My new BMW alarm was installed yesterday - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

deutschmann59 · 06-15-2005, 08:55 AM

Hey everybody. I just wanted to let you guys know a little about the alarm for the new E90 since I just had mine installed yetserday. It's really nice. It has the standard one beep when arming, two beeps when disarming. Also, when the car is armed, the red "clown nose" light under the mirror, as it has been referred to, flashes once every two seconds or so to deter would-be thieves.

Just as I thought, the software in the computer does indeed need to be updated by the dealer, because two new options were added under "central locking" in addition to "flash lights when locking/unlocking". The two new menus were "acoustic confirm. when locking/unlocking" which of course enables/disables the beep.

The alarm is VERY loud and goes off obviously whenever it detects anyone might be tampering with the car, but also holding the trunk button on the fob for about five seconds also enables the panic siren, which is then disabled by pressing the unlock arrow button. By the way, the alarm is integrated right into the fob, so there isn't anything extra you need to get. I definitely recommend the alarm if you ever plan on taking the car anywhere outside of your own garage. My cousin's car was parked right outside of my house on Easter Sunday this year, and some scumbag broke into the car and stole his radio--in broad daylight. You can never be to careful, and I consider $350.00 a small price to pay for piece of mind.

By the way, the dealer sold me the $300.00 alarm for $255.00, and charged me two hours worth of work which came out to about $100.00.

matrix · 06-15-2005, 09:35 AM

$255 + $100 installation charge is a great deal. The criminals (I mean dealers) here in NY wants $900 for the same. :mad:

silverado · 06-15-2005, 10:29 AM

So what are the typical hourly labor rates for at a BMW dealer in the US? sharp1183's post suggests it's only $50/hr.

CC 330i · 06-15-2005, 01:28 PM

I ordered mine from Circle BMW in NJ and it cost about $220. Now I still have to get it installed.... Maybe I will try to do it myself. It is prewired for the alarm so how hard can it be?

Also, I don't have NAV, but when I lock or unlock my car, the lights flash on the outside of the car, which is I guess is not the case for everyone. I am curious if other non-nav customers had this enabled upon delivery, or am I just lucky?

I have the clown nose on the mirror too, but it doesn't flash at all when the car is locked, so this must not be enabled. Does anyone know if I am going to need a software update to my car? My dealer says they don't have any software updates from BMW yet. Can this be?

Also, I wonder if another non-nav owner can double check to make sure their fog lights work. Mine don't, and I am wondering what it could be...

RedStripe · 06-15-2005, 01:47 PM

Sharp1183, Thanks for the post, it was very informative! I think I will get an alarm now, too!

Dave C. '06 330i · 06-15-2005, 03:32 PM

I was under the impression the car came with an alarm?

It doesn't??

My lights do flash when I lock or unlock, but I don't recall the red light on the mirror blinking.

-Dave C. '06 330i

silverado · 06-15-2005, 03:36 PM

Flashing when you lock it is normal. it does not come with an alarm.

Jerel56 · 06-15-2005, 04:23 PM

I'm very surprised that the E90 doesn't come with an alarm. I was under the impression that one would be included. As extra leverage, BMW makes it almost necessary to get their alarm as, any thief that knows BMW will recognize that the clown nose is dark and there is no alarm.

The nose without the blinking light is like a sign on your car that says "Hey, easy break in...NO ALARM!". I imagine it could be removed but, not sure. Has anyone tried to remove the nose?

Broken1 · 06-15-2005, 05:26 PM

In South Africa, the alarm is standard on the E90. I guess there's just a demand here for such a thing...people want alarms on their expensive cars. Period. I think they should make it std in usa too

deutschmann59 · 06-15-2005, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerel56

The nose without the blinking light is like a sign on your car that says "Hey, easy break in...NO ALARM!".

That's an interesting point. You'd think BMW would think that through a little better. I'm almost positive the alarm is standard in Germany, but here in the states, it's not even an option--it's an accessory! With my last car, I was always worried that an experienced crook would just pop the hood and disconnect the battery if he set the alarm off, but now I think the battery in the new E90 is under the seat, so I guess they thought that part through. Of course, the battery on my dad's deville is under the rear seat as well.

silverado · 06-15-2005, 05:41 PM

When I expressed my surprise to my salesman that it doesn't come with an alarm, he told me that it is very hard to steal because it requires the key fob to be inserted in the slot or it wouldn't start. Even if that is entirely true and it's next to impossible to start with the fob, I would not want the person breaking in have his sweet time destroying my car while trying to start it instead of being in a hurry or chased away by an alarm.

Nathan · 06-15-2005, 05:46 PM

Although i would have loved to have the alarm for free, keep in mind that US models get a lot of stuff std that Germany or the UK doesn't get. So its a trade-off.

Nathan

LEDZEP · 06-15-2005, 05:49 PM

I was told by my dealer that it wasn't available yet. I'll have to ask again!

RachelS · 06-15-2005, 05:55 PM

Hi
Is the alarm plug and play...what i mean does the dealer have to cut you wires in the car to do it or do they just plug it in and update the computer

Nathan · 06-15-2005, 06:14 PM

i heard they had to cut wires. Also, it took 3.5 hours to reprogram my car. that's just nuts!

Nathan

pondermatic · 06-15-2005, 07:33 PM

On the E46, there was a way to program the clown nose to blink even without the alarm being installed.

RichReg · 06-15-2005, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan

i heard they had to cut wires. Also, it took 3.5 hours to reprogram my car. that's just nuts!

Nathan

I'm sure that the well known electrical problems that BMWs have would be more than enough impetus for BMW to make installation of the E90 alarm the same or easier than the E46. I highly doubt that BMW decided to make 'cutting wires' part of the install procedure.

timzerofive · 06-15-2005, 07:55 PM

I thought alarm IS an option, it is included with the premium package.

RichReg · 06-15-2005, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timzerofive

I thought alarm IS an option, it is included with the premium package.

It is considered an accessory;;;it does not come with the Premium Package.

silverado · 06-15-2005, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichReg

It is considered an accessory;;;it does not come with the Premium Package.

That's correct. I was told you can't order the car with an alarm. It has to be installed at the dealer.

timzerofive · 06-16-2005, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichReg

It is considered an accessory;;;it does not come with the Premium Package.

ic, my dealer told me otherwise thats why. because when i went for the test drive, the car had that red clown nose thing and I asked what that was, and he told me its the alarm and it comes with premium package.

volsfan0911 · 06-16-2005, 01:52 AM

Currently, BMWUSA.com doesn't list the alarm as either included with the Premium Package nor as an accessory. On the E46, it was a stand alone option. Installation was pretty straight forward and definitely a DIY option. Car will have to be programmed at a stealership - price varies but it shouldn't run more than $60 (if they quote more, go find another stealership if feasible). One of the joys of living in Jersey (and they're few) is that I'm literally right down the road from BMWNA and know several people who work there. I can ask and get it straight from the horse's mouth.......

Seem to remember an article in C&D (?) a while back on the astronomical car jacking & theft rates in South Africa. Unfortunately, it sounded like you need the alarm, Kevlar, a Glock and possibly an attack dog in the front seat as standard!

06-15-2005, 08:55 AM	#1
deutschmann59 Captain Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: e90post.com Posts: 755 iTrader: (0)	My new BMW alarm was installed yesterday Hey everybody. I just wanted to let you guys know a little about the alarm for the new E90 since I just had mine installed yetserday. It's really nice. It has the standard one beep when arming, two beeps when disarming. Also, when the car is armed, the red "clown nose" light under the mirror, as it has been referred to, flashes once every two seconds or so to deter would-be thieves. Just as I thought, the software in the computer does indeed need to be updated by the dealer, because two new options were added under "central locking" in addition to "flash lights when locking/unlocking". The two new menus were "acoustic confirm. when locking/unlocking" which of course enables/disables the beep. The alarm is VERY loud and goes off obviously whenever it detects anyone might be tampering with the car, but also holding the trunk button on the fob for about five seconds also enables the panic siren, which is then disabled by pressing the unlock arrow button. By the way, the alarm is integrated right into the fob, so there isn't anything extra you need to get. I definitely recommend the alarm if you ever plan on taking the car anywhere outside of your own garage. My cousin's car was parked right outside of my house on Easter Sunday this year, and some scumbag broke into the car and stole his radio--in broad daylight. You can never be to careful, and I consider $350.00 a small price to pay for piece of mind. By the way, the dealer sold me the $300.00 alarm for $255.00, and charged me two hours worth of work which came out to about $100.00.

06-15-2005, 05:26 PM	#9
Broken1 E90 Addict Drives: E90 325i Sparking Graphite Join Date: May 2005 Location: Johannesburg Posts: 2,065 iTrader: (0) View Broken1's Garage	In South Africa, the alarm is standard on the E90. I guess there's just a demand here for such a thing...people want alarms on their expensive cars. Period. I think they should make it std in usa too __________________ Broken1.e90post.com / First Meet 11 June Photo's

06-15-2005, 05:46 PM	#12
Nathan First Lieutenant Drives: 2010 X5 3.0 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The Windy City Posts: 367 iTrader: (0)	Although i would have loved to have the alarm for free, keep in mind that US models get a lot of stuff std that Germany or the UK doesn't get. So its a trade-off. Nathan __________________ [ US 2010 X5 3.0 \| Space Gray \| Black Nevada Leather \| Dark Bamboo Wood Trim \| Premium Package \| Sport Activity Package \| Premium Sound Package \| Technology Package \| Heated Front Seats \| Multi-Contour Seats \| Smartphone Integration \| Space Saver \| iPhone 3GS ]

06-15-2005, 06:14 PM	#15
Nathan First Lieutenant Drives: 2010 X5 3.0 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The Windy City Posts: 367 iTrader: (0)	i heard they had to cut wires. Also, it took 3.5 hours to reprogram my car. that's just nuts! Nathan __________________ [ US 2010 X5 3.0 \| Space Gray \| Black Nevada Leather \| Dark Bamboo Wood Trim \| Premium Package \| Sport Activity Package \| Premium Sound Package \| Technology Package \| Heated Front Seats \| Multi-Contour Seats \| Smartphone Integration \| Space Saver \| iPhone 3GS ]

06-15-2005, 09:35 AM	#2
matrix Private First Class Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York Posts: 74 iTrader: (0)	$255 + $100 installation charge is a great deal. The criminals (I mean dealers) here in NY wants $900 for the same. :mad:

06-15-2005, 10:29 AM	#3
silverado Captain Drives: E90 330i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 589 iTrader: (0)	So what are the typical hourly labor rates for at a BMW dealer in the US? sharp1183's post suggests it's only $50/hr.

06-15-2005, 01:28 PM	#4
CC 330i Captain Drives: 330i SG/Blk/Alum Join Date: May 2005 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 714 iTrader: (0)	I ordered mine from Circle BMW in NJ and it cost about $220. Now I still have to get it installed.... Maybe I will try to do it myself. It is prewired for the alarm so how hard can it be? Also, I don't have NAV, but when I lock or unlock my car, the lights flash on the outside of the car, which is I guess is not the case for everyone. I am curious if other non-nav customers had this enabled upon delivery, or am I just lucky? I have the clown nose on the mirror too, but it doesn't flash at all when the car is locked, so this must not be enabled. Does anyone know if I am going to need a software update to my car? My dealer says they don't have any software updates from BMW yet. Can this be? Also, I wonder if another non-nav owner can double check to make sure their fog lights work. Mine don't, and I am wondering what it could be...

06-15-2005, 01:47 PM	#5
RedStripe Captain Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 657 iTrader: (1) View RedStripe's Garage	Sharp1183, Thanks for the post, it was very informative! I think I will get an alarm now, too!

06-15-2005, 03:32 PM	#6
Dave C. '06 330i Private First Class Drives: Saphire Black 330i Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 71 iTrader: (0)	I was under the impression the car came with an alarm? It doesn't?? My lights do flash when I lock or unlock, but I don't recall the red light on the mirror blinking. -Dave C. '06 330i

06-15-2005, 03:36 PM	#7
silverado Captain Drives: E90 330i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 589 iTrader: (0)	Flashing when you lock it is normal. it does not come with an alarm.

06-15-2005, 04:23 PM	#8
Jerel56 Private Drives: Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Norwalk, CT Posts: 38 iTrader: (0)	I'm very surprised that the E90 doesn't come with an alarm. I was under the impression that one would be included. As extra leverage, BMW makes it almost necessary to get their alarm as, any thief that knows BMW will recognize that the clown nose is dark and there is no alarm. The nose without the blinking light is like a sign on your car that says "Hey, easy break in...NO ALARM!". I imagine it could be removed but, not sure. Has anyone tried to remove the nose?

06-15-2005, 05:41 PM	#11
silverado Captain Drives: E90 330i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 589 iTrader: (0)	When I expressed my surprise to my salesman that it doesn't come with an alarm, he told me that it is very hard to steal because it requires the key fob to be inserted in the slot or it wouldn't start. Even if that is entirely true and it's next to impossible to start with the fob, I would not want the person breaking in have his sweet time destroying my car while trying to start it instead of being in a hurry or chased away by an alarm.

06-15-2005, 05:49 PM	#13
LEDZEP Lieutenant General Drives: E90 & E91 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 Posts: 11,205 iTrader: (0) View LEDZEP's Garage	I was told by my dealer that it wasn't available yet. I'll have to ask again!

06-15-2005, 05:55 PM	#14
RachelS Second Lieutenant Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 191 iTrader: (0)	Hi Is the alarm plug and play...what i mean does the dealer have to cut you wires in the car to do it or do they just plug it in and update the computer

06-15-2005, 07:33 PM	#16
pondermatic Member Drives: 1986 BMW 535i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 5 iTrader: (0)	On the E46, there was a way to program the clown nose to blink even without the alarm being installed.

06-15-2005, 07:55 PM	#18
timzerofive there is no spoon Drives: 330i manual Join Date: May 2005 Location: Irvine Posts: 798 iTrader: (0) View timzerofive's Garage	I thought alarm IS an option, it is included with the premium package.

06-16-2005, 01:52 AM	#22
volsfan0911 Private Drives: 2004 Accord V-6 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ellicott City, MD Posts: 50 iTrader: (0)	Currently, BMWUSA.com doesn't list the alarm as either included with the Premium Package nor as an accessory. On the E46, it was a stand alone option. Installation was pretty straight forward and definitely a DIY option. Car will have to be programmed at a stealership - price varies but it shouldn't run more than $60 (if they quote more, go find another stealership if feasible). One of the joys of living in Jersey (and they're few) is that I'm literally right down the road from BMWNA and know several people who work there. I can ask and get it straight from the horse's mouth....... Seem to remember an article in C&D (?) a while back on the astronomical car jacking & theft rates in South Africa. Unfortunately, it sounded like you need the alarm, Kevlar, a Glock and possibly an attack dog in the front seat as standard!