Catalytic Converter Theft.

knightime14

New member
I found this out today and thought I would share. I was speaking to my mechanic. He has told me that catalytic converters thieves have now turned their attention to German cars; VAG, BMW and Mercedes. I know that this issue has affected predominantly Japanese cars in the past. He says that he's seen 8 BMW's this week that have been hit. The Bim that was on the lift today had £4200 of damage done to it. The parts can't be replaced as they are apparently on 6-month backorder. A friend's Lexus was done in broad daylight outside our offices a few months ago. It took them about 30 seconds to cut the cat out. Is anybody aware of a Catloc device or similar that would fit on an E89. Thanks in advance people.
 
I'd be very impressed if they manage to whip the downpipes off that quickly off of our N54 E89s... they look a pain to do on a ramp :rofl:
On a serious note, I've seen a video of it happening and it's crazy how quick they manage it with the battery tools now!
 
Unless I'm mistaken (It happens from time to time), I think those are pre-cats on the downpipe, I think there's also another cat under the car. I need to confirm though. I'll be taking a proper look next week.
 
Yeh there's 4 in total on the 35i. The 2 secondary cats are much easier to get to but the Z4 is quite a low car so I doubt most would bother. The primary cats would be impossible for them. Much easier swiping them off the 4WD models with their lifted suspension so I doubt the Z4 would be a primary target.
 
R.E92 said:
Yeh there's 4 in total on the 35i. The 2 secondary cats are much easier to get to but the Z4 is quite a low car so I doubt most would bother. The primary cats would be impossible for them. Much easier swiping them off the 4WD models with their lifted suspension so I doubt the Z4 would be a primary target.

So the precious metals must be in the material in side the metal casing that is very similar in construction to a light thermal breeze block yes...? It drills very easily and goes to powder.
 
:x How are these Pond Life disposing of these Cat's. Who is buying them from these LOWER THAN A PENGUINS FANNY !!! type scum bags. There should be a law whereupon they have to produce some sort of documentation to scrapyards or other purchasers. This boils my piss :headbang: These Parasites taking stuff from hardworking individuals. :wkr:
 
I think there's already laws in place to try stop it. You need to have ID to sell them and can't be paid in cash from what I've heard. The problem is that you have £500 of precious metals dangling from the rear of your car, no amount of legislation is going to stop your local traveller friends from removing them.

I agree with you, I'd like to see these scrotes put to death along with fly-tippers and middle-lane-hoggers but the criminal justice system is a soft touch.
 
It's been happening on and off for more than 10 years in my neck of the woods.

I get a daily local update on nextdoor.co.uk and someone about a mile away had theirs stolen yesterday.

It's a shame unscrupulous buyers don't seem to have been discouraged by whatever restrictions are in place - if the scrotes couldn't sell them they'd soon stop nicking them!
 
A friend has had 3 cut off of her Toyota Prius in the last couple of years. The last time, she was at work and a colleague said there was a mechanic working on her car, she looked out of the window a there was a van with a flashing light and her car was on a jack. By the time she got down to the car, they had gone..along with her cat. She can't afford the insurance now :thumbsdown:
 
Hi guys .
Places like iceland etc have been having this happen to the delivery vans for awhile , all the shops round manchester area,s have been hit some more than once :cry: .
 
There is a product called CatLoc if you are really concerned about this. I have it on my tranny (gender stereotyping) van because access is easy. To be honest though its about the same scale as someone nicking your wheels.
Anyone have any personal experience of having wheels or a cat nicked? Even knowing anyone who knows anyone that its happened to?
 
10-15mins max to get a cat off

You need a jack and a battery recip saw

FDDE36E7-42D8-49C3-9476-20C2D4B59590.png

That catloc is of limited use but adds a few minuets to the job.
 
Cat theft is fairly common around here, friend had hers taken off her Lexus whilst she was in Tesco (it's a busy store too). My local neighbourhood watch group has also reported it in Sainsbury's and Waitrose too.

I'm a governor for a special needs school and our liveried minibus got done at the same time as the shipping container got broken into with 30 adapted bikes and trikes (modified to support those with mobility issues) stolen, probably just scrapped.

So scrap thieves are the lowest of the low in my opinion
 
PDJ said:
10-15mins max to get a cat off

You need a jack and a battery recip saw

FDDE36E7-42D8-49C3-9476-20C2D4B59590.png

That catloc is of limited use but adds a few minuets to the job.
i watched a video on social media someone tool of two guys taking a cat. It took them around 1 min max, battery grinder with cutting disc and sack barro adapted as a lever jack to lift the car up on one side. They had gone before he got from his bedroom to the car!!!
 
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