Non-MINI alarm

fuelcar58 · 12-18-2012, 01:09 PM

hello,
i recently bought a countryman and it did not come with a car alarm, the dealer says he can't install the factory alarm and if i install a after market system it will void the the warranty on my car...however he will install the after market lo-jack which is not a mini production item.called mini they referred me back to the dealer, so no answer from corp.
i feel like i cant get a direct answer

....has anyone else had this issue, who did you contact?
regards, fuelcar

**Crashton** · 12-18-2012, 01:56 PM

Seems odd that the factory installed alarm can't be retrofitted.

fuelcar58 · 12-18-2012, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crashton

Seems odd that the factory installed alarm can't be retrofitted.

yes,
seems odd to me as well as i want a little protection before the fact, not after as the lo-jack offers...and its not factory as far as i can tell. hoping others will chime in if they have installed a non factory system and had warranty issues. regards. fuelcar

**ScottinBend** · 12-18-2012, 06:45 PM

Why do you think you need an alarm.....personal items stolen or car stolen?

Cause I don't think an alarm will do much for either. If someone sees something they want inside your car, an alarm won't stop them from doing a smash and grab. And the MINI is damn near impossible to steal w/o a flatbed tow truck.

fuelcar58 · 12-19-2012, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottinBend

Why do you think you need an alarm.....personal items stolen or car stolen?

Cause I don't think an alarm will do much for either. If someone sees something they want inside your car, an alarm won't stop them from doing a smash and grab. And the MINI is damn near impossible to steal w/o a flatbed tow truck.

thanks for the comment...its just one more level of protection when i travel and can't unpack the "whole" car when i stop.
wondering if you lock your car when you park it?
i also believe minis can be stolen with out a flatbed.... but have not tried it.
thanks again and regards

**Mr. Jim** · 12-19-2012, 12:14 PM

Go old school with the Club!

**eMINIparts** · 12-19-2012, 12:21 PM

There is not a retro-fit for the factory alarm on the Countryman....Be VERY careful with an aftermarket alarm...Just had a MINI in here a month ago that had an aftermarket alarm installed and it shorted out the DME , FRM , and melted wires in the main harness due to bad install....Lojack is not a bad product...By no means do i superseed MINI's warranty..Just offering info......

**ScottinBend** · 12-19-2012, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuelcar58

thanks for the comment...its just one more level of protection when i travel and can't unpack the "whole" car when i stop.
wondering if you lock your car when you park it?
i also believe minis can be stolen with out a flatbed.... but have not tried it.
thanks again and regards

My statement still stands about the smash and grab guys tho.....if they see something they want, they will try and get it regardless of whether an alarm is going off. I know, believe me. My locking the car offers the same amount of protection as locking your would do.....lol

Unless you have the proper key/fob, you can not drive away a MINI.

But do as you feel is needed, was just trying to offer some real world experience.

**Crashton** · 12-19-2012, 08:43 PM

Maybe you should just get a Trunk Monkey.

Trunk Monkey Part 3 - YouTube

fuelcar58 · 12-26-2012, 04:27 PM

thanks for the response, got all taken care of, ben