears that they damaged the passenger side lock and completely destroyed the driver side lock. The passenger side lock is mangled, but I can still turn my key in it and it works.
I have a couple of questions. First, I would like to replace the door handle trim, which appears to be the only body damage, with the rear door handle trim. If I do this, can I avoid repairing the lock mechanisms themselves? I remember Phil saying this was quite expensive in the past and I think it would be a worthwhile deterrent in the future to have the rear handle trim in place.
Second, can anyone confirm that the door handle trim acts to 'lock' the handle into place? Before I snapped the trim off the driver side while inspecting it, the door handle seemed to work fine. Once I snapped it off, the door handle seemed to work very loosely. Can anyone like Phil or Carson say whether this is normal without the trim to hold the handle in place, or if there is further damage to the handle itself?
Finally, does anyone have an idea on approximate cost for replacing the lock mechanism? This would make it easier to determine if I want to do this through insurance or not. If I have to replace the lock it'll probably get way over a $500 deductible, but if I can replace the trim with the rear trim and remove the lock mechanisms entirely, I would do that and avoid reporting it to insurance.
Thanks for reading. Here are the pics, driver side first:
<img src="http://kmhpaladin.alotofuseless.info/IMG_1498.jpg">
<img src="http://kmhpaladin.alotofuseless.info/IMG_1499.jpg">
And the passenger side - the lock mechanism is not secured in place here, I had to move it into place behind the hole like this:
<img src="http://kmhpaladin.alotofuseless.info/IMG_1500.jpg">
<img src="http://kmhpaladin.alotofuseless.info/IMG_1502.jpg">
Unfortunately or fortunately, the worthless wastes of human bodies who tried to steal the car were too goddamned stupid to even know how to properly break into a B5. They ripped out the door locks, rather than punching holes in the door.
The abject incompetence of these would-be thieves was, sadly, little consolation while trying to figure things out in 20 degree weather. It appears that they damaged the passenger side lock and completely destroyed the driver side lock. The passenger side lock is mangled, but I can still turn my key in it and it works.
I have a couple of questions. First, I would like to replace the door handle trim, which appears to be the only body damage, with the rear door handle trim. If I do this, can I avoid repairing the lock mechanisms themselves? I remember Phil saying this was quite expensive in the past and I think it would be a worthwhile deterrent in the future to have the rear handle trim in place.
Second, can anyone confirm that the door handle trim acts to 'lock' the handle into place? Before I snapped the trim off the driver side while inspecting it, the door handle seemed to work fine. Once I snapped it off, the door handle seemed to work very loosely. Can anyone like Phil or Carson say whether this is normal without the trim to hold the handle in place, or if there is further damage to the handle itself?
Finally, does anyone have an idea on approximate cost for replacing the lock mechanism? This would make it easier to determine if I want to do this through insurance or not. If I have to replace the lock it'll probably get way over a $500 deductible, but if I can replace the trim with the rear trim and remove the lock mechanisms entirely, I would do that and avoid reporting it to insurance.
Thanks for reading. Here are the pics, driver side first:
<img src="http://kmhpaladin.alotofuseless.info/IMG_1498.jpg">
<img src="http://kmhpaladin.alotofuseless.info/IMG_1499.jpg">
And the passenger side - the lock mechanism is not secured in place here, I had to move it into place behind the hole like this:
<img src="http://kmhpaladin.alotofuseless.info/IMG_1500.jpg">
<img src="http://kmhpaladin.alotofuseless.info/IMG_1502.jpg">
02-10-2007, 08:37 PM
#2
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the door handle is held in by the door lock to some extent
there is a torx screw on one side and a clip on another. I have been lucky in Jersey, but my car has never been parked in Newark or Elizabeth and it never will be.
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02-11-2007, 04:12 AM
#10
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ouch dude....that svcks.....
here are some thoughts:
Yes, replacement lock and repainting will be more then $500
Further to that, use B5 passenger side covers, so you will never ever have to use your key again, and thieves can't break in anymore...
Steve Trac is one that has done so......
Yes, replacement lock and repainting will be more then $500
Further to that, use B5 passenger side covers, so you will never ever have to use your key again, and thieves can't break in anymore...
Steve Trac is one that has done so......