How easy are Audis to steal?
 

I have two Audis now and since they represent a major investment I was wondering how easy it is for someone to steal them. Granted, no cars are 100% safe. But anything short of a flatbed tow truck, I heard Audis are very hard to steal with their computerized keys. Or is it just smoke?

The B8 S4 and new gen Audis are VERY DIFFICULT to steal according to my Sales Manager at Audi. It's all in the chip.

I would say pretty close to impossible if you have the APR tune and you use the security feature. No hot-wiring will be able to start it. Even if they steal your key the car will not start, until you enter your secret passcode. The engine will turn over, but will not start.

The other nice feature is the wheels. Those little plastic caps over the lug nuts probably provide a pretty good bit of security against someone from stealing the wheels. It's another hurdle at least.

It also has the same effect on unknowing first time owners as well at times... :p

Yeah, if you are not prepared with the little plastic tool, next to impossible to remove them. Surprisingly my car didn't come with them! I feel better that the car's very hard to steal.

Personal experience, Scott?

Locks are for honest people. If they want your car they will take it.

The current systems make it more attractive for someone to steal the car next to yours.

Just like hacking. I can hack most wireless systems from fios or comcast in less than 5 minutes. Put in a firewall and some encryption maybe 30. So do the math.

Plus if we knew how to do it, do you really think it would be wise to post it?

No sir, I recall a forum thread a while back about someone wanting to remove their wheel and noting that they had to use a bigger socket size and that the lugs still didn't come out after sometime. :)

The right person can steal any car - Muray - what's your address =)

My 2012 S4 Prestige did not have plastic caps over the lug nuts. Perhaps the dealer removed them? Are they intended to stay with the vehicle?

Do I want/need them?