I never thought to ask since just about every new car over 20k comes with some kind of alarm or anti-theft system these days. And recently i've been reading stuff about an alarm not working on the 04's? So what the deal?

 

i believe u have to request it to get it.

 

request = pay

 

So it's a dealer installed option?

 

Yep. Better to go aftermarket.

 

>>I never thought to ask since just about every new car over 20k comes with some kind of alarm or anti-theft system these days. And recently i've been reading stuff about an alarm not working on the 04's? So what the deal?

For the 2002 and 2003 MC and MCS you can opt for a MINI dealer installed alarm. For the 2004 models the MINI alarm has some sort of problem-check with your dealership-it doesn't work.

You always have a choice to get an aftermarket alarm but make sure that you use an audio/alarm shop that is experienced with MINI and or BMWs. It can be tricky. The downside to the aftermarket alarm is that it will mean that an extra remote will be needed to lock/alarm arm and unlock your car.

This is both good and bad. Good in that it adds another layer of electronic protection to your MINI. I have a Clifford 7000 and with the separate alarm I can arm it and even if you have a copy of my key (which you can order from a dealer if you have my VIN number) you cannot drive off because my alarm will disable the starter and the ignition if not disarmed. So for me you need the key and the remote- without both once armed you are stuck. So bad for the same reason-its more to dangle from your keychain and a bit more to hand the valet or garage but I haven't had much trouble.

In the past most people that add the MINI alarm do so because you can add the cost onto the car loan rather than pay the full price for aftermarket upgrades. Some people have bought the alarm parts from Classic Auto Campus and then installed it themselves then gone to the dealership to activate the alarm. This generally costs less than to get the dealer to install it all but not included in the car loan price.

 

Thanks minihune...very detailed. :smile:

So if there is no alarm, does the mini need the key to start? I know the car could be jacked up and towed or flatbedded away, but could someone drive off with my car without the keys?

 

Every MINI comes with an engine immobilizer system. You must have the key with it's embedded ship in the ignition to start the car. True, your car can be towed off, but that can be somewhat reduced by adding the alarm system (The MINI alarm has a sensor that detects vehicle tilt and motion, ii.e. towing or jacking. Regardless, if someone wants your car bad enough, they will get it, alarm or not). Hotwiring the car or popping the ignition lock is not an option.

I installed the MINI alarm myself and had it activated at the dealer along with a couple other options. It was a very easy installation (at least for me). Someone handy with tools can install it in less than an hour. Advantages of the MINI alarm are that it works with the existing key remote, it senses interior motion, towing and jacking, the siren will continue to sound even if the battery is disconnected.

The alarm for the '04 cars has been sorted out.

 

>>>>I never thought to ask since just about every new car over 20k comes with some kind of alarm or anti-theft system these days. And recently i've been reading stuff about an alarm not working on the 04's? So what the deal?
>>
>>You always have a choice to get an aftermarket alarm but make sure that you use an audio/alarm shop that is experienced with MINI and or BMWs. It can be tricky. The downside to the aftermarket alarm is that it will mean that an extra remote will be needed to lock/alarm arm and unlock your car.
>>
>>This is both good and bad. Good in that it adds another layer of electronic protection to your MINI. I have a Clifford 7000 and with the separate alarm I can arm it and even if you have a copy of my key (which you can order from a dealer if you have my VIN number) you cannot drive off because my alarm will disable the starter and the ignition if not disarmed. So for me you need the key and the remote- without both once armed you are stuck. So bad for the same reason-its more to dangle from your keychain and a bit more to hand the valet or garage but I haven't had much trouble.

I have a GPS device that when I am getting out of my car I push a button that sets a GEO fence. If you move my car (drive, tow, or on a flatbed) 1/4 of a mile +- I get a call on my cell phone telling me the 100 block, street, city, state, zip code, direction of travel and speed of my vehicle. There are three choices for notification 1st, 2nd and 3rd. So if you want a call to your cell phone, and there is no response it can call your home phone second and if no response it can send you an e-mail. You have the choice all phone, all e-mails, or some of each.

If your MINI/MCS (really any vehicle) was stolen you can tell the police where it is. You can give them the web site, name, password and they can see where it is. This is not LOJACK that only works in a very limited area this works WORLD WIDE. For street name, city, etc. it must have a map otherwise it gives longitude and latitude. If was on the deck of a ship in the middle of the Pacific Ocean you would know.

Also, you can look it up on the internet and see how fast it is going if you loan it to someone or if they went where they said they were going i.e. the movie not and not racing on the back roads.

Does anyone think I should put a banner on like my iNAV for this also?

If anyone would like any further information you can call me at 1.800.258.9010. or send me a PM.
>>


_________________
SCURVES

 

>>The alarm for the '04 cars has been sorted out.

Sorry, as I was looking this up I see that the 2004 Alarm is now available.
http://bridger.us/mini/

 

Does anyone know how much it costs to have the dealer install at arrival?

 

>>
>>>>The alarm for the '04 cars has been sorted out.
>>
>>Sorry, as I was looking this up I see that the 2004 Alarm is now available.
>>http://bridger.us/mini/

Any ideas if this alarm install is different from the previous years? i.e. can we use the same DIY install instructions?

 

I would assume that the bulk if the system is mostly unchanged, especially the layout of components and how they connect. There was some minor aspect changed that was only discovered later when some part of the alarm kit would not work. If you get the alarm system itself, you get installation instructions with it. You can still 'study' the current directions to see if you want to go through the installation yourself (It's almost too easy IMO).

Note, the instructions that cover '02 cars that do not come pre-wired are considerably more difficult, as they have you pulling apart the car interior to run wiring. On later models, all the wiring is there, all that needs to be done is mount and connect the four major components of the alarm (interior motion sensor, tilt sensor, the siren and swapping the turn signal switch).