[john802]

Originally Posted by BMW325

My bad, forgot to come back and post, everything is working fine now, all I had to do was re-program the stations, and the tags came back.

Same thing happens to my radio when the dealer initiated my oem alarm. I just re-program the stations and the tags came back.

[FrankoQ]

All these posts just inspired me to do it myself
The dealer wanted $500
Just bought my alarm for $220 including shipping.
They say they will charge about $100 to update software.

Question:
It seems that once installed, the alarm works.
The software update seems to add options so you can
set the audible alert and the lights to blink when arming/disarming.
But other than that, the alarm works the moment you
install it. Is that so?

[crvgt]

I believe you are right. The only thing the dealer activation accomplished was the audible chirp and the flashing lights. Otherwise the alarm itself is fully functional as far as I can tell after the install. Dealer should only charge 1/2 hour labor - around $50.00 USD.

[BMW335PA]

Originally Posted by FrankoQ

All these posts just inspired me to do it myself
The dealer wanted $500
Just bought my alarm for $220 including shipping.
They say they will charge about $100 to update software.

Question:
It seems that once installed, the alarm works.
The software update seems to add options so you can
set the audible alert and the lights to blink when arming/disarming.
But other than that, the alarm works the moment you
install it. Is that so?

The alarm wont work to its full capacity. After I installed mine, the clown nose blinked, and the alarm would go off sometimes from the motion sensor. But you DONT get the audible confirmation, or the panic feature (holding the trunk button) Since I got mine activated the motion sensor is also acting properly. My dealer only charged me $47.00. IF your dealer is trying to charge you more, tell them thats BS, you know for a fact it only takes 1/2 hr to do it, and if they wont honor that, your going somewhere else. Then I'd call around, get some other quotes.

[john802]

Sometimes the dealer include updating software as part of the labor charge. That's one of the reason why they charge so much to initiate the alarm. My dealer cover under warranty the software update & charge me $50.00 to initiate the alarm.

["White Chicks" was an awf]

My dealer told me that the alarm is not available for cars with the big moonroofs, like on my 325xit (E91 wagon). Anybody know if this is true?

[john802]

Originally Posted by "White Chicks" was an awf

My dealer told me that the alarm is not available for cars with the big moonroofs, like on my 325xit (E91 wagon). Anybody know if this is true?

I think the oem alarm is available to E91 w/ electric panoramic moonroof. You just need a different ultra sonic module(P/N:65 75 6 972 065).

[foofighter]

quite informative!!! I think when i take delivery i'll haggle with them to get this alarm thrown in

[magamaga]

at Momemtum BMW west here in Houston, the SA said it would be $216 to install it because they have to reapply software to the car. Am I getting ripped off?

[FrankoQ]

Well, I just did the install and here are a few things to notice:
1) I did not disconect the battery.
2) I started with the installation of the siren. This is because I was
installing the mudguards too.
3) I did have to jack up the car but did not remove the wheel.
once the wheel is on the air, there is plenty of room to install the siren
and the mudflap.
4) I used the jack from an old Toyota corolla. hehe. the jack did fit
perfectly in those jack points for the bimmer.
5) Next was the hood switch. No issues here.
6) the next step was the motion sensor. No issues but be careful when
removing the dome light housing.

At that point, the clown nose did nothing.
I figured I need to take the car to the stealer so they can activate it.
Maybe not...
I went into the i-drive menu and found alert settings to
flash the lights when locking and unlocking. Nothing about audible alerts.
I took delivery of the car yesterday and I don't remember seeing the lights
flash when locking the car.
I removed the keyfob from the car, got out and pressed the lock button.
The lights flashed and the clown nose started blinking fast for a few secs
then went to flash once every few seconds. If I unlock, then I get the lights to flash again and the clown nose stops blinking.

It's almost midnight so I do not want to test the actual alarm.
But will try the following tomorrow:
- press and hold trunk button to see if the panic feature works.
- lock myself inside the car to see if the motion sensor works.
- test the hood switch
- test the doors.

If the above works, the only thing not there is the audible alert when
locking/ unlocking. I could live without that and save me some $$$
that I can use for other upgrades.

That's my report for today.

[obLu]

Mine started working like that right away ... and then I fought with the stealer over activation, they wanted $250 just for activation. Finally settled on $100 after calling them out on what it is they have to do for activation ... and after they had my car ALL damn day before bothering to start the software update and then telling me they'd need the car another day, but no loaner for you so sorry. Needless to say I wasn't pleased. After much bitching they miraculously got it working.

But the downside is, somehow they activated the alarm so that it has audible notification but it's not available as an option in the settings. I have the choice of setting it to flash the lights or not flash the lights, but no matter what it chirps. I don't have that third option to turn the audible on or off.

No matter, but somehow they were able to hard code that without updating the software. I highly doubt they got the software on my car updated in 40min (I don't have idrive and don't know how to check it without that so I've never bothered to look either). My guess is you don't really *need* to have the software updated to activate the alarm ... I've dealt with service depts before that have done some shady crap. My guess is, since every time I asked the price for activation changed, that they're billing BMW under warranty for the software update and then charging the customer cash.

[FrankoQ]

Originally Posted by FrankoQ

Well, I just did the install and here are a few things to notice:
1) I did not disconect the battery.
2) I started with the installation of the siren. This is because I was
installing the mudguards too.
3) I did have to jack up the car but did not remove the wheel.
once the wheel is on the air, there is plenty of room to install the siren
and the mudflap.
4) I used the jack from an old Toyota corolla. hehe. the jack did fit
perfectly in those jack points for the bimmer.
5) Next was the hood switch. No issues here.
6) the next step was the motion sensor. No issues but be careful when
removing the dome light housing.

At that point, the clown nose did nothing.
I figured I need to take the car to the stealer so they can activate it.
Maybe not...
I went into the i-drive menu and found alert settings to
flash the lights when locking and unlocking. Nothing about audible alerts.
I took delivery of the car yesterday and I don't remember seeing the lights
flash when locking the car.
I removed the keyfob from the car, got out and pressed the lock button.
The lights flashed and the clown nose started blinking fast for a few secs
then went to flash once every few seconds. If I unlock, then I get the lights to flash again and the clown nose stops blinking.

It's almost midnight so I do not want to test the actual alarm.
But will try the following tomorrow:
- press and hold trunk button to see if the panic feature works.
- lock myself inside the car to see if the motion sensor works.
- test the hood switch
- test the doors.

If the above works, the only thing not there is the audible alert when
locking/ unlocking. I could live without that and save me some $$$
that I can use for other upgrades.

That's my report for today.

Today's report:
- panic button does not work
- hood switch does not set off the alarm
- motion sensor does work and sets off the alarm
- opening the door also sets off the alarm.

So, I will go to the stealer to get the software upgraded for the alarm.

[therat]

Been reading this post and it has been very helpful, since i'm planning to get an oem alarm myself. I do have a question for those who have installed the alarm..did any of you have comfort access installed on your car? I don't have navigation. I want to know if there is any difference if you do have comfort access. My keyfob on my car already roles down the window and moonroof. Is that the same on a non-comfort access car? Anyone have any experience w/ alarm w/ comfort access please share how the alarm works w/ comfort access. Thanks!!!

[dba1t]

Thank everyone for the helpful DIY information on the factory alarm. I installed the components on the weekend. All went according to plan with no surprises.

[FrankoQ]

Originally Posted by dba1t

Thank everyone for the helpful DIY information on the factory alarm. I installed the components on the weekend. All went according to plan with no surprises.

What do you mean?
all the functions of the alarm work?
Did you have to get a software update?

[mpc325]

I just purchased a June 06 build 325 last week. I brought it back to the dealer a few days ago to get the alarm installed and was told that I needed the rear dome light replaced to accomodate the motion detector and it is currently on backorder until at least September.

I have some doubts if this is correct. Thanks to this site, I know the dome light issue relates back to a July 05 TSB and I wouldn't think that BMW is still shipping cars with the incorrect light. Additionally it sounds like a lot of other owners are handling 2006 installations without mentioning the light replacement. I'm also getting a conflicting conclusion from another dealer who ran my VIN and said that I don't need the replacement.

I'm somewhat confused now and I'm not sure which dealer to trust. Can someone on the forum please describe or post a photo of the proper rear dome light so that I can identify whether I have the right light?

Thanks for any help that you can provide.

[magamaga]

You don't need to replace it. I have a March 06 build and I didn't need to replace the dome light. The motion sensor fits just fine.

[anolin]

Originally Posted by FrankoQ

...
3) I did have to jack up the car but did not remove the wheel.
once the wheel is on the air, there is plenty of room to install the siren
and the mudflap.
4) I used the jack from an old Toyota corolla. hehe. the jack did fit
perfectly in those jack points for the bimmer.
<snip>

Franko - did you remove the felt wheel well liner before or after you jacked the car? I got a quote from a local SA for the siren install and software activation only, but can get that number down even more if I can DIY the siren.

[Boondoggler]

Originally Posted by anolin

Franko - did you remove the felt wheel well liner before or after you jacked the car? I got a quote from a local SA for the siren install and software activation only, but can get that number down even more if I can DIY the siren.

I just performed the install this evening. It would not be possible to remove the felt liner without jacking up the car. Honestly, I'm impressed he got the felt liner off without removing the wheel as there are several screws that are near impossible to get at without removing the wheel. Unless you're willing and able to jack up the car and remove the wheel you'll have to have the dealer do the siren.

[FrankoQ]

Originally Posted by mpc325

I just purchased a June 06 build 325 last week. I brought it back to the dealer a few days ago to get the alarm installed and was told that I needed the rear dome light replaced to accomodate the motion detector and it is currently on backorder until at least September.

I have some doubts if this is correct. Thanks to this site, I know the dome light issue relates back to a July 05 TSB and I wouldn't think that BMW is still shipping cars with the incorrect light. Additionally it sounds like a lot of other owners are handling 2006 installations without mentioning the light replacement. I'm also getting a conflicting conclusion from another dealer who ran my VIN and said that I don't need the replacement.

I'm somewhat confused now and I'm not sure which dealer to trust. Can someone on the forum please describe or post a photo of the proper rear dome light so that I can identify whether I have the right light?

Thanks for any help that you can provide.

Here is a pic of the rear dome light.
Older models did not have those grills for the motion sensor.

[Joe Bimmer]

So, the OEM alarm doesn't have a sensor for the boot (trunk) ? This would be a common place for a thief to want to break in...did I miss something?

[FrankoQ]

Originally Posted by Joe Bimmer

So, the OEM alarm doesn't have a sensor for the boot (trunk) ? This would be a common place for a thief to want to break in...did I miss something?

There is a switch for the trunk (boot).
The DIY above shows instructions on how to install that.