Well I think I already learned the answer tonite. I went to get dry cleaning, tuned the mini off, had windows and sun roof open, used key to lock and turn on alarm. I realized I left my wallet on the drivers seat. I went back and reached in the window to grab my wallet and.... well suffice it to say (or in my case, yell) my hearing should return to normal in two to three weeks... I had no idea that it was motion detecting-- I didn't touch the door or the interior, just reached through the open window to get my wallet. That is one good alarm system!! Alarms on other cars I have had haven't been set off by reaching in a window.

It was kinda embarrassing-- there was this attractive young woman walking in the cleaner, who was a bit startled. I stopped the alarm and looked at her and then said out loud to the car, 'yes I know you like her, and no she doesn't want to go for a ride, and we have to go home; honestly I don't know what gets into this car sometimes' was a good ice breaker. Tomorrow I am going to polish my delivery-- I think this has possiblities....

 

Go DR STEVE!

EXCELENT off-the-cuff thinking!

 

Thx for feedback. Seriously, did others who have the factory alarm know that it was motion detecting? Have others tested it to see how easily it goes off. I was under the impression that it was only set off if there was a large movement of the car or a broken window. It is good to know that I can leave my windows open and the alarm will detect anyone even reaching into the driver's compartment.

For those considering the factory alarm, I would recommend it. I doesn't stop people from trying to get in your car asking if they can have a ride (I bought some plastic vomit and put it on the passenger seat, and said 'i'm really not feeling well' which seems to work for all but the most persistent), but it does stop people from trying to get in your car and keep it.... I think the alarm is a feature worth considering. Also the blinking red light is a good deterrent.

Steve

 

> I think the alarm is a feature worth considering.
> Also the blinking red light is a good deterrent.

I don't want to come off as beligerent or anything - I'm just going to play devil's advocate here for a second and argue against alarm systems for my MINI.

How many times have you had a car stolen vs. How much have you paid for alarm systems in your cars? None vs. $4.2k or about $600 for each of the seven cars I've had in the past six years.

Does the MINI factory alarm have Lo/Jack or similar tracking technology? I don't think it does but I could be wrong. SO no guarantees on return of your car.

Does it protect you from getting your window smashed, radio stolen, carjacked, or from getting keyed? No. Does it take a picture of the perp that would stand up in court if one of these does happen? No.

Just want to understand why you like the alarm so much - I might be convinced to get it, but I'm leaning towards not getting it now.

I've had an alarm system on each of the cars I owned only because it gave a keyless entry option - no other reason... if I get keyless entry with no alarm I don't know that I'm excited by the idea of shelling out money for a blinking red light and a siren that would get ignored by most if not all people.

IMHO - alarms have the potential for false alarms that could **** off someone standing near the car with no bad intentions for the vehicle. I leave the alarm in the Ferrari on valet mode to just lock/unlock the doors and don't bother with the alarm because a lot of people like to lean up on the glass and look in to see what the interior is like - I don't want them to get frightened by a blast of the alarm (for a lot of people frightened turns to mad which turns to ticked at your car which can get ugly).

I think I'd rather just have good insurance and not worry about the car and keep the $ for the alarm for drivers schools.

-dq

 

>>Thx for feedback. Seriously, did others who have the factory alarm know that it was motion detecting? Have others tested it to see how easily it goes off. I was under the impression that it was only set off if there was a large movement of the car or a broken window. It is good to know that I can leave my windows open and the alarm will detect anyone even reaching into the driver's compartment.
>>
>>For those considering the factory alarm, I would recommend it. I doesn't stop people from trying to get in your car asking if they can have a ride (I bought some plastic vomit and put it on the passenger seat, and said 'i'm really not feeling well' which seems to work for all but the most persistent), but it does stop people from trying to get in your car and keep it.... I think the alarm is a feature worth considering. Also the blinking red light is a good deterrent.
>>
>>Steve
You are hilarious!

 

dq,

I think you make a good case that the alarm doesn't stop someone from taking or damaging the car, but since many thefts are crimes of opportunity, I think it does make breaking in more difficult, visable and audible, and more time consuming, and thus may be an effective deterrent. I don't know the stats for cars with and without alarm systems, but I will bet the alarm system decreases the probability of a break in (my insurance agent did ask me if mine had an alarm system--- now it is possible that she was asking because she was contemplating stealing it...). With the motion detector it would go off with keying, and would keep people from reaching in the window if I want to leave the window open.

I think (as many things in life seem to me) that it is an attempt to make an intelligent wager on the outcome of a future horserace. I agree that the probability of an car theft 'happening to me' is relatively low, but one could make that assertion about a severe medical event and health insurance, a car accident and safety belts, a burglary and house alarm (or door locks), or the old we just won't use it this time and birth control. For me I would rather get the alarm, and tip the odds a bit in my favor, same with health insurance, seat belts, door locks, home alarm, and for the most part, birth control....

That's my 2 cents.

 

drstevenj said:
>but I will bet the alarm system decreases the probability of a
>break in (my insurance agent did ask me if mine had an alarm
>system--- now it is possible that she was asking because she
>was contemplating stealing it...).

You crack me up. Way too much natural talent making people smile.

>I don't know the stats for cars with and without alarm systems,
>but I will bet the alarm system decreases the probability of a
>break in

I went out to look for statistics - it turns out it is very hard to find. I did find the following though:

*National Insurance Crime Bureau Vehicle Theft Rate Study - 2001
*FBI Motor Vehicle Recovery Statistics
*NICB Suggestions to prevent theft
*Ohio Auto Theft Investigators Association
*International Association of Auto Theft Investigators
*American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators

Which told me that your home town (and mine!) of Columbus, OH was ranked 52 in 2001 for thefts with a total of 8,332 meaning that there are 541 thefts per 100,000 residents.

The study shows that most of the incidents took place at such locations as residence/home (35.31 percent), parking lot/garage (22.75 percent), and highway/road/alley (17.96 percent).

No specific statistics on cars with or without alrams though - even from the alarm manufacturers.

I think I'll likely opt for the $15 blinking LED from Target.

-Dave Quick

 

>>I went out to look for statistics - it turns out it is very hard to find. I did find the following though:
>>

>>Which told me that your home town (and mine!) of Columbus, OH was ranked 52 in 2001 for thefts with a total of 8,332 meaning that there are 541 thefts per 100,000 residents.
>>
>>The study shows that most of the incidents took place at such locations as residence/home (35.31 percent), parking lot/garage (22.75 percent), and highway/road/alley (17.96 percent).
>>
>>No specific statistics on cars with or without alrams though - even from the alarm manufacturers.

David, Wow!! Thx for researching. I'm surprised that there aren't stats stratified by alarm/not alarm. I may see if I can turn up any. Now I'm curious.

So the stats you found then would predict 22-23 thefts per day, although there are likely to be many more incidents of vandalism. I would bet that thefts and vandalism occur much more frequently on newer cars and with certain models.

I would think that the Cooper would have a very high probability (vs. the 'average' car) of theft or vandalism. I still think if there are two equally accessible Coopers, one with an alarm and one without, the one with the alarm would be less likely to be broken into.

If we had a third Cooper with the LED light, your point might be well taken, that the 10 light and the 500 alarm would be equally effective!! I guess it's then a peace of mind thing for me-- I would feel better knowing there is a real alarm in mine-- would worry that I would get the thief who knew the difference....

Thanks for your info!!
I will look forward to seeing you here in Columbus!!

Steve
>>
>>I think I'll likely opt for the $15 blinking LED from Target.
>>
>>-Dave Quick
>>

 

An alarm will help to bring down the insurance premium a little.

It doesn't come standard with the MINI??

 

Most stolen cars are not resold, but parted out through chop shops. This is the reason most stolen cars are never found. Statisically the most popular cars to steal re the ones with the most return on the parts. Last I looked the Buick/Oldsmobile Cutlasses and the F100 pickup were the hot cars (get it "hot" cars) to steal. The Mini would likely get ripped off by some kids wanting a joy ride, and for that an alarm system would probably be effective.

miniwanna

 

What is the option package that the alarm comes with? I ordered mine with I thought all options, but didn't see anything about an alarm.

Cheers

 

I could be mistaken, but I believe the alarm is a dealer installed option.
At least it is on the 2003 models.
I am definitely getting an alarm on mine.


Dark silver/ black MCS with lapis blue leather, DSC, 5 star rims and fog lights

 

do you know if the 2003 alarm will install on the 2002??? Everything I have found is no MINI alarm for 2002???

 

>>do you know if the 2003 alarm will install on the 2002??? Everything I have found is no MINI alarm for 2002???
I have a 2002 MINI with the factory installed alarm. It is an "unlisted" option. My motoring advisor told me. Sure enough it never showed up on MINIUSA, but it is here and it was on the "window sticker" or whatever it is. I actually really like it .
For a factory alarm it seems to be pretty nice.

 

As far as will the alarm from a 03' fit an 02' will depend on when the 02' was built.
The thing is , there is nothing in writing about the alarm. All that MINI knows are the sales features, motion detector and neat flashing light on the wiper stalk.