I have noticed on some parked minis a red flashing light on the end of what I presume is the windshield wiper handle that comes out from the right side of the steering wheel. Is this related to an alarm system. I presume this is an option as some minis do not have the red flashing light. If it is part of the alarm system does the system work well? What does it do if triggered? Thanks, ski

 

The flashing red light on the end of the washer stalk is the current indicator for the MINI alarm system. It flashed when armed. It has motion sensors for the interior and also a switch for car movement.....Has 2 sensitivity settings.....mine works very well! I like it just for peace of mind.
When it goes off, a loud siren sounds!

 

Ditto what pbraun said. The system will arm (via the lock button on the MINI key) even w/ the windows down...but a passer-by could activate it! The alarm does not chirp when it arms...at least not on my '03 version, but is does chirp at you if a door is ajar when you try to arm the system. I must confess, while I did want to get an alarm system anyway, I got the MINI one as much for the blinky light as anything else. It's so cool!!

 

Thanks. I am glad you both like the alarm system and it does look cool. I will get it. Ski

 

I added the MINI factory system after the fact. Easy installation, only 'issue' was having it coded into the car's computer by the dealer. Works great, seamless integration, and even disconnecting the battery won't silence the alarm, as the siren itself has it's own backup batteries (little-known fact).

 

Balpark price for the alarm and dealer coding?

 

I bought my alarm system from Classic MINI in Ohio, their nice discount for NAM members brought the price to $295. The dealer charged a half hour labor for programming the computer (I also had the front and rear fogs programmed in at the same time since I had installed these as well).

Note that the '02 MINIs have a different kit required, since they arent prewired for the alarms (you need to add the wiring yourself, and this requires a substantial removal of interior bits). Also, '04 and up have a different part number for those kits as well, but the cars are prewired.

 

Thanks for the info. I have an 04 I purchased from Classic, wish I thought of having it installed when I got the car. But I think I can do the work myself and have the dealer do the programming when it goes in for it's first oil service. I'll give Classic a call to order the 04 alarm kit.

 

I did not see the alarm system listed on mini.usa. So it this something you have to order direct from your dealer? ski

 

Yep, you get this through your dealer's parts department. You will find it listed in the accessories catalog as well. For about 395 dollars, if memory serves. The Classic discount price rocks, and their service is awesome.

 

It sure does have a unique sounding siren. Not like many of the other car alarms. Very loud too. I was outside the other day and heard a loud whistle sound, and recognized the sound of my alarm, but it was BMW suv with similar alarm.

Motion sensor with windows down works very well. I accidently reached in with the alarm on, and it'll scare the poop out of you.

 

I threw a baseball hat into the car, and the alarm went off. Had to change pants.

I forewent the dealer install on my 2nd MINI, going the Classic MINI route.

 

when i bought my car, the person said it was not available, when it was. o well

 

My dealer (Global in Atlanta) quoted me $295 + $300(!) for install when I was ordering my '05 MCS. Sounds like we need to have a heart to heart.

 

Mine was $458 installed (down almost $100 from a year ago.) Jimbo

 

And that is a main reason I didn't purchase my second one from Global. They really suck you dry. If you haven't received your Mini yet from Global, I would check with the parts department. I don't want to call them names, but I think there is some deception involved in the sales department. On a couple of the items the sales department was charging me significantly more than their own parts/service department would charge for the install. The departments are only a few steps away. When I confronted them, they then lowered down the price. I think it is unethical for two different departments to charge a different price at the same company within the same building. I think they take advantage of the fact that the people won't ask the service department about it.

I am getting the alarm installed for $350 at Classic next month when my '05 comes in.

I would watch some of the other prices at Global also. $60 to rotate tires when it was in for an oil change? (already on the lift) Come on. I took it to Kauffman, they did it in 15 minutes and it was free.

 

I guess that I should throw in my 2 cents here. The factory alarm is good, but for the same amount of money you can get an aftermarket alarm that will have more security features.

I have the Viper 690 which is a two paging alarm system. Basically I have a remote that has a picture of a car... if anyone messes with the vehicle it signals me to which area they are touching/hit. I have my blue LED light in the toggle switch pannel....

For more information on Viper alarms systems....
http://www.alarms.com/security/viper/

 

I just bought the factory alarm at my dealer's part's department and installed it myself. I got it for $239.00 plus tax. It took me about an hour to install with the instructions on Motoringfile.com. Hopefully my dealer doesn't try to gouge me when I get them to program the car next week.

 

There is an LED in the middle of my dash. Should I assume that's the LED for the factory alarm in the 2004 model?

 

Do you have to carry the stock remote and the viper remote?

 

No.

The LED for the MINI Alarm is on the wiper stoc.

Unless they started doing things differently - you may be referring to the light detector ...

 

Hmmm, it's a red led..I'll have to read the manual to figure out what it is.

 

That's probably the infrared sensor for the AC - do you have the automatic AC?

 

I do have auto a/c...

I just searched some threads and it seems that it is for auto a/c.

thanks for info...learn something new everyday.

 

Hey, I saw an MCS in a showroom with a blue led mounted in its toggle rack!! I couldn't figure it out, but maybe it was the same system. Sounds like some fantastic features!!