Just took delivery of my 328i sedan, Sparlking Graphite with sport suspension. What a ride especially over 90 miles per hour. My first BMW since the mid 70's and a 2002. It is quiet the drivers car.
Quick question. It appears the car does not come with an alarm and in fact without it you get no beeps when locking the car. I thought things like this where pretty much standard in cars now. I am comming out of an Audi A4 which was a great car and that what simply a standard part of the car.
Any comments are appreciated and in fact any comments about the 328i in general
Thanks
Terry

alarm needs to be purchased after delivery. its not a factory option.

alarm needs to be purchased after delivery. its not a factory option.
How much is it? Is it a BMW dealer installed item?

$600-800 depending on dealer. Bear in mind it is virtually impossible to steal the car without towing it away, even then the GPS system makes it possible the car can be located.

Denton

$600-800 depending on dealer. Bear in mind it is virtually impossible to steal the car without towing it away, even then the GPS system makes it possible the car can be located.

Denton
The dealer told me that the 3-series was actually easy to steal... :(

She said they can carry something that "fools" the computer, and they can start it. Apparently a lot of 3 series get stolen in this area (Los Angeles).

I would like to get the alarm!

We considered it, but with the cars GPS and BMW assist, thought it would be redundant.

IMHO, just increase your insurance coverage. The added premium should still pencil out less than full purchase of an alarm over the time of ownership.

Works for me but, it is what makes you feel more comfortable.

We considered it, but with the cars GPS and BMW assist, thought it would be redundant.

IMHO, just increase your insurance coverage. The added premium should still pencil out less than full purchase of an alarm over the time of ownership.

Works for me but, it is what makes you feel more comfortable.
Is the BMW assist used to locate the car when it's stolen?

I got the dealer alarm option because I had a thief drill out the locks on my A6 front door and steal some precious items out of my trunk which were priceless. My A6 had an immobilizer alarm but that was it. I would have appreciated some siren or something to deter this guy from spending so much time breaking in and searching the car in the hotel parking garage.

Will the dealer alarm go off with this kind of theft? Like what are the triggers I gues is what I am asking?

i'd get the alarm just so it would beep when I lock/unlock it =D

alarm needs to be purchased after delivery. its not a factory option.

Not quite true, mine is factory installed.

Not quite true, mine is factory installed.

Sure about that? I too was told by the dealer it was dealer-installed. It comes with the wiring pre-done...

Denton

Sure about that? I too was told by the dealer it was dealer-installed. It comes with the wiring pre-done...

Denton
It could be because Alex is in Slovenia?? I believe in the U.S. it is dealer install only. :shifty

Canada is dealer install also..

US is dealer installed ONLY!
Alarm + labor should not be more than $475.00.

It could be because Alex is in Slovenia?? I believe in the U.S. it is dealer install only. :shifty

My CA told me it's dealer installed.

US is dealer installed ONLY!
Alarm + labor should not be more than $475.00.

That was true before all the issues came up on the alarms....now it is going for around 650 to 675....when I schedule the install in January it was 439 and when I finally got it done (3/1), after they started taking installs again (they stopped, by direction of BMWNA until they worked out the bugs) it had added an hour to the install....bummer.
BUT.....I do have doors that chirp and a beautiful blinky clown nose. Happy camper here!!!!

That was true before all the issues came up on the alarms....now it is going for around 650 to 675....when I schedule the install in January it was 439 and when I finally got it done (3/1), after they started taking installs again (they stopped, by direction of BMWNA until they worked out the bugs) it had added an hour to the install....bummer.
BUT.....I do have doors that chirp and a beautiful blinky clown nose. Happy camper here!!!!
Kristine - long time no post. My alarm was thrown in "gratis" to close the deal. I do know when they installed it back in November, it took them about 4 hours to do it, far longer than they estimated. I'm glad I have it - Fear the Clown Nose. :shifty

Is the BMW assist used to locate the car when it's stolen?

That is one of the things BMW assits does. They can also remotely unlock your car, fetch you gas, etc. It is similar to onstar.

Is the BMW assist used to locate the car when it's stolen?


Yes, all you have to do is file a stolen vehicle report with local police and call BMW Assist with the report/case number, and they will locate it for you.

Just took delivery of my 328i sedan, Sparlking Graphite with sport suspension. What a ride especially over 90 miles per hour. My first BMW since the mid 70's and a 2002. It is quiet the drivers car.
Quick question. It appears the car does not come with an alarm and in fact without it you get no beeps when locking the car. I thought things like this where pretty much standard in cars now. I am comming out of an Audi A4 which was a great car and that what simply a standard part of the car.
Any comments are appreciated and in fact any comments about the 328i in general
Thanks
Terry


The only thing to me that alarm does is make noise, that no one pays attention to. Plus you have an immobolizer, and BMW Assist.

Kristine - long time no post. My alarm was thrown in "gratis" to close the deal. I do know when they installed it back in November, it took them about 4 hours to do it, far longer than they estimated. I'm glad I have it - Fear the Clown Nose. :shifty

4 hours for the entire process? that would be great....mine took all day as it is about three hours for the install and then about three to four more for the re-programming of the car. Loving the chirpy doors and blinky the clown nose!!!! Feel much more bettah!!!!

The only thing to me that alarm does is make noise, that no one pays attention to. Plus you have an immobolizer, and BMW Assist.

Agreed. If someone wants to get into my car that badly they will, with or without an alarm. I wish I could just have the clown nose flash and get that audible alert telling me my car is locked or unlocked without having to install the alarm.

What kinds of thing will set off the dealer installed alarm? Also what kind of noise does it make so I know if I should put my 700 bucks to better use. is it that classic movie chrip chirp sound or a horn chirp or a beep like with new Toyotas etc?

Does anyone know if it is still possible in the software to not have the alarm system installed, but to get the clown nose to blink when car is locked. I was able to get a service tech to do it for me on my E46. Just wondering....

It is a very BMW sounding chirp. It sounds nothing like a cheesy aftermarket alarm that "beeps" and it is seperate from the car horn. The alarm is triggered if any of the doors, hood, or trunk are opened or if the vehicle is struck hard enough trying to gain entry. It's worth the money. In fact, our service department installs it on EVERY 3 series that comes in to our inventory.

Joseph Wade
Sale BMW
Kinston, NC
252.522.3611 x1142
joseph@saleautomall.net

I cant tell if my E46 has a alarm or not

$600-800 depending on dealer. Bear in mind it is virtually impossible to steal the car without towing it away, even then the GPS system makes it possible the car can be located.

Denton
If someone stole my car and took it for a joy ride, I am not sure I want it to be found. But then if someone spent so much $$ in aftermarket upgrades, I don't believe the insurance covers that and will probably pay the market value or something.
In any case, I thought about getting the alarm, but then I figured it is really a waste of money, I had it on my ti for 10 years and the only times it went off was when I was away on vacation and it was parked indoors and just drained my batteries. If someone wants your car real bad they will just tow it away. And don't leave any valuables in sight or when the car is out of sight.

It is a very BMW sounding chirp. It sounds nothing like a cheesy aftermarket alarm that "beeps" and it is seperate from the car horn. The alarm is triggered if any of the doors, hood, or trunk are opened or if the vehicle is struck hard enough trying to gain entry. It's worth the money. In fact, our service department installs it on EVERY 3 series that comes in to our inventory.



Do you guys also recommend installing the device that goes in place of the door key lock so it cannot be drilled out? It seems practical but I am worried I will get locked out if my fob loses its battery power (comfort access so battery doesn't get charged in the ignition).

Where do you live/work man, it must be a pretty bad area to have to worry about that. I mean I don't know of many areas in Canadian cities that are this bad! I though Calgary was a laid back city :-)

no no not for Calgary... I had my locks drilled out in Vancouver and I travel there twice yearly. So I dont want it to happen with this car. Maybe Ill just fly lol

The other night we went to the movies, there was a guy picking the lock of a car, the car's alarm was blaring and no one even paid attention to him. We looked at him, and he just smiled and kept working on it. My point is, does anyone even pay attention anymore?

Don't forget the other neat BMW alarm feature -- the motion detector. I'm not sure under what circumstances this becomes important, but if someone DOES get inside the car without door alarm triggers going off, there's a motion detector in the little bubble on the roof that should set it off.

I made the dealer throw it in on the 335i. I found out too late after the sale of the 325i that it wasn't included -- unacceptable this day in age, I think. So, I paid the extra $500 last time to have it installed. If for nothing else, it is a way to deter potential crooks. No, it's not a guarantee, but it'll work on some.

Plus, the beeps are helpful when locking and unlocking the car. No, not just for hearing them -- but when you DON'T hear them. I've had this happen a couple of times. If you accidentally leave a door partly open or pressed the trunk button on your fob by accident and go to lock the car, the lights will flash but you won't hear a beep. This is to let you know something is still open and the alarm isn't fully engaged. Helpful!

Plus, the beeps are helpful when locking and unlocking the car. No, not just for hearing them -- but when you DON'T hear them. I've had this happen a couple of times. If you accidentally leave a door partly open or pressed the trunk button on your fob by accident and go to lock the car, the lights will flash but you won't hear a beep. This is to let you know something is still open and the alarm isn't fully engaged. Helpful!

Totally agree with you on this, but that is the only use I found for the alarm on my ti. Hardly enough reason to justify spending that much money. I'll use the money to buy some mods.

DO you mean that stupid clown nose on the mirror does NOTHING without the dealer installed alarm ? It just sits there looking stupid and performs no function at all? for $1.25 you can at least hook up a blinker to it that blinks when the car is off and the doors are locked.