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A word of caution for anyone considering fitting a specialist Ghost immobiliser to their new Gti, don’t do it just yet.
I arranged for someone come over today to fit one of these immobilisers, it seems the software platform used by VAG in the car is so new the manufacturer of the security device haven’t caught up, so despite an easy installation, the car was still able to be started and driven.
The plan by the installers is to sort a software fix for their device and update it to to make it compatible with the Gti, before attempting to install any more of these. It is hoped a compatible version will be ready in 1-2 weeks

Nora wrote: Fri May 24, 2019 9:40 am A word of caution for anyone considering fitting a specialist Ghost immobiliser to their new Gti, don’t do it just yet.
I arranged for someone come over today to fit one of these immobilisers, it seems the software platform used by VAG in the car is so new the manufacturer of the security device haven’t caught up, so despite an easy installation, the car was still able to be started and driven.
The plan by the installers is to sort a software fix for their device and update it to to make it compatible with the Gti, before attempting to install any more of these. It is hoped a compatible version will be ready in 1-2 weeks

Also, pretty certain that the Autowatch Ghost immobiliser isn’t Thatcham approved so very few, if any, insurers will give a security discount off your insurance premium for having one fitted.

SRGTD wrote: Fri May 24, 2019 9:53 am Also, pretty certain that the Autowatch Ghost immobiliser isn’t Thatcham approved so very few, if any, insurers won’t give a security discount off your insurance premium for having one fitted.

I was never intending on seeking a discount from the insurance company by declaring it.

Nora wrote: Fri May 24, 2019 9:57 am

SRGTD wrote: Fri May 24, 2019 9:53 am Also, pretty certain that the Autowatch Ghost immobiliser isn’t Thatcham approved so very few, if any, insurers will give a security discount off your insurance premium for having one fitted.

I was never intending on seeking a discount from the insurance company by declaring it.

That’s fine, but there will be some that think fitting additional security might warrant their insurer reflecting this in the premium they charge by giving a discount.

Many years ago, I had a Thatcham approved immobiliser fitted to the car I owned at the time by an insurer approved installer. As it wasn’t a requirement of the insurer granting cover that my car had this additional security fitted, they discounted the premium. So there’s a fair chance that if insurers will cover the GTI+ without any additional security being fitted, if anyone fits an insurer approved security device, the insurer will offer a security discount.

Nora wrote: Fri May 24, 2019 9:40 am A word of caution for anyone considering fitting a specialist Ghost immobiliser to their new Gti, don’t do it just yet.
I arranged for someone come over today to fit one of these immobilisers, it seems the software platform used by VAG in the car is so new the manufacturer of the security device haven’t caught up, so despite an easy installation, the car was still able to be started and driven.
The plan by the installers is to sort a software fix for their device and update it to to make it compatible with the Gti, before attempting to install any more of these. It is hoped a compatible version will be ready in 1-2 weeks

So you've bought and paid for an immobiliser which has been fitted and currently doesn't work, pending a software update?

Have they promised a refund if this software fix doesn't materialise or isn't effective with a reasonable time frame of perhaps a month?

Unless it was an insurance requirement, I really wouldn't bother. The Polo GTI+ isn't high up on the professional thief's want list, and if someone wanted my car I'd rather never see it again if they got in there with the intention of getting it away then wrecked the interior out of frustration or spite when they couldn't shift it, or worse - bust into your house to threaten you or your family for the means to disable it.

Even if you live in a car crime capital like Coventry, they'll be after Golf Rs and high powered Audis and BMWs.before your Polo.

monkeyhanger wrote: Fri May 24, 2019 1:56 pm So you've bought and paid for an immobiliser which has been fitted and currently doesn't work, pending a software update?

No he disconnected it and took it back off, it cost me nothing except an hour of my time. He however travelled 1hr+ each way, and spent time onsite and didn’t make any money.

I understand from phone conversations he afterwards had with the back room people, someone else in another part of the country tried to fit one to a Gti yesterday and also failed

Nora wrote: Fri May 24, 2019 2:15 pm

monkeyhanger wrote: Fri May 24, 2019 1:56 pm So you've bought and paid for an immobiliser which has been fitted and currently doesn't work, pending a software update?

No he disconnected it and took it back off, it cost me nothing except an hour of my time. He however travelled 1hr+ each way, and spent time onsite and didn’t make any money.

I understand from phone conversations he afterwards had with the back room people, someone else in another part of the country tried to fit one to a Gti yesterday and also failed

That's good from your point if view if no money has changed hands yet. I'd seriously save yourself the money if I were you, and forget having it. Spend the money on a decent front/back dashcam instead as you're far more likely to get hit in a supermarket car park and have the perp bugger off without bringing it to your attention.

I’d also not bother. IMO better to ensure your home security is up to scratch to make it more difficult for anyone to gain entry to steal your keys, and get GAP insurance cover.

If anyone stole my car, I’d also not want it back as it’d never be the same if it was stolen, recovered and repaired.

A recent local incident of where a guy in another German marque car was attacked with a machete that almost severed his arm by a gang intent on taking his car, these incidents are getting more frequent around here and it’s prompted me to up the way I view my security and that of my car

monkeyhanger wrote: Fri May 24, 2019 2:38 pmSpend the money on a decent front/back dashcam instead as you're far more likely to get hit in a supermarket car park and have the perp bugger off without bringing it to your attention.

I have a (Duel cam) Thinkware F770 sat on the desk in front of me, I’ve had it since last year when I expected to take delivery in June. The hardwiring of it to the car might be my downfall, prudence dictates I’d be better off someone who has experience with wiring the dash cam into this model car, or powering it with a cable in the cigarette socket, but it wouldn’t be as neat.

Nora wrote: Fri May 24, 2019 4:41 pm I have a (Duel cam) Thinkware F770 sat on the desk in front of me, I’ve had it since last year when I expected to take delivery in June. The hardwiring of it to the car might be my downfall, prudence dictates I’d be better off someone who has experience with wiring the dash cam into this model car, or powering it with a cable in the cigarette socket, but it wouldn’t be as neat.

I would really give hardwiring it in yourself a go. Fitting my dash cam to my previous polo was surprisingly easy and I expect the newer model to have a similar fitting experience. The hardest part was removing the A-pillar trim as it is clipped in very tightly but a quick look on youtube will give you hints on how to remove

Nora wrote: Fri May 24, 2019 4:41 pm A recent local incident of where a guy in another German marque car was attacked with a machete that almost severed his arm by a gang intent on taking his car, these incidents are getting more frequent around here and it’s prompted me to up the way I view my security and that of my car

monkeyhanger wrote: Fri May 24, 2019 2:38 pmSpend the money on a decent front/back dashcam instead as you're far more likely to get hit in a supermarket car park and have the perp bugger off without bringing it to your attention.

I have a (Duel cam) Thinkware F770 sat on the desk in front of me, I’ve had it since last year when I expected to take delivery in June. The hardwiring of it to the car might be my downfall, prudence dictates I’d be better off someone who has experience with wiring the dash cam into this model car, or powering it with a cable in the cigarette socket, but it wouldn’t be as neat.

I have the same cam in my current car, need to take it out this weekend in prep for my Polo. The power side of the hard wiring is easy (bought it with the hard wire kit and plenty of instructions online on how to fit in the various VW MQB cars), it was running the cable (a VERY long USB cable) from the front cam to the rear cam. Once I realised how the Leon's curtain airbags are located I had route it down near the floor, remove the trim at the bottom of the door opening, the rear seat side panel (3 door) and then the worse bit was getting the cable in to the boot door, took hours, lots of trim removed and swearing. I shall be leaving that cable in place when I remove the cams!

Nora wrote: Fri May 24, 2019 4:41 pm A recent local incident of where a guy in another German marque car was attacked with a machete that almost severed his arm by a gang intent on taking his car, these incidents are getting more frequent around here and it’s prompted me to up the way I view my security and that of my car

monkeyhanger wrote: Fri May 24, 2019 2:38 pmSpend the money on a decent front/back dashcam instead as you're far more likely to get hit in a supermarket car park and have the perp bugger off without bringing it to your attention.

I have a (Duel cam) Thinkware F770 sat on the desk in front of me, I’ve had it since last year when I expected to take delivery in June. The hardwiring of it to the car might be my downfall, prudence dictates I’d be better off someone who has experience with wiring the dash cam into this model car, or powering it with a cable in the cigarette socket, but it wouldn’t be as neat.

Machete man is exactly the reason why you give a car jacker the keys and get the hell out of there before they carve you up rather than giving them a reason to get angry - an immobiliser is going to make them angry if it kicks in during a car jacking. Polo GTI is pretty low rent/output vs the kind of vehicles that will be targets for those types of gangs.

Are you in London, Coventry, Birmingham? If I lived either of these places, I'd be far more concerned as the owner of a Golf R, Audi S or RS series, BMW M series, Merc AMG or something else properly fast or very expensive.

If you are handy, the dashcam installation is quite easy to hard wire very tidily. Fiddliest bit is getting the rear feed wire from the back of the car through the tailgate wiring rubber conduit.

I put a guide up on here ages ago, for a Thinkware F770 dual cam set up, with plenty of pics.

Getting the cap off and then back on for the rear view mirror mounting (if you want a really tidy install) is a little awkward. Once you know what 2 fuses to use, the front cam is a breeze.

I need to get the Golf R's cam fitted into the white Polo (another F770) - it's loose in a carrier bag - took just 10 mins to remove from the Golf.

Jumping in with my 2p's worth: a couple of years ago, forget where exactly somewhere in Yorkshire, a gang tried to carjack a Mk5 Golf at gunpont. A Mk5 Golf - not even an a GTi or R - had be at least 10 years old, not really the point I know. Anyhoo, the driver bravely fought back and luckily so did a few other drivers & passers by, car was slightly damaged but gang was caught, no-one seriously hurt. Moral: it's only a car, eventually you WIILL get another one. However, you only get the one life....

What a wonderful country this has become.

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Did get an update today, car in the UK. It had been for a couple of days or three.

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