How important is a Thatcham-approved alarm/immobilizer?

[Adrianh1]

Hi, trying to get my head around immobilizer/alarm options for my '93 190D 2.5 (has none currently). Any advice/words welcome.

Originally I was going to get a Thatcham 2 Cobra immobilizer fully fitted by my local alarm specialist for £140 for my 190. But this specialist - a reliable source and been in the biz 20 yrs - says I might as well go for an immobilizer/alarm combo (a Cobra 3193) for £60 extra (£200 total). However, this Cobra is NOT Thatcham approved (a Cobra Thatcham alarm/immob would be around £300) but is supposed to be a reliable model and will enable me to lock/unlock the car remotely (currenty I have to twist the key in the lock to unlock). Also, if I just have an immobilizer they would need to drill into the dash a bit; they don't have to with an alarm/immobilizer thanks to remote electronics apparently.

However, my Lancaster classic car insurance policy WON'T give me a reduction on a Thatcham security system, so no financial incentive to go for Thatch-approvAL. But just wondering how critical is Thatcham approval anyway? Might come in handy if I was to sell the car on at some point. But it does seem slightly pricey... £300 just for an alarm/immobilizer!

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Adrian

 

[television]

If there is no saving on the insurance have the one you want, I would, its nice and up to date.

Malcolm

 

[TaqMan]

Unless security is a big issue for you - find an insurer that doesn't penalise you for not having an alarm etc.

Esure refused to insure me, but Sainsburys did for £2 more and the policy is an esure one.... go figure!

Mind you your diesel is a bit more desirable from a tealeaf's viewpoint than my old E200.

Taqman

 

[turnipsock]

Thatcham 2? What does that mean. The question came up on one of my insurance quotes. I didn't know what it was but I just said I had one anyway.

 

[television]

Thatcham 2? What does that mean. The question came up on one of my insurance quotes. I didn't know what it was but I just said I had one anyway.

thatcham 1 is combined alarm and immoblliser.
thatcham 2 is electronic/electromechanical immoblliser system
thatcham 2.1 is 2 upgraded to 1

Regards young man. Malcolm

 

[turnipsock]

I have some gizzmo where I have to hold a thing against the dash before I can start the engine.

This is useless if I turn the engine of in traffic. I have then to take the key out of the ignition (after selecting park) and hold the gizzmo against the dash. Then I have to put the key back into the ignition and stat up.

Not sure if that is Thatsham 1 or 2?

 

[jberks]

The thatcham is a standard so all not being thatcham proves is that either they didn't test that one or else it failed on some point. When it first came out, it was a good idea. Alarms at one time could be disabled by daft things like breaking the indicator lense, and shorting the bulb so some standards are needed.

I remember watching one of those watchdog progs a few years ago. They went to an insurance co and asked the staff how secure they thought their cars were. They then got a security expert to try to move them in the car park. At the end of the test the car park was empty, except for a lone 190.

MBs are no harder to get into than any other car (just break the window) but they are a hell of a lot harder to start, due to the location and design of the ignition barrel. In the 80's I could start any ford with no damage in 3 minutes using a philips and a small flat screwdriver. Hardly surprising my escort was pinched in seconds when they didn't care how much damage they did.

My point is that your risk is having the stereo nicked or the car damaged by people trying to pinch it. The chances of them actually getting the car away is low. No offence but a pro isn't interested in a 190 anymore so you're dealing with kids. Its the siren of the alarm and the flashing red light that's going to do the trick. The immobiliser is almost irrelevant. Thatcham matters when you're dealing with pros trying to nick your new 60k SL, but kids aren't that skilled.

Go for the alarm and forget the approval rating. Any cobra will be fine.

 

[Adrianh1]

Agree

Many thanks for your detailed msg regarding my alarm/immob dilmma for my 190. It puts things in persepctive. Your sugg makes sense; will go for a Cobra alarm/immob. Interesting to learn about the design of the 190's ignition!

Adrian