Folks, there seem to be two factory alarms (two prices). My dealer initially indicated they were dealer installed options and that I needn't order them on the factory order. So I ordered the car without the factory alarm option. Now they are saying they recommend Lojak for the low, low price of $695 and are now saying the factory alarm would be very expensive to install.

What is the difference between the two factorhy alarms?
Can the factory alarm be installed by the dealer easily?

(MINI in route...)

 

I ordered the Factory Alarm but was told that the only think that would be difficult to install after delivery would be the Rear Fog Light, which we did not intially order and do not miss at all.

There is no difference between the two alarms that are in the configurator, just one shows it as an option and the other as an accessory. Because we asked. $225, I think, plus installation.

 

People here have reported installing the alarm themselves. It all bolts on and plugs into the existing wiring. You'll need a dealer to reprogram the car to know it's there to make it work.

That was the case for the 07 R56 anyway.

 

Huh. The OEM alarm on the R53 didn't require a dealer reprogram. I wonder what changed?
And yes, if it's anything like the R53, it's a pretty easy plug and play.

 

The alarm must be programmed at the dealership. Since the Mini is in route, I highly recommend you negotiate the labor to program the alarm and or the labor for the installation as part of the purchase price of the car ($0.00).

My wife and I did the R56 alarm installation and it was more challenging than I was expected. If you want to do the installation yourself, I recommend getting a windshield wiper puller and a magnetic rod to grab bolts that you may drop into the engine bay. I can explain all this later.

As part of the purchase price, I had the dealer do the alarm programming for free, but I had to do the installation myself.

Once the alarm is activated, it has a pulsating red light that is super cool!! The red light pulsates slowly every 3 seconds (think alien like) or "knight rider" like. It does not simply blink like in BMWs (I have a BMW and a MINI)

 

Mine only pulsates for the first 15 minutes after arming. Then it blinks.

 

Where do you buy this alarm? Directly from Mini or are there companies online that offer it?

 

I had the alarm installed with the car. I like it alot. It is supposed to long flash for 15 minutes and then short flash for the remainder. It's a good feature. I also had the rear fog light installed. I have had mixed comments about it. Some say it looks like my brakes lights are on. And sometimes it works when someone rides my tail. I am not a fast driver and I don't hog the road (I obey the laws). I like the rear fog light for bad rainy nights and dark roads. I live in the Central Valley and country roads are abundant. If I were to do it again, I wound definatley order the same stuff. --Stacy

 

I'd bought mine from Classic MINI's website online. Cost me $190 including shipping. Still don't have it installed though. Think I'll get it done at the dealer.. don't want bolts falling off into my engine bay

 

Not to make you overly lazy, but here it is..
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...egoryID=126738

Cost's back to 225 though

 

Cover your engine bay with a giant beach towel...simple, but amazingly affective.

 

$500 installed and programed at the dealer.
I didn't drop a thing (besides the $$$)

 

I got it for $290 installed.

 

If I didn't put an alarm on when I ordered can I put the 1 that has the pulse... When I first saw it I was like wow Knight Rider lol. Also, I sometimes have to park in sketchy neighborhoods so it's nice to have a little piece of mind.

 

I have the factory alarm too. Had to pay $500 but I think it's worth it. The sound it makes when it goes off makes your ears bleed!

 

Yes, you can.
I have an 2008 R56 I just got which didn't have a factory alarm.
I just had it (and the iPod interface) installed at the same time.

Now I have a pulsating red Knight Rider light on the tach.
Works for me. The alarm was around $400 total installed with parts and labor.

 

LoJack is not a one time cost it requires a subscription. As for the alarm I just ordered my R57 with the factory alarm but told my MA I would install it along with all the other accessories. From other posts it seems folks have been able to install it themselves so save your money and do the same.

 

Global Imports in Atlanta quoted me over $600 for alarm installed.

 

Rear fogs are an ABSOLUTE necessity where you live. I've experienced that tule fog a couple of times, and it can be absolutely deadly.

That said - the ONLY time your rear fogs should be on is in really bad visibility. Any other time, they're a distraction, can be mistaken for brake lights, **** off other drivers, etc. But for their intended purpose, they can save your skin.. literally.

As for the factory alarm, my personal opinion is that it's a complete waste of money. A pro will get into your car, no matter what noisemaker you have installed. The car already has sophisticated drive-away protection that will keep the average amateur car thief from swiping it. Again, a pro will get it irregardless of that feature or any silly alarm.

I wish that the cylon-like LED on top of the tach could be activated even if you don't have the alarm. That would scare off 90% of the amateurs. My BMW "clown nose" on the bottom of the mirror blinks when the car is locked, even without the alarm. Good enough to scare off a few knuckleheads.

 

lol @ KevinC for the BSG "cylon" reference.