My 04 R53 is equipped with a factory installed alarm/immobilizer. I came across this box while running some wires:

I can barely see/read "EWS" labled on the casing. Is this accessory/ box associated with the factory anti theft device?

thanks.

 

Where was it? Rear side panel somewhere?

I ask because early alarms on mini max e46/z3/e83, etc were two part, with siren under hood amd tilt sensor in the car on a rear side panel.

later alarms were one piece, with tilt and siren combined into one unit under hood.

I ask because I have never seen an early alarm nor that module

 

Never mind, I found a pic of that part and what you show is not it.







so maybe it is the EWS module.

 

Looks like the standard EWS module on all cars and prevents starting without the proper key chip. Is it on the firewall behind the pedals?

There was a separate tilt sensor module for the early alarm systems but that was integrated into the siren sometime around the face lift.

edit: the separate tilt sensor is posted above.

 

Thanks guys. I should have specified its location:
The "box" pictured in my original post is mounted on the left driver side, deep (and I do mean DEEP) up, within the upper left side footwell, mounted to the firewall, way, way up above and behind the fuse box.
I seems to be intentionally mounted there as "not to be tampered with (?)". Even dropping the steering bolster; you can not even reach it let alone see it. One would have to be a talented contortionist to access it.
If it is indeed the EWS module, Why would MINI put it in such an odd place...and of all things; neglect to even put a "keep out of reach of children" warning label on it?

At first I thought it might have been one of those gps tracking and remote disabling devices installed by some car dealers - e.g: if you neglect to make your payment.
I'll be running wires in that area tomorrow and post any findings or if there is an accessible way to actually reach it.

EDIT: I neglected to check my Bentley - but found this quick and convenient:

EWS.