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      01-26-2022, 02:23 PM   #1
BayDriverSF
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Ballistic (bullet-proof) windows for M5?

The Bay Area is unfortunately seeing a surge of car jackings, lootings and robberies. Even the Stanford Shopping Center is now seeing armed robberies and attempted car jackings, as recently as last week.

Has anyone installed bullet proof windows in their M5? Since they are thicker, how does this work? I know most luxury car manufacturers offer specialized Government Protection Vehicles, but in this case I'm only looking for the bullet proof windows aspect.
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      01-26-2022, 02:26 PM   #2
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I'd imagine it is pretty cost prohibitive. Plus, you would want to do all windows including the windshield. Honestly, if someone wants your car, they aren't going to stop from resistant windows. They'd probably shoot you through the door.

Sucks what is happening to SF. It used to be a nice place to go.
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      01-26-2022, 03:01 PM   #3
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They are thicker and heavier. There are companies that specialize in armoring cars. Try contacting one to see what they can do for a G30/F90 BMW.

Moving is another option…. As is getting your own gun — these cars have a pistol compartment on the lower left side of the dash.
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      01-26-2022, 04:12 PM   #4
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To give you an idea of the cost to retrofit a 5 series, back in the 90's BMW of North America offered an armored 7 series. The price for the "bullet proof" car was about twice what a standard 7 series cost. I had a few people interested but I was reluctant to order such a car because in California there is no such thing as a non-refundable deposit on an automobile and I didn't want to get stuck with a car with such a high retail price and limited market.
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      01-26-2022, 04:54 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pbonsalb View Post
They are thicker and heavier. There are companies that specialize in armoring cars. Try contacting one to see what they can do for a G30/F90 BMW.

Moving is another option…. As is getting your own gun — these cars have a pistol compartment on the lower left side of the dash.
What and where is this compartment you speak of?
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      01-26-2022, 05:05 PM   #6
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Quote:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pbonsalb View Post
They are thicker and heavier. There are companies that specialize in armoring cars. Try contacting one to see what they can do for a G30/F90 BMW.

Moving is another option…. As is getting your own gun — these cars have a pistol compartment on the lower left side of the dash.
What and where is this compartment you speak of?
He's talking about the small cubby beneath the light switch controls (BMW calls it an "oddments tray", def not advertised as a pistol compartment &#128514… it's not really big enough or sturdy enough to fit anything you'd want to bet your life with, so not too sure what he's talking about or whether he actually stores a gun there. If so would be curious to know the make/model
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      01-26-2022, 05:21 PM   #7
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One thing to remember is how heavy ballistic glass is. It'l be like putting an extra 500 lbs on your roof.
I had a level 3 armored 4 Runner when I worked in Colombia. I think it got about 4 mpg hauling all that weight around.
As mentioned, you need to do all the glass & add Kevlar inside the doors.
The weakest spot is the edges of the doors & windows so the edges have to be redesigned to provide overlap.
Moving is probably a better option.
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      01-26-2022, 05:58 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CosmicCharlie View Post
He's talking about the small cubby beneath the light switch controls (BMW calls it an "oddments tray", def not advertised as a pistol compartment &#128514… it's not really big enough or sturdy enough to fit anything you'd want to bet your life with, so not too sure what he's talking about or whether he actually stores a gun there. If so would be curious to know the make/model
Ah yes thanks. Good for a deuce deuce
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      01-26-2022, 06:03 PM   #9
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Move somewhere else?
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      01-26-2022, 08:54 PM   #10
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There are balistic films that are a tad blurry but they serve a purpose.
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      01-26-2022, 10:41 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CosmicCharlie View Post
He's talking about the small cubby beneath the light switch controls (BMW calls it an "oddments tray", def not advertised as a pistol compartment &#128514… it's not really big enough or sturdy enough to fit anything you'd want to bet your life with, so not too sure what he's talking about or whether he actually stores a gun there. If so would be curious to know the make/model
That compartment barely closes properly holding a garage door opener, no way it's holding a pistol lol.
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      01-26-2022, 11:08 PM   #12
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Move somewhere else?
Exactly.
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      01-27-2022, 03:08 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BayDriverSF View Post
The Bay Area is unfortunately seeing a surge of car jackings, lootings and robberies. Even the Stanford Shopping Center is now seeing armed robberies and attempted car jackings, as recently as last week.

Has anyone installed bullet proof windows in their M5? Since they are thicker, how does this work? I know most luxury car manufacturers offer specialized Government Protection Vehicles, but in this case I'm only looking for the bullet proof windows aspect.
Trouble with that is the doors will not be and a bullet in the door kills you.
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      01-27-2022, 07:26 AM   #14
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It's quite sad that this is even a thread. OP, hope you and the other members from SF remain safe.
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      01-27-2022, 07:35 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redcarrera View Post
One thing to remember is how heavy ballistic glass is. It'l be like putting an extra 500 lbs on your roof.
I had a level 3 armored 4 Runner when I worked in Colombia. I think it got about 4 mpg hauling all that weight around.
As mentioned, you need to do all the glass & add Kevlar inside the doors.
The weakest spot is the edges of the doors & windows so the edges have to be redesigned to provide overlap.
Moving is probably a better option.
An armored 4 Runner sounds pretty great. 4 mpg not so much. I bet there are some interesting stories.
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      01-27-2022, 08:31 AM   #16
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Heartbreaking to hear that crime has spiked to such a degree. My brother just moved out of Buckhead ATL because of the murder and carjacking rates exploding. Blood on the sidewalks daily. Stores looted. You can't pump gas safely.

Bulletproof glass is not a viable solution, however. Besides being cost prohibitive and highly difficult to obtain, it would not defend against shots through the doors.

If you are so concerned for safety, you should move.
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      01-27-2022, 09:05 AM   #17
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Is this what the U.S. is really coming to? Bullet proof glass? These overpaid politicians need to get a grip on crime.
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      01-27-2022, 09:17 AM   #18
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I was born and raised in Chicago so fortunately even regularly occurring automatic gunfire doesn't really ruffle my feathers.

However I was shocked at how brazen the shitbag Bay Area thieves are. While visiting to drop my son off at college they ended up smashing my rental (X4) window and getting away with my new MacBook Pro and some music equipment last summer.

I regularly keep my Ruger 9mm in my driver door cubby, but I'm left handed so it works for me. You may want to look into one of these though:

VULCAN Quickdraw

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QD27RRY...ZN4KXPHRHPQHRT
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      01-27-2022, 10:04 AM   #19
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And really the best defense against these bastards is to always be hyper aware of your surroundings. Keep your head on a swivel and make sure you park in places with good vantage points and easy escape routes.

Most people that end up as victims of these robberies/car jackings are completely distracted with their head down staring at their phone, making them easy pickings for these scumbums.
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      01-27-2022, 11:08 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Pin  View Post
And really the best defense against these bastards is to always be hyper aware of your surroundings. Keep your head on a swivel and make sure you park in places with good vantage points and easy escape routes.

Most people that end up as victims of these robberies/car jackings are completely distracted with their head down staring at their phone, making them easy pickings for these scumbums.
In ATL, they bump their car into yours at a red light. When you get out to exchange info they pull guns and steal the car.
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      01-27-2022, 11:08 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CosmicCharlie View Post
He's talking about the small cubby beneath the light switch controls (BMW calls it an "oddments tray", def not advertised as a pistol compartment &#128514… it's not really big enough or sturdy enough to fit anything you'd want to bet your life with, so not too sure what he's talking about or whether he actually stores a gun there. If so would be curious to know the make/model
In Texas it is a pistol compartment. And yes, It does fit a significant sub compact 9mm

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      01-27-2022, 12:52 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by subterFUSE View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Pin  View Post
And really the best defense against these bastards is to always be hyper aware of your surroundings. Keep your head on a swivel and make sure you park in places with good vantage points and easy escape routes.

Most people that end up as victims of these robberies/car jackings are completely distracted with their head down staring at their phone, making them easy pickings for these scumbums.
In ATL, they bump their car into yours at a red light. When you get out to exchange info they pull guns and steal the car.
They use that tactic here as well. Chicago had something like 1700 jackings last year.

Best defense is to stay alert with one in the chamber, no safety.
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