The alram in question is for my 2005 Z4 rag top and it has a motion detector. I have been getting a lot of conflicting replies as to how long it will take the dealership to program the alarm. My dealer says 4-5 hours (I wonder what they are smoking), most others have said 30 to 60 minutes. Before, I invest in the alarm and the time to install it, I'd like to know if it is going to cost me an arm and a leg to have it programmed. Thanks.
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2002 325i SP, 2005 Z4 2.5L

I don't think they are planning on charging you for 4-5 hours, I think that dealership service departments tend to be somewhat loose on scheduling. They will probably spend 20 minutes in thecar, but WHEN the 20 minutes will be during that 4-5 hours, they have no idea...

since a Z4 must be programed with CIP there's no way to tell intil you actually hook up and do it. the software service station will make up update the whole car even if you only want to do the alarm. so it depends on how many c.u. need updating. usually best if the car is left for the day. it might take 20 min. it might take a couple of hours.

since a Z4 must be programed with CIP there's no way to tell intil you actually hook up and do it. the software service station will make up update the whole car even if you only want to do the alarm. so it depends on how many c.u. need updating. usually best if the car is left for the day. it might take 20 min. it might take a couple of hours.

Ooh, good to know... thanks for the tip, man.

since a Z4 must be programed with CIP there's no way to tell intil you actually hook up and do it. the software service station will make up update the whole car even if you only want to do the alarm. so it depends on how many c.u. need updating. usually best if the car is left for the day. it might take 20 min. it might take a couple of hours.

Hey pman3015, you seem to know your stuff, are you a BMW tech? You are the first responder that has brought up the possible problems that may occur if the software detects a need to update other sensors...even if I only want the alarm done. My dealership contact (my saleman who I trust) did tell me that the tech did say this was a possibility and then the whole procedure could take a whole lot of time. Actually, I couldn't believe that this was true, but now with your input, I've got a big decision to make.

Spend around $230 for the alarm, install it myself, and then face a possible 2-4 hours of dealership service charges at $130/hr. I don't mind the 1 hour charge, but more than that is too much. Then again, I don't think that they should find anything to update as the car is among the last 2005 builds. My only other concern is that I have installed a radar detector, and hot wired into the overhead map light console. You'll find my install on the Z4um.com How to Guides: Tips on Valentine 1 Install into Overhead Console (I'd give you the URL, but for whatever reason, the URL is not accepted by this post). The V1 works as it should, but do you think it would set off a default while programming the alarm. Naively, I sort of think it won't as I did a similar radar install on my 2002 325i and when I had the DIY alarm programmed, there were no problems. Any help/suggestions, greatly appreciated.

I have worked at BMW dealerships for 20 years and like to help when I can. Your radar detector should cause no problems while programing. We would charge a flat fee to install alarm, pretty expensive but if extra programing is needed we usually don't charge the cust. extra.

I have the install instructions. It lists 1.5 hours, which at $130/hr, will be about $195. Then another 1 hour for programming, it gets up to about $325. Or, does the 1.5 hours include the programming? If it does, then I might just go for the $195. How much is your install flat fee and does it include programming? Thanks.

We charge 350 to install and program, my accessory guy reminded me that on a Z4 it doesn't need a complete program like 5,6,7 series cars just need to retrofit the alarm to the car.

We charge 350 to install and program, my accessory guy reminded me that on a Z4 it doesn't need a complete program like 5,6,7 series cars just need to retrofit the alarm to the car.

So, if I don't need a complete program, then it should probably take less than an hour to program...assuming all connections are good and there are no faults on the way.