What is the part number of the kit you ordered?

 

Just got my mini with the factory installed alarm. Proud to report that the remote keys provided with the Mini work 100% as they should.

This LED do-hickie on the stalk to pretty bright too.

Haven't had a chance to test it yet but the dealer says it works pretty well. We did fire off the interior motion sensor and that sucker is loud!

COST: $580 installed at Don Rosen (Philadelphia, PA).

Motor On

 

Hi everybody
Installing my alarm today and will take some picts. My dealer is charging me $75.00 to re-code my MINI Cooper S to the alarm I’m installing. Was told it will take about one hour to re-code the car. Instructions say the install time for the alarm is only 1.25 hours. So it takes an hour to re-code my car? How about thirty minutes! An hour sounds a little long to me. Anyway, I don't have much choice. Will do another post after the install.
*** Motor On ***
Charles

PS: 2/15/03 9:40 PM CT
Installed my alarm today and took a lot picts. Trying to figure out the best way to get the info gained by my install to MCOL members. The install took about two hours. This is the first time I have installed a MINI alarm system. If I installed another one, I believe it would take about one hour. Wouldn’t be trying to find the correct tools, trying not to break anything, and taking all those picts you know. Once I get all the info in a form to post, you will hear from me. I have to get my MINI Cooper S re-coded, so it knows it has an alarm system installed.
*** Motor On ***
Charles

 

Just talked to my dealer--the alarm will cost $485 including installation (at Mini of Murray in Utah).

 

Look forwards to the pics...

 

>>Just talked to my dealer--the alarm will cost $485 including installation (at Mini of Murray in Utah).

GREAT PRICE! That's the best I have heard so far, by about $75.

 

My MCS should arrive in the next couple weeks as its due to ship out on 2/24. In any case, I too am interetsted in the alarm system and wanted to know if you folks who installed one yourself in a pre-wired 2003 could give us a summary of what the job entailed. From what I've been able to see, looks like the cost is @$300. Installed at dealer is anywhere from $400 on up... If my dealer will do it for $400, I'll probably go with him, otherwise I'll be looking to do the install myself.

 

Hi Pbrmstr
I just purchase the system from Mini for 337.50. Dealer is installing for 142.50. Grand total after tax will be 506.00.

The installation looks very straightforward, but the dealer does have to program the computer so he car recognizes the alarm is installed. I opted to have the dealer install as this way it can be covered under their service warranty. I figured I would be charged an hour labor for programming, so a little extra is worth the extra warranty coverage since self install will not result in warranty coverage.

JB

 

jbs111 or charleswil:

Can you guys pretty please post some pictures of the installation of the alarm? And, can you maybe scan and PDF the installation instructions and maybe email them to me? I would LOVE to see the instructions and the pictures. If you can't scan them, I would be more than willing to have you send me a copy and then I can post it.

charleswil: You can register for free on http://www.imagestation.com and post the pictures. I'm sure many of us MINI owners and owners to be would truely appreciate it! =-)

pgrmstr and myself are sailing together right now, and I know we both want to do this installation.

Thank you!

 

Hi Minidean
While I have not installed the system myself, I have posted the scan I made of the installation instructions received with the alarm system purchased from MINI.
OEM Alarm System Install Instructions

Hope that helps
JB

 

Opted for the Remus exhaust instead of the factory alarm (both cost about $600 installed), but had second thoughts, and a place in our area called Sound On Wheels installs an Audiovox alarm called the Pursuit for $299. Features make it an excellent system. Vibration sensitivity can be set low or high. Best thing: it works off the MINI remote, and it's always armed when the car is locked. It will arm whether you use the valet key, the remote, or the toggle lock. You can have it on while you're in the car, if you like. No proximity, though I can have that done for another $100. There is a small LED on the dash to the left of the steering wheel which blinks constantly when it's armed. Chirps on arming and disarming, lights blink for both, etc, etc. Comes w/ an insurance form to send in for possible discount after installation, depending upon your carrier.

 

Opted for the Remus exhaust instead of the factory alarm (both cost about $600 installed), but had second thoughts, and a place in our area called Sound On Wheels installs an Audiovox alarm called the Pursuit for $299. Features make it an excellent system. Vibration sensitivity can be set low or high. Best thing: it works off the MINI remote, and it's always armed when the car is locked. It will arm whether you use the valet key, the remote, or the toggle lock. You can have it on while you're in the car, if you like. No proximity, though I can have that done for another $100. There is a small LED on the dash to the left of the steering wheel which blinks constantly when it's armed. Chirps on arming and disarming, lights blink for both, etc, etc. Comes w/ an insurance form to send in for possible discount after installation, depending upon your carrier.

 

I had my factory alarm installed last week... 2 hours ago, my car was broken into... i was awake and did not hear my alarm go off.... tomorrow the dealer's getting an earful....

 

MINIDean
I’m working on this as fast as I can. Need to take more picts and finish the how-to text. Raining like cats and dogs for over two weeks. Maybe it will let up this weekend and I can get the pictures I need. The how-to will be posted in the RSpeed how-tos forum. It takes a lot of time to put something like this together. Be patient please and I will get it done before the week is out.
*** Motor On ***
Charles

 

>>I had my factory alarm installed last week... 2 hours ago, my car was broken into... i was awake and did not hear my alarm go off.... tomorrow the dealer's getting an earful....

Sorry to hear this happened! :evil: :evil:

Thanks for letting us know! There is an old expression that is appropriate here:

"Forewarned is forearmed". Or is it "Forewarned is forealarmed" ?

Have had a factory alarm installed in my '03 MCS at what seems to be the going rate a month ago when I picked it up. In view of the above a lot of things have come to mind....

Is there a way to test the system without breaking into the car?

Does pushing the lock button turn it off?

_____________________
I was so in the clouds picking up the car that I didn't even think to ask these questions! Is there anything else?

 

jbs111

You rock! Thank you so much for the info. The install is very straight forward. Can't wait to get my hands on it.

Thank!


>>Hi Minidean
>>While I have not installed the system myself, I have posted the scan I made of the installation instructions received with the alarm system purchased from MINI.
>>OEM Alarm System Install Instructions
>>
>>Hope that helps
>>JB

 

Charles Wil

I totally understand. I'm a very patient person.

 

Hi Memini
From what I understand, there is an infrared sensor that activates 30 seconds after the alarm is activated. So,. a good test could be to roll a window down, activate the alarm, wait 30 seconds, stick your hand in the window and see if it goes off.

I am having my alarm installed saturday and am going to do this test after installation.


MOTOMOHAIR...
Wow, that is terrible. What feedback did your dealer give you?

JB

 

Where is it you guys live? Are you keeping valuables in the car??

My experience with alarms is this....

Everyone I've known (well, maybe not EVERYONE) that has had alarms has had more trouble with the alarms itself, not to mention the numbers of time they still got broken into.

One friend and I left for a weekend once and she set the alarm on her car that was left in the driveway. When we returned, there were 27 :smile:

Whether you get an alarm or not, I hope all of your MCs and MCSs remain safe and untouched.


Needler

 

Had alarm installed on my MCS and was curious how it worked. Lock car with window open and put your hand in - it works
next - leave the boot open a little , lock the car and try it open - i works

next - try the same with the hood- it did not work, though it should.

Reed the car manual - when you lock the car twice with the remote key, the infra sensor in the car is disabled !!!!

Did not try jacking the car up for tilt alarm yet


good luc and let me know how yours works.

Yes, it was $612 at Keeler Mini in Albany






>>Hi Memini
>>From what I understand, there is an infrared sensor that activates 30 seconds after the alarm is activated. So,. a good test could be to roll a window down, activate the alarm, wait 30 seconds, stick your hand in the window and see if it goes off.
>>
>>I am having my alarm installed saturday and am going to do this test after installation.
>>
>>
>>MOTOMOHAIR...
>>Wow, that is terrible. What feedback did your dealer give you?
>>
>>JB

 

My alarm has gone off twice for no aparent reason. Both times all thw windows were up and there was little/no wind. Only once did I quickly get out to see if something was jacking with my mini and I did not see anyone. Guess that doesn't mean that they weren't there and scooted before I got down the steps.

I do have to say that I am happy I got the alarm though. Ran me $560 here at Don Rosen in Philadelphia, PA.

 

Just a note


the pdf indicates 1.25 hours labor 1.25 X $90.00 = $112.50 + $375.00 =497.50 should be the price installed for the alarm?

 

Hi Rataha
Don't forget about tax on the system and sometimes on the labor in some states as well.

I think the labor costs vary by dealership. I remember when I had a Volvo, the dealership here in CA charged 450/hour labor, but in New Jersey they charged 80.00hour labor.

The labor time qoutes I received at the various dealerships here in Southern Cal ranged from 1.5 hours all the way to three hours. It actually took them about an hour and a half for installation yesterday, so my labor charge was right on.

Perhaps as the dealerships become more experienced in installing the alarm on the pre wired mini, the labor charges will become more consistent.


JB

 

I agree that with experience the dealer, and the mechanic, shiuld profit more on the installation. However the charge for labor should be based on the job published time. I Should not pay more for the in-experienced installation, than whoever in 6 months for the experienced installation! I am sure the powers tha be at BMW/MINI Germany have figured profit into the process, including cost for training. We as informed consumers, should at least attempt to hold them to some standard. In pricing as well as quality. jmho

 

>>Hi Pbrmstr
>>I just purchase the system from Mini for 337.50. Dealer is installing for 142.50. Grand total after tax will be 506.00.
>>


Looks like you dii have a very fair dealer.