I'm planning to add a factory alarm to my 2010 JCW Clubman after delivery. According to my SA, not all 2010 models are pre-wired for the factory alarm. If this is true, how can I verify if my car is pre-wired or not.

I asked my SA if they can check the VIN#, and he said that there is no way from them to verify without doing a visual inspection. I find this kinda strange.

 

it may have stopped after a certain production date, but not sure. it does seem odd though... as if they are just trying to make more money if they say it's not prewired. is it too late to add it to your build?

 

I already took delivery last Nov. Agree, I also find this odd. I don't think MINI is trying to reduce cost from the factory by not prewiring the car.

 

It may not be. I wanted the Sirus radio installed by my dealer and my 2009 JCW is not wired for it. I have seen posts of other 2009 mini owners not having any problems getting it installed. The only way you can be sure is to stop by your dealer and have them take a visual. I'm sure if it is pre-wired they will be more then happy to install the alarm for you.

 

Unfortunately it's true. I bought my 2010 Clubman end of Jan and negotiated the alarm into the deal. I go to have them install it a week later and they tell me my car isn't prewired for the factory alarm, bummer.

Anybody have any experience with an aftermarket alarm?

 

I have a 2009 Clubman S, and the dealer was able to tell me over the phone that my car was pre-wired for an alarm. They pulled up the VIN and could tell from that. I got my alarm installed without a problem, and was able to talk them down over $200 on the labor charge by comparing their price against other dealers.

 

You can try to trace the wires from the Installation Instructions.

http://webpages.charter.net/jimchris.../R56_alarm.pdf

 

Thanks slimjimtell! I will try to trace the wires using the installation instructions.

Cheers!

 

RockyRoad
Let me know what you find, i too have thought about adding the alarm.

 

slimjimtell - Bad News! My car was not prewired. I'm scheduled to drop-off my car at East Bay Mini next week for some warranty work, and I will also have them install the factory alarm. I'm now wondering if they can still do it. I will keep you posted.

 

I also had this problem - was going to buy the alam (did buy) and when I took to dealer (after waiting 4 hours for a phone call when everything was done) was told my 2010 clubman was not wired for alarm. Was told they didn't know about it and it would cost me alot (I mean alot more) to install

 

Don't trust info based solely on your vehicle's vin. A visual inspection is the only way to tell for sure. They have given me erroneous wiring info based on my vin for both rear fogs and stereo.

 

After a week long having my car at the dealer for some warranty work, I finally got my car back today.

According to the dealer, since my car was not pre-wired, they can't install the factory alarm. They recommend if I really want an alarm installed I have to install a aftermarket alarm.

 

Since the factory alarm is no longer an option, is there a particular brand or type of alarm that you folks are gravitating towards?