Safety when driving into JB/Malaysia

[davidtch]

Re: Safety when driving into JB/Malaysia

Right, I think thieves who can steal a BMW can definitely break a steering lock. I just wondered if ppl used it. I'm thinking of getting a high-end one in hope that if I can't prevent the car from going AWOL, I can at least give the thief a righteous headache in trying to get the vehicle.

If u r looking 4 hi end, why don't u try 2-way alarm. It comes wif LCD screen that tell u the status of ur ka and signal strength is even stronger than mobile phone. If anything happen to ur ka, remote will make noise.

For beemer, u only need to worry about carjacking. It is quite hard to steel a beemer.

 

[Ahbengdriver]

Re: Safety when driving into JB/Malaysia

Haha. It's not about safety in that regard. It's more about carjacking and theft etc. Kopicash is one thing. A carjack is quite another.

Ah I see. My apologises...I totally misread:screwedu:

Carjacking huh. Would always keep my car doors locked. If I stop/park the car, I make sure I take a look around the area first for any dodgy characters. Other things I normally do is if I park at those R&R points along NSH, always have one person looking after the car or park in place where I can see the car while having my rest. If away from car for long time, I always check around the wheel areas to make sure there arent any nails or i will get a flat tyre next n susceptible to problems.

Lastly I always dress like a sloppy beng so people wont find me worth hijacking.

 

[Jase]

Re: Safety when driving into JB/Malaysia

LOL. Okay. A weapon. These days, if ppl want to steal your car and they pull out a gun or knife, just let them take it. Car can always buy again (or get insurance) but hand once chopped off cannot grow back.

 

[Jase]

Re: Safety when driving into JB/Malaysia

Lastly I always dress like a sloppy beng so people wont find me worth hijacking.

That's so true. I was also told to wear simple clothes. If you walk around in a sarong also can. The idea is to look plain so that ppl don't think that you've got anything more than the car, i.e. look like you had to sell your house, kid and kidney to buy the car.

If you dress to kill... perhaps you should also be prepared to get killed. Oh well.

Thanks for all the great replies

 

[chairoger]

Re: Safety when driving into JB/Malaysia

Dun buy Bimmer....use public transport. Cabutz!! Keke

 

[Jase]

Re: Safety when driving into JB/Malaysia

Right. That answers my question. Thankyouverymuch

 

[heerajs]

Re: Safety when driving into JB/Malaysia

you could also put one of those tracking devices in your car so that if someone wants to steal it u can give it to him willingly and then track your car later and get it back....

 

[VolanteDB9]

Re: Safety when driving into JB/Malaysia

i still use the steering lock...more time taken for e thief to steal you car...less likely he will do so...

there are places in JB where the 'town council' will engage their own contractors to tow away illegally parked vehicles though...and you have to go to their depot to collect your car...its about RM150...steering lock, park rear in fwd in all no use...they lift up e entire car... -_-

also for R&R on NS highway, do not stop at Machap(shld be last R&R coming back to JB/SG) without having someone watch the car...first you cant see your car from eating place...second...the next highway exit is just 1KM down...so cars have been known to be towed away and never found...

i can get guns both real and bb...but kinda overkill...am thinking of getting a Taser...anyone has any lobang...

 

[Jase]

Re: Safety when driving into JB/Malaysia

pilotsnoopy, the guns part a bit excessive But I appreciate your tips. I'll bear the Machap pitstop in mind - this is quite important since I do tend to stop there during journeys back to KL. I also do Pagoh and Ayer Keroh. Dunno how safe these ones are.

I'll also get a decent steering lock. Better safe than sorry

 

[VolanteDB9]

Re: Safety when driving into JB/Malaysia

The Machap stop is when coming back from KL...
for me favourite stop going up and down has to be Ayer Keroh where the KFC is joined together on both sides...more crowd...car can be parked just beside toilet..
when i drive alone i use a camelbak for drinking...damm E46 318 no cup holder...zzz...have to pay dunno how much as an option...end up jap cars more cupholders than you need...

also there has been a higher trend of carjacking by gunpoint...

because the new key/locking systems of higher end cars cannot be purchased without verification or damm expensive to do so...

a Lexus/Toyota Harrier is still a hot target in JB/KL...

 

[jawzsg]

Re: Safety when driving into JB/Malaysia

Maybe plonkz out the BMW roundel and plonkz in a Fiat or Skoda one.. hmm, perhaps the old Proton one also can.. straight away not so garang oredi.

 

[nickleeson888]

Re: Safety when driving into JB/Malaysia

Maybe plonkz out the BMW roundel and plonkz in a Fiat or Skoda one.. hmm, perhaps the old Proton one also can.. straight away not so garang oredi.

Oi...Don't like that leh...Fiat not that bad lah.. :furious: You didn't see my cute baby meh? Take it back! Take it back! :nehnehhh:

Seriously, I go to JB quite frequently on the weekends - wat else - top up petrol and shopping lah! No problems leh. Heard many stories before but no problems so far (touch wood...nothing is going to happen!).

Saying that, I still worry loh. My baby looks very vulerable eventhough it is actually super difficult to break into my car - with key, I also have problems opening it !But play safe, I use a steering lock. I know steering lock is a visual deterrant. But visual deterrant also better than no deterrant. I got one of the really high end steering lock...cannot find in Singapore, got it from Malaysia. I think Singapore so safe, no one buys steering lock. Anyway, I really like my steering lock. It has an additional sensor alarm. So even if you not want to steal my car and just accidentially bump into my car when the alarm is on, the alarm will immediately go off. :chinese:

Maybe you want to try to get such a steering lock.

 

[Jase]

Re: Safety when driving into JB/Malaysia

Thanks nickleeson888. What's the brand of your steering lock? It sounds really advanced (got sensor and all). Where can I find this device and did it set you back a couple of hundred bucks?

 

[nickleeson888]

Re: Safety when driving into JB/Malaysia

the brand is Trex. got it from carrefour in KL about 3 years ago for about RM300 or so ... just went to JB carrefour last weekend. they don't carry it. so if you want to get it, you have to try KL. not sure about the other stores in JB.

found the website - Megacell Corporation

fyi, read in one of the malaysian forum that the latest product is the trex ultimate....retailing at RM700 at mid valley carrefour (yes, that's where i got mine too).

hope it helps!


:juggle:

 

[jawzsg]

Re: Safety when driving into JB/Malaysia

Hi Nickleeson888, my bad lah... don't get angry hor..

Jase, I'm also using steering lock but it's an ordinary one. The visual deterent was what I'm after actually. I remember Mr. Bean takes out his steering wheel and had latches on the exterior for pad-locking... hmmm...

 

[kEl]

Re: Safety when driving into JB/Malaysia

Actually the best thing is to not drive a beemer to JB, say to just have a drink or pump petrol. Worse if u frequently go, cos u may end up being watched, monitored and targeted. If JB is where u frequent, suggest u drive an older Beemer, (E34,E30) or a Jap car so u wont realli be noticed, or ur loss will be cheaper if u get carjacked (touh wood).

Another thing, dun get conned by those private "highway petrol towtrucks" when your car stalls on the NS highway. Once my car stalled near seremban and this private tow guy towed my car to this shady workshop, before i knew it, he dismantled quite a bit of the engine and i was charged a bomb, just because i was frm Sg and kinda in their mercy at that time. Keep your eyes peeled in malaysia!

 

[Jase]

Re: Safety when driving into JB/Malaysia

The guys for the feedback. I agree that if you can avoid it, don't drive a BMW into JB. It's risky. However, I've no choice. It's the only car I've got so will have to 'wing it' That said, I'll take the necessary precautions.

As for the steering lock, I'll go hunt for a good one (thanks for naming the brand nickleeson888).

I also agree that we should avoid (and I stress AVOID) those highway petrol trucks. I've had bad experiences before - they're really dodgy. Like vultures to a dying animal. They seem to appear within minutes of an accident (I don't know how they do so) and they'll tow your vehicle off to heaven-knows-where for some crazy price. If your car requires towing, I'd suggest hooking up with AAM or AAS. They've got a more reliable towing service. If you call them, ask the operator for the towing vehicle's number. These highway crook-type towtrucks also try to pass themselves off as being from AAM etc.

 

[VolanteDB9]

Re: Safety when driving into JB/Malaysia

Those towing trucks on NS highway are hovering around if you notice at rest stops or slowly 'patrolling' the highway.

Do not let them tow your vehicle away, first contact your insurer and they should have their own list of contractors. If you are not alone and worried for safety of your family/friends, have the Toll PLUS guys tow the vehicle to the nearest Toll station/complex free of charge.

Otherwise call the BMW Mobile Service 62923166 which will arrange for a mobile vehicle or tow truck to send your car to the nearest Auto Bavaria free. Should they not be able to solve the problem of your vehicle within that day, they are supposed to reimburse you up to about RM250 for a night's accomodation. I believe owner's manual also has malaysian number(Auto Bavaria) to call.

 

[Ronkovic]

Re: Safety when driving into JB/Malaysia

The guys for the feedback. I agree that if you can avoid it, don't drive a BMW into JB. It's risky. However, I've no choice. It's the only car I've got so will have to 'wing it' That said, I'll take the necessary precautions.

Yo Dude,
As a really worse-come-to-worst or last resort alternative, was thinking since you have family across the border in JB, you could also explore the option of popping over via cab (Those yellow Malaysian ones) and then have your relatives pick you up at Customs.

 

[Jase]

Re: Safety when driving into JB/Malaysia

pilotsnoopy, excellent tip and thanks for BMW Mobile Service number. That's very important (though I hope never to have to use it)

Ronkovic, I used to do the SG-JB taxi/bus service all the time. It was a great way to get it and out w/o risk but it's also useful to have a car to drive around (didn't like to inconvenience my in-laws). I'll see how it goes. If I drive in and feel uneasy, I'll swap to the less "attention-seeking" mode. Thanks