how easy or common is it for people to steal the HID's? i know in the 2nd gen cars, people were stealing them out. is it easier or harder to steal them in the 04's?

 

I heard from an Acura engineer that this year's HID assemblies are bolted down in multiple places and would not be easily removed without smashing them.
This was due to the theft rate of previous models

 

The svc manual shows that you have to remove the front bumper and remove about a dozen bolts, so rkilian sounds correct

 

unfortunately people don't care much for the headlamp "housing". thieves are after the projector unit themselves and the ballasts/bulbs.

i've heard some thieves go around with crow-bars. i'm not sure if a dozen bolts on a plastic housing can withstand the mighty crow-bar.

 

Mine are guarded by my buddies, Smith & Wesson

 

haha. i guess mine could be guarded by beretta lol

 

There are more thefts of the HID headlights on the 2nd gen TL's & CL's because they are easily removed & FIT into earlier non-HID models without modification. Same situation for 02-03 Maxima's HID's ($1300/pair) into 00-01 models. No such motive for 3rd gen TL.

 

um... excuse my ignorance but what non-HID models are you talking about? all 2nd gen TL's come with HID's. in fact, to the best of my knowledge all TL's (even the good ol' 1st gens) came with HID.

 

I don't think the 1995 2.5 TL had HID's on them.

 

he is referring to the people who put 2nd gen TL HIDS into 98+ accords and i myself have seen them on civics.

 

I heard from a local dealer that 3-4 of their '04 TLs had their HIDs ripped out a few weeks back. The cars were in their fenced/barbed wire lot and it looked like the thieves took a Sawzall to the front bumpers and hoods to get the lights out. Total repair >$7,000 each.

Pro: It's not easy for the thieves to steal.

Con: If they do steal them, it's gonna really hurt to fix.

 

Seems like they would target a dealer lot where there are a concentration of them to go after, rather than go after a TL parked in someone's driveway. Especially since they have to use a saws-all, which would be louder and easier heard in a residential area.

 

Sounds good to me. Thanks for your information.

 

adam welcome back again.....
is it really that common on BMW?
I mean the HID THEFT

 

:grenade: I'm pretty sure you're talking about the Acura dealer in Wantaugh on Sunrise Highway, correct? I saw the cars the day after it happened. I think it was mid-March. I stopped in looking for my specific car and I noticed the first one with the front end smashed up and thought "That sucks. Somebody wrecked a demo." Then I saw two more with the exact same damage. Too much of a coincidence. I asked a kid on the lot about it he told me what happened. There were also a number of RSXs with the interiors stripped out.

It was a horrible sight. The front bumbers ripped off, the hood and fenders folded back on themselves. And various items like the windshield washer reservior torn off to gain access. My guess was at least $5K in damage. I'd never want to see my car like that.

Thieves :rocketwho

 

Island Acura? I heard this news, too.

Brokedoc and SpecialFX are right, it's hard to remove. But, once it's been done, it's really hurt.

Anyone shot those pictures?

This is why my T610 is so useful. Not only does it bluetooth to 04TL, but it can take some quick shots when needed.

 

Well, I bring my friend SIG SAUER over too.

:rocketwho

 

Yep. Island Acura. I didn't see any pics but I'm sure the dealer took some for insurance purposes. If I go back, I'll ask.

There are residential houses in that area. I can't believe that no one heard people using sawzalls on several cars.

 

Mine are guarded by my Walther P99 :ar15:


Chad

 

Sad to say having more bolts to secure the headlights IMO isn't going to help the theft situation. I don't think the theives will have sympathy for tearing up your car to get the bulb+ballast. If they see that it may be impossible/more difficult to take out your bulb+ballast, god knows what they might do to the rest of the car.

If you're that worried..always park w/your headlights faced out. That way, it makes it harder for theives to sit there and steal your shit without being noticed.

 

I think it's not too hard to go over their fences in the parking lot...

 

They have barbed wire on top now. Not sure if it was there before...

Anything the manufacturer does to make it harder to remove will act as a deterrent. Making it harder to remove increases the time they need and increases their risk of getting caught. If there's a 2nd gen parked next to a 3rd gen, guess which one they'll strip first? If the thief wants it bad enough, they'll take them regardless.