I'm considering the factory-installed alarm but have read a few posts cautioning about pets inside the car setting off the alarm. We do have a ~30-pound dog that frequently rides with us and sometimes stays in the car (under the right conditions) while we do errands, etc.

I'm not asking about whether the alarm is worth the money or a good feature. What I want to know is whether the dog moving around in an '08 MINI would set the alarm off. If so, can the interior movement alarm be turned off and still have a functional alarm system to warn of outside tampering?

Thanks.

 

Yes it will go off. And I don't know if you can isolate it.

 

REALLY?? Ah, this foils my plans completely...

 

can the alarm be turned off while the dog is in the car?

 

I believe you can manually turn off the interior motion sensor and the tilt sensor by hitting the lock button twice quickly on the remote and then manually lock the car with the integrated key. But I would consult the manual first.

 

Thanks Nimcosi; I hope you're right. I just talked to my MA and he didn't know but said he'd try to track it down. Even if I have to leave the alarm off when the dog is in the car, at least the alarm would be functional the rest of the time. If not, I'll have to rely on the engine immobilizer. If I didn't have personal experience with people trying to break into a car (and having read someone's post today about being broken into), I probably wouldn't worry about it...

OK, just talked with a rep at ASKMINI. He said the alarm is activated at the dealer and the only way to disable it would be to take it back to them. He said the sensitivity of the sensors might be adjustable but I'd have to check with the service technicians on that.

 

Hmm, that sounds like a canned answer. I am fairly certain that I read in the manual addendum about disabling the motion sensor.

EDIT Found it on page 5 of the Supplementary Owner's Manual.

 

I think you are right.

 

Nimcosi has provided me with the documentation that describes how to temporarily disable the interior motion and the tilt sensors. It was taken from the MINI "Supplemetary Owners Manual", pages 4 & 5. If anyone wants to see it, PM me and I'll pass it on. I'm still checking with MA to make sure this documentation is current for the factory-installed alarm (I think it is, but I don't want to be surprised the hard way.)

 

Another option is lock the car with the toggle or with the key (not the fob) when your pet is in the car-- thus not activating the alarm. But, I know I've seen the instructions for disabling the motion sensor as described in one of the manuals.

 

If you push the lock button twice in a row, it will arm the car but deactivate the interior motion sensor. You'll see the "heartbeat" tach light blink to confirm this.

 

Whelp, I missed having the factory alarm installed by mere moments. 'tedscar' f-i--n-a--l-y went into production yesterday AM. As in the same morning that my MA went to input my switch (back) to the alarm!

He told me that they can install an alarm at the dealership--sounds like it would be the same thing. Anyone have any experience with that? I will probably go for it (assuming similar price) but if there's anything I should know beforehand, lay it on me...thanks.

 

It's the exact same alarm, but will probably cost a bit more depending on their labor rates. You might want to ask if it's something that can installed at the VDC (which is usually cheaper than having the dealer do it), or if they're willing to match the factory option price since you missed it by theeeeeeeeese much.

 

I gotta get offa NAM.. I gotta get offa NAM.. I gotta get offa NAM

Modnar, I was just getting started on the rest of my day when my instant notification of your message came through. Thanks for the excellent idea! I will definatley check that option out!

 

This is also an excellent idea.

If you compare the list of options I was going to order before I discovered NAM (there were two, and it wasn't going to be an S either), and after....

Cha-ching, as they say.

 

Yes, the interior motion sensor can be deactivated as described above. And yes, the dealer can add the module to the MINI, all new MINIs are pre-wired for the factory alarm system. The dealer would need to install the module and program the car so it knows it has the option but it is certainly something that they can do for you.

 

Anyone know if the double lock thing works for the R53's oem alarm?

 

I got mine installed by Morristownmini for only $400 total (with the NAM discount for parts). Cheaper than factory.

Now that I have it, not sure I would do it again, especially since I got my car broken into the month after I had it installed. $400 can be used more wisely IMHO.

 

Yep, that's how it works. I've done it with my dog. It's a PITA though and I hold my breath each time I do it hoping I've done it right. Haven't messed up yet. I only lock my car with the dog in it (under the right conditions of course) if I'm going to be more than 10 minutes otherwise I just leave it unlocked. If I have to leave the pooch in the car more than 30 minutes, I leave him at home.