Am I being cynical, but I keep thinking all these Columbus units on ebay (from Poland and Czech etc) are hot as hot cross buns !

Where do the sellers get multiple units from ?

Edited 24 March, 201214 yr by Spudhoolio

This has been covered to death previously.

Theft on the continent is rife, and prices less than an 1/8th of their true worth. What does that say to you?

This has been covered to death previously.

Theft on the continent is rife, and prices less than an 1/8th of their true worth. What does that say to you?

Since when have they been between £3200 and £4000?

And yes, the subject has been done to death

Sorry phones auto prediction. Should have been 1/4.

Sorry phones auto prediction. Should have been 1/4.

Did the Chancellor do his budget by phone...........that could explain a lot

I'm keeping an eye on prices as I might be interested. I see all of the european ones between £450 and £500.

How much have people paid for a known legitimate unit? Where is the best place to get a legitimate unit cheaper than a dealer? Obviously if/when I do buy, I don't want to be buying a stolen unit.

Dan

OEM Retrofits are supposed to be good (but didn't respond to my emails when I pushed them on the sources or about specific models...)

There are some UK companies on eBay the state they sell brand new models for around £900 - still a saving.

Just been looking at OEM Retrofits after reading this post, they are second user units. There can't be many legitimate sources for such units, surely?

OEM Retrofits are supposed to be good (but didn't respond to my emails when I pushed them on the sources or about specific models...)

There are some UK companies on eBay the state they sell brand new models for around £900 - still a saving.

I also emailed OEM Retrofits just this week and have had absolutely nothing back. I think I'll just try and pick one up from a member on here or a UK based eBay auction with a reputable vendor.

I also emailed OEM retrofits and left message.  No reply either. Was lucky that a member from Ireland contacted me and had Columbus for sale last Monday. Did some research on it and it nows sits proudly in the center of my car. Well pleased, even more when I figure it all out. Just wish it was a little bit more difficult to fit, see why they are pinched so easily. :( 

I also emailed OEM retrofits and left message. No reply either. Was lucky that a member from Ireland contacted me and had Columbus for sale last Monday. Did some research on it and it nows sits proudly in the center of my car. Well pleased, even more when I figure it all out. Just wish it was a little bit more difficult to fit, see why they are pinched so easily. :(

I'm assuming the 4 screws are just standard heads? I wonder if it might be an idea to get some security screws in the right size. A guy looking to jack radios is far less likly to be carrying around a full selection of security bits than he is a phillips.

I think the screws need to be attached to a chain..............with a big Alsation dog on the other end. Thieves are theives and very organised, but any deterent is a help agreed.

Screws are Torx screws - but still pretty standard...

Maybe something like this. Certainly not in every toolkit.

Maybe something like this. Certainly not in every toolkit.

Most security bits are so common place you can pick them up anywhere cheaply. Unless you buy one of the heavily restricted ones where the bits are protected and extortionate to obtain.

Thieves are opportunistic and /or planners. they steal "cos they can" or to order. What you need is no buyers, then thievery is pointless, but thats not going to happen in my lifetime anyway. Replacing screws with security items only means that more damage will be done when they can,t get what they want out of the dashboard. The companies need to do more about securing the valuable removable items from cars. i remember when Fords cars could be stolen with a hairclip, the locks were so bad. The company only put decent locks in when their sales plummeted because of security issues. The retail cost of these head units are ridiculously high, and thats what makes them valuable to thieves, because we all want them, but can,t afford them, or those that can afford them feel they are being robbed when buying them legitimately.

Its an issue that can only be stopped by visible evidence of security measures, and I have no idea how that can be achieved.

Thieves are opportunistic and /or planners. they steal "cos they can" or to order. What you need is no buyers, then thievery is pointless, but thats not going to happen in my lifetime anyway. Replacing screws with security items only means that more damage will be done when they can,t get what they want out of the dashboard. The companies need to do more about securing the valuable removable items from cars. i remember when Fords cars could be stolen with a hairclip, the locks were so bad. The company only put decent locks in when their sales plummeted because of security issues. The retail cost of these head units are ridiculously high, and thats what makes them valuable to thieves, because we all want them, but can,t afford them, or those that can afford them feel they are being robbed when buying them legitimately.

Its an issue that can only be stopped by visible evidence of security measures, and I have no idea how that can be achieved.

fit one of these

Did anyone see Watchdog on BBC last night?

BMW drivers have more to worry about that their SatNav going walkies!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01ms174/Watchdog_Series_30_Episode_1/

Did anyone see Watchdog on BBC last night?

BMW drivers have more to worry about that their SatNav going walkies!

http://www.bbc.co.uk...s_30_Episode_1/

I know of a device that can start most VAG group cars, just plug it into the OBD port and away you go

I know of a device that can start most VAG group cars, just plug it into the OBD port and away you go

Yup they said pretty much ALL cars are affected, but only BMW seem to have the issue with the alarm blind spot?

Most security bits are so common place you can pick them up anywhere cheaply. Unless you buy one of the heavily restricted ones where the bits are protected and extortionate to obtain.

[i know it's digging this up a bit.]

But this is like the device on Watchdog: it may be extortionate but it soon pays for itself surely. I mean the one on Watchdog was £6.5k, but even just one stolen Beamer later and you'll have your money back.

For the stereo you *could* use those one-way screws. I know you'd have to drill them out it you wanted to replace the HU, but no thief will be carrying a drill nor want to spend the time drilling your HU out.

I know of a device that can start most VAG group cars, just plug it into the OBD port and away you go

So pretty much even the physical key is a waste of time too?

As an aside on this:

Do the keyless systems have a steering lock? This would be something that worries me about these systems, if the system has "a moment" you could be well and truly up **** creek very very quickly!

[i know it's digging this up a bit.]

But this is like the device on Watchdog: it may be extortionate but it soon pays for itself surely. I mean the one on Watchdog was £6.5k, but even just one stolen Beamer later and you'll have your money back.

For the stereo you *could* use those one-way screws. I know you'd have to drill them out it you wanted to replace the HU, but no thief will be carrying a drill nor want to spend the time drilling your HU out.

So pretty much even the physical key is a waste of time too?

As an aside on this:

Do the keyless systems have a steering lock? This would be something that worries me about these systems, if the system has "a moment" you could be well and truly up **** creek very very quickly!

The BMW and Mercedes systems I've seen auto engage the steering lock on 'key' removal.

Am I being cynical, but I keep thinking all these Columbus units on ebay (from Poland and Czech etc) are hot as hot cross buns !

Where do the sellers get multiple units from ?

I'm Polish and I remember a chap from Polish Skoda forum who is Czech and is sort of guru in IEC matters and AFAIR he provides Columbus units for around 3k PLN (~600 quids). Still they are legit and this chap gives his warranty.