I know that this topic has been discussed a number of times...however I need specific answers :smile:

I dropped my MCS (6/2002 build) off at the dealer yesterday to have a few problems fixed and to have the MINI Alarm system installed. I made sure to mention in advance the the car was not pre-wired for the Alarm since it is a 6/02 build. This morning I recieved a call stating that the alarm cannot be installed b/c the car is not pre-wired :evil:

Needless to say I was a bit disapointed , but I kept my cool. MINI USA is of no help either, they simply told me that it cannot be done for cars that are not pre-wired. I know that there is a wire harness for the alarm (P/N 61 120 029 733) however it is only available in the european market. Also I have read of people installing the alarm themselves, then having the dealer program the BC1.

What I need to know is if anyone has managed to install the MINI alarm in their 2002 build MINI, or has somehow managed to acquire the proper wiring harness

 

i've got the alarm on my 02. i had it done before i picked up my car. i dont know if its the same alarm they use now.

 

forcer78,
I live in Germany and would be happy to give you a hand with this. I will not be back in Germany for a few weeks though. If you like, I could get a price from my dealership and let you know how much it would be. Now, I'm not sure if the US dealerships wouold install it or not. You may want to find out if its a sort of plug and play harness. If so, you may be in luck. On the other hand it may be a big ordeal to go through. Do some research and let me know.


Frank

 

Thanks for the reply's

Nomonstersinme: did the dealer install the alarm or did it come from the factory with the alarm.

shaskan: thank you so much for the offer, i appreciate it. The parts I would need are either the wiring harness alone (61 12 0 029 733) or the entire alarm retrofit kit (65 75 0 029 310). It's doubtful the dealer will install it (or that I would pay the price for them to install it) so I planned on doing it myself. However I will check with my dealer about weather they program it after I have installed it.

Thanks again

 

From the installation instruction, it seems to be quite a task.

MINI alarms for the 2002 were wired and installed at the factory and programmed into the BC1.

To install the wire the harness, a lot of interior panels have to be removed, including the headliner.
Once all the sub-looms are wired to the various components (motion sensor, stalk mount LED, siren, etc.), then, it has to connect to the BC1. After that, your local MINI tech would be happy to program that for a "nominal" fee.

Since there is an installation instruction from MINI, the harness CAN be installed in a 2002 MINI. It's labor intensive so it will cost lots of $$$ if the dealership can/will do it.

IMO, it would be cost effective to purchase an aftermarket alarm instead. Do a search and some aftermarket alarms will work in conjunction with the MINI key remote.

Oh, I forgot to mention, for all this to happen, you must first somehow acquire the said wire harness. GOOD LUCK!!!

 

I had installed an aftermarket alarm that works with my Mini remote on the key.
It is a Clifford 7000 and the labor was about 4 hours work. Time consuming.
Too bad about not having the right wiring harness for the alarm. :smile:

 

I did the alarm retrofit myself, however my cooper was already pre-wired. I do have the wiring harness laying around if you do want it, let me know.

 

>>From the installation instruction, it seems to be quite a task.
>>
>>MINI alarms for the 2002 were wired and installed at the factory and programmed into the BC1.
>>
>>To install the wire the harness, a lot of interior panels have to be removed, including the headliner.
>>Once all the sub-looms are wired to the various components (motion sensor, stalk mount LED, siren, etc.), then, it has to connect to the BC1. After that, your local MINI tech would be happy to program that for a "nominal" fee.
>>
>>Since there is an installation instruction from MINI, the harness CAN be installed in a 2002 MINI. It's labor intensive so it will cost lots of $$$ if the dealership can/will do it.
>>
>>IMO, it would be cost effective to purchase an aftermarket alarm instead. Do a search and some aftermarket alarms will work in conjunction with the MINI key remote.
>>
>>Oh, I forgot to mention, for all this to happen, you must first somehow acquire the said wire harness. GOOD LUCK!!!


thanks for the concern :smile: ... I don't mind the install process, I have already stripped (dirty minds) down the interior of my car 3 times to install new speakers, radio, amp, cd changer, nav system, integrated cell phone holder, hard wired radar detector. I've become somewhat of a pro at it

Your right though...acquiring the wire harness is going to be a problem, but I'm determined. As for aftermarket alarms, I have given them some thought, but it's not what I want

 

>>I did the alarm retrofit myself, however my cooper was already pre-wired. I do have the wiring harness laying around if you do want it, let me know.


you bet I do

 

SUCCESS!!! .

Just got back from the dealership to have the alarm coded. Everything works like it's supposed to. The hardest part was wiring my non-prewired car last week (thanks again CalCooperS for the wiring harness) it took about 3 hours, and cutting a hole in the headliner for the ultrasonic module. Everything else fit where it was supposed to. I'm glad that MINI USA didn't know what they were talking about when they told me to look for other options for an alarm