Hi guys. So I've had my 08 Cooper S for almost a week now and would like to install an alarm system for it. I picked up the Cooper S last weekend after my Honda was totaled 2 weeks prior. I had JUST installed a Viper 350 2-way alarm about 4 days prior to the accident. I paid $120 for the alarm itself and the install cost @120, so $240 total.

So I called the same shop that I had it installed at, and they said it would cost $299 to install the same alarm on the Mini because it is a difficult install. So basically, at roughly $420-$450 for the alarm+install, would the factory alarm from the dealership be far off?

How can I tell if my Mini has the pre-wiring for the OEM alarm system? How much would it cost to buy and install the OEM system with existing pre-wiring? How much could the OEM alarm potentially cost if I did not have the pre-wiring? Thanks!

Also, it would be nice not to have a separate remote for an aftermarket system. Although, the 2-way remote with the little screen is pretty cool.

 

You might be in luck with an OEM Alarm, only because you have a 2008, I have a 2008 "Justa" and ordered her with the factory alarm. In the early 2008 model year they were pre-wiring a lot of the options, but in later 2008 and 2009 they were being more selective in what the MINIs were wired for.
Here's a link that might be helpful...
http://www.shopminiusa.com/MINI-MOTO...AND-TECHNOLOGY
Hope this helps!!

Happy Motoring!!

 

Thank you for the info! I'll look into that.

 

If you must have an alarm (not really sure why but that is another topic) then look for the OEM retrofit option. An aftermarket alarm on a MINI is a paint to install if it can be done at all (not all shops will be bale to do it on a MINI, remote start is a huge pain).

MINIs are one of the least stolen cars there are. No need to justify to me your choice but make sure you have a solid reason for wanting one as people often ignore the noise they make and if it gets you a discount on insurance it will usually only be a few bucks per 6 month cycle. I just don't want you to spend money and have the hassle of the alarm (2 remotes if you go aftermarket). IMO it is money better spent on mods

 

Thanks for the info! It looks pretty simple to install. Is this kit OEM? What about the programming? Do I need to take it to a dealership for that?

I had just put a brand new Viper 2-way system in my Honda before it got totaled so I kind of want one for the mini as well. I park in a dark alley and at night I would feel better if I had a blinking LED again.:-)

 

The biggest hassle of retrofitting the OEM alarm system is that the car has to be re-programmed to tell the car it now has an alarm and to blink the light on top of the tach as the status light as far as armed, disarmed, etc.