I've been planning to buy a used Zoe for around a month. I've test-driven two and I'm really impressed with the car. I've been using this and other forums to read all the insights of established drivers, which have been invaluable to support my decision and prepare me to to take the scary step away from my last ICE. However, in all this time I did not spot that the Zoe has no car alarm as standard!

I took it for granted that all new cars have an alarm and immobiliser as standard and I'm really surprised that this fact has so little prominence on the forums. I guess the Zoe might not be an easy car to steal and probably not a joy-rider's first pick in any case but what about leaving bags in the boot. If someone's considering popping a window of my car, I'd like a big attention-attracting noise to act as a deterrent.

I see the alarm is listed as a £340 option with sills and boot liner for new cars. Can this be retro-fitted?

Is there something I'm missing that means the lack of an alarm shouldn't be a big deal?

Thanks

 

Is there something I'm missing that means the lack of an alarm shouldn't be a big deal?

My feeling is that if somebody wanted to steal something visible from the car in a "smash and grab", they would do it whether an alarm was fitted or not. If there are bags in the boot, then a thief wouldn't know, so would they risk speculatively breaking into a car to see whether or not there was something in the boot? Maybe, but would an alarm put them off doing that? Again, maybe. How many people pay attention to alarms? A passer-by may take a cursory glance, but then how do they know whether the person fiddling with the car is the owner or not? Would the passer-by care enough to intervene?

I think there's a lot of psychology around car alarms. Do they really make your car more secure, or do they just make you feel as though your car is more secure?

As for the immobiliser, is it even possible to "hot-wire" a ZOE? I guess you could lever the start-button out from the dash, but I don't suppose that would gain you any advantage. Perhaps you could "fiddle" behind the centre console where the key is inserted or something?

I would speculate that it's far more likely that a thief would use technology (as discussed in other threads) for "repeating" the keyless-entry signal from your keycard, or utilising some other form of cloning your keycard. Both of which would negate any advantage of having an alarm fitted to your ZOE.

With that said, I am happy to be corrected on all of the above, since it's mostly opinion-based and how I feel about not having an alarm on my car. It's also worth noting that where I live, work, and spend leisure time are not places that are known for having high crime-rates.

 

I second StinkyPete, the best way to prevent theft is to not leave things in plain sight. If you leave your phone or wallet on the seat while you're visiting the doctor, that's an invitation. I would also speculate that most thefts take place at night, when most sane people are asleep or stealing from cars, thus by the time someone looks out the window... it's a little too late; the thief is probably around the corner already.

Other than that, no sane thief would bother stealing a Zoe even for spare parts (market is too small); these guys are focused on stuff that they can get rid of in a day or two.

I doubt EVs need immobilizers; since the entire power train is controlled by software, there's very little mechanical stuff involved (there are no hot-wires); you need a keycard to activate the on/off button so the simplest way to steal an EV is to steal the keycard or duplicate the key codes.

 

I am with @StinkyPete on this one. Low tech hit and run crime won't be stopped, "wiring it" is sheer impossible, and when you go really high tech, nothing will stop the persistent and knowledgeable thief. It's a bit like your house: do not to fortify it, the goal is to make it less attractive than the neighbors house.

There are more (if even circumventable) layers. IE if the crook forgets to rip out the TCU, the charging can be disabled remotely. Too late, I know.

 

OK, but by this logic then all car alarms are pointless and no manufacturer should fit them and it is noble of Renault to take a principled stand to stop EV buyers wasting their money on ineffective gimmicks? Maybe they should also campaign for all the insurance companies to remove the alarm and immobiliser section from their policies because the statistical support for lower premiums they bring must all be nonsense.

The "make your house less attractive than the neighbours" point is kinda what I was aiming at with my original question (note I said deterrent, not prevention). If it becomes known that "THE FUNNY CLIOS WITH BLUE RENAULT BADGES NEVER HAVE ALARMS", isn't that more likely to make them a target when parked amongst other cars and the opportunity to pop a window arises?

A Google search suggests the Zoe does have an immobiliser as standard, just not an alarm.

Can the alarm package be retrofitted by Renault for the quoted pack price or is this only an option with new car purchases?

 

Not entirely sure if your first paragraph is meant as sarcasm. The intricacies of not-my-native-language sometimes evades me I am afraid (and quite possibly those of my native language too! ) Anyway, I don't know about your neck of the woods, but here insurance companies value (read: for certain if not most models require) an immobiliser, not an alarm.

I think what most of the others meant was that the car basically has an immobiliser, not with so many words though, so that all adds up.

While not a complete answer to your question I must say I have never heard of an alarm on a ZOE, nor new, nor retrofitted.

 

My Zoe had an alarm fitted when I got her last year.. it was listed as an option and factory fitted.

 

Yeah, my first Zoe which was ex demo had an alarm fitted, it was sometimes a nuisance if I had passengers, if I walked away with keycard in my pocket car auto locks (toot toot) I get a distance from car and alarm now arms itself notices movement in car (passenger) whee, whee, whee, off it goes.
Add to that passengers are locked in

 

Lol yeah done that often Mo1

 

I stand corrected!

 

So your Zoe had alarm from origin, can you spot the volumetric sensors anywhere ?

 

I don't have that Zoe now but yes it detected movement inside the car.

 

If you want to fit an alarm for £100’s that will not stop any theft of the vehicle or it’s contents then that is up to you.
If a thief breaks into the car and steals something you’ll still have the same excess to pay on your insurance and your premium will go up just like anyone else.

So, you’re just spending more money for no benefit to you.
People ignore noisy car alarms anyway, they’ve always been prone to false alarms and just like the boy who cried wolf the public just ignore them.

If you have an expensive or desireable vehicle then maybe a tracker would be of benefit, however with modern thieves even the trackers are of less value than they first were.

Basically just make sure your car is insured correctly, parked in a well lit area, locked, and all valuables removed before leaving the car. It’s cheaper.

 

All my cars had volumetric alarms , Zoe will be no exception, dissuades the comum theft from breaking a window for something that I forget inside the car , even if it brakes, it don't have time to look around , is my realtity , a car alarm that goes on with nobody around , no one cares, a car with the alarm on with some one inside him is different, my question is , the renault alarm has volumetric sensors ? I don't see them on the installation manual , but I see a box that I don now wath it does

 

Thanks

 

My Zoe has an alarm fitted that has gone off - so I know it really is there. It was fitted from new (June 2017) and I didn't pay any extra. The car came with an installation certificate for the alarm and a separate manual for a Renault 'Compact 7877' alarm. In the UK insurers ask if you have a fitted alarm and may give a discount if you have one. More likely, they increase the premium for the few cars that don't have one.

 

Yeh mine toot toots too and auto locks when I walk away. Never thought about passengers LOL
Thanks for the heads up. I will leave the key with the passengers when I have them.
I got a ZE 40 not sure if it's R or Q

 

Compare here ...... these are the Q210 and R240 but still looks the same on Q90 and R90

Q210 and R240

 

Does exist any Q240 ?

 

No. The numbers relate to NEDC range in Km. The Renault R motor supposedly has more range than the Continental Q motor (with 43kw rapid charge).

 

Nope

 

Have a look at this: New Renault ZOE/Kangoo Alarm - Genuine Renault Accessory | eBay

It looks to be the one fitted to my Zoe. I don't think there have been any major changes to the Zoe over time with regard to its 'support' electronics system - just upgrades to the R-Link and making DAB standard?? If this is the case then it may be possible to retrofit. Given the Renault part number a dealer should be able to advise.

Photo from the eBay ad for future reference (note explicit reference to Zoe):

 

Thanks