My friends son recently bought a new BMW. No idea what model it was or where he left it etc. but when he started it in the morning; it sounded really loud. He thought that just the catalytic converters had been stolen but no, the whole exhaust had been unbolted.

Has this ever happened to anyone else?

Hi,

many, many moons ago neighbour across the road had their engine stolen while parked on the drive, when the car would not start they called the AA out very surprised looks by all accounts when AA man lifted the bonnet
it was in the 1970's

have heard of cat's been stolen, rear light clusters, head lights, towbars, spare wheels sadly the list goes on

 Porsche Cayenne 2022
gone Porsche Cayenne 2020
gone Corris Grey HSE Dynamic 2016
gone Ipanema HSE lux 2010
gone Rimini HSE 2005
!!

Years ago there was a spate of gearbox thefts from horse lorries. They could be unbolted and dropped without needing to get in to the lorry itself. First someone would know was when they tried to put it in gear. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed