I paid the $500 for the Clubman's factory alarm.

Rocking the car or knocking a window does NOT set off the alarm.
Apparently there's no mercury switch for movement, etc.
(I miss my Prestige after market alarm. Bad thunder would set it off.)

I visited the dealer this week and had a techie show me what I already know.
The response was, "Didn't your Motoring Assistant explain this?"
No, homes, he didn't. My MA tried to talk me out of getting an alarm.

Purchasing the Mini alarm gives you:
1)A beautiful, flashing red light on the tachometer top.
2)A movement sensor INSIDE the Clubman, so AFTER someone breaks a window, the alarm will go off. The flashing red light is to deter a thief.
All R55's have an engine immobilizer, I believe.

 

I'm not a fan of car alarms. Everyone ignores them, and they can be very annoying, especially the kind that go off due to a slight tap or bad weather. Someone who's going to "smash-and-grab" something from your car will probably not be deterred by an alarm. The ignition kill feature, standard on all MINIs, is probably a better defense against theft, but I'm sure a determined thief will get your car if he wants it.

 

Clubman, my previous ride was a BMW conv.
I had to get the alarm to keep the radio.

At least now I can say,
"Yeah, but it's a European car alarm. What's yours! Check out that flashing red light, ladies."

I leave nothing in sight in a vehicle.

 

The reality of the matter is if a thief wants you car or something in it they will get it.

The only positive thing about Lojack and or something like it is that if you find it missing soon enough and you live in an area where the cops actually respond to and have the ability to track the car then you may actually be able to get it back but probably not until it has sustained major damage.

 

That flashing red light is awesome! Can I get it without spending $500? I don't care about the alarm... I just want the light.

 

Tim...it's a European flashing red light, please. That should deter domestic thieves.

I suppose it'd take splicing into the wiring and feeding the light with a switch somewhere. Hello warranty issues.
Ha!

 

i don't even have my clubman yet, but i'm already buying mods...

here's my alarm..

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Flashing-Fak...06231823r26304


stephen

 

sshep12345 - nice "preventive" system.

the alarm seems to be a big let down

 

Oops... my bad.

 

The MINI alarm seems to be pretty much the same as it's always been...whether that suits one or not is another story. I had it on my first MINI and am still comtemplating getting it on MINI #2. I have secured parking now, so I'm not sure it is as needed.

 

In BMW's that had the "clown nose" flashing red light on the rear view mirror the dealer could set it to flash when the car was locked even without having the alarm installed in the car. I wonder if it is possible to make the "tach light" flash without installing the alarm?

 

I paid to have the alarm installed and I'm not at all pleased with that beacon that they call an alarm light. Instead of something normal--a discreet warning light that can be observed by someone close enough to steal the car--the beacon that MINI uses can be seen from at least 100 feet away. To me, that beacon just screams "Come see what this big flashing red light is." It especially strikes me as an inducement for children to approach the car at night when they otherwise wouldn't even have noticed it.

 

Jeru, a red flashing light in a car means ALARM, "Stay Away, fool."
The lack of functionality is the issue for me.

After the alarm has been active for a few minutes, the pulse occurs less often and each pulse is shorter.

 

I personally LOVE the flashing red light. My almost 3 year old son met "Rocket" (who he named) for the first time last night and after we locked it, the soft glowing light came on...I whispered to him..."that's Rocket's heart beating"....he smiled

 

But it gets you a discount on your insurance premium.

 

OK THAT is soooooo cute!

 

The insurance discount depends on where you live. Be sure to check with your insurance company about it before assuming you will pay less if you get the alarm. My agent said that they do not discount at all for alarm systems but will for a lojack. That is in Northern Fairfield County CT. I guess if you live in an area where auto theft is more common the alarm would get you something off your premium, but it is not a given. Once I found out that there was no discount, I didn't order the alarm.

 

INSURANCE DISCOUNT???

It's a $22/year discount. The alarm cost $500!
I have to keep the car till the year 2038 to break even on the alarm cost.

Hey, I get a $16/year discount for taking defensive driving, thanks to an exGF who made me take it when the court told her to take the class.
The class cost $50 and the discount is good for three years. That means my net is a $2 loss to keep a woman happy. Money well spent!

 

Our insurance gave no discount for alarm. Immobilizer yes, alarm no. And we live in the in the heart of the city.

 

Wow $2 to keep a woman happy. Didn't know that was possible... can u introduce me... i'm on a budget.

 

My insurance co asked me if I had an alarm - I told them it had immobilizer II - I still get the discount.

 

The discount for the immobilizer is still miniscule.
I noted a $22 discount in DFW for the year.
State Farm said the immobilizer was the same as an alarm.
It's in their database.

I'm paying lower insurance on a new Clubman than a 10 year old BMW convertible!
Replacement cost and the "F with it" factor matter.

FJVEGAS, I didn't factor in the shoe costs for keeping the fraulein happy.

 

l am looking at getting this installed. Doesn't mind riding shotgun, keeps those in the back quiet and l can leave my lunch in the front seat. And if someone breaks in it saves me money right of the bat, no waitting for a "rebate" from the insurace co. And as an added plus it helps with the "Darwin Theory"

 

Chef, what product do you use to get snake crap out of the carpet? The rat rib bones get stuck in the floor mats.

Question: At what temp is it unsafe for a snake if the windows are up all the way? Just wondering.

I have feeling that the Python gets to choose the radio stations. They don't like heavy bass...hint. Try Smoothe Jazz.

 

The nice thing about this "system" is the "flexability"! l don't roll up the windows, unless the weather dictates. l don't mind the neighbour kids getting a "closer" look; it saves on the food bill! If the inlaws (outlaws as they are in my family) come for a visit we never use my car, saves on gas As far as music we listen to anything slow, slow Jazz, slow classical and maybe a little soft 70's......