How often do wheels get stolen?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 619
Likes: 3
From: Wheeling IL
How often do wheels get stolen?
My job forced me to move into the city so I was wondering the chances of my wheels getting stolen. I just bought a set of used iForged Classics 19/20, which new with tires I believe are around $4-6k. I have a community garage spot and the Remax lady parks her Porsche in there during the day. I'm more worried about someone stealing them at night though. To be honest I don't hear of too many people getting wheels stolen but I'm sure it happens. On the street there are nice sets of chrome wheels that people don't touch. The people here leave their bikes and golf clubs out in the garage, unlocked
. The garage is not open long but someone could still sneak in. The garage is probably about 40 spots. Another tidbit is some of the cars on the street just got broken into but only the ones that left ipods and GPS out. Just wondering your opinions since I want to drive my car. My other option is to leave it at the parents house and only drive it about once a week or twice a week.
. The garage is not open long but someone could still sneak in. The garage is probably about 40 spots. Another tidbit is some of the cars on the street just got broken into but only the ones that left ipods and GPS out. Just wondering your opinions since I want to drive my car. My other option is to leave it at the parents house and only drive it about once a week or twice a week.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 362
Likes: 1
From: Windsor California
My job forced me to move into the city so I was wondering the chances of my wheels getting stolen. I just bought a set of used iForged Classics 19/20, which new with tires I believe are around $4-6k. I have a community garage spot and the Remax lady parks her Porsche in there during the day. I'm more worried about someone stealing them at night though. To be honest I don't hear of too many people getting wheels stolen but I'm sure it happens. On the street there are nice sets of chrome wheels that people don't touch. The people here leave their bikes and golf clubs out in the garage, unlocked. The garage is not open long but someone could still sneak in. The garage is probably about 40 spots. Another tidbit is some of the cars on the street just got broken into but only the ones that left ipods and GPS out. Just wondering your opinions since I want to drive my car. My other option is to leave it at the parents house and only drive it about once a week or twice a week.
. The garage is not open long but someone could still sneak in. The garage is probably about 40 spots. Another tidbit is some of the cars on the street just got broken into but only the ones that left ipods and GPS out. Just wondering your opinions since I want to drive my car. My other option is to leave it at the parents house and only drive it about once a week or twice a week.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,041
Likes: 4
From: Rockford Illinois
I would be more worried about the car getting stolen than the wheels. If they want the wheels they arent going to take the time to get them off and jack up the car. They will just take the car and rip the whole thing apart and sell the parts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,275
Likes: 19
From: Camden County NJ
Apparently there is a device out there to remove wheel locks. One of my parents friends woke up one AM to find his conversion van on blocks and all 4 wheels missing. The crazy part is that they live in a rich neighborhood in Cherry Hill NJ so certain areas are targeted by thieves don't just think it's a city thing. Once you are on some A__holes radar...they learn your habits and hit you when appropriate. It's a real F'd feeling to realize someone was stalking you waiting for the chance to rob you. I know this 1st hand, happened to me when I was living in Scottsdale Az a number of years back.
Last edited by BT-01-vette; May 8, 2010 at 05:48 AM.
Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 661
Likes: 2
From: New England
Not a Corvette, but a girl at our local gym had her wheels stolen off of her 3 month old 2010 BMW. About 10-15 parking spots out from the Golds Gym entrance in a well lit, and busy parking lot with MANY other stores in it. This was all at 7:00 at night this past Feb/March.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,021
Likes: 133
From: Conejo Valley CA
Just contact your insurance company
To the OP... You can contact your insurance company and let them know you have upgraded/aftermarket wheels. Take pictures and let them know the value. I did this after I got my CCW's. I don't think the extra endorsement cost me more than $25 a year... I strongly recommend.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
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From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Not very often but it does happen. Wheel locks are a deterent and can be gotten around if someone really wants them
Thanks,Matt
Thanks,Matt
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 36,838
Likes: 438
From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
If they want your wheels, they will have them in less than 2 minutes, wheel locks or not...
BTW, because Vettes sit so low, they rarely put the car on blocks. Usually they just drop it as it sits...
Peace
Chip
BTW, because Vettes sit so low, they rarely put the car on blocks. Usually they just drop it as it sits...
Peace
Chip
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 628
Likes: 4
From: Columbia SC
Here's a little tip for those of you who depend on wheel locks. DON'T leave the key in your car's glove compartment, console, etc.--or anywhere a scumbag can find it seconds after breaking one of your windows or otherwise gaining entry into your car. Keep it in your house, or well-hidden inside the car.
Race Director
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,306
Likes: 15
Here's a little tip for those of you who depend on wheel locks. DON'T leave the key in your car's glove compartment, console, etc.--or anywhere a scumbag can find it seconds after breaking one of your windows or otherwise gaining entry into your car. Keep it in your house, or well-hidden inside the car.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
wheel locks don't really work too well anymore since they make generic keys that usually work on almost anything, and it will look crappy unless you have the covers over them which aftermarket wheels don't. I would say call the insurance and let them know. Either way i would be more worried about the damage they do to the vette jacking it up and letting it back down without wheels.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Who makes a generic key for GORILLA locking lug nuts with literally hundreds of possible spline combinations available? Maybe you're referring to the socket type tool that some shops use to remove locking lug nuts when the key is lost (?).
If you have expensive after market wheels, I'd suggest you buy a "system" of GORILLA lug nuts in show chrome or black. That's twenty locking lug nuts an opportunistic thief would have to defeat.
You can buy them at DISCOUNT TIRE or SUMMIT RACING...
If you have expensive after market wheels, I'd suggest you buy a "system" of GORILLA lug nuts in show chrome or black. That's twenty locking lug nuts an opportunistic thief would have to defeat.
You can buy them at DISCOUNT TIRE or SUMMIT RACING...
Last edited by hotwheels57; May 8, 2010 at 03:54 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
there is a tool that can bust off 90% of locks out there i have it at the shop. the only downside is that its thick, most aftermarket wheels have very small lug holes so getting the locks off without drilling is near impossible