Hey, I'm going to be ordering a MCS later this week, and I'm wondering what features the OEM security system has? Has anyone installed an aftermarket security system instead?

(I know this isn't technically "Navigation & Audio" but this is the closest I found... plus car security usually goes hand-in-hand with car audio)

 

I installed an Alpine. Turned out that it was not compatible with the MINI's computer though and whenever we tried to make the alarm arm button also do the locks, it temporarily caused an error and the MINI key lock button woudnt work either. So now I have to do the alarm arm and the door lock separately, but at least I trust the alpine alarm to do its job. I dont know about the MINI's stock alarm, but many stock alarms arent very good. Not that you should worry much about MINI theft, but break-ins can be just as bad.

 

OEM alarm has a tilt sensor and a motion sensor. Flashing red light on the stalk. Plug & play as it is pre-wired. Chirp on arm and disarm is selectable (upon initial programming) and you can disable the motion sensor if needed.
Unless you're looking for fancy 'page me if my alarm goes off' and the like, it's a good option (good enough for me anyway!)
I'm wary of aftermarket systems in a complex setup like the MINI (or any new car!)

 

I put in a $40 audiovox aftermarket alarm purchased at Autozone. This alarm works on voltage drop ( goes off when a light comes on as the door is opened) and also by vibration which is adjustable to 7 different levels, and also has panic mode. No problems at all with it and with my '04 MC's computer. When you arm it, there is a 5-10 minute delay before it really arms itself to let the car's electronics quiet down. The only downside compared to the OEM alarm for me is that I need a separate FOB on my key chain

 

I have the Mini OEM system and it is great. It is integrated with the key, and I like the motion detector in the car. I can keep my windows down when I run into the store real quick.

Also, since your car is already pre-wired, it is very easy to install. It took me about 20 minutes to install with no experience. If you want to save some money, I would purchase it with the car, but install it yourself. It will save you $110+ and allow you to get to do something easy your first time to your car.

 

How easy is it to decativate the motion sensor if you want keep you dog in the car for a second. Is there just a switch or do you have to unplug the connection.

Also do the lights flash when the horn honks when you hit the lock and unlock buttons.

 

You cannot just deactivate it. And it will go trigger if you leave a dog in the car.


The parking lights flash, but not the headlights.

 

So with the stock keyless entry does the car honk when you lock or unlock or flashlights.

Stock is there anykind of alarm like if you try to open the door from the inside if the car is locked?

 

My recent answer edited a bit to similar question on M Coupe board (note, I did opt for the OEM for the Mini, its a bit better the the M Coupe OEM unit):

"Depends why you want it

Message: I've had the BMW alarms and aftermarket and do think the aftermarket is better security wise. The BMW systems are overall pretty basic. On the otherhand the Clifford I have in the M Coupe in addition to the doors and basic features had multi stage sensors, can be programmed different ways, has a better alarm, etc. It never falsely goes off and the multi stage sensor is nice to have - you are talking to someone who caught someone who had hit a car of mine (a Honda Prelude not the M and was going to leave it and it was only because my alarm had the shock sensor and alerted me that I caught them before they left. The stock alarm does not have the shock sensors which is a negative to me. So it really depends what you want the alarm for, a more basic cheaper alarm or better security."

 

Actually, as I found out here you can

 

It doesn't honk, but it does chirp.
If the car is locked and the alarm is armed, you'd either set off the motion sensor (might doesn't seem that sensitive) or the alarm would go when the door is opened.

 

One more plus about the OEM alarm: the siren has a backup battery built in. If someone disconnects the battery, the alarm will sound.

 

Thanks guys!

Sorry I didn't realize this even successfully posted... I guess the first few posts have a delay before being posted.

Sounds like the OEM alarm is pretty well featured compared to most OEM systems (most don't have any tilt or shock sensors, and definitely don't have backup batteries)... I'll probably just go with that, I don't need to be able to look at a keychain and know if i locked my doors or not.

 

Just to be clear, the OEM does not have shock sensors - as far as I know they have an interior motion sensor, tilt and I think maybe broken glass but no shock sensors.

 

What do you mean by it being integrated with the key? I thought the OEM alarm requires a separate key fob.

 

Are you kidding? The OEM key is big enough to pack a lunch in! No seperate fob needed.

 

The MINI alarm works off the standard lock and unlock off the MINI key. Also to disable tilt and motion you hit your Lock button twice when locking the car with the MINI alarm. I always have to remember to not hit my lock button multiple times because in my old cars i would keep hitting the lock button to make the horn go off a few times so i made sure it was locked (OCD hehe).

I think the MINI alarm is a great deterent solution, because usually if you spend much more money on it, its not worth it because if they really want your car they will get it.

Also the MINI alarm does the standard BMW electronic beep on arm or disarm which is very nice and has that upscale feel to it, especially since most people associate that beep to high class car alarms .

 

Hmm, can't you add in an aftermarket shock sensor into the OEM alarm? I know a lot of people were adding in DEI shock sensors into their OEM alarm on the E46's.

 

I did that and still have the DEI (somewhere ) - was thinking of trying it, will post if I do

 

Cool, let me know if it works out. My mini is going into production this coming week, so any info I can soak up like a sponge now would be great.

BTW, I don't suppose you are Valerie from the e46fanatics forum?

 

Yes, you could wire a shock sensor into the alarm wire of the factory proximity ('motion') sensor, but anything that trips it will sound the siren for 30 seconds due to the lack of the multi-stage feature that eVal mentioned (where the warning chirp from the first trigger escalates to full alarm if triggers continue). This limits the sensitivity you can reasonably adjust the shock sensor to.