Has anyone installed the 05 Alarm themselves? Are teh cars prewired? Where does the new light go?

 

My understanding is the wiring is in place, but you will have to pay a dealer to re-program the computer to activate the alarm. GBMINI just did a story on his, see

http://www.gbmini.net/mtblog/archive...ng_day_1.shtml

I had the dealer install mine, 2 hours labor.

 

That's what I've heard, and my understanding is that it takes 30 minutes with another 30 to reprogram.

 

The alarm was installed in GBMINI#3 on Friday (by the dealership, not me); yes the car was fully pre-wired. And yes, the "BC1" (body control computer) does all the alarm smarts so has to be configured appropriately.

NOTE: be sure to get a kit with the correct steering wheel switch - cars built Jan'05 onward have a low fluid washer indicator, so the alarm LED has moved to the lights stalk - and that stalk has a number of options (eg: auto headlights).

 

I haven't done it myself but here is a guide someone put together about doing it themself. I am seriously considering doing mine myself and then going to the dealer to have it activated.

http://home.comcast.net/~sfconnell/mods/alarm/home.htm

 

Thank you, I have that as well, i was assuming that the removal of the turnsignal stalk is similar to the washer stalk.....

 

Yes, I did the installation myself back when I took delivery of the car last Sept. I followed the step in that website, and it was quite easy, except I was misinterpreted the location where bolt on the siren, so that took me some unnecessary time. Overall, it is easy and fully DIY'able.

 

Once Classic ships out my alarm I'll give a how-to on it if noone beats me to it. Seems like the car is totally prewired though. Having done mobile electronics in a previous lifetime, it'll be cake!

 

So the corrected 05' kit is out? Sweet!

Ian, i noticed you posted the new $100 05 wiper stalk part number on your site but i didn't see the part number for the rest of the kit which you said is $195. Would you by any chance have that part # handy?

Thanx! I think i'm going to call Classic Monday and order it asap so its ready to install on my 05' when it gets here sometime in the next 2 weeks or so.

Ohh i'll also be ordering the foglight piggy back from you soon!

Ian Rawks!

 

The "MINI ALARM SYSTEM 02" is 65-73-0-403-439 @ $195
The "SWITCH TURN SIGNAL" (which included the OBC button and auto headlights position for GBMINI#3) is 61-31-6-946-961 @ $100.

I am sure there are a heap of similar switch part numbers depending on car specs. When the light was on the wiper stalk, there was only a need for one part number - until the convertible came out (no rear wiper) so that made two part numbers.
Now with the move to the other side there must be at least three more part numbers ...

 

Thanx IAN!

Hopefully i can get my dealer to activate the alarm for free when i take it in for service once i have the alarm installed.

 

I notice a few people mention someplace called Classic that sells the alarms. Sorry for the newb question, but what is this place? Anyone have a web site?

Thanks!

 

Classic MINI are one of the NAM sponsors ... follow this link

 

Any update?

 

My 05' MINI isn't here yet, should be here early next week. But i have yet to order the Alarm yet due to other factors. I'll get back to you, but it may be a while.

 

Classic still has my alarm on backorder.

 

The install is a big piece of cake. It took me about 30 minutes to install the alarm. I think now I could do it in 15 minutes. No way was I paying a dealer $150 or more to install it. It is a no brainer and extremely hard to mess up. Just snap the wires together and replace the stalk and you are done.

 

I stand corrected, mine just arrived moments ago. I'm gonna hook it up when I get home, and have it programmed tomorrow (with my rear fog!)

 

OK, got it all done (along with rear fog retrofit).

Tools Required:

T-25 Torx
10mm Socket
12" Long extension for said socket (if you have DSC you'll thank me)
Phillips Screwdriver (I'd recommend a Klein 10-in-1 since you'll use it for everything else known to man)
Knife for cutting plastic.

Its literally a snap in job, only difficult part was the siren, and that was cause I dropped the nut down into the engine compartment . If you need me to elaborate I can.

 

Reading all of this is making me quite angry at my dealership for trying to charge me 300 plus 300 for labor. He said that it would be a three hour labor bill. To that I say . At least I wasn't in the market for an alarm.

 

No way is it three hours. It is all plug and play. There are no wires to route. Take the item out of the box, screw it down and plug it in. You can't mess up the plugging in, because the plugs only go in one way. It only took them 10 minutes to program it into the car.

 

When I was negotiating all of my dealer installed accessories (yes even my JCW kit) I "discussed" installation... they would not budge on ANYTHING (installation wise) It was rediculous. When I threw the times the BMW suggests, his claim was "they time some guy who does nothing but that installation so it takes us longer." I called BS on the installation of most of the stuff (mats, Ipod and Alarm not JCW)... I asked why they charge three hours for the alarm when it was prewired and he went back to his original statement....so I tried this.... ok, if you promise to charge me actual time and materials I will pay whatever it takes, but I will observe the installation (and take pictures) and count what time is actually spent on my car. He balked and said I was not allowed in the bay due to liability (which we know is BS since I have been in there twice now)... so I offered $100 a day extra to allow me in to cover the additional liability and would sign a waiver provided by his lawyers......NO!!

At this point my wife was so pissed at me she had walked out so I resigned myself to the discount on parts and installed some of it myself....My grandfather always told me an honest mechanic was worth their weight in gold and there is no such thing as an honest lawyer (considering he was a lawyer I found this extremely ironic).

 

Definitely the toughest part of the job. I dropped the lower alarm screw three times and had to loosen the ABS module to fish it out from underneath. Other than that, it can't get any simpler.:smile:

 

You think thats bad!? My dealer wants $750+ for the alarm installed! They also want $850 for the bluetooth kit!

I'll definitely be installing this on my own.

 

Link to my How-To