Wheel locks useless?

G

GP20

Senior member
I had aftermarket wheel locks on my M, and lost the only wheel lock key I had. :headbang: I took my car to Discount Tire this morning, and it took the guy all of 5 minutes to get out all 4 wheel locks with hand tools (at least they didn't damage the rims). :? When the guy asked me if I wanted to buy a new set of wheel locks, I declined. I mean, what's the point really. It just seems like wheel locks only keep the honest people honest. If somone wants your wheels bad enough, he'll take them in a matter of minutes. :roll:
 
GP20 said:
I had aftermarket wheel locks on my M, and lost the only wheel lock key I had. :headbang: I took my car to Discount Tire this morning, and it took the guy all of 5 minutes to get out all 4 wheel locks with hand tools (at least they didn't damage the rims). :? When the guy asked me if I wanted to buy a new set of wheel locks, I declined. I mean, what's the point really. It just seems like wheel locks only keep the honest people honest. If somone wants your wheels bad enough, he'll take them in a matter of minutes. :roll:
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What type/brand of wheel locks did you have? The factory BMW locks with the spines and a pin in the center look pretty good.
 
I had McGard, which should've been one of the best in the market. It doesn't really matter whether it's BMW or aftermarket locks though. All the guy had to do was take a special socket that's used to remove stripped bolts, hammer the socket into the wheel lock, and use a breaker bar to loosen the wheel lock bolt exactly like how one would remove a regular wheel bolt.

It would've been a lot easier had I had the BMW wheel locks. BMW's wheel locks only have a total of 5 patterns, and dealers usually keep all 5 keys on site so all you'd need to do is drive over to the dealer and they could've loosened the wheel locks or order a new key for you.
 
Sure locking nuts can be removed easily. I've done it before. The point you made is that the guy had to hammer the socket onto the wheel. The criminal would wish to avoid that noise and prefer to work quickly and silently, hence may just move to another vehicle.

The locking nuts would deter the punk and opportunist, but you'll never stop the pro anyway.

As an aside it's more common in the UK now to break into the house and steal spare keys and drive off than attempt to circumvent security systems, immobiliswers, etc.
 
I have wheels lock and as cj10jeeper, stated I realized it's more to deter punks and opportunists than pros.
 
WLH said:
I have wheels lock and as cj10jeeper, stated I realized it's more to deter punks and opportunists than pros.
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+1...
& it just makes me feel like I'm looking after my baby. :)
 
I figure if my wheels were stolen and I did not have wheel locks I would be kicking myself for not having wheels locks... :(

On the other hand since I have wheels locks and if they would get stolen I would have the satisfaction of knowing that it took pros to get my wheels... :thumbsup:
 
GP20 said:
I had McGard, which should've been one of the best in the market. It doesn't really matter whether it's BMW or aftermarket locks though. All the guy had to do was take a special socket that's used to remove stripped bolts, hammer the socket into the wheel lock, and use a breaker bar to loosen the wheel lock bolt exactly like how one would remove a regular wheel bolt.

It would've been a lot easier had I had the BMW wheel locks. BMW's wheel locks only have a total of 5 patterns, and dealers usually keep all 5 keys on site so all you'd need to do is drive over to the dealer and they could've loosened the wheel locks or order a new key for you.
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The BMW oem locks I have a large outer diameter, which doesn't allow a socket to fit on the outside of it because the recess hole in the rim is not large enough. But, if there are only 5 different lock patterns, a professional wheel thief would invest in a set and would not have much of a problem getting your wheels.
 
ive just went out and looked and i DONT hane any locks on my 108s...... hummmmmm do i spend my hard earned on some or do i not bother giving the easyness they seam to come off?!!!
 
Get 'em, bingboybri. Like some others have mentioned, the locks will at the least deter the amateur thugs. Better to limit your losses. AND, the BMW wheel locks are only ~$25... not a big deal.
 
hi rick,we are getting roughly 2 us dollars to the pound sterling and i can bet a pound to a penny there is no way bmw are going to sell locking wheel nuts over here for £12.50!! but i will have to get some oem or otherwize...... out of curiosity im gonna fone and find out how much bmw are gonna charge.....
 
:slaphead: Don't remind me about the currency.... :cry:

I'm sure it'll be cheaper to have someone mail you a set of BMW wheel locks from this side of the pond. :lol:
 
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