Anybody get a car alarm from their MINI/BMW dealer? Mine is offering a vibration alarm. Never had a vibration but know those are super sensitive to external surroundings, i.e. thunder, wind, bumping it, etc... so I'm quite hesitant. Wondering if I should go to 3rd party or maybe I just don't even need an alarm. Any suggestions??? Thanks, in advance everyone.

MC-VR/W, pretty loaded (the car not me) :->
Delivery late March/early April 2003

 

I'm getting one pretty much based on three things: 1) where I live; 2) where I park at work; and 3) being able to sleep at night without knowing somethings guarding my MINI. I've spent a lot of time thinking this through but the bottom line was very specific to me and my surroundings. My big worry was petty vandalism. It sounded like the dealer installed system was pretty sophisticated and well integrated into the car's electonics. I guess my thought was, "if you're going to do it, do it right the first time." There probably are good, less expensive options but I didn't want to bother with all the research. Godd luck!

 

My dealer called me yesterday and tols they just have gotten some in and since I have been waiting for **** to freeze over before they get my MINI they wanted to know if I wanted to get the alarm installed when then prep my car. They offered me the alarm at a discount and I said sure. I plan on parking my MINI in the garage with a cover on it and I live in a really safe area (Olympia, WA) I figured that when I drive to Seattle or Reno it would be nice to have the alarm when I can not park it inside.

 

Mini Rolls:

Where are you getting your car?

 

Barkersan,

Northwest MINI, Tacoma, WA,....


Why....where are you getting yours?

 

Mini Rolls:

I live in Seattle, but didn't want to wait 8-12 months for my car (the time it would have taken from NW Mini), so I ordered mine from the Salt Lake City dealership. I also wanted a silk green Mini, and was told I had to order it by the first week in January in order to get it. I'm also very interested in getting a dealer-installed alarm, but my salesperson was completely baffled by this request and didn't know anything about it! I pitched this question on another recent thread. It seems like other people are having no trouble getting ahold of these alarms. It may be that I'll have to get one installed by the Tacoma dealership.

Barkersan

 

NW MINI has them in stock and the normal price is $547.00 installed and it works with the normal key. Takes 2 hours to install.

I have waited since July when I placed my order. Should have ordered from Salt Lake also. Could have gotten it a lot faster.

 

Mini-rolls:

I know, I've been following your sad tale on the "Can't Wait for February Club." You really have had rotten luck! My sympathies.

Anyway, about the alarm: I don't understand why the Utah dealership, which cranks out a relatively high volume of Minis, would be in the dark about this. Don't they send out product updates to ALL the dealerships? You would think...

 

the normal price is $547.00 installed and it works with the normal key. Takes 2 hours to install.
>>
Confirmed...that's the exact info I got from my dealer in Dallas.

 

>>Anyway, about the alarm: I don't understand why the Utah dealership, which cranks out a relatively high volume of Minis, would be in the dark about this. Don't they send out product updates to ALL the dealerships? You would think...

I do not know about that. I have been in close contact with NW MINI and they have had things that others dealers have not. (i.e. - They have had the only outdoor car covers when others have said their dealers could not get any. ) I am not sure, but they I have purchased the cover cover, alarm and they are giving me floor mats and the exhaust tip, all of which the sales manager told me that they have a box in the parts room with my name on it and all my items are in it awaiting the arrival of my MINI. NW MINI changed almost the entire staff in December and they have a new outlook on customer service.

 

That's good to hear, since that's where I'll be getting it serviced. I've had two experiences in the past where I've brought my car (a Subaru) in for service at a dealership other than the one I purchased it from, and the service dept was actually pissy to me because I hadn't bought my car from them!

 

JDS:

Did John Roberts quote you the $547?

 

>>Did John Roberts quote you the $547?

$550 installed was the exact quote.

 

>>$550 installed was the exact quote.


Thanks. I ordered my Mini from Moritz (should arrive in next week or two) but may get the alarm from John Roberts if Moritz does not make me completely happy.