Hiya. Wife and I just got a used '04 MC to replace our Saab 9000CSE that finally gave up the ghost completely after 167k miles. It was a lot for us to spend on a used car (in the past 10 years, neither of us has owned a car that was younger than 8 years or had less than 90k on it) but after a test drive and some debating over how much a cheap car really costs when you figure in all the repairs and headaches, we decided to push our finances and grab it. (We're not rich.) It's really a remarkable car, and everything that I was afraid of (poor cornering, bad traction, cramped cabin, etc.) turned out to be the opposite of what I thought before I drove it. In all fairness, I consider it her car; I'll still be commuting with the 900S convertible. I don't want to have to tell her I cracked it up in an accident!

Now the one thing it didn't come with that I expected any recent car to have is an OEM alarm system. We don't live in a lousy hood or anything, but we have had kida (we think) rifle through our Saabs twice in the past looking for CDs or whatever; one time the jerk took a Kenwood faceplate and detach the radio, but left it in the car. Weird. I forgot to set the alarm that time; now I'm religious about it.

So naturally for my own peace of mind I want to get an alarm system in there. I've read up on the OEM retrofit on these boards, and ultimately I want to get an actual Mini alarm system in there. However, we're short on cash at the moment, so I was thinking about a cheapo system for now, with a flashing LED indicator as a deterrent, until we can get the Mini system. So does anyone have any experience with a cheapo aftermarket system to deter kids/vandals in the Mini? And as far as the OEM kit retrofit, is it easy enough that I could reasonably pull it off? I work with electronics a lot in my job, but I'm not a handyman by any stretch, and I've never done car work myself. Thanks for any and all recommendations.

Oh... I took the Mini to work today which the 900S was having some body work done, and when I came back out, someone left a Sotaminis.com card on there! Are there patrols of Mini owners stalking ramps all around MN looking for Minis to say hi to? Truly an enthusiastic community, disturbingly so it seems. :P

 

welcome to NAM!

 

Welcome to NAM and the MINI world.
No help on the alarm system, but, you know if money is an issue a blinking indicator light is real cheap. Much less than an actual alarm system, but just as effective.
Smile for miles!

 

Welcome aboard my friend - and welcome to the world of MINIs I'm afraid I'm not much help either with the alarm. I believe there were some issues way back with the OEM alarm system - but I'm sure someone will pipe in here (hopefully).

Glad to hear you are having a blast with it.. And yes - there are LOTS of MINI peeps out there that LOVE to "tag" another MINI - it's our way of spreading the joy...

Donna

 

Any luck with the whole Alarm situation. I picked up an 2003 MCS and looking to fit an alarm in.