Alarm for E90

[bimmerdude]

this is really bothering me. has anyone installed any original bmw alarm on their E9x? i understand that our cars dont come with alarm(!) when new, and been told that would void warranty if we install. so stupid logic. but whats disturbing is that this means our cars are literally a sitting duck for thieves. basically anyone can just take whatever they want from ur car (especially 20k rims) and not worry about any alarm going off.does BMW malaysia have an option to have the alarm installed?

 

[Schwepps]

I've asked before bimmerdude. BMW does not allow BMW Malaysia to install car alarms in their present cars. The thinking is that alarms are pretty useless and a nuisance, and that other methods of theft prevention now found in their cars are more effective.

 

[kevster30]

Your e90s cannot function without the key. Rest assured, the only way your car can be stolen is via carjacking or relieving you of the key. The key has a microchip embedded into it and is needed to start the car.

The electrical and wiring system on these new cars are extremely complex and most functions are governed by a control unit. When an aftermarket installer taps into this system, rest assured a lot of warning signs and lights will go on.

Now you understand wy there is a void of warranty issue.

 

[astroboy]

There's an OEM siren that works as an add on to whatever system we have..

The purpose of alarm/siren is to scream out loud to either

1. chase off crooks who force open your door or break your windows to grab things, or

2. notify the surrounding folks or owner if nearby that the car has been tempered with..

Alarm is not to prevent engine from starting.. that's the function of immobilizer and all these are part of the security system. Without the siren/alarm, our security system is incomplete.

Having said that, as long as you don't put valuable items in the car, you should be alright.. without the alarm/siren :wink:

Part no: 65 12 0 399 635

More info here: http://www.e90post.com/goodiesforyou/DIY-AlarmSystem.pdf

 

[Schwepps]

Have you asked the dealers here whether they'll import and install this OEM siren in your E90 for you, astro? Previous models had alarms installed. I believe present models don't as a matter of policy.

 

[t2ribena]

the alarm system module that connects to the car CAS module is too expensive so they tot it makes no sense to offer it here coz then they will be bombarded with question...why so freaking expensive la outside selling cheap cheap nia....lol

 

[danc]

I don't think it's stupid when they say warranty being voided if you install a 3rd party alarms in the E90. The wiring is way to complex and all the systems are tied to together. Mess with one and as someone mentioned, there will be Xmas tree lighting on your dashboard.

 

[glock_8]

try trigger ur car alarm and see if anyone give a damn about it....i;ve seen too many car's alarm trigger in shopping mall and nobody cares...people will think its a false alaram/ alarm system faulty. If a car thieve targeted ur car, most likely they're the pro...even if the alarm goes off, they will act as if its their car and try working on it...they have nothing to worry bcos they have someone follow you around and inform them if u are getting back to ur car if things happen in a shopping mall car park.

a friend of mind had his car break in inside his garage. the thieves (4 of them) working on the car while the alarm trigger. but before they even start, one of them locked his house grill and windows with a chain...so my friend can only watch them run away and by the time cops arrive they have long gone..

in our case - the beemer, the only way is to hijack or using a tow truck. So if u park on a 4th floor of a shopping mall, most likely no one will be able to tow it out.

 

[bimmerdude]

yes i do know that the no one can steal my car. what i want is a deterrent to thieves from breaking into my car or stealing my wheels I am willing to pay for this optional alarm. as of now, this is just a grey area as far as BMW Malaysia is concerned, and i feel that our rights as consumers are not being addressed here.
whats the point of not having ur car stolen, if its left broken into with missing wheels, shattered glass and interior damaged? all i want is a deterrent.

 

[bimmerdude]

I don't think it's stupid when they say warranty being voided if you install a 3rd party alarms in the E90. The wiring is way to complex and all the systems are tied to together. Mess with one and as someone mentioned, there will be Xmas tree lighting on your dashboard.

i am fully aware of the warranty issue. what i meant is why arent our cars fitted with OEM alarm as is done in other countries?

 

[t2ribena]

bro even if it is fitted with alarm, those things you mention can be stolen as well...if it is design to be disable then there is a way for the thieves to come around the system...that time you will start a thread 'why bmw alarm so lousy' coz ur car got broken into and stuffs stolen...

 

[davidtch]

yes i do know that the no one can steal my car. what i want is a deterrent to thieves from breaking into my car or stealing my wheels I am willing to pay for this optional alarm. as of now, this is just a grey area as far as BMW Malaysia is concerned, and i feel that our rights as consumers are not being addressed here.
whats the point of not having ur car stolen, if its left broken into with missing wheels, shattered glass and interior damaged? all i want is a deterrent.

In other country, it is on the option list as well.

By the way, BMW usually comes wif a long list of option list. However, it is not available to our local mkt. Mayb some1 can highlight whether it is available for CBU model.

 

[Schwepps]

It's well-established worldwide that car alarms of the toot-toot-toot variety are quite useless. They are either ignored by bystanders or disabled by thieves.

 

[bimmerdude]

bro even if it is fitted with alarm, those things you mention can be stolen as well...if it is design to be disable then there is a way for the thieves to come around the system...that time you will start a thread 'why bmw alarm so lousy' coz ur car got broken into and stuffs stolen...

t2ribena,
i think u are confusing lack of security in our parking/shopping/home areas with 'useless/lousy' car alarms. if alarms are useless manufacturers wont have it as an option. If u have read my post properly you'll know that i want a DETERRENT. alarms can be useful when it triggers an automatic remote signal (to ur mobile) or when its parked in ur home to notify u of a breakin. alarms can be lifesaving if ur wife is confronted by a robber while parking or shopping alone. some alarms have extremely high decible emissions that actually effectively deter the thieves/robbers/kidnappers whatever.
lack of civic consciousness by the public, untrained/stupid security personnel and plain carelessness by car owners are not reasons to label alarms as lousy or useless.
if u think alarms are useless by all means disable or remove it from your car My point here, if you care to actually pay attention to is simply TO HAVE A CHOICE WHEN I BUY A HIGHLY ADVANCED, AND MAY I ADD EXPENSIVE PIECE OF MACHINERY, OF WHETHER I WANT AN ALARM OR NOT. as it is, we have no choice but to be given a car thats a sitting duck for thieves. and as it turns out from some of the replies i got, to retrofit the oem alarm is not only expensive, but a time consuming affair which could have been easily avoided by having a simple optional choice for the buyer.
get it?

 

[astroboy]

My other car, a JDM is using the horn as siren. which can only be triggered when door opens. The crooks knows it, so they will break your window and climb in. No ultrasonic, tilt, or vibration sensor..

When u have a siren, do u need a backup powered siren? When u have a door triggered alarm, do u need to tilt sensor, glass break sensor, infrared sensor, ultrasonic sensor? Panic button? remote disengage engine? Satellite tracking telematic system? and the list goes on.

A friend's old Wira has an "advance" security system. One morning 5am, his key remote beeps.. the car is sending a stress signal. When he run out the house to check, the car is already gone..

For personal safety, carry a pepper spray is more effective.. the current BMW can't be driven away without its FOB, so make sure you don't leave valuables in the car that's eye catching or inviting, you should be alright. There really is no end to this topic.. different individual draw their line differently at different place..

 

[astroboy]

Have you asked the dealers here whether they'll import and install this OEM siren in your E90 for you, astro? Previous models had alarms installed. I believe present models don't as a matter of policy.

BMW don't do alarms and not a car security expert. I know the people who are responsible for the BMW Sat Nav networking telematic system, that allow BMW's to communicate with each other, online service alert, pro-active online breakdown assist, and they have the OEM equipment and installation guides.. if I want such OEM system, I won't go to BMW SC.. I 'll contact the system provider, BMW's OEM car security system vendor. They are obviously the best person to talk to with regards to BMW car security system. Want to know how to hack the system..?

Just like buying tyres. Why bother returning to SC?

 

[davidtch]

t2ribena,
i think u are confusing lack of security in our parking/shopping/home areas with 'useless/lousy' car alarms. if alarms are useless manufacturers wont have it as an option. If u have read my post properly you'll know that i want a DETERRENT. alarms can be useful when it triggers an automatic remote signal (to ur mobile) or when its parked in ur home to notify u of a breakin. alarms can be lifesaving if ur wife is confronted by a robber while parking or shopping alone. some alarms have extremely high decible emissions that actually effectively deter the thieves/robbers/kidnappers whatever.
lack of civic consciousness by the public, untrained/stupid security personnel and plain carelessness by car owners are not reasons to label alarms as lousy or useless.
if u think alarms are useless by all means disable or remove it from your car My point here, if you care to actually pay attention to is simply TO HAVE A CHOICE WHEN I BUY A HIGHLY ADVANCED, AND MAY I ADD EXPENSIVE PIECE OF MACHINERY, OF WHETHER I WANT AN ALARM OR NOT. as it is, we have no choice but to be given a car thats a sitting duck for thieves. and as it turns out from some of the replies i got, to retrofit the oem alarm is not only expensive, but a time consuming affair which could have been easily avoided by having a simple optional choice for the buyer.
get it?

Bimmerdude, BMW is certified as Thatcham 1 in UK. Thatcham 1 provides d following protection:
Alarm
Perimeter detection
Ignition detection
Passenger compartment movement detection
Inclination detection (Motorcycle only)
Audible warning with battery back-up power supply

Immobiliser
Passively set
Isolates a minimum of two operating circuits or systems, or a minimum of one operationally relevant vehicle control unit with coded intervention

It does not hav d feature listed above.

BMW nvr a sitting duck for thief as no key cannot start. So, drivers r d sitting duck. Situational awareness is more important than alarm.

 

[Schwepps]

BMW don't do alarms and not a car security expert. I know the people who are responsible for the BMW Sat Nav networking telematic system, that allow BMW's to communicate with each other, online service alert, pro-active online breakdown assist, and they have the OEM equipment and installation guides.. if I want such OEM system, I won't go to BMW SC.. I 'll contact the system provider, BMW's OEM car security system vendor. They are obviously the best person to talk to with regards to BMW car security system. Want to know how to hack the system..?

Just like buying tyres. Why bother returning to SC?

Good point astro, but will that void your warranty with BMWM?

 

[astroboy]

It should.. even if no wires are cut..

Every BMW on Earth is using the same system doesn't mean BMWM allows it onto its car. Unless you buy it from "them", installed by "them".. why? Additional auxiliary components will make the car more difficult to trouble shoot and its a waste of the SC time. Further more BMWM didn't provide training for its SC foreman to trouble shoot such thing, that's why its not included as standard or optional items here. U must understand the support effort behind the decision to included every single product into the stock spare part list. Its best excluding the item if you cannot support it... I am sure u will agree.

.. and that should be a good enough reason to disallow it. Sad but true..

 

[bimmerdude]

BMW nvr a sitting duck for thief as no key cannot start. So, drivers r d sitting duck. Situational awareness is more important than alarm.

thats exactly my point. drivers are the sitting duck without a proper alarm. especially lady drivers. if i remember correctly, volvo has alarm that detects if an intruder is in the car. owner is pre warned BEFORE entering the car. isnt that cool