Factory Alarm System - Effective?

[RhoXS]

We just ordered a real manual transmission, Le Mans Blue, Moonlight Black Top, Oyster Boston Leather, and Light Burl Walnut trim 128i convertible a few days ago. It will include the Lighting, Premium, M, and Tech packages. We can't wait. Its going to be a long six or more weeks.

I also included the $400 MSRP alarm. Is the alarm system reasonably effective or is it really a waste of $400? Curious about others opinions on how good the factory alarm system really is.

[Bill B.]

Effective at what?

I think the best part of it is that it gives you audible and visual feedback when you lock/unlock the doors.

Other than that... meh.

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by Bill B.

Effective at what?

I think the best part of it is that it gives you audible and visual feedback when you lock/unlock the doors.

Other than that... meh.

This is true but in convertible models I believe you lose the motion detector feature which in my opinion is the best feature it provides.

[Bmwbreed]

If you don't have the factory alarm you will still get the visual lights flashing. It just won't make the chirp sound when u lock/unlock it and the big red light under the mirror won't flash. How beneficial is it? Don't really know but I went ahead an got just cuz I like the chirp aou d when it locks and unlocks. Sounds better than a horn I think. If I hav to guess tho (don't hav my car yet) but it will prolly sound like Audi a4s did a chirp/beep sound that wasn't super loud but enough to annoy you and I'm assuming it will shut down the ignition/fuel delivery and such. It really should just be standard when you are spending this much for a car. Maybe it is in a 5 series or above. But it wasn't standard on my parents e93 335i either.

[Bill B.]

Originally Posted by doublevanosrc

This is true but in convertible models I believe you lose the motion detector feature which in my opinion is the best feature it provides.

yeah? Tell that to these guys...

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=712717

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by Bill B.

yeah? Tell that to these guys...

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=712717

Actually in this vid if it had the motion detector is should of gone off as they broke the window to access the OBD port, still no security feature is 100% effective, plus the motion detector is really there to prevent someone from snatch your radar detector or ipod for example.

[Bill B.]

Originally Posted by doublevanosrc

Actually in this vid if it had the motion detector is should of gone off as they broke the window to access the OBD port,

Some mentioned in that thread that the motion sensors had a blind spot at the A pillar down to the OBD port.

Originally Posted by doublevanosrc

plus the motion detector is really there to prevent someone from snatch your radar detector or ipod for example.

Correction: the motion detector is really there to let you know that someone has snatched your radar detector/ipod.

[Rikx1M]

Originally Posted by doublevanosrc

Actually in this vid if it had the motion detector is should of gone off as they broke the window to access the OBD port, still no security feature is 100% effective, plus the motion detector is really there to prevent someone from snatch your radar detector or ipod for example.

I have an OEM alarm also and verified at my dealership that the motion detection system doesn't work inside the entire car, just the center mass area...at the fringes which those blokes took advantage of, the motion detection is useless. Thats why my dealership was willing to move my OBDII port at minimal costs.

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by Bill B.

Some mentioned in that thread that the motion sensors had a blind spot at the A pillar down to the OBD port.

Well if that's the case then its not as good as i imagined.