Can anyone tell me how this functions in the mini? Is it totally passive, that is, when I lock the doors, will it arm and unarm when I unlock it? What exactly does it mean by ultrasonic - does it use motion sensors like on the rear bumpers and go off if I get close? Is there a separate button on the FOB that says "alarm"? Since this is listed under the accessory section, I'm assuming that this is dealer installed rather than at teh factory. Is that true? The price seems reasonable at $225, but I was wondering if it will end up being a pain rather than a real benefit. I have heard that aftermarket alarms can be problematic with false tripping, and I don't want that! I would assume that this is a BMW designed alarm, but I just don't know. What do you think?

 

The alarm arms and disarms w/ the lock and unlock on your fob.
There's a tilt sensor and motion sensor for the inside of the car, not around the outside.

the difference between the $225, and the $500 is the first one is dealer installed and you have to add labor on top. The $500 is installed at the factory. At least that's how it was described to me by my MA.

 

My MA (what, exactly, does that stand for anyway?) suggested skipping an alarm entirely and have them install a lojack instead -- about $700, installed.

Personally, I'm more worried about someone breaking a window and taking something than I am worried about the whole car being taken. And, if the car was taken, I'm so close to the Mexican border that I don't think a lojack would do much good.

Now, the factory alarm *and* an after-market GPS tracker... that might be worth thinking about.

 

MA = Motoring Advisor

 

I didn't think there was an additional labor charge! How much is it?

 

my MA said it would be $300 more, which made it $525. I doubt it would've been that much in hind sight.