Thought I might get some feedback on the car alarm option from the dealer. How much have you been told your dealer charges, is it funtional, is it worth it, does the dealer have to go in and mess with any of the interior or anything where they might cause damage? Thanks for any help.

 

The only thing I've heard about the "Mini" alarm is that the Mini is prewired for it. I'm thinking of getting it as well.

Cheers

 

It was in the S when I got it. Can't remember how much???
Activates when you lock the doors and has a flasher visible
outside the car. All you need in an alarm. I think I'd let the
dealer do it... :smile:

 

Hopefully I can let you know soon. I ordered the dealer installed alarm, it is $450. Probably more than its worth, but my dealer forces add ons anyhow. Hoping to take delivery next week.

 

I have it in my "S" and love it. The motion detection system is great and the little red light on the wiper control is relly cool. I paid $450.00 for mine but it was installed at the factory not at the dealer. A little high but it works great. One day while waxing MINI a beetle bug must of flew in my window. I closed up the car after I finished and set the alarm. Went inside and a few minutes later the alarm was blarring. Ran outside and couldn't figure out what tripped it until I saw that beetle flying inside. I knew then I made the right choice by getting it. Hope it helps.

 

I think I'll buy a $3 strobe flasher and activate it on the dash when I park.

 

>>I think I'll buy a $3 strobe flasher and activate it on the dash when I park.
>>
I did that for my last car but my insurance company wouldn't give me a discount........but the car wasn't stolen.

 

thanks for the help and suggestions. The alarm was not even mentioned to me by the dealer so I will check to see if I can still get a factory install, my feeling is it can't hurt (except my pocketbook) to have an alarm. Sced for prod. 11/8, can't wait to drive in Denver.

 

The alarm is no longer a factory option, only a dealer installed option. It is pre-wired from the factory.

 

Re: Any recommendations for post production Alarm models. Or just go to dealer?
Ricardo Motorbahn

 

Insurance Companies give better discounts with factory installed alarms than after market. Just my opinion. Get the factory. I have it and it works great.

 

The dealer in Denver told me it was pre-wired for an alarm but is an aftermarket deal and they have a local company do it. When I asked if they have to take anything apart or do anything to the car they said they have to go into the dash, I am not so sure I want anybody messing around and causing possible other problems. I will have to rethink the alarm option unless I hear different from any body on this board.

 

The point of pre-wired is to be easy to install. I'm under the impression its a pretty easy dealer install done at the MINI dealer.

 

>>Insurance Companies give better discounts with factory installed alarms than after market. Just my opinion. Get the factory. I have it and it works great.

Before you let the insurance discount become a deciding factor, note that my insurance co gave me the anti-theft discount due to the built-in imobilizer (the key code thingie) that all MINIs have. I wouldn't have gotten a bigger discount if I had an alarm. Something you may want to check on.

 

>>I have it in my "S" and love it. The motion detection system is great and the little red light on the wiper control is relly cool. I paid $450.00 for mine but it was installed at the factory not at the dealer. A little high but it works great. One day while waxing MINI a beetle bug must of flew in my window. I closed up the car after I finished and set the alarm. Went inside and a few minutes later the alarm was blarring. Ran outside and couldn't figure out what tripped it until I saw that beetle flying inside. I knew then I made the right choice by getting it. Hope it helps.


(((I have the motion detecting alarm system too; was 450$, and I am very satisfied. When I leave the car now, I close the windows and sunroof. I used to leave the windows an inch or so open and the sunroof raised in the back. The alarm was activated once by a fly that apparently was in the car, and another time by someone peering into the slightly opened window as they walked by, and once it went off briefly when I had parked in a lot next to train tracks and a train went by. I haven't had any other false alarms since I closed the windows and sunroof before leaving the car.)))