Do I have an alarm?

[X3-terrestrial]

Hi,
Just wondering how would I know if I actually have an alarme on my X3. I was reading in another post that even the turns blink and the LED under the mirror too, that's not an indication. Well my turns blink everytime I lock/unlock and the LED in the mirror starts blinking a while after I locked the car, but, do I have an actual alarm?

I wonder if the dealer can tell what's ALL the options that are actually installed and programmed in the car...
Around how much would a dealer charge to activate certain features?

[vern]

Hi,
Just wondering how would I know if I actually have an alarme on my X3. I was reading in another post that even the turns blink and the LED under the mirror too, that's not an indication. Well my turns blink everytime I lock/unlock and the LED in the mirror starts blinking a while after I locked the car, but, do I have an actual alarm?

I wonder if the dealer can tell what's ALL the options that are actually installed and programmed in the car...
Around how much would a dealer charge to activate certain features?
Rather than searching your X3 to see if you have the alarm system to find out the easy way is to press the panic button on your key fob,thats the bottom button, if the siren goes off you have the alarm. The alarm system is a dealer install option. Good luck
cheers
vern

[X3-terrestrial]

Rather than searching your X3 to see if you have the alarm system to find out the easy way is to press the panic button on your key fob,thats the bottom button, if the siren goes off you have the alarm. The alarm system is a dealer install option. Good luck
cheers
vern

Do you mean the trunk unlock button?

[kjboyd]

or lock the car, and give a swift closed fist to the b-pillar, if you hear a siren...

[vern]

Do you mean the trunk unlock button?
Yes, thats the bottom button. Good luck
cheers
vern

[Bill97Z]

The trunk unlock is the panic button? Somehow that doesn't make sense?

My new X3 too has a blinking clown nose and flashing parking lights when I unlock/lock the car. I don't think it has an alarm, but not sure how to find out for sure.

[X3-terrestrial]

Too bad...I don't have one. It's so sad tha BMW won't throw an standard alarm system to such "upscale" cars....Even Cobalts have it standard.:thumbdwn:

[jacob]

terrestrial, how did you confirm? kjboyd's swift fist to the b-pillar method?

I've been wondering the same thing, but actually hope that I don't have one as I find them more annoying than effective for the most part.

[kjboyd]

another option, does it BEEP when you lock it?

[X3 Skier]

another option, does it BEEP when you lock it?

The Beep is a programmable option on my 05. I have the alarm and the car does not beep when I lock it.

BTW, car alarms are useful for finding your car in a parking lot and not much else.:eeps:

Cheers

[rs6654]

BTW, car alarms are useful for finding your car in a parking lot and not much else.:eeps:

Cheers

Until just recently I used to think the exact same way.

A week or so ago my son's '96 Corolla was broken into and whoever did it really had their way with it. The dash and ignition switch were heavily damaged trying to get the steering unlocked and get it started. The center console was completely destroyed getting his aftermarket stereo out. I think an alarm might have run them off as soon as the window was broken. Plus he would have know right away so the rains of Fay would not have had the chance to fill the floorboards with water overnight.

He only had liability and the car is so buggered up that he's selling it for scrap.

[vern]

[QUOTE=Bill97Z;3519672]The trunk unlock is the panic button? Somehow that doesn't make sense?
QUOTE]
I don't know how long you have owned BMW's but get with the program,BMW has been doing it that way for years. Some of the posters complain that if they press the button to open the trunk and hold it down a bit to long the PANIC alarm goes off. Knowing this, does it now make sence?
cheers
vern

[Evlengr]

The Beep is a programmable option on my 05. I have the alarm and the car does not beep when I lock it.

BTW, car alarms are useful for finding your car in a parking lot and not much else.:eeps:

Cheers

After having my other vehicles broken into several times I made some special modifications.

Install several Piezo tweeters in hidden locations in the cabin with a small amp. Tune it to 1khz tone at 120 db.

There is no one that can physically stay in your car for more than thirty seconds. The threshold of pain that is created is more than the human body can tolerate. The psycho-acoustic effect makes your eyes close first, then excruciating pain.

Kind of hard to steal anything or the vehicle if they can't see. Muwhahahaa

[X3-terrestrial]

terrestrial, how did you confirm? kjboyd's swift fist to the b-pillar method?

I've been wondering the same thing, but actually hope that I don't have one as I find them more annoying than effective for the most part.

I did the "panic" button test....nothing happened.

[X3-terrestrial]

another option, does it BEEP when you lock it?

Nope...no beep...

[sunnyyan]

I have the exact same question, I can lock/unlock but without a sound. So I went to dealer and was told I don't have an alarm installed. period. Add an alarm now would cost at least $300 labor + couple hundreds for parts. Hope this helps.

SY

[UncleJ]

A question: "when was the last time you heard a car alarm go off and (if it wasn't yours) did something about it?" I have never done anything, except wonder when the darn thing will turn itself off. Every car I have owned that came with an alarm has caused problems at some point. I don't like them, but if they are included will not disable them if for no other reason than you get a small break on the insurance.

[x3ronnie]

After having my other vehicles broken into several times I made some special modifications.

Install several Piezo tweeters in hidden locations in the cabin with a small amp. Tune it to 1khz tone at 120 db.

There is no one that can physically stay in your car for more than thirty seconds. The threshold of pain that is created is more than the human body can tolerate. The psycho-acoustic effect makes your eyes close first, then excruciating pain.

Kind of hard to steal anything or the vehicle if they can't see. Muwhahahaa

Nice!:thumbup:

[rs6654]

A question: "when was the last time you heard a car alarm go off and (if it wasn't yours) did something about it?" I have never done anything, except wonder when the darn thing will turn itself off. Every car I have owned that came with an alarm has caused problems at some point. I don't like them, but if they are included will not disable them if for no other reason than you get a small break on the insurance.

Being retired we travel a lot. It's nice having one watch your car all night in the motel parking lot.

[Bill97Z]

[QUOTE=Bill97Z;3519672]The trunk unlock is the panic button? Somehow that doesn't make sense?
QUOTE]
I don't know how long you have owned BMW's but get with the program,BMW has been doing it that way for years. Some of the posters complain that if they press the button to open the trunk and hold it down a bit to long the PANIC alarm goes off. Knowing this, does it now make sence?
cheers
vern

Since BMW doesn't provide alarms as standard or factory optional equipment, what does knowing the details about them have anything to do with how long someone has owned BMW's? The fact is that I have never had an alarm on any of my BMW's so even if I have owned them for 50 yrs I would still be unsure of the working details behind them. It doesn't make sense to me that pressing the trunk unlock button would set off the alarm, and thats what was initially posted. Now in your previous post, you said that pressing and holding it set's off the panic.....thats a big difference and does make a bit more sense.

[sunnyyan]

checked with my local alarm installers, it will cost little more than $300 to add alarm to x3. the nice part of this is I'll be still using bmw keys, there is a particular brand of alarm that will work with existing x3 remote entry system so bmw keys from factory will lock/arm and unlock/unarm.

[Evlengr]

checked with my local alarm installers, it will cost little more than $300 to add alarm to x3. the nice part of this is I'll be still using bmw keys, there is a particular brand of alarm that will work with existing x3 remote entry system so bmw keys from factory will lock/arm and unlock/unarm.


What model is that? I am thinking of doing some upgrades to existing alarm. And that was what I was looking to change.

[sunnyyan]

What model is that? I am thinking of doing some upgrades to existing alarm. And that was the what I was looking to change.


I don't the know the brand name, but was told most of OEM alarms were made by the same company, talked to couple of your local installers and they should have something for you.

[rs6654]

From what I've been able to learn the inclination sensor is built into the siren on later models.

[dug01]

Too bad...I don't have one. It's so sad tha BMW won't throw an standard alarm system to such "upscale" cars....Even Cobalts have it standard.:thumbdwn:
I agree==$40k plus and no alarm and an antique GPS system...:dunno:

[rs6654]

I agree==$40k plus and no alarm and an antique GPS system...:dunno:

I'd still rather have the X3.

[X3-terrestrial]

checked with my local alarm installers, it will cost little more than $300 to add alarm to x3. the nice part of this is I'll be still using bmw keys, there is a particular brand of alarm that will work with existing x3 remote entry system so bmw keys from factory will lock/arm and unlock/unarm.


What about this? They say X3 comes pre-wired..not bad for $230.00...

http://tinyurl.com/BMWX3alarm

[Bill97Z]

Circle BMW has them for 225 new.