24 replies to this topic

[1984mini25]

I'm looking at making up and fitting some sort of internal boot release to the mini, as for the best part of a year now I've had someone deliberately trying to force the boot handle open to gain access to inside the boot and any tools etc. so far I've been through 4 boot handles and will be onto my 5th in the next few days. As all what forcing the boot handle round does is round of the square end off that fits into the latch on the boot lid, with would then mean the boot handle would be pretty useless and it still won't open the boot even when forced.

 

I've also recently deliberately been empting the boot of any tools/box and clearly displaying them in the rear foot well, to try and prove there's nothing in the boot worth steeling, as I'm sure its one of my stuck up neighbours doing it. I did notice the boot handle to be very lose the other day, so I wedged something in the catch to take up the paly and low and behold the next morning, I find the boot handle is lose and again with a great scratch round the boot handle on the boot lid.

 

So I'm now thinking of the idea of fitting a cable operated internal release for the boot and leaving the boot handle just purely for show. But I would prefer for it to be as neat and with as little welding possible and preferably something that bolts in, as I'd prefer not to ruin the body shell being as what particular mini it is.

 

So is there any cheap options?

[Craig89]

Leave the boot unlocked with nothing in it, for what ever scumbag that is trying to break in, to steal. Maybe with a note saying "fxxx right off!". Or even a hidden camera in there to catch them red handed.

A release would be relitivly easy to do though. Remove the square bar from the handle/mech, fit a new piece in from the rear with a lever fixed to it. Then run a brake cable/bonnet release type cable to the lever so when pulled it turns the square bar.

That's the basic theory, I little more thought would be required to make it work

[HarrysMini]

I thought there was a kit somewhere that utilised a cable system. I'm sure I remember reading about something like that.

 

If not, leaving it unlocked would actually be quite a sensible option as it is sealed from the rest of the car, and if you have to remove tools anyway why not?

[Cerberus]

I'd be trying to electrocute the boot handle with 240V somehow by now, , along with a camera on the parcel shelf to catch them,

[Jordie]

Id be thinking of parking it somewhere else, or getting some CCTV rigged up to catch the person doing it.

 

I'd leave the boot open with no tools etc in and rig up a switch to an alarm siren that will go off when boot opens. This will give you a good indication of the time of day/night this is happening and also scare the person and hopefully prevent them from doing this again.

[1984mini25]

leaving the boot open/unlocked whenever I leave the car on the drive (have no other choice on parking) would also be pretty inconvenient as I'd also have to remove the spare and battery each time.

 

Hence the internal release idea with the dummy boot handle. So it wouldn't matter how much effort someone with very few brain cells tried to foce the boot handle open, with it not being connected to anything, it wouldn't do anything.

[Nuttoni]

Wow, someone really is a total asshole, i think some form of flamethrower and/or chainsaw modification is required here :-P

Edited by Nuttoni, 29 January 2014 - 01:29 PM.

[1984mini25]

I'd be trying to electrocute the boot handle with 240V somehow by now, , along with a camera on the parcel shelf to catch them,

 

Oh trust me, if it is the neighbour I think that's doing it as I've had other cars targeted (dented, scratched, screws in tyres (there is no way you'd get 4 punctures on 2 cars within a month, 2 being on the same rear corner) being one that seams to think he knows more than he actually does, then there would be a lot more that 240volts wired up to the boot handle.

[Mini Manannán]

I think the most sensible thing would be some kind of CCTV, maybe a discreet camera on the parcel shelf?  Get them on film and show the police.

[1984mini25]

Fitting a camera might deter who's ever doing it, but informing the police will be a big waste of time. As a few years back I parked the mini round the front of my house instead of the drive that's round the back in front of a neighbour's house, only to come out the next morning to go to work and find the boot lock jammed full of superglue and all over the boot lamp and rear bumper. All the police were actually worried about was my insurance that was due to run out in 2 months time (apparently that might have meant to them that being an old car I wouldn't bother renewing) and put the matter down to general maintenance and to let the insurance pay for it. The fact I was able to drill the lock out once at work so I could get my work boots and overalls out and replace the handle/lock with a spare, wasn't the point.

[greenwheels]

The trouble is whatever you do along the lines of a remote release might just frustrate him into doing some other damage to the Mini. Sirens and lights might scare him off once but the other neighbours will look at you as the cause of waking them up in the middle of the night. If you add a CCTV as well then you have evidence for the police. If the police do nothing you can give a copy of the recording to the culprit (just through his letter box if he's bigger than you) and also show it to the other neighbours to show what a scumbag he is.

 

If someone can suggest a suitable and cheap CCTV for such a situation I'd be interested myself. (Although our own dodgy neighbours have recently left to be replaced with really nice folks - joy untold).

Edited by greenwheels, 29 January 2014 - 05:01 PM.

[Bungle]

cctv and small claims court for damages

[Harrison541]

How about the internal release and then remove and smooth over the boot handle to confuse them 

And then a light coat of grease over it so the superglue won't stick.

 

Normally my answers are quite practical, honest.

Edited by Harrison541, 29 January 2014 - 05:24 PM.

[1984mini25]

The thing is with it being a 25, I was hoping on trying to keep it looking standard (ok apart from the crappy paint) so I would prefer to refit the boot handle purely for looks.

 

Although I've just realised I'd probably have to cut and asses hole in the rear seat bulkhead, if for what ever reason the cable snapped etc., I'd still be able to open the boot from the inside.

[sledgehammer]

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2580626c76

 

pop this on the rear parcel shelf 

 

I think there is a movement sensor on it (there is on my one)

 

view the scummy git the next day

 

hope it stops soon