Does anyone have the stock alarm system thru mini? How about in the LA area? Or does anyone know a better deal for a great car alarm system for a 2009 cooper s? The one thru the dealer is going to burn my pockets!

 

I have one from the factory. Seems to work well.

 

this is prob a dumb question but is the alarm one way or two way?

 

one way...

but if you are close enough... you can hear it... so i guess it's two way then...

peter

 

I'll admit t' a squiffy answer... Two way? One way? All I know be that I push th' lock button on me key fob, car beeps 'n light on top o' th' tach glows off 'n on red. If ye try t' get in it, it makes a screechin' sound. Sorry.

 

Don't forget about the "Reach In" Feature, if you have your Windows open with the Alarm turned on and try to reach in through the Window the Alarm will go off...Stock Alarm Only!! I've had this scare the Dickens out of me once or twice, forgot the Alarm was on once and just to Test it out.

 

Blimey! I'll 'ave t' try it out.

 

Its a one way. Two way alarms are the ones with the pager that alerts you when someone is tampering with your vehicle.

 

I purchased the stock retrofit alarm kit from the dealer and installed it myself. I think I paid about $225. The dealer did have to enable the alarm after install.

Seems to work great, flashing LED on the tach really shows up.

 

I figured it was a one way.

I was going to get the factory alarm installed at the mini dealership but for 200.00 more I can just get a viper system that has the remote start, and a two way alarm system.

Since nobody on here has written about getting a successful remote start to work in a mini; i guess i will be the lab rat.

If it fails, at least i know Best Buy will not go out of buisness anytime soon!

 

It is hard to find but there are a few people here that have had luck getting remote start to work. but I think they are reluctant to talk about it because of the cost. Without CA it is not really that hard to do. With CA it is another story.

I know the Viper System says they can do it but beyond the standard alarm cost there is a ExpressKit Key Interface Module that is needed at around $250-$300

 

yea, i have both the KIBMW and DLPK modules. They were not expensive as it only cost me 70.00 online for each one. Best buy cannot order the KIBMW module, but you can purchase it on Amazon.

From Best Buy estimate, the total install should cost me around 600.00.

My only fear right now is how many trips I will have to make to Best buy after the install as this is not a routine install. They said it would only take 4 hours....I will believe it when I see it!

 

i'm actually a very experienced Directed Electronics Trained and Certified 12v/audio/video/security/remotestart Technician that has done countless research and planning for a successful and worry-free remotestart install on my mini cooper s. i know there are a few immobilizer bypasses and canbus interfaces that were released in the past by Directed Xpress kits. but there were always bugs with it that just bothered me. eventhough i am confident in being sucessful with those products for the install i have still held off and waited for something better. DEI is the leader in the install market, but in past experience ive learned that the FlashLogic brand bypasses and interfaces are the way to go for quick and painless installs. with those bypasses i have cut a 4hr install in new chrysler 300's into 45minute installs, with no headaches. and only have to hardwire 2-5 wires to the vehicle harness. they have released some for the coopers, and im planning on a project write-up for everyone interested as soon as i get everything together. and within the next month i'll have a double din swap write-up done. ive already got a basic competition SPL setup that puts up 144.3db on a termlab for daily listening. it's been a real challenge working around all the obstacles the factory wiring and designs have caused but thats what makes it fun for me and more rewarding in the long run

 

best buy technicians aren't always reliable. they try to stick to certain installs, and avoid anykind of warranty issues that come up from difficult installs. if it isn't on the "50 most-common vehicle" list from metra they are hesitant about it

 

dropdeadjay i would really like to see your write up for a remote start installation; topic is hard to find.

Also, I have comfort access which multiplies the problem ten fold!

I see you are from Fayetteville. I was from cary, and used to travel there all the time. Good Memories! <(' ' <)

 

How bad was the intall and what was needed? Can the alarm only be bought at the dealer? Want to do this myself and wana get the gist of the install.

 

http://www.minimania.com/pdfile/R56_Alarm.pdf

 

Looks too easy. Just gotta get the alarm now. thanks again.

 

I've installed alarm last weekend. Not so easy as it looks. It took me 3 hours.

- the sensor part inside - no problem
- to access the switch cable i had to take out the fuse box in the engine compartment, and the cable is very short (it can be conected, but it would be better if it would be 3 cm longer)
- to mount the siren, you have to unbolt at least two screws of the wiper system (you can leave the one behind wiper motor)

As the left wiper screw is in the same line as the hood i had diffilcuties to take it of with the special tool (i don't know the english word).

BUT, where's a will, ther's a way.. :D

Still have to go and activate the SW...

 

I didn't have such problems. I removed the plastic "firewall" and it made access much easier for both the wiring (switch and siren) and mounting the siren itself.

I bought a wiper arm removal tool from Advance Auto, removed the ****, and used double nuts (regular and jam) to provide clearance while removing the wiper arms.

The hardest part, IMO, was removing the tape from the wiring harness. Be sure to free the entire wire. I had plenty of slack.