Hello All,

I'm interested in purchasing an alarm system for my 06' Cooper-S Convertible. Does anyone know of a reputable alarm installer in the DC/MD/VA area who will install an alarm system at a good price (well below dealership charge of over $1000)?

 

Dealer $1k? You aren't speaking of the MINI alarm are you? A local dealer installed mine for about $500 included parts.

 

Do you end up with an extra remote or just the key?

 

You can get it through a mail order dealer for about $250, and install it yourself in less than 20 minutes. It's quite easy. Then the dealer will charge $40-100 (depending on your dealer and how much they enjoy bending over their customers) to activate it.

The OEM alarm is very nice. Sound sensor, tilt senor, motion sensor (inside cabin only), and works with your key. I'd recommend it.

 

You use the original key/remote you have now.

 

I have a Clifford Intelliguard series alarm. I have been using Clifford for 17 years now and have never had a problem with them. As for a installer/dealer, I used to have one in Annapolis, but they are no longer around. Good luck.

 

Only he's got a Cabrio, so the install is a bit more involved.

For a grand, you can fly me out from CA and I'll install it for you.

 

The OP indicated a convertible. This is both more expensive ($400 MSRP) and more involved installation than the hardtop. The official installation PDF lists 3 hours: http://motoringfile.com/files/2005_M...rm_Install.PDF

 

The method I suggested takes up to 20% off of MSRP (or more sometimes).

How long is the official-hardtop alarm install listed as?

The steering wheel alarm indicator is the same, 15 minutes. The under hood siren is the same 10 minutes. Instead of installing a little doodad in the roof, you plug a module into pre-drilled holes with pre-wired cables. This does not sound hard. I can get the panel off of my door in about 2 minutes.

This is not a 3 hour install, but you can bet the dealer will charge you that or more.

 

I only meant to point out why the dealer was charging so much. Yes, I always buy my accessories mail-order, but it still doesn't come in at $250 (Morristown MINI shows $339 for the convertible but only $165 for 2005+ hardtop). And if the PDF says 3 hours, you can be sure the dealer isn't going to charge 1 hour even if it only took them that long! I think that dealers especially inflate prices on something like an alarm which is more likely to go in at the time of car purchase (buyers want to be done with it, and see the cost as part of the total purchase).

 

From: bmwparts [mailto:bmwparts@classicautocampus.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2006 12:07 PM
To: William
Subject: RE: Price quote for MCSC alarm please


ALARM KIT RETAIL $399.00 / NAM PRICE $319.20
LIGHT STALK RETAIL $100.00 / NAM PRICE $80.00
DOES YOUR VEHICLE HAVE RAIN SENSOR AND OR ON-BOARD COMPUTER?
THANK YOU,
JAYSON-CLASSIC MINI

-- Original Message --
Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2006 11:56 AM
To: bmwparts
Subject: Price quote for MCSC alarm please



Can I get a quote for the OEM alarm kit for a 2006 MCS Convertible. Thanks.

William

 

I spoke with John at Lucky Dog Garage, and he told me to order it from Morristown Mini ($339), and Lucky Dog woulld install it (Didn't get an install price), then he told me to have a dealership turn it on (Dont' have a price for turn on either). Does anyone see a potential problem with this?

 

No that would work. Find out what his install price is. I may be interested. Group but on Cabrio Alarms?

 

If you want to go aftermarket, my Clifford has an interior and exterior sensor which is perfect for a convertable. If someone reaches inside the car, the alarm goes off. You can also set it to where if somone gets near the car, it sounds a warning.

 

http://www.trunkmonkey.com

Once you get trunk monkey, you will never ever have to worry about your car

 

I've never seen that!! Too bad Trunk Monkey can't fix my Unichip!

 

Make sure you catch the SIX videos here http://www.trunkmonkey.com/content/category/4/68/59/

They are ALL great!

 

Mistro

I will speak with John on Monday about their install price. I've also been contemplating for them to install a pulley system in my car as well. I "want" that extra 20HP. They said they would install it for around $330.

 

Mhend, Yes let me know on the alarm install but I feel that $330 for a pulley install is a bit high, but then I'm just starting to shop...

 

$330 is about the normal...

EDIT: For the pulley itself AND install.

 

So, anyone doing the DC alarm group buy?
If so, I am up for a non-conv one (2006 MC).

 

If you don't mind expanding the geographgical area a bit, I'd be interested, especially if we could all get together to do a group install... I'd drive down from NYC...

 

I doubt you'll get a better group buy price than what Morristown or Classic Auto are offering ($330~320 w/ no light stalks).

A group install would be wise tho. Maybe you guys can meet in the middle, like Helix Motorsports in Philadelphia. I hear they do excellent work, tho I'm not sure how versed they are in 'alarms' since they're more of a performance operation (I think?).

 

Well Philly is my hometown, so no problem there but if there are 2+ in the DC area, I'd drive down. You guys have a lot more activities going on than we have up here so hooking up at one of your breakfasts or something...

 

That sounds like a good idea. We could just order from Classic or Morristown o r wherever and do an install together & schedule an appt to have it activated.