"how to" install alarm in a 135i convertible

[audi4t]

I wrote this "How to" install for the alarm in a 135i convertible since it's slightly different than the coupe.

Here are the parts that arrive in the kit.

There is no motion sensor for the convertible and the mounting bracket is different.

Also the location in the wheel well is to the rear of the car.




Fasten the siren to the bracket with the supplied nut.



I removed the driver side rear wheel, doesn't take long and makes access so much easier.

Then I removed the wheel arch liner. You can probably get away with just removing the fasteners toward the back of the car and pulling the liner down.



Then you will see the bracket mounting studs and the siren connector.



Mount the bracket / siren and make the connection.



Then reinstall the wheel liner.

All that is left is to install the hood switch.






As we all know dealer programming is required for the alarm to be fully functional. But the clown nose flashes when the doors are locked when the siren and the switch are connected.

[HIPSI]

Nice & simple... I notice you have a strut brace. I just picked up a 09 128 vert and it's much less rigid than my 08 135 coupe. I'm a bit surprised. I've had a vert before and I thought BMW would be better. Did you notice much difference after brace install?

[audi4t]

Yes - it feels more composed with the strut brace. Definitely worth adding to the vert.

[peeti]

First post for a new 1-er. I searched but don't see info... does the alarm kit - 65 73 0 444 090 - work on a 2011 convertible? My dealer said there was no alarm kit available for my year. Everything I've seen on the net to order it says up to 2009.

If not this kit - which?

Lastly, how can this be self-coded? I have NCSexpert, can probably get the other tools and figure it out... I assume it needs to be added in the feature coding string? If so - does anyone have a how to?

I hope to contribute back soon enough. My Bimmer history includes E30 325ix, E36 M3, Z4-based M Coupe, 2010 335ix coupe and some bikes. So this is not new to me

Cheers!
Peeti

[ASAP]

So I guess that this kit will not work for the coupe?

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by peeti

First post for a new 1-er. I searched but don't see info... does the alarm kit - 65 73 0 444 090 - work on a 2011 convertible? My dealer said there was no alarm kit available for my year. Everything I've seen on the net to order it says up to 2009.

If not this kit - which?

Lastly, how can this be self-coded? I have NCSexpert, can probably get the other tools and figure it out... I assume it needs to be added in the feature coding string? If so - does anyone have a how to?

I hope to contribute back soon enough. My Bimmer history includes E30 325ix, E36 M3, Z4-based M Coupe, 2010 335ix coupe and some bikes. So this is not new to me

Cheers!
Peeti

The reason why is because BMW pre-wired cars for most options up to 2009 (June or July 09 I think). After this point you would need to route the wiring yourself, the alarm and other options are not plug and play + coding like the previous models.

So in short, no, it will not work. You could get all the wiring in theory and wire it in, but this would be a lot of work.

As for coding, you need to add the alarm code to the VO (Vehicle Options) In NCS Expert. This then opens up access to another module and lets you turn on the alarm functionality. It took me about 5 minutes to code mine, I referenced a thread in the E90 forums.

Edit: Coding thread: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=alarm

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by 1AddictsAnonymous

The reason why is because BMW pre-wired cars for most options up to 2009 (June or July 09 I think). After this point you would need to route the wiring yourself, the alarm and other options are not plug and play + coding like the previous models.

So in short, no, it will not work. You could get all the wiring in theory and wire it in, but this would be a lot of work.

Will this not work for the coupe? If say you are only interested in the clown nose flashing and beep. This is about $100 less than the coupe.

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by ASAP

Will this not work for the coupe? If say you are only interested in the clown nose flashing and beep. This is about $100 less than the coupe.

I have not tried it myself, but I doubt it would. The coupe has an additional module that you install. There is a DIY for the coupe already - check it out and you'll see what I mean

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by 1AddictsAnonymous

I have not tried it myself, but I doubt it would. The coupe has an additional module that you install. There is a DIY for the coupe already - check it out and you'll see what I mean

Yeah, but do u even need it?

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by ASAP

Yeah, but do u even need it?

Yes - if you want the alarm to function fully. The module houses the ultrasonic sensors, it would make sense that it is the alarms 'brain' as well but I am guessing at this point. Try it, see if it works. You may get the 20x clown nose flash indicating an error in the system even after coding.

Edit: When I ordered from the dealer in September 2014, they started quoting me individual parts. The siren was like $260 CAD or something by itself, ultrasonic sensor was over 100, but the whole kit was $330 CAD including everything in the breakdown below. This was my experience, your dealer could very well give you different info. The convertible kit will not work on the coupe though because the siren bracket is different. Only the hood switch + bracket and siren will transfer over. You would need to pick and choose the parts you want via the part numbers below.

See below, taken from the official BMW Coupe Alarm install instructions: