Apologies if this subject has been covered previously

Took my RRS TDV8 to Landrover today to get serviced. An hour after drop-off I received a phone call from the Service Dept asking where my "winch" and spare wheel was!!??

WTF? What did she mean? I haven't (fortunately) had the need to use the spare wheel.
To cut a long story short - the cable underneath had been cut - and the spare wheel had been stolen. Gutted.

Quote from Landrover was £165 for a new frame, £240 for a tyre plus £560 for a 20" alloy. I couldn't believe this had happened.
Eventually I got a second hand wheel & tyre for @£280 from a reputable dealer.

Turns out this is perhaps starting to be a more common type of theft from 4x4's in general. But certain Landrovers are more susceptible than others.

Any one else been unfortunate to have been the victim of this crime?

No-one's hardly going to "bat an eyelid" of course seeing some bloke in blue overalls underneath a vehicle - it just looks like he's carrying out a run of the mill roadside repair as it were.

Landrover at first told me that this crime was becoming more common - but then later the same department said mine was the first case they'd heard off!!? :-&

Has any one any ideas how to protect or secure the spare wheel a bit more? One person suggested I stick the spare in the boot :-&

It seems Landrover haven't got a more secure solution. The cynic might suggest that it's not in their interest (short term) - as it means more sales of wheels & tyres!

Aargh! What's more frustrating is the fact that I've no idea where & when the car was vandalised.
I feel so bl**dy frustrated.
If I EVER see someone underneath the back of a 4x4 - I know I shouldn't - but t shall be stopping and asking them a few questions!

The only positive news was that at least I didn't get a puncture in the pouring rain and THEN discover the spare wheel missing!

Any ideas or known solutions would be welcome - thank you.

I shall be checking my spare wheel regularly in future!

Just found the post by Toni Timis - Wow! Now I don't feel quite so bad.
I'm so sorry to hear that saga. I think I would have got rid of the vehicle by now had that happened to me!
Respect for your discipline and patience!

They're scum.

Regards

M

See here for protector http://www.rrsport.co.uk/forum/topic23100.html?highlight=rld  Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!

Last edited by muddywheels on Mon Jun 11 2012 9:22pm. Edited 2 times in total

I'd invest in one of 'RLD's spare wheel protection plates, like a fair few others have. He posts on here and on sister site Disco3.  RRS TDV8 Buck Blue (no, not now in my dreams). ..........D3 TDclankety clankV6 ............BMW 318i

Sorry to hear some t**t has nicked your spare, unfortunately there are plenty of similar incidents on here. I have fitted a protector from forum member RLD (Ray) to mine, infact I fitted one yesterday to a mates for him. It is a good quality item and takes a maximum of 10 minutes to fit, search wheel protector and you will find his details, regards Rigsby MY16 AUTOBIOGRAPHY Indus silver with some toys

2012 3.0 SDV6 Luxury gone, but a great motor

I make it harder for them by always lowering to access level and where ever possible reversing up to a wall etc when parking the more you sweat in practice
the less you bleed in battle

My spare is a 19" black wheel despite the car being on 20" wheels.
Those that have had theirs stolen, are you fuelling the fire by buying replacements off eBay and the likes
Nik 2015 Golf R DSG
Gone 2013 Mercedes C220 CDi AMG Sport Plus
Gone 2008 2.7 RRS HSE

How heavy are the wheel protectors?
Anybody any pictures of the cut cable? How exactly do they steal them? Hand thru the alloy with snips? Hand around the alloy?
Think I'm going to have a wee look under the car to see if mine has a protector.

Fair point Nik - and that did cross my mind. The "businessman" I bought my from does indeed sell on EBAY - he has a very good rating and I was able to collect from his house.
Those facts do not prove anything of course - but this particular dealer purchases any "rejected" wheels directly from Landrover
- carries out the necessary refurbishment and sells them at a reasonable price.

When it came down to it I couldn't stomach shelling out £960 + labour for the dealer supplied and fitted parts.

But I take your point.

Cheers

Crap - flat this morning compounded by no spare GRRRRRR.

I have a scuffed but serviceable full-sized wheel - can I use this/will it fit to save me buying a new space-saver?

Cheers
Neil MY2010 RRS 5.0 S/C Santorini Black, 5 Spoke Diamond Turned Alloys, Privacy, Logic7, iPod, Cameras

Yes, you can use a standard alloy a your spare.
It will be slightly more visible underneath the car (due the deeper width), so I would order your RLD protector to save some scrote taking that one too  ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

Bear in mind unless matching tread/tyre/profile/alloy, etc should only be used in same way as emergency wheel for safety - ie reduced speed  Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!

I TOLD YOU

About a month ago I paid about £750 for a 20" spare wheel and tyre and not only once.

If you love your RRS friends tell them about the SPARE WHEEL PROTECTOR from Mr Ray Dewhurst.

http://www.rrsport.co.uk/forum/topic27225.html?highlight= !!! RRS TDV8 !!!

protector on order! thanks all!

Any recommendations on where to buy the winch, and is it easy to fit - I presume it is since it seems easy to destroy!

Cheers
Neil MY2010 RRS 5.0 S/C Santorini Black, 5 Spoke Diamond Turned Alloys, Privacy, Logic7, iPod, Cameras

Call Duckworths Parts (site sponsor).
I believe they supply the new 2012 style (supposedly harder to cut) for around £65 delivered. Dan's away (see quote below) but they should be able to sort you out

duckworthparts wrote:

I'll be on holiday from saturday 16th June until wednesday 27th June
if anyone needs anything urgently, you can contact my colleague Rob at robinhall@duckworthlandrover.co.uk
i've informed him to be good with discount
Dan

 ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass