Drivetrain After Market Security Alarms for 2004 Mini S
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Neutral
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1
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From: Riverside California
I understand that the 2004 Mini S is prewired for a security alarm. the alarm being a rather expense BMW alarm. I would like to know if there is a after market alarm made for the mini.
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 781
Likes: 0
I've got an '03 Cooper, and I had an AudioVox Pursuit put in for $299. I'm sure it will go on an '04 S as well. It was $299 installed, and works off both the key and the MINI remote- w/ audible beeps, though you can disable this function. It doesn't have proximity, as I didn't want that level of security, but otherwise it works as seamlessly as a factory unit, w/ a small blinking LED is on the right side of the wheel on the dash. I love it, and it's loads cheaper than the OEM unit.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
From: hawaii
i believe at one time some of the owners here somehow got around the price by doing some of the install themselves, ie. they ordered the alarm itself from parts dept and installed it themselves, which really is quite simple. in fact, there are instructions on installing the alarm components somewhere on this site. after installing it, you just gotta bring it down to the dealer and get it entered onto your cpu. i think that waas like $75.
i debated quite a bit between after market and oem. i stuck with oem because:
1) works with your key
2) the alarm has never falsely tripped off yet
if you end up using your plastic key for water activities or such, the alarm can be armed and disarmed via the key hole with your plastic key. with aftermarket you will most likely have to hide your remote close to the door inside your mini, and when quickly opening the door, try to turn off the alarm as fast as possible while the alarm is sounding off.
of course, i have heard of some guys somehow hooking up their aftermarket alarm with the mini key, therefore eliminating the extra remote. but that is a bit more difficult and expensive.
the mini alarm works on motion sensors inside the car. so once movement is detected, via broken glass or opening door, the alarm is tripped. also it has a tilt sensor that will detect excessive rocking of the car. this, along with the hi-tech electronic key, makes the oem alarm perfect for my needs.
the biggest gripe i have with aftermarket alarms is the continuous need to readjust the sensitivity of the shock sensors, which detect broken glass and vibrations. this is why loud or deep noises will trip off these alarms, ie. garbage trucks, loud exhaust especially in enclosed areas and booming bass-heavy car stereos.
the thing you need to know about the oem alarm is that since it works on motion and tilt sensors, you need to keep your windows nearly all the way closed. otherwise, the motion sensors will pick up leaves blowing by or people walking by the crack in the window and therefore sound off the alarm. but this is also why the alarm has never falsely sounded off. because it won't sound off until somone or something breaks into the interior. or if your mini is rocked excessively, as one of the MA's tried with all his might to rock my mini and sound off the alarm unsuccesfully.
anyways, this is what i understand thus far about my alarm. and i'm happy with it, although i dished out ~$400 for it.
i debated quite a bit between after market and oem. i stuck with oem because:
1) works with your key
2) the alarm has never falsely tripped off yet
if you end up using your plastic key for water activities or such, the alarm can be armed and disarmed via the key hole with your plastic key. with aftermarket you will most likely have to hide your remote close to the door inside your mini, and when quickly opening the door, try to turn off the alarm as fast as possible while the alarm is sounding off.
of course, i have heard of some guys somehow hooking up their aftermarket alarm with the mini key, therefore eliminating the extra remote. but that is a bit more difficult and expensive.
the mini alarm works on motion sensors inside the car. so once movement is detected, via broken glass or opening door, the alarm is tripped. also it has a tilt sensor that will detect excessive rocking of the car. this, along with the hi-tech electronic key, makes the oem alarm perfect for my needs.
the biggest gripe i have with aftermarket alarms is the continuous need to readjust the sensitivity of the shock sensors, which detect broken glass and vibrations. this is why loud or deep noises will trip off these alarms, ie. garbage trucks, loud exhaust especially in enclosed areas and booming bass-heavy car stereos.
the thing you need to know about the oem alarm is that since it works on motion and tilt sensors, you need to keep your windows nearly all the way closed. otherwise, the motion sensors will pick up leaves blowing by or people walking by the crack in the window and therefore sound off the alarm. but this is also why the alarm has never falsely sounded off. because it won't sound off until somone or something breaks into the interior. or if your mini is rocked excessively, as one of the MA's tried with all his might to rock my mini and sound off the alarm unsuccesfully.
anyways, this is what i understand thus far about my alarm. and i'm happy with it, although i dished out ~$400 for it.
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 781
Likes: 0
>>i believe at one time some of the owners here somehow got around the price by doing some of the install themselves, ie. they ordered the alarm itself from parts dept and installed it themselves, which really is quite simple. in fact, there are instructions on installing the alarm components somewhere on this site. after installing it, you just gotta bring it down to the dealer and get it entered onto your cpu. i think that waas like $75.
>>
>>i debated quite a bit between after market and oem. i stuck with oem because:
>>1) works with your key
>>2) the alarm has never falsely tripped off yet
>>
>>if you end up using your plastic key for water activities or such, the alarm can be armed and disarmed via the key hole with your plastic key. with aftermarket you will most likely have to hide your remote close to the door inside your mini, and when quickly opening the door, try to turn off the alarm as fast as possible while the alarm is sounding off.
>>
>>of course, i have heard of some guys somehow hooking up their aftermarket alarm with the mini key, therefore eliminating the extra remote. but that is a bit more difficult and expensive.
>>
>>the mini alarm works on motion sensors inside the car. so once movement is detected, via broken glass or opening door, the alarm is tripped. also it has a tilt sensor that will detect excessive rocking of the car. this, along with the hi-tech electronic key, makes the oem alarm perfect for my needs.
>>
>>the biggest gripe i have with aftermarket alarms is the continuous need to readjust the sensitivity of the shock sensors, which detect broken glass and vibrations. this is why loud or deep noises will trip off these alarms, ie. garbage trucks, loud exhaust especially in enclosed areas and booming bass-heavy car stereos.
>>
>>the thing you need to know about the oem alarm is that since it works on motion and tilt sensors, you need to keep your windows nearly all the way closed. otherwise, the motion sensors will pick up leaves blowing by or people walking by the crack in the window and therefore sound off the alarm. but this is also why the alarm has never falsely sounded off. because it won't sound off until somone or something breaks into the interior. or if your mini is rocked excessively, as one of the MA's tried with all his might to rock my mini and sound off the alarm unsuccesfully.
>>
>>anyways, this is what i understand thus far about my alarm. and i'm happy with it, although i dished out ~$400 for it.
>>
NONE of this applies to my unit. It cost nothing extra to have it work just like the OEM alarm, except w/out the proximity feature, which I could add for an extra $100. Besides the remote, ANY of the keys for my MINI will operate the alarm, plastic or otherwise- lock the door w/ a key, alarm on. Unlock the door w/ a key, alarm off. I've had my alarm go off falsely exactly ZERO times, due to an installer who knew his business re: sensitivity, something I haven't even had to think about since the unit was put in. It WILL give four rapid warning beeps if someone's messing about, or if a cat jumps on it while it's in the carport, which is enough deterence in its own right. It has a (hidden) disable button if I want it off. In short, it works brilliantly, and is probably even less likely to go off for the wrong reasons than the OEM unit.
>>
>>i debated quite a bit between after market and oem. i stuck with oem because:
>>1) works with your key
>>2) the alarm has never falsely tripped off yet
>>
>>if you end up using your plastic key for water activities or such, the alarm can be armed and disarmed via the key hole with your plastic key. with aftermarket you will most likely have to hide your remote close to the door inside your mini, and when quickly opening the door, try to turn off the alarm as fast as possible while the alarm is sounding off.
>>
>>of course, i have heard of some guys somehow hooking up their aftermarket alarm with the mini key, therefore eliminating the extra remote. but that is a bit more difficult and expensive.
>>
>>the mini alarm works on motion sensors inside the car. so once movement is detected, via broken glass or opening door, the alarm is tripped. also it has a tilt sensor that will detect excessive rocking of the car. this, along with the hi-tech electronic key, makes the oem alarm perfect for my needs.
>>
>>the biggest gripe i have with aftermarket alarms is the continuous need to readjust the sensitivity of the shock sensors, which detect broken glass and vibrations. this is why loud or deep noises will trip off these alarms, ie. garbage trucks, loud exhaust especially in enclosed areas and booming bass-heavy car stereos.
>>
>>the thing you need to know about the oem alarm is that since it works on motion and tilt sensors, you need to keep your windows nearly all the way closed. otherwise, the motion sensors will pick up leaves blowing by or people walking by the crack in the window and therefore sound off the alarm. but this is also why the alarm has never falsely sounded off. because it won't sound off until somone or something breaks into the interior. or if your mini is rocked excessively, as one of the MA's tried with all his might to rock my mini and sound off the alarm unsuccesfully.
>>
>>anyways, this is what i understand thus far about my alarm. and i'm happy with it, although i dished out ~$400 for it.
>>
NONE of this applies to my unit. It cost nothing extra to have it work just like the OEM alarm, except w/out the proximity feature, which I could add for an extra $100. Besides the remote, ANY of the keys for my MINI will operate the alarm, plastic or otherwise- lock the door w/ a key, alarm on. Unlock the door w/ a key, alarm off. I've had my alarm go off falsely exactly ZERO times, due to an installer who knew his business re: sensitivity, something I haven't even had to think about since the unit was put in. It WILL give four rapid warning beeps if someone's messing about, or if a cat jumps on it while it's in the carport, which is enough deterence in its own right. It has a (hidden) disable button if I want it off. In short, it works brilliantly, and is probably even less likely to go off for the wrong reasons than the OEM unit.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Current catalog price for Mini Security System for 09/2003 and after build dates is $295. My best guess for installation is about 30 minutes or less. My insurance company likes to hear "dealer installed" or "factory installed" to consider any discount.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
From: hawaii
i gotta say that there are a few things i wish i had with my oem alarm:
1) some kinda exterior protection, ie. bumping the car and having a few beeps sound off to warn off the potential thief/vandal. hopefully, by letting them know your mini is armed, they won't fuss around. but then again, this feature can easily become a negative feature later on.
2) some kinda beep when arming and disarming the alarm - that way i can audibly tell that the alarm is armed. otherwise, all you have is a quick one-time flash of the lights and the doorlocks disappearing downward. if you are in a rush or are far away during the day, it is difficult to ensure that you did in fact set the alarm.
i have had an alarm from dei, specifically the viper 300hf. dei also makes python and another popular line of aftermarket alarms. here in hawaii, i believe dei is a very popular alarm due to its quality and price, as well as multiple features and with their higher end models, some kind of monetary guarantee/warranty. accordng to my friend who did the install and classmate who owns the shop, the sensitivity setting of the shock sensor is something that likely will require readjusting over time. and this pretty much came true. my p/u got its alarm in '96 and for the first 2-3 years i cant' recall having any problems with false alarms, or more specifically, having the alarm sound off due to very loud noises, ie. booming car stereos or garbage trucks drivng close by. but this changed soon after. it became annoying enuff that i had to bring it down several times over the next few years to get it readjusted. then you have to go thru the fine tuning stage of not too much and not too little sensitivity, otherise the alarm won't trip off even with a punch to the window. i believe with the dei alarms, it's a simple **** that is twisted to set the sensitity. and with time and many miles over bumpy roads, this obviously can change.
now, of course, i'm not saying that all aftermarket alarms will eventually set off falsely with a simple accidental tap on the door, but that is my personal experience thus far and that is what i have heard from a few installers. ontop of this, cars in hawaii are highly notorious for false alarms that often occur when a bus or harley or blaring bass sounds pass by.
perhaps there are no ramifications from false alarms, but i know i find it extremely annoying when they repeatedly sound off. i have seen a few cops write tickets for this. after a while no one really listens to the alarms, a case of crying wolf too many times. plus, there is the issue of battery drainage with multiple, multiple alarms. i know of a few persons who did not know their car was sounding off literally all day while they were at work. basically, their car was sounding off in the parking garage because of the vibrations and echoes from the daily line of passing cars. one came out to a dead battery and the others received a ticket. needless to say, one or two also found some physical damage to their car.
i do believe that the oem alarm, due to having a tilt and interior motion sensor instead of a shock sensor, will not sound off falsely. if anything, it may be underarmed, due to its lack of exterior sensors which could potentially warn away potential vandals/thieves. but that is the price i pay for, what i believe will lead to, less false alarms. only time will tell if the oem alarm proves to be as reliable as i hope.
1) some kinda exterior protection, ie. bumping the car and having a few beeps sound off to warn off the potential thief/vandal. hopefully, by letting them know your mini is armed, they won't fuss around. but then again, this feature can easily become a negative feature later on.
2) some kinda beep when arming and disarming the alarm - that way i can audibly tell that the alarm is armed. otherwise, all you have is a quick one-time flash of the lights and the doorlocks disappearing downward. if you are in a rush or are far away during the day, it is difficult to ensure that you did in fact set the alarm.
i have had an alarm from dei, specifically the viper 300hf. dei also makes python and another popular line of aftermarket alarms. here in hawaii, i believe dei is a very popular alarm due to its quality and price, as well as multiple features and with their higher end models, some kind of monetary guarantee/warranty. accordng to my friend who did the install and classmate who owns the shop, the sensitivity setting of the shock sensor is something that likely will require readjusting over time. and this pretty much came true. my p/u got its alarm in '96 and for the first 2-3 years i cant' recall having any problems with false alarms, or more specifically, having the alarm sound off due to very loud noises, ie. booming car stereos or garbage trucks drivng close by. but this changed soon after. it became annoying enuff that i had to bring it down several times over the next few years to get it readjusted. then you have to go thru the fine tuning stage of not too much and not too little sensitivity, otherise the alarm won't trip off even with a punch to the window. i believe with the dei alarms, it's a simple **** that is twisted to set the sensitity. and with time and many miles over bumpy roads, this obviously can change.
now, of course, i'm not saying that all aftermarket alarms will eventually set off falsely with a simple accidental tap on the door, but that is my personal experience thus far and that is what i have heard from a few installers. ontop of this, cars in hawaii are highly notorious for false alarms that often occur when a bus or harley or blaring bass sounds pass by.
perhaps there are no ramifications from false alarms, but i know i find it extremely annoying when they repeatedly sound off. i have seen a few cops write tickets for this. after a while no one really listens to the alarms, a case of crying wolf too many times. plus, there is the issue of battery drainage with multiple, multiple alarms. i know of a few persons who did not know their car was sounding off literally all day while they were at work. basically, their car was sounding off in the parking garage because of the vibrations and echoes from the daily line of passing cars. one came out to a dead battery and the others received a ticket. needless to say, one or two also found some physical damage to their car.
i do believe that the oem alarm, due to having a tilt and interior motion sensor instead of a shock sensor, will not sound off falsely. if anything, it may be underarmed, due to its lack of exterior sensors which could potentially warn away potential vandals/thieves. but that is the price i pay for, what i believe will lead to, less false alarms. only time will tell if the oem alarm proves to be as reliable as i hope.
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Coordinator :: PDX MINI
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 0
From: PDX
>>I understand that the 2004 Mini S is prewired for a security alarm. the alarm being a rather expense BMW alarm. I would like to know if there is a after market alarm made for the mini.
I purchased the 2004 OEM alarm from Classic for $236 and installed it myself, which took about 20 min. Afterwards, had it programmed at the dealer for $45, along with fog light activation. Total cost: $281!
The installation was straight forward. No need to splice wire or run any wires like the previous years. 3 things to install:
1. sensor on the roof (< 5 min) - pop the case open, plug it in, and close the case
2. wiper lever w/LED (10 min) - unscrew 7 screws, remove 3 panels, slide the old one out and the new one in, remount the panels and screws
3. siren under the bonnet (5 min) - plug the wire, screw 1 screw and 1 nut
DONE!!!
I purchased the 2004 OEM alarm from Classic for $236 and installed it myself, which took about 20 min. Afterwards, had it programmed at the dealer for $45, along with fog light activation. Total cost: $281!
The installation was straight forward. No need to splice wire or run any wires like the previous years. 3 things to install:
1. sensor on the roof (< 5 min) - pop the case open, plug it in, and close the case
2. wiper lever w/LED (10 min) - unscrew 7 screws, remove 3 panels, slide the old one out and the new one in, remount the panels and screws
3. siren under the bonnet (5 min) - plug the wire, screw 1 screw and 1 nut
DONE!!!
Neutral
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Is the Cooper (non S) also wired for the alarm?
>>>>I understand that the 2004 Mini S is prewired for a security alarm. the alarm being a rather expense BMW alarm. I would like to know if there is a after market alarm made for the mini.
>>
>>I purchased the 2004 OEM alarm from Classic for $236 and installed it myself, which took about 20 min. Afterwards, had it programmed at the dealer for $45, along with fog light activation. Total cost: $281!
>>
>>The installation was straight forward. No need to splice wire or run any wires like the previous years. 3 things to install:
>>
>>1. sensor on the roof (< 5 min) - pop the case open, plug it in, and close the case
>>2. wiper lever w/LED (10 min) - unscrew 7 screws, remove 3 panels, slide the old one out and the new one in, remount the panels and screws
>>3. siren under the bonnet (5 min) - plug the wire, screw 1 screw and 1 nut
>>
>>DONE!!!
>>
>>
>>>>I understand that the 2004 Mini S is prewired for a security alarm. the alarm being a rather expense BMW alarm. I would like to know if there is a after market alarm made for the mini.
>>
>>I purchased the 2004 OEM alarm from Classic for $236 and installed it myself, which took about 20 min. Afterwards, had it programmed at the dealer for $45, along with fog light activation. Total cost: $281!
>>
>>The installation was straight forward. No need to splice wire or run any wires like the previous years. 3 things to install:
>>
>>1. sensor on the roof (< 5 min) - pop the case open, plug it in, and close the case
>>2. wiper lever w/LED (10 min) - unscrew 7 screws, remove 3 panels, slide the old one out and the new one in, remount the panels and screws
>>3. siren under the bonnet (5 min) - plug the wire, screw 1 screw and 1 nut
>>
>>DONE!!!
>>
>>
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iTrader: (6)
I believe it's supposed to be. I've got an 03 Cooper, July build, and wasn't wired, but I have an aftermarket alarm. Actually the same Audiovox pursuit. Mine was installed by a professional installer friend of mine and was done for less than $299. We actually did the install together. It's very cool. The alarm is actually set by the locking/unlocking function of the car, which means that if you're inside the car, and lock the doors, the alarm will automatically set. Just unlock it to turn it off. Of course that also means you can't just lock the doors and not have the alarm set. There is a work around--and that's with a hidden bypass switch.
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