what features does the stock alarm have? Interior motion? Shock? Ignition kill?

Heading up to dealer this friday to put my order in, putting on the finishing touches.

BTW... center arm rest.. Is it worth getting? Does it take up too much space?

Thanks guys and gals

 

I have the Mini alarm. It has Interior motion, exterior motion (extreme angle - such as towing), ahh... I guess that's it. It chirps when you lock and unlock it (I wish it was louder)... BUT the other day I purposely set it off (since I've never heard it) - and I was suprised how loud the alarm was (compared to the chirp).

Oh, it also features a "red" light flashing on the end of the left turn signal stauk. The whole left turn signal is swapped out... for one with a red LED on it.

Regarding Ignition kill, all Mini's already have this feature. The chip in the key must be within close range, or the car won't start.

The BIG plus for me with this alarm is that it's armed and dis-armed when you use the lock and unlock bottons on the Mini key. The fact that I don't have to have a separate dangling box on my key ring for the alarm is a BIG convience factor.

I hope this helps. Best of luck.

P.S. - Regarding the arm rest. I love it... it doesn't take up too much space. Although I have the one that mounts in the rear cup holder... but I don't care about that. Since NOBODY will ever have a drink in the back seat of my car.

 

thanks minimonkey, I originally had the driving lights one as an option but figured with the halogens, the driving lights would be more for looks, which means I can get them later. So that means I'll probably get the alarm.


regards,

WIll

 

Good choice

The alarm will certainly give you more peace of mind!

 

Buy the Alarm from Classic and install it yourself. It is a breeze and then you only need to pay the dealer to program it.

 

Better yet, get the dealer to throw in the installation!

 

What he said! Especially if you're looking to save some $, that's the way to go.

 

I don't have my MINI yet, but I ordered the alarm on it. The fact that I don't have to have anything else on my keyring was the biggest factor. Plus I wasn't sure if some of the "features" like the remote windows would set-off an aftermarket alarm.

Plus I like the "clown nose" look of the LED.

 

I have the factory alarm on mine and I like it because it is integrated with the remote lock/unlock (as someone else has already stated) and it is integrated with the car.

If you buy it with the car, as I did, I believe it is covered with the same warranty as the rest of the car. Someone correct me if this is incorrect.

Also, if you plan to keep the car stock to help preserve the warranty, the factory alarm eliminates any discussions at the dealer as to whether an aftermarket alarm is causing problems with the rest of the car.

 

I could not imagine not having the arm rest. Though usually it is A LOT more for the dealer to put it on then the factory.

- John

 

Personally I would have much rather gone with an aftermarket alarm. Aftermarket seems to offer much more in terms of bells and whistles, options and extras. But with all that said, I still went with the OEM alarm. Good as aftermarket alarms looked in terms of features, OEM looked even better in terms of warranty (not voiding it... that is).