Wanna keep the baby safe, what kind of alarm is best? are there different ones?

 

Well, from this thread I know you have a 2003 on order with black mirrors.

So, since you have a 2003, it is pre-wired for the MINI alarm, which has a motion detector. This was a factory option for about a month (back at September build, I think). However, it is no longer available from the factory, but your car will still be pre-wired for it. MINI's plan is to have the dealers offer and install the alarm. The problem is that the alarm kit has not been released by MINIUSA, even though it shows up on the MINI parts CD the parts department has. Hopefully, they will release the alarm kit soon.

That in my opinion would be your best option. It includes the motion sensor, and has a flashing red light on the right stalk coming off the steering column. Very nicely integrated system (I don't have it on mine, as I have a 2002 MINI which were NOT pre-wired for the alarm, but I have seen the alarm in action at the dealer).

 

 

DaveInDenver, any idea what the dealer option will cost?

 

I haven't seen anything on whether or not the pricing will be different or not.

Given the dealer is now going to install it, I wouldn't imagine that it would be any cheaper than the $450 people paid for the factory installation.

 

hmmmm that sucks!

 

I've got it in mine. Great system. You can leave the windows
open and if someone sticks their hand in, the alarm goes off.

 

My guess is that it is one of those "options" that allow dealers to actually make some money selling these cars. If they can get a couple hundred in labor costs, then they do very well for themselves and give their mechanics something to do at the same time.

Install of rally lights and alarm could easily be $500-750 at the dealer

 

I ordered the dealer installed alarm on my '03 MCS. Once my MINI arrived I learned the delearship didn't know anything about the alarm and hadn't received any info from MINI. I'm still getting the alarm, but who knows when it will arrive. The price was either $495 or $450 I forget which.

 

hmmhh.. so that's what the red dot on the turning signal lever for...

 

They better charge the same as I paid for mine. If not I want the difference refunded.

 

I just picked up a 2003 MCS that doesn't have the red blinker for the alarm. Is it only installed on the '03 if you select the alarm package? Or do they change out the stalk for the windshield wipers and replace it with one with a blinker? I'm not sure if I'll get an alarm, just curious.

 

you only get the red flashing LED part if you ordered the alarm. Presumably this part would be replaced with the dealer installed kit.

 

well i just talked to my dealer in Vancouver, and said that the alarm would cost
$1200 installed...he didn't say it would be any problem or any wait to install it...si i am just assuming that it can be don't right away.

 

>>well i just talked to my dealer in Vancouver, and said that the alarm would cost
>>$1200 installed...he didn't say it would be any problem or any wait to install it...so i am just assuming that it can be done right away.

 

$1200?????

My dealer offered a lifetime of Lo-Jack for $895 installed. Don't know if I will take it yet, but I would much rather have the GPS tracking of lo-jack than just another cool noise maker.

 

i keep hearing about this "loJACK"..what the heck is it?

 

>>i keep hearing about this "loJACK"..what the heck is it?
>>

You can go here --> http://www.lojack.com/ to learn more about it. Basically, it is an alarm system that can use a GPS system to let the pollice know exactly where the car is if it is stolen. They also have systems where your car can call you to tell you it has been stolen or moved.

I've never used their service, but it sounds good to me. The dealer said it was a one time fee of $895 for lifetime with no monthly fees.

 

I had the factory alarm installed in my '02 MCS about 2 weeks after taking delivery of the car. It cost 480 euro (I live in Germany currently) for parts and installation. I would expect that the cost in the US would be about the same ($450 - 500). The alarm has worked great, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone.

The wiper (right) stalk is replaced as part of the installation, which is why you don't see the LED unless the alarm is installed.

 

My husband is a cop and he says lojack is really cool. He has found several cars using it! If a car has it they find it! Bottom line. He has it installed on his car. I'm still undecided.

 

Lojack creeps me out.. who's to say that someone else can't be following were your car is at all times? And please don't come back about special encryption, everything can be hacked... that's my same concern about OnStar. If they can unlock your doors with a signal, who's to say that someone won't reverse engineer the codes and figure out how to hack it?

Rocketboy_X

 

i thought the lo-jack didn't send out a signal until it was activated by the network...i'm not sure how it works... i had it on my jeep... never used it... knock on wood...

i've got my alarm on backorder over at SouthMotors BMW... i'm looking forward to having it installed....

 

One car is stolen every 27 seconds according to lo-jack...
let me see..if I divide 27 seconds into 60 seconds and multiply
by.....man...that is a lot of cars.

 

I agree with Rocketboy X about Lojack.....but I DO need an alarm now (hence the thread about the state of my neighborhood).....$1200 is awfully expensive though. I need some cheaper alternatives that won't void the dang warranty!

 

I'm pretty sure that the $1200 is in canadian dollars, which is about 500 US. Mine was 480 based on the exchange rate from euro to US dollars. I can tell you that mine works great.