Just ordered my MINI with the now available "alarm system". Note that the website quotes $225 for it but the dealer says MINI ordering system adds $400. Kind of false advertising.

Anyone else getting the alarm system? Any information for it? Worth the price?

Thanks and "Let's MOTOR" ...

 

The items that are dealer installed only show the cost for the part on the website. Considering what the dealer wanted to install my mud flaps, the installed price of $400 isn't that bad.

 

This is the new alarm system factory installed. Nothing to do with the dealer. (I hope anyway)

 

If you are getting it factory-installed, you should get it for the price stated on the website.

 

I had the alarm on my '03 and was quite pleased with it. I plan to get one for my R56, too, not that they're out.

 

+1, except your 03 is my 04.

 

Just ask them where it's installed. If it's anyplace other than the dealer it should be $225. If it's at the dealer, than they can tack on whatever labor they want, basically.

There's a lot of stuff that's installed at the dealer...Sirius, bonnet stripes, iPod adapter...they tack on labor for all of those things.

 

Actually I played with this just now on MINIusa.com and if you add the alarm system (same graphic and description) under the Electronics options (step 4 I think) it's $450. If you add it as an Accessory (step 5) it's $225.

 

Jeez, $400 will get you a pretty nice aftermarket alarm. I wouldn't pay that for a factory setup. No way.

 

Do I really need an alarm system?

 

Alarm price went up WTFF?
It was 275 as a factory option yesterday.
Now its 225 as an accessory and NOW 400 as an option installed.. WTF?

 

I always wanted an alarm for my R50, but in the end decided it wasn't worth it. Unless your getting good insurance discount, alarm isn't the most useful thing. It's not like anybody will stop someone from breaking into your car just because the alarm is going of.

 

When I ordered the alarm system on my MCSa my MA quoted me $400. If you look in the configurator in the in Step 4 under instruments it is listed as $400 which is the factory installed option. In step 5, you are now in the accessories section which are all dealer installed items. The prices listed here do not include installation. After the installation costs it would probably be the same $400 as if it were factory installed but it would just take longer for you to take delivery on your Mini because the dealer would need to install it when your Mini arrives there instead of being installed at the factory.

 

I wonder if this alarm is like the BMW units, where it takes a couple minutes to intall. Basically a DIY, but you need to bring it to the dealer to activate.

 

Also, a potential problem with factory alarms is that the module locations, sensor locations, and wiring colour codes are all pretty easy for a potential thief to find out, since they're always the same.

With aftermarket alarms, there's at least some variance with how/where things are hooked up. There was even an alarm in the late 80's or early 90's (I think it was the "New York City" alarm by Code-Alarm) where *every wire* was black, to make it harder for a thief to know which wire did what. There were some tags on the wires to make the installation easier, but the tags were discarded as you connected each wire, leaving a bunch of unmarked black wires. As long as you did the installation cleanly and didn't put the alarm "brain" someplace obvious, it was very difficult to tell the alarm wiring from the factory wiring.

 

Assuming it's like the R53 system, yes. DIY was all plug and play. Even easier now that you have the red light on the tach instead of on the stalk.
Necessary? Not really, but just one of those "make my car somewhat less attractive than the next guy's car" for me. Also gives a chirp on arm/lock.

Personally I preferred the OEM because it was plug and play. While you can get an aftermarket system for less, I hesitate to cut/splice wires on a vehicle which is so electro-centric. Too many ways to cause issues (or cause an SA to doubt whether your issues are OEM or aftermarket related.)

 

According to RELOEMPARTS, it has 3 components..tilt sensor, alarm module, and horn. I've seen the instructions, and it is indeed, plug & play (with vehicle coding). The biggest advantage, IMHO, is that the red LED on top of the tach, will flash. Without it, it is pretty obvious to everyone, that the MINI has no alarm.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...31&hg=65&fg=60

 

It was 275 on Step 4 2 days ago..Now its 400...

 

#1 The FACTORY installled Alarm is available, and has been since June 4th, the day I ordered mine.

#2 Picked up my mini with Factory installed alarm on july 3rd. It works GREAT, and the heartbeat status light looks kinda cool at night (red LED light on top of tach).

#3 Factory installed it is $400, which is what I paid.

#4 Ordered as an accessory, it might be $200 (and change?) becuase then the dealer has to install it. That is probably mainly for people who want to order it who have already received their cars without it. aka, Add it on.

#5 Is it worth $400?? NO. Is the chrome package which is made up of the same exact plastic trim pieces colored in chrome instead of grey worth $250 extra? NO. Is the Nav worth $2,100 when it cost BMW about $75? NO....... That said, did I order, and would I order ALL of the above again if I placed another order? YES.

#6 And to add to #5, is a hotdog at Shea stadium (Mets) worth $5.50? NO. Is a Budwieser worth $7.50? NO. Is the first thing we do when we get to Shea stadium is order a hotdog and beer? YES.

#7 Those talking about the Factory alarm being easy to beat /steal.... first, 2 minis have been reported stolen in the US in something like 3 years (that is AMAZING). Add an alarm, and probably neither of them would have been stolen. I doubt the crack attacks stealing cars, will bother loging int othe internet, looking up the wire color codes of the R56 BMW MINI alarm system, going out and finding a MINI, disabling it with the "secret" wire codes, then stealing it. They will probably steal the unlocked, non-alarmed mustang sitting right in front of it.

Nuff said.

 

If you are happy you got it, after spending the money on it, however much that was, it is worth it. I have a $175 pen that was worth it, and $3 CD that was not.

 

What's not worth it is the $150 the dealer is charging to plug the damn thing in and activate it. That's just a rip-off.

 

I do want it. But what's funny is I have left my doors completely unlocked (I'm forgetful sometimes). The locks on the doors are so stout, do you think that potential thiefs see it as locked anyway when it is not locked?

I chuckle at how useful an alarm would actually be if I forget to set it.

 

That's the other nice thing about the OEM - lock your doors, it chirps (if you want) and the alarm is automatically armed. No second button to push.
IMO the alarm is about deterrence. It's quite difficult to boost a MINI, the red flashing light just helps a would-be thief to try someone else's car before yours.

 

IMO alarm systems are nothing more then over priced alarm clocks that disturb the neighbors. If they want your car they are going to take it. And any good thief worth their weight is going to know EXACTLY how to disarm the puppy. I installed an immobilizer that kills the electrical juice. A key is needed to make a reconnection and you need to know where to put that key. In addition that I have a fuel shut off.

Its not fail proof but its going to make it harder.

 

then can i just buy something that will make the red light on the tach flash??? LOL


I'm not concerned about it being stolen, I park in a secured fenced area at work, and our neighborhood is safe.

Only stupid crack heads or a really organized MINI theft ring would try.
The crack heads wouldn't get past breaking a window, then they'd be dumbfounded by the nonexistent ignition switch. And the theft ring.. well if there is one and they get the car, I'm insured.