Alarm DIY

[ad78]

Jay that is cheap. I paid 223 for labor and programming. 190 for the parts. Yes mine took overnight for programming the alarm

[Brady1984]

I picked up my alarm from Dan at united and I only had time to install the interior sensor and the hood switch at first. Just those two items caused the clown nose to blink (09). Tonight I installed the siren and lo and behold the alarm works. I locked it with the window down and reached inside, the siren came on and the lights all flashed exactly as I would have expected it to. The thing is when I lock the car there is no chirp. I mean if the clown nose blinks and the car will alarm do I even need to get it programmed?

[mynew135]

Hrmmm. I haven't even thought about seeing if it works without taking it in. I just assumed it wouldn't work until programmed. I'll have to try it.

[135iUSN]

chirp chirp - $250 dollars please...

[Zonian22]

Originally Posted by Brady1984

I picked up my alarm from Dan at united and I only had time to install the interior sensor and the hood switch at first. Just those two items caused the clown nose to blink (09). Tonight I installed the siren and lo and behold the alarm works. I locked it with the window down and reached inside, the siren came on and the lights all flashed exactly as I would have expected it to. The thing is when I lock the car there is no chirp. I mean if the clown nose blinks and the car will alarm do I even need to get it programmed?

I also have the alarm installed without programming, and I tried to dupilcate what you had mentioned...and yes, the alarm does in fact go off. Although this is in fact good news, I beileve the alarm still needs to be programmed...and it's not only for the chirp. Reason: I also tried opening the hood and shaking the car and neither of those worked.

FYI: that reaching-in business, suely takes alot of reaching-in before the alarm goes off.

[mynew135]

Yep, confirmed. After a LOT of reaching around inside, alarm did go off without programming, but nothing when hood is opened.

[ad78]

Originally Posted by Brady1984

I picked up my alarm from Dan at united and I only had time to install the interior sensor and the hood switch at first. Just those two items caused the clown nose to blink (09). Tonight I installed the siren and lo and behold the alarm works. I locked it with the window down and reached inside, the siren came on and the lights all flashed exactly as I would have expected it to. The thing is when I lock the car there is no chirp. I mean if the clown nose blinks and the car will alarm do I even need to get it programmed?

mine is programmed, i try did this one but nothing happened..

after locking the car did you wait for at least a minute before you reach inside? or instantly after locking you reach inside?

[Zonian22]

Originally Posted by ad78

mine is programmed, i try did this one but nothing happened..

after locking the car did you wait for at least a minute before you reach inside? or instantly after locking you reach inside?

you should wait a couple of seconds until the blinker under the rear-view mirror stops blinking continously. Like I said in my previous post, it takes a lot of reaching-inside to make it go off.

[ad78]

i just read the manual and motion sensor is applicable to the ff:

Coupe
in order for interior motion sensor to function properly, the windows and glass roof must be completely closed.

convertible
the interior of the car is monitored up to the height of the seat cushions. thus the alarm system is activated together with the interior motion sensor even the convertible top is open. the alarm can be triggered unintentionally by failing objects such as leaves.

[mynew135]

I just tried again after waiting a few minutes after activation. Hood still doesn't work, but motion detector was pretty instantanious. Good call.

[AndyM]

Here’s a new one. Installed the alarm today. Reconnect the battery and the positive seal window on the driver door does not work. Neither does the one touch up/down. Works fine on the passenger door. Doors were closed and windows were up when I disconnected the battery.

edit - Never mind. Here is instructions on resetting the window limits.

[ad78]

i tried again the motion sensor today. im inside the car then lock the door. instantly moving my head the alarm went in, very sensitive lol

[Brady1984]

Well, I took mine in to United today for programming. It took pretty much all day as Dan told me the techs had to go in, disconnect the alarm, program the car and then re-install the alarm. How odd is that? It does work great though and there is now an option in my idrive to turn on and off sound and lights when I lock/unlock the door. Not a cheap DIY but I think it will be worth something if the day ever comes when we must part

[gadget12345]

Originally Posted by Brady1984

Well, I took mine in to United today for programming. It took pretty much all day as Dan told me the techs had to go in, disconnect the alarm, program the car and then re-install the alarm. How odd is that? It does work great though and there is now an option in my idrive to turn on and off sound and lights when I lock/unlock the door. Not a cheap DIY but I think it will be worth something if the day ever comes when we must part

Yep that was my experience last week - The software update to the car wouldn't take because the loader found a new module (THE ALARM) - so the guys had to unplug it, flash the car's ECU, then reinstall.

My tech also mentioned that the 09 1 series will, wait for it, no longer be prewired nor be upgradeable to an OEM alarm !

[mynew135]

I've got an 09 and it was pre wired.

[gadget12345]

Originally Posted by mynew135

I've got an 09 and it was pre wired.

Sry - as of march builds....

[KeithLM]

I got my alarm installed today. My dealer did the install and software upgrades for such a reasonable price that I still don't believe it. I'm not going to say how much, cause no one will believe me, also I don't want to cause any trouble for anyone at the dealership for being so nice to me.

All I can say is if you want to put in the alarm, call up your dealer and say that you bought it online and were planning to do the install yourself but heard there was a software issue. Perhaps they'll be nice to you.

[///M1]

So what is the final verdict on this guys? Does it make sense for me to buy the parts and DIY or will I def need a software upload (build date 04/08) for which I may be charged up the wazoo?

I'll check around for complete dealer pricing (parts and labor), having dealt with all the local BMW dealers in prior years (and there are many), it often ends up cheaper to get them to gete you the parts and install it for you than you to do all the work and ask them just for a software reprogram. In the former case, it is worth their time doing the full Monty (and hence more aggressive pricing), vs. the latter case where it is more of a nuissance...

I would def love to do the job myself, but if I have to pay for a software upload almost as much as having them do everything, than clearly it is not worth bothering...

[ugarte]

delete

[ugarte]

delete

[penny]

My dealer installed and activated everything for $138. He also said that any electrical failure if installed by me voids warranty. At that price, I don't see why anyone would want to install it themselves IMO.

I'm wondering why there's such a big discrepancy in activation/installation pricing from one dealer to the other though.

[///M1]

Originally Posted by penny

My dealer installed and activated everything for $138. He also said that any electrical failure if installed by me voids warranty. At that price, I don't see why anyone would want to install it themselves IMO.

I'm wondering why there's such a big discrepancy in activation/installation pricing from one dealer to the other though.

That's a great deal, I don't see a dealer doing an install and program for your price here in the East Coast which will equate to 1 hr labor ($125) plus tax. I'll need to call and shop around as I want to do this for sure, and don't mind doing it myself as it will be something I'll take pleasure in.