Hi Everyone

Ordering my Mini today and I'm not sure if alarm is a waste or not. Dealer actually told me it was useless, but then tried to sell me lojack. Is everyone's mini alarmed?

Any other advice for a new build?

Thanks

 

Ours came as part of a package. Not sure I would have bothered if it had to be ordered separately.

 

I would not pay for it separately, if you have a convertible it is nice to have the car armed with the top down because it will go off if someone reaches in the car. But how often do you really park a convertible with the top down and go far enough away to need the alarm?

Hardtop it is more of an annoying noise (if turned on by the options), I would skip it then.

 

Skip the alarm - Get comfort access most def.

 

I left it off...on reflection, I think I bought each package option *but* the alarm separately. At which point, I shoulda just spec'd the package and it'd been "free".

We've had them on cars / not had them. Blinky light and "audible" activation; we don't have any tales of "so the guy opened the door, heard the alarm, and ran like crazy".

My Miata one has a self-arming feature, where it'll just arm itself after you close the door. It's a hoot when you come back: there's an audible "tick....tick...tick" sound alerting you that you have xx seconds to disarm or start the car. We always think of "I'm gonna blow!!!!" as it's ticking, a p-o'd Miata of all things. Guess you hadta be there.

 

Alarm is probably not as useful on a hardtop.

If it was a convertible like the Roadster then Yes I would get the alarm.

It is so easy for someone to take a knife and cut the canvas top, reach in and open the door lock, that you definitely need an alarm on a convertible.

 

Well let me put it this way. I know its simple but with alarm the car with chirp when you lock it. This can be very important to some to know their car is locked. Kind of wish I had it but. I'm sometimes glad I don't when I want to be discrete.

 

No alarm on mine. Comfort access is nice though.
When locking with FOB, watch your lights flash since the
horn doesn't sound to make sure it locks.

 

Through the years and cars I've had many attempts and successful break ins. Alarms will make the punk think the next car might be a better target. I got the alarm.

 

i got the alarm only b/c i want the horn to chirp when i lock the doors.

 

My 2008 I did not get the alarm. Then at the last minute I decided to get it but it was too late. The dealer then installed it when the car arrived. You can no longer do that. If you do not get the alarm from the factory you will not be able to get the factory alarm at all. I ordered it on my 2011.

 

I skipped the alarm because, personally, if car alarm goes off near me, I generally don't even look since it happens all the time. If I don't look, a lot of others probably don't look.

I just don't see it as much of a deterrent.

As for convertibles, when I had my Miata I never locked the doors. I didn't keep anything in it worth stealing, and I'd rather somebody just get in the car, look around and leave than have them slice through the $1000 soft top.

 

An alarm, like a good lock only deters honest/stupid criminals. If they want it, they'll get it.

Lojack on the other hand, gives you a chance to get it back before it's a complete waste, or leaves the country.

 

My second-hand R56 did not have the alarm. But I do believe in the blinking alarm light as a deterrent, so I did the NCSExpert coding hack to give the appearance of an alarm.

 

Did they change something on the second generation cars? If you lock my R50 with the remote, there is NO opening the doors without the remote or manually with the key. But the door handle double pull, and the toggle unlock are disabled. Kind of strange, since my hatchback doesn't even have an emergency interior hatch release. Book says it's under the rear seat cushion, but it's not.

Anyway, my VW I had a factory alarm that beeped on lock. Thankfully I was able to remove the audible notification with VagCom. I hated that beep.

I would say that if the insurance savings from having an alarm will add up to the price of the option during the time you intend to keep full coverage insurance on the car, then why even debate it, just go for it. Unless you hate the beep (or like your neighbors) like I do. I think most companies give you 10% off your fire and theft. If that is $300 per year, and you will keep full coverage for 5 years, then the alarm option will save you $150. Deduct that from the cost of the alarm, and that's what it's costing you.

 

I've got the alarm on all my Mini's. I like having it.

 

I would get the alarm just because it's actually super loud and hurts your ears to even be around it when it's going off.

 

Almost ordered my 2012 with an alarm, but the MA was able to locate the car I wanted with everything but the alarm at the port and re-direct it to Mini of Ontario for me without the long wait for an order. I would have had them add the alarm if the cost weren't so ridiculous so consequently this is the first car I've had in years without one.

 

It's too late for the OP, but every time I've changed car insurance providers they always ask if the car has an alarm and give a small discount if it does.

 

Alarm buyers must be the same annoying people who lock their cars as I am walking by and the cars blast their honk at you. I turn the horn blast feature off in any car that I can, flashing lights is plenty. There's enough noise in this world, and nobody pays attention to an alarm. Most of the time they are fakse alarms. Ever hear of crying wolf?

 

You said what I was thinking, but didn't have the guts to say. In a semi-related note, a combination of failed door lock sensor, and no remote (but it could be dead remote battery, too). Kept me waiting and embarrassed in a store parking lot while my better half ran down with the second key and remote for my Grand Cherokee. Yes, an alarm can keep an amateur thief from driving off in your car, but it can also keep YOU from driving off in it. Honestly, the transponder key is simply all the security anyone needs, and that is standard equipment unless you disabled it with your fancy remote starter. Yes a shock sensor will trigger the alarm if the repo guy hooks it up for a tow, but really, what are you going to do at that point?

 

My JCW has the alarm the MCS does not, it's nice to hear something confirming the doors did lock, not sure it's worth much as a theft deterant.

 

That is my one regret i WISH i had ordered it factory!

 

I have an alarm and LoJack.
Just the audible chirp alone when locking/unlocking the doors is worth it.
The deterrent is a bonus, and the Knight Rideresque light in the tach is just plain cool.

Get it, especially since you can't add it on from the dealer, and it's factory only now.

 

I would skip the alarm... No one steals MINIS
Survey says it is the LEAST LIKELY car to be stolen or broken into...