OEM alarm add q's.
 

Had a couple of questions on installing an OEM alarm on '05 MCS.

1) Is this as big a PITA as it sounds? Reading the install instructions it seems that installing the wiring harness and interior ultrasonic sensor would require pretty much removing the whole headliner.

2) Instructions mention it requires a wiper stalk. Is this a non-standard stalk? Anyone know the difference if it is a different part?

3) Anyone have this done at a dealer and know the install time? The OEM kit is pretty cheap for '05 hardtop ($160) but @ $90/hr. total cost could climb fast.

TIA,
-/flea

1) It's quite an easy install. The worst part for me was getting my big hands into the space to install the siren/motion detector. In later cars, we have a cutout/cover for the IR sensor - early cars required this to be cut out - now it's plug and play.

2) Yes, it's non-standard. You remove the tach or tach/speedo, one screw, and you're there. Not tough at all (though you want to make sure not to cross thread the tach screws upon reinstalling

3) Dealers generally charge a few hundred $, but it's REALLY easy, so you should only have to pay for the .5 hr BC1 reprogramming.

If you don't feel comfortable with it, I'll be visiting a friend in Denver soon... :)

Where can you buy one at? I'm interested in getting one myself. You'd think a $26,000 car would come with an alarm standard. :sad:

alarm
 

I hear ya, it must be a BMW thing, when I bought my e90 last year....$40k+ and no alarm. Luckily my used Mini had the factory alarm already installed.

Check out Morristown Mini. They sell pretty much all of the OEM MINI gear but they charge much less than the MSRP that most other dealers do. They want about $160 for the alarm kit for '05. Not too bad considering it's a $500 option new. They mention you need a wiper stalk for install so that might be extra.

-/flea

the oem alarm kit is suppose to include every part you need for the install. For any hardtop built after 2002 (or was it 03?), the installation is straight forward. At some spoint in 2005 and forward, there is another p/n as the wiper stalk has a low washer fluid indicator, thus the signal stalk is replaced. You can verify with the parts guy with your build date.

As Eric said, the trickiest part of installation is the connection of the siren with the harness. I was able to unwind the tape to reveal the connection. Some folks chose to cut the tape very carefully.

At the time, my dealer wanted $700 for parts and install. :eek2:

Do i need everything that is listen here ? More or less ?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...21&hg=65&fg=60

I have been thinking about getting the oem alaram forever now and yet spend the money on other mods. However ,2 nights ago someone tryed to get into my car and broke the rain guard on the roof and left tons of finger pints and this is why I am getting this installed asap. I think they were aiming for the sparco wheel or the harness and gave up and doubt they will try it again. At least I will sleep better from the day I install it.

2005's are prewired for the alarm. All you need to do is:

1. snap the sensor into that box in the headliner in the back (about 1 minute work),

2. put the siren in the front near the DSC controller on passenger side, the hardesst part here is locating the taped up wires and plug and unwrapping them (took me maybe 10 minutes 6 of which were getting that plug untaped,

3. install new light stalk with a red blinking light in the end of it, this takes about 15 minutes, being careful and studying everything as you go. (note the light will blink immediately once you haver installed the new stalk, but the alarm won't actually arm/disarm unitl you have been to the dealer to have it programed into the BCM).

This as a real simple install in a prewired car.

if there was an option to get black or anthracite stalks, I'd do this in a heartbeat. No way I'm paying for another ugly silver stalk that doesn't match anything else in my car. :lol:

Sounds to simple to not give it a go. Thanks alot. Also everything else that is listen on realoem.com correct ?

In the initial revs, there was a seperate tilt sensor - in the later kits, they integrated that with the siren, so there are only three parts as usaaus said.

Thanks guys. Appreciate it alot.

Is it possible to have a factory alarm in an '05 MINI without the red tipped wiper stalk? I bought our '05 used and thought it didn't have an alarm - but my wife left our granddaughter in the car, locked the car, ran into the house to get something, and an alarm went off in the car while she was gone. No idea what the deal is.

Alan

I didn't notice a plug-and-play box in the headliner in the rear, granted I didn't look too hard. If it's there that eliminates the only bit I didn't want to deal with, namely pulling the headliner to wire it up.

My wiper stalk has a bright yellow clear(ish) cap on it which I always thought strange since it didn't match the rest of the stalk. I wonder if either:
a) the alarm is there but turned off via the 'puter.
b) she's prewired including the stalk and I just need to buy the 'puter bits, install the siren, and get the dealer programming.

If I can drop this baby in for $160 then I'm all about it. Honestly, I'm only interested in 2 things. Protecting my sunglasses if I forget to roll up my windows, and getting an audio confirmation that I pressed the lock button. I know it seems like alot to spend to hear I locked 'er up, but I'm so used to it by now it's worth it for me not to have to stop, turn around, unlock and re-lock just to satisfy my OCD.

Oh, and $700 is just crazy for install of this thing. The highest cost MSRP of the most expensive kit is $300, even at $90/hour labor that's almost 4 1/2 hours work. I've had entire motors replaced in 5 hours... I don't mind paying top price for good, quality work on a BMW, but I am not happy getting blatently ripped off.

-/flea

P.S. Thanks for the responses. From the sound of it, this option is better to do aftermarket PnP than to even pay the $500 to get it as a factory option. Great info!!

The yellow tip on the wiper stalk lights up when you are low on windshield washer fluid

I just purchased the factory alarm from Classic Mini for $235 including shipping. This was for the alarm and the new stalk with the Red LED. I also was able to purchase the Auto-dimming Mirror with Home-link for $345. I love getting cash for Christmas! :thumbsup:

Will the factory kit work on an 06 JCW cabriolet?

I don't see why not. If the cabrio had it available as an option from factory it should. Ask your local MINI dealer to make sure.

I seem to remember there being some issue with the early convertibles - no wiring harness maybe? Something with the interior sensor (which lives in the roof of the hardtops?
In any case, check to make sure you have the connector under the bonnet for the alarm/siren module. It's taped up in a wiring bundle near the DSC.


Good price Checkmate - they must be clearing them out. I think they were $400 originally.

Thanks!

Does anyone know if you just change the turn signal stalk to the one with the red light, will the light flash when the car is locked? Sure would be a cheap thing if it would work.