Car tracking system, which one is best?

bazmandude · 10-02-2008, 06:57 AM

I've just taken delivery of an E93 M3

(I know, i know.... pics to follow at the weekend) and most of the insurance companies here in the UK insist on a GPS based vehicle tracking system.

Can anyone recommend a good one and what are the differences between the top models i.e. extra features, full european cover?

mkoesel · 10-02-2008, 07:51 AM

Won't the built-in GPS tracking used by BMW Assist count?

BTW, congrats on the car - loving mine so far (just got it last week)!

booforty · 10-02-2008, 08:28 AM

I had Tracker on my E90 330i but having spoken to others I don't really value Tracker anymore. If my car was stolen, would I want it back? No, I'd rather have a new one, hence I place more value on having sufficient GAP insurance in place to bring any claim back to original invoice so that I can get a brand new car again!!

bazmandude · 10-02-2008, 08:45 AM

Interesting point about the BMW Assist thing, i'll speak to the dealer and insurance company about that.

I agree, I have taken out GAP insurance that covers the car for the first 3 years.

The only reason I’m considering a tracking system is that the insurance company have said they will reduce my annual premium by £500 if i have a GPS based tracking system fitted.

At present I’m learning toward Trackstar which is operated by TrafficMaster although I’d quite like one where I can view the cars location and movement history from my own PC - heard too many stories of technicians taking customers cars for a blast while there in for servicing!

booforty · 10-02-2008, 08:51 AM

Wow, a £500 discount may well be worth the investment and Trackstar does sound good.

Also try adding a Parent on your policy even though they may never drive the car. I got 15% discount by adding my Dad as a second driver!!

spectrumphoto · 10-02-2008, 03:48 PM

You should receive a certificate from BMW or your dealership stating the the included BMW Assist system also acts as a vehicle theft recovery system (much like LoJack, ect) that you ca then give to your insurance company. In the event of needing the system all you have to do is call BMW assist with a police report number and then they will use the car's internal GPS system to locate it.

dar2008 · 10-03-2008, 03:46 AM

I had trackstar fitted to mine (again, an insurance requirement). It's come down in price recently, and I took the duration of ownership option as I intend keeping the car for a good few years.

If it'll make a £500 difference to your premium, then it'll pretty much pay for itself in the first year... no brainer. I also took the GAP insurance.

nusevad · 10-03-2008, 07:38 AM

get BMW assist, I heard it works well. I got low jack on mine, I dunno if UK has that.

KenH · 10-03-2008, 08:29 AM

"I had Tracker on my E90 330i but having spoken to others I don't really value Tracker anymore. If my car was stolen, would I want it back? No, I'd rather have a new one, hence I place more value on having sufficient GAP insurance in place to bring any claim back to original invoice so that I can get a brand new car again!!"

My brother in the UK had his vehicle stolen and not recovered. The insurance company paid out in full which automatically ended the insurance (read the small print). The insurer's then refused to offer new cover. When he went to other insurers they all had a question on their application forms asking if he had been declined cover elsewhere, to which he had to say "yes".
When he finally got insurance it was at 4x the price he had previously been paying.

10-02-2008, 06:57 AM	#1
bazmandude New Member 2 Rep 27 Posts Drives: E70 X5 40d M Sport Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: London iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E93 M3 [0.00]	Car tracking system, which one is best? I've just taken delivery of an E93 M3 (I know, i know.... pics to follow at the weekend) and most of the insurance companies here in the UK insist on a GPS based vehicle tracking system. Can anyone recommend a good one and what are the differences between the top models i.e. extra features, full european cover?
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10-02-2008, 07:51 AM	#2
mkoesel Moderator 7510 Rep 19,370 Posts Drives: No BMW for now Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canton, MI iTrader: (1)	Won't the built-in GPS tracking used by BMW Assist count? BTW, congrats on the car - loving mine so far (just got it last week)!
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10-02-2008, 08:28 AM	#3
booforty Major General 337 Rep 8,811 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E92 M3 [0.00]	I had Tracker on my E90 330i but having spoken to others I don't really value Tracker anymore. If my car was stolen, would I want it back? No, I'd rather have a new one, hence I place more value on having sufficient GAP insurance in place to bring any claim back to original invoice so that I can get a brand new car again!!
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10-02-2008, 08:45 AM	#4
bazmandude New Member 2 Rep 27 Posts Drives: E70 X5 40d M Sport Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: London iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E93 M3 [0.00]	Interesting point about the BMW Assist thing, i'll speak to the dealer and insurance company about that. I agree, I have taken out GAP insurance that covers the car for the first 3 years. The only reason I’m considering a tracking system is that the insurance company have said they will reduce my annual premium by £500 if i have a GPS based tracking system fitted. At present I’m learning toward Trackstar which is operated by TrafficMaster although I’d quite like one where I can view the cars location and movement history from my own PC - heard too many stories of technicians taking customers cars for a blast while there in for servicing!
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10-02-2008, 08:51 AM	#5
booforty Major General 337 Rep 8,811 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E92 M3 [0.00]	Wow, a £500 discount may well be worth the investment and Trackstar does sound good. Also try adding a Parent on your policy even though they may never drive the car. I got 15% discount by adding my Dad as a second driver!!
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10-02-2008, 03:48 PM	#6
spectrumphoto Just another peanut in the Turd! 92 Rep 598 Posts Drives: g16M850;f30M550;f80M3-ED;e90M3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Hollywierd, SoCal iTrader: (2)	You should receive a certificate from BMW or your dealership stating the the included BMW Assist system also acts as a vehicle theft recovery system (much like LoJack, ect) that you ca then give to your insurance company. In the event of needing the system all you have to do is call BMW assist with a police report number and then they will use the car's internal GPS system to locate it.
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10-03-2008, 03:46 AM	#7
dar2008 Major 303 Rep 1,171 Posts Drives: E93 M3 and E92 M3 Comp Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I had trackstar fitted to mine (again, an insurance requirement). It's come down in price recently, and I took the duration of ownership option as I intend keeping the car for a good few years. If it'll make a £500 difference to your premium, then it'll pretty much pay for itself in the first year... no brainer. I also took the GAP insurance. __________________
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10-03-2008, 07:38 AM	#8
nusevad O! So Sour!! 552 Rep 15,615 Posts Drives: Fast 240z / Slow M3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 'Merica! iTrader: (24) Garage List 1971 Datsun 240z [0.00] 2008 M3 [9.60]	get BMW assist, I heard it works well. I got low jack on mine, I dunno if UK has that. __________________
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10-03-2008, 08:29 AM	#9
KenH Private First Class 3 Rep 117 Posts Drives: e92m3 f25x3 e71x6 Join Date: May 2008 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	"I had Tracker on my E90 330i but having spoken to others I don't really value Tracker anymore. If my car was stolen, would I want it back? No, I'd rather have a new one, hence I place more value on having sufficient GAP insurance in place to bring any claim back to original invoice so that I can get a brand new car again!!" My brother in the UK had his vehicle stolen and not recovered. The insurance company paid out in full which automatically ended the insurance (read the small print). The insurer's then refused to offer new cover. When he went to other insurers they all had a question on their application forms asking if he had been declined cover elsewhere, to which he had to say "yes". When he finally got insurance it was at 4x the price he had previously been paying.
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