Who Has Had A Wheel Stolen?

[StephenM]

Having sent an email to Citroen UK after my second spare was stolen, after the dealer acknowledging this is a "common problem" with berlingo and picasso models. The spare was removed in both cases without force in a safe car park, the dealer suggested fitting valve side up to prevent air being let out tyre which aids removal - still didnt prevent removal though! obviously this is a flaw with the vehichle that needs sorted.

Anyway the reply from citroen UK was surprising, apparantly this problem is "not of specific concern to citroen" and that a 'degree of force involving distorting/cutting the carrier is required to remove the spare' B) (didnt read my email then!). They also mentioned about the aftermarket security kit but that did not indicate it was a concern, only that this was to suit personal circumstances and requirments (ie. those who would like to keep hold of their spare?) :o

I would like to find out how many owners have lost their spare (picasso and berlingos) if you have it would be great if you could reply here (I will sent Citroen UK the link) and if you can be bothered to send an email to Citroen UK too, it may help out future owners and perhaps current owners may get a recall/modification or security kit if this problem gets recognised - who knows?

Even when I visited my local kwik fit to enquire about a spare wheel, without seeing my car he asked "is it for a berlingo?" that sums it up really! :(

I will not be giving citroen the money for one, thats for sure.

[hertsnminds]

If you want to look at it from Citroen or any car manufacturers point of view they all only put so many security features into a vehicle to prevent theft of the car or its contents. You could probably remove all of the wheels and leave the thing on bricks and the alarm would not go off. A simple fix would be to put an alarm sensor on the spare wheel cradle.

That is why there are companies like Tracker and 3rd party alarm manufacturers in business.

I still like the ultimate theft deterent used in the James Bond film, Live and Let Die...just blow up the car and the thief at the same time. If a thief thought there was a chance of being blown to kingdom come they would not come near your spare wheel, or any other part of your car. As far as the insurance is concerned this would effect your NCB in the same way as a claim against a stolen wheel B)


Ian
Orange 03 Senso

[StephenM]

I think it comes down to how easily it is removed - I would never think of raising a complaint if it had been maliciously damaged to remove it. The problem lies with Citroen to either a) modify/redesign the spare wheel carrier to that it cant be removed from outside the vehichle or B) issue all models with the security device (which they sell by the way) FOC.

Thats how I see it anyway.

[Brilec]

Of course it's "not of specific concern to citroen", they sell lots of spares as a result. Highly profitable in fact.

As I said in my post in the other thread, this has been ongoing for at least 15 to 20 years on most Peugeot/Citroen models with the wire cage under the back.

If the hook is not pulled right up so that the bolt grips the wire, then it is not difficult to spring the wire off the hook.

[hertsnminds]

Who saw tonights Watchdog on BBC1, they seem to think this is a new problem and only happens to Vauxhall Zafira owners. Maybe members of this forum should send them links to all of the emails here and the fact that Citroen have been including this design feature in their cars for over 20 years.

[url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/index.shtml"]http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/index.shtml[/url]

Watchdog
This week Watchdog investigates: The Student Loans Company, Internet Scams and Vauxhall Zaphira (report to follow tomorrow).

Oops shame the BBC can't spell Zafira!!!


Ian
Orange 03 Senso

[StephenM]

Saw that! I wish I had kept my 2 letters of reply from Citroen to forward on.

Seems a bit of a farce that these carriers are designed to be so 'scum friendly' - it would be very easy to make these lockable and would cost very little to the manufacturers.

[hertsnminds]

The BBC have posted the Watchdog report now (and corrected the spelling), it is at:

[url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/reports/transport/transport_20050315.shtml"]http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/reports/tran..._20050315.shtml[/url]

I sent them an email telling them Citroen owners have had this issue for over 20 years and gave them a link to this forum. Let's see if they are interested or if they feel it waters down their story.


Ian
Orange 03 Senso

[Terry1100]

Let joy be unconfined - I've found you all again. (the C2 Owners club is all kids !)

We had an attempted theft of ours last week. The scroat obviously didn't notice the wire hawser we use to secure it. My wife went to drive away and heard the noise as the cage was on the ground.

When I looked at it later, I could see absolutely no sign of leverage/force being applied anywhere on the cage - and it was screwed up tight. The tyre wasn't deflated either.

I can't see why these thefts are such a problem. Given the price of a wheel/tyre combination new, surely the secondhand "hot" value doesn't warrant the risk and effort of wandering down the road with a dirty wheel. Surely there are easier and more lucrative methods of raising the funds for a fix.

[DesdinovaUK2]

Just succumbed - noticed it had gone last night when I eventually got fed up with the annoying rattle coming from the rear.

 

Apparently they deflated the wheel, and this gives enough play in the cage for it to be lifted off the hook. Either that or they simply bent the hook with pliers my dealer informed me.

[DesdinovaUK2]

Succumbed again - as those who have read my warning re Bluewater shopping centre on the general forum above will see.

[iannez]

spare wheel locks have been available for ages. access to the boot is needed to release the wheel. if your really worried about the wheel been stolen put it in your boot. why do people always think the car is at fault when the real problem is the amount of scallys that walk our streets. tbh it would be easier to put a brick through the window and remove the stereo. with the correct clips this could be done in around ten seconds and then everyone would blame the car windows for being to soft. all manufacturers have used this method on certain models but you will find that the ones that are stolen are the ones with the most common tyre sizes and a brand new Michelin tyre will bring around £40 anywhere. most people fit after market security products, locking wheel nuts, alarms, immobilizes so why should a spare wheel lock be any different. most people would complain if they lost boot space (main reason for buying a berlingo) and thats what would happen if citroen put it inside the car where it was safe. once someone buys a car it becomes there responsibility so if something gets stolen and the parts are available to prevent this you only have yourselves to blame. citroens are budget cars at the end of the day and if they had all these extras fitted as standard it would make them the same price as everything else. now ask yourself if this was the case would you still buy one.

[DesdinovaUK2]

You miss the point Iannez - Yes a lock is available at £130 + for fitting - should be fitted as standard by Citroen. However whole advantage of a spare underneath is not having to empty boot to change wheel when boot is full in pissing rain - with lock will have to.

 

Bloody Bluewater should have much better security

 

"Scally's" on the streets.... hmmmm.... how about social justice in this country, might possibly be effective? Or perhaps a criminal justice system based on "truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth" rather than merely what the prosecution can prove ie an inquisatorial rather than adversarial system of justice.... Ooops politics....better shut up now....

[hertsnminds]

Just rig the tyre cradle to the high tension circuit of the car, quick fried scally, a few jolts of electricity should do the trick. That's how the national health used to deal with anti social types some ECT.

 

 

Ian

Black 55 VTR+

[iannez]

why. if it should be fitted as standard so should an alarm, tracker, road angel and how about a doberman. its an extra mate like every thing else. why do people expect free extras on modestley priced cars. they cost £60 and need 1 hole drilling in the boot floor. simple as that. as you say this requires the boot to be empty to remove it but so would having it stored away safe in the boot under the carpet. its catch 22. it can be suspended under the car and easy to pinch or hidden under the boot carpet and a struggle to get out. dont agree with sending letters to citroen over something stupid like this when some people have real problems that need tending to. just put your hands in your pockets and pay for the lock as expecting something for nothing is almost as bad as stealing in my opinion.

[DesdinovaUK2]

..... sigh...... :P