Found out the 2004 Z4 I recently bought doesn't have an alarm. BMW will add basic ( doors and trunk) for $690. After market shop (clifford alarm) is $300. and for approx. $200 more I can get tilt and touch sensors. Any opinions out there??? Thanks, Cindi

T

You can't hotwire a BMW Z4?

T

For a convertible like the Z4, I do believe that an alarm with interior motion detection serves a purpose. I like to park top down when I can and my main concern are the looky-loos that see a convertible and assume that it is an open picnic basket waiting for them to reach in and grab at something, drop their fries on my front seat, lean on the car while they point out to their friends how cool it is, etc. On my Z3, I had an Alpine alarm that had both an inner and outer proximity zones that were independently adjustable. If something breached the outer zone for more than approx. 15 seconds or so, a warning beep was issued to indicate that the car was "watching". If the outer zone was breached for more than 45 seconds or so, or the inner zone was breached, the full alarm would sound. There were several times when I would come out of a store to find some interested bystander tell me that they had gone to look at my car but it had beeped at them. I then told them that they must have been doing something more than just "looking"! The motion detector available with the BMW alarm is much simpler. It is a single non-adjustable zone that covers just the driver area. I still thought it useful enough to buy and install on my Z4. Obviously, the dedicated thief is not going to be concerned or deterred by any of this and if I am in an area that seems the least bit dicey I don't park with the top down. Finally, if I didn't have a vert, I would be much less interested in the alarm. And a final, final thought is that you should check with your insurance company to see if you get any discount for an alarm system. This may change the math for you.

I have an alarm on my 04 Z4. It's not worth it for stealer price. It is very simple DIY. I purchased my alarm from Crevier BMW for $90 + shipping. Everything is pre-wired in the lower left rear fender. You need to have it program at the stealer after install. For that price, it is not bad.

Anyone Know If There Is A Sensitivity Adjustment On The 04 Z4 Factory Alarm. Mine Almost Always Goes Off For No Reason.
Thanks Kevin

Another good source for OEM kits...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-Genuine-BMW-ALARM-KIT-Z4-PRODUCED-from-04-2003_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6755QQihZ003QQitem Z130152380989QQtcZphoto

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-GENUINE-BMW-ALARM-KIT-Z4-PRODUCED-UP-TO-04-2003_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6755QQihZ003QQitem Z130152743347QQtcZphoto

I plan to buy one of these for myself in the near future once I gather more information on the actual installation process.

The dealer is ripping you off. '04 Z4's are already pre-wired for the alarm so installation isn't that difficult. You can buy OEM alarms, with interior sensor, and tilt sensor for about $200.

Another good source for OEM kits...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-Genuine-BMW-ALARM-KIT-Z4-PRODUCED-from-04-2003_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6755QQihZ003QQitem Z130152380989QQtcZphoto (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-1751-2978-71/1?AID=5463217&PID=2518995&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Febaymotors%2FNEW-Genuine-BMW-ALARM-KIT-Z4-PRODUCED-from-04-2003_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6755QQihZ003QQitem Z130152380989QQtcZphoto)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-GENUINE-BMW-ALARM-KIT-Z4-PRODUCED-UP-TO-04-2003_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6755QQihZ003QQitem Z130152743347QQtcZphoto (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-1751-2978-71/1?AID=5463217&PID=2518995&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Febaymotors%2FNEW-GENUINE-BMW-ALARM-KIT-Z4-PRODUCED-UP-TO-04-2003_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6755QQihZ003QQitem Z130152743347QQtcZphoto)

I plan to buy one of these for myself in the near future once I gather more information on the actual installation process.
If anyone knows where there may be a DIY for this install that would be great. Has anyone seen the instructions that come with the OEM kit? I'm wondering if anything has to be removed for the in stall, also..

Sorry...What does "T" mean?:coywink

I'm kicking myself right now because I saw the OEM alarm install posted somewhere in a pdf file and now I can't remember where it was! :mad I'll check my computer when I get home from work today.

I ended up just buying the alarm from BMW for $112.00. The parts guy printed the directions off the BMW website and gave them to me. Yes, the car is pre-wired. It only took my husband 30 mins to hook it up. Tomorrow BMW will do their own trick thing to enable it for $85.00 so I should be ready to go for a total about $200.00. Lot better than the $690. I was quoted.

Cindi

Agreed that the BMW alarm w/interior motion detector should run you about $200. Be sure to get the motion detector. I will detect anything in and around the center console or the foot wells, BUT, if you are like me and have a hot wired V1 installed somewheres along the top of the windshield, the detector won't do its job. You'll have to take it out and put it into your locking console.

As for ease of install, I'd say that it is fairly easy for the most part. However, you will have to remove part of the passenger side rear quarter panel for the siren fit and you will have to take the center console apart for the motion detector. If you are not a "regular" DIY guy, but have some balls, it would probably take a 2-3 hours to do the whole install. So, for $200 and a few hours of work, you'll have saved around $400-$500. Here's an install site:
http://www.moslanders.com/stuff/alarm.pdf