On the mini website configurator, there are two different options for car alarms that have the same description, one is on page 4 under instruments and costs $400, and the other is on page 5 under Audio/Electric for $225.

What is the difference?

I would like a car alarm for the reason that I think insurance is lowered on a car with an alarm.

What do you guys think?

 

The $400 dollar one is factory installed. The one listed at $225 is in the accessory section, that price is for the hardware only so it would be $225 plus the cost of dealer installation/programming.

 

Oh, one other thing, I thought the same thing about the insurance but I didn't get a discount with State Farm because of the alarm but I did get other discounts due to the safety ratings of the Minis. I'm actually paying approximately $20 more every six months on my $36k Mini than what I was paying on my previous vehicle which was 5 years old and worth about $4k. IMO, the rates on the Minis are outstanding!

 

I waited to get the factory installed alarm, since it has the interior motion sensor. So if you leave your windows or top down it will go off if someone tried to grab your cd's.

 

So did I .

For those of you that have the alarms and do not know how to deactivate the internal sensors, you can deactivate them by pressing the lock button on the remote twice. The alarm will be activated but the internal sensors are then shut off (for instance if you crack you windows and leave a pet inside you wouldn't want the internal sensors armed).

With the alarm, it arms every time you lock the Mini. You cannot completely deactivate the alarm (with the exception of having it removed or completely deactivated by the dealer). So far I have not had a single false alarm from it due to wind or any other source.

With the windows down and the internal sensors armed, it can be a bit sensitive though. It is possible to set it off by simply standing very near the doors. But then I don't leave my windows down so it isn't an issue for me.

 

F.Y.I., the dealer installed alarm is exactly the same as the factory installed alarm...both have interior motion sensor.

 

I had the alarm installed by MINI of Peabody. My trunk release button is now the panic button. Is it the same for you guys?

 

My alarm is working the same way with what seems like the panic button being the trunk release. I have been meaning to ask the dealer if that is the way it is supposed to be.

 

Do people actually pay attention to car alarms? When was the last time you heard a car alarm and ran over to investigate. Most of the time they just go off when someone with a loud exhaust drives by and it annoys everyone .

 

true enough, i mean my current car has a car alarm and it has never gone off, i guess I just like the comfort of knowing it is there

 

Where exactly are the "interior sensors" at. Are they the slotted things on the headliner by the toggle switches above the rearview mirror?

 

yes, behind the toggle switches.

 

so is it worth the investment? I am a college student (hopefully graduating in Dec. if i pass spanish) so money is a bit tight. I am probably going to put about 8K-10K down and finance the rest.

I am looking to keep the car in the low 28K range.