Ghost immobiliser + locks to block the wheel shaft

SouthLondonUser

Is anyone familiar with the Ghost immobiliser?
https://autowatch.co.uk/products/security-solutions/autowatch-immobiliser-systems/68-ghost-product
It’s a CAN bus immobiliser which is deactivated by pressing a sequence of buttons on the dashboard, steering wheel, etc – something like volume up, volume down, window up etc.
Youtube has some videos, e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKl34yVB8EA
I haven’t found any discussions here, and it doesn’t seem to be Thatcham approved. The idea seems promising, but I’m wondering if this has the potential to leave me stranded should it malfunction. Thoughts? Would you consider it?

Also, does any one know if any contraption to block the shaft of the steering wheel is available in the UK? In other countries things like
http://www.zederlock.com/zeder/
or
https://www.blockshaft.it/

They are some kind of locks that block the steering wheel shaft and are apparently quite popular in the countries of the respective manufacturers.

wgl2014

I wouldn't be happy installing an electronic gizmo into an already complicated system.

Have you considered an old fashioned steering lock? Cheap simple and works well.

motorguy

SouthLondonUser wrote: »

Is anyone familiar with the Ghost immobiliser?
https://autowatch.co.uk/products/security-solutions/autowatch-immobiliser-systems/68-ghost-product
It’s a CAN bus immobiliser which is deactivated by pressing a sequence of buttons on the dashboard, steering wheel, etc – something like volume up, volume down, window up etc.
Youtube has some videos, e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKl34yVB8EA
I haven’t found any discussions here, and it doesn’t seem to be Thatcham approved. The idea seems promising, but I’m wondering if this has the potential to leave me stranded should it malfunction. Thoughts? Would you consider it?

Also, does any one know if any contraption to block the shaft of the steering wheel is available in the UK? In other countries things like
http://www.zederlock.com/zeder/
or
https://www.blockshaft.it/

They are some kind of locks that block the steering wheel shaft and are apparently quite popular in the countries of the respective manufacturers.

It seems to be well established and is well regarded among Pistonheads forum members.

I like the idea of it and i havent heard of any malfunctioning.

motorguy

wgl2014 wrote: »

I wouldn't be happy installing an electronic gizmo into an already complicated system.

Have you considered an old fashioned steering lock? Cheap simple and works well.

It wholly depends on the car and the circumstance but a lot of high end performance cars are stolen from peoples houses at night. If they can get in to your house, then they'll get your keys and moreoften the steering lock key will be on the same fob.

The Ghost system gets around that because even if they get your keys they dont know your start sequence.

SouthLondonUser

wgl2014 wrote: »

Have you considered an old fashioned steering lock? Cheap simple and works well.

Yes, and I am in fact undecided between the Disklok (the huge disc that covers the whole weel) and the Stoplock (the bar thingy). I understand you can cut the wheel to get rid of the stoplock, so it's less secure, but at the same time it seems easier and quicker to install and remove so might be a good compromise; at the end of the day, as long as there are lots of nicer cars than mine on the road without any additional security, scumbags might decide to focus on those...

As for the Ghost, I was thinking that it would probably void the warranty; should there be a fault with the electrical system, the dealer will probably blame it on the Ghost even if it's got nothing to do with it. Maybe best to install it on cars with no warranty.

SouthLondonUser

motorguy wrote: »

If they can get in to your house, then they'll get your keys and moreoften the steering lock key will be on the same fob.

True. Or if they can find a way to hack into your keyless car. I genuinely fail to see the point of those: I understand the disadvantages (hacking the signal to steal the car) but the advantages? Avoiding the huge inconvenience of pressing one button? I don't get it.

motorguy

SouthLondonUser wrote: »

True. Or if they can find a way to hack into your keyless car. I genuinely fail to see the point of those: I understand the disadvantages (hacking the signal to steal the car) but the advantages? Avoiding the huge inconvenience of pressing one button? I don't get it.

It came as standard on our A45 Mercedes, but i wouldnt have spec'd it as an extra. Its just something else to go wrong (on an already complex car). And as you say, theres no real advantage.

It was an extra cost option on our MINI Cooper S but i didnt bother with it.

motorguy

SouthLondonUser wrote: »

As for the Ghost, I was thinking that it would probably void the warranty; should there be a fault with the electrical system, the dealer will probably blame it on the Ghost even if it's got nothing to do with it. Maybe best to install it on cars with no warranty.

They cant just "void your warranty" because they "think" the system affected your car. Its a proven system with decent backup from the manufacturer.

I see it as more viable for "in demand" hot hatches and high end performance stuff moreso than run of the mill cars.