I was wondering if the alarm is just a standard option on the MINI...when i ordered it sat i included the $400 alarm, but now for some reason i feel like its something that would come with the car for free...am i right or wrong?

 

Nope, it's definitely an option. My '07 MCS is pretty much loaded with options, but no alarm.

 

Even my Tiburon came with a free alarm. It's just another way they nickel and dime you to death

 

The alarm is an option. It is prewired but the alarm is a BMW alarm system option and they replace the steering wheel stalk. It is warranty under the new car warranty. What comes with the mini is an ignition killer if the key is not used that has the chip built in. I like the alarm and whatever it takes to protect my SuperMINIs. I bought it, and it works well. No false alarms or going off at the gas station.

 

Save the $400. Only place it really adds any value, is in your own driveway. Everyone else ignores the alarms.

 

Where I live cars are regularly stolen / broke into; my Acura was broken into twice. I wouldn't have a car anymore without an alarm. There is always some idiot out there that sees a shiny car and figures he wants to see what is inside.

 

can an alarm be added later on? I would assume so.

 

They still do that on the R56? I thought the alarm light was integrated into the top of the tach.

 

The dealership put mine in. It was pretty pricey as I recall.

 

Yes, Morristown Mini sell it for $180,part only. Alarm need to be program /active by dealer from $60 to $140 depand on your location. Mine charged me $140 in S. CA

 

thats cheaper than buying it pre-installed isn't it? Online order as an option is $400 if I recall correctly, if you paid $180 for the alarm and $140 for install and setup your total was $320.

 

yes, but I did the installation not because I want to save $100. It just the Mini bugs keep growing.

Long Beach Mini charges $20 less which is $120. 60 miles round trip + driving time from my location.

 

Oh i'm not saying thats the reason you did it, I am amazed that it is cheaper to do it at the dealer than as a custom ordered option. Very amazed actually, I would have thought it to be $100+ more expensive later on down the line. Is anything else cheaper to do later?

 

yes

 

My insurance company paid for it with the 10% discount every year.
Plus I do have the piece of mind.

 

What does the OEM alarm include? is there motion sensors, window sensors? tilt sensor?

 

It's that much cheaper because those prices include buying the parts from one of the two dealers to sell parts below MSRP, and a labor charge for the programming only, not the actual physical install. I imagine if you went to a 'normal' dealer and had them do everything the price would come out to around $400, or maybe a little bit more.

And, oddly enough, the alarm comes standard in the UK, but they have to fork over extra for a cigarette lighter.

 

I had the alarm installed on my 05 but I won't have one in my 07 because I don't see the point. The key interlock seems to work well enough and if someone want to break my window to steal my XM then the alarm won't stop them.

 

The '07 cabrio (SuperMINIs car) still has the stalk system. The '07 R56 coupe has the light on the tach.

 

Sorry, I should have clarified that.
Also I believe that the coupe's have motion detectors, while I believe the Carbrios do not.