[tonydetiger]

So, my new to me 3 series seems to work fine, except for the alarm. I can't tell if it really has one. It has the clown nose on the rear view mirror, but it never lights up. And there's no audible beep when I lock the doors. The key is the standard three button fob. No panic button.

How do I know for sure that I have an alarm system?

[WRichieX]

One thing I realized is....that with BMW, everything is A la carte. NOTHING is standard. lol. My car has Premium Package so thought it came with bluetooth.....it does not. I think the cars still come with the clown nose even if you don't have alarm. My guess would be you don't have it if there's no blinking and no audible chirp. Unless there's a way to turn on and off the alarm which I don't know why anyone would want to turn off the alarm. There are a few threads of folks here that has retrofitted an alarm. Some have even just made it so the clown nose blinks when the car is locked to look like it's armed. Also, the panic button is your trunk button. Just hold it down a few seconds.

[jpope42]

My 2010 didn't come with an alarm. It has a black clown nose but that just switches the mirror to "night" mode. Run the vin and that will tell you if you have it.

[tonydetiger]

Where do I run the VIN?

[tony20009]

As far as I know, the alarm was not standard. Your owner's manual has instructions for how to activate the alarm. Follow them and if the red light found on the bottom edge of your rear view mirror comes on, you have the alarm. The manual also has instructions for activating the panic alarm. You could try that too, but you only need to try one or the other.

[tonydetiger]

According to the VIN search, it didn't come with an alarm. At least it didn't mention it.

[Bicax]

My 2010 didn't come with an alarm.

Some people decide not to use it since it doesn't prevent anyone from breaking your windows to rob a bag and/or stealing your car, and most of the time it is more of a nuisance than anything else.

I've considering adding one aftermarket but I haven't really read many arguments in favor of it.

[Runner340]

Should see this if the factory installed option was selected:
"S302A ALARMANLAGE Alarm system"

My 2010 328ix has the factory alarm and I like the chirps along with the lights blinking when I lock/unlock the doors. I don't have to be facing the car to know the doors are locked. Plus the insurance company gives me a little discount for having the alarm.

One other benefit is the alarm does sound if the car gets bumped, window hit and if someone tries to jack up the car for the wheels. Maybe good if you park the car nearby or outside at night.

It's not a hard retrofit and the OEM kit is around $300 from Tischer. You will need to code it activ.

[Denny347]

Originally Posted by runner999

Should see this if the factory installed option was selected:
"S302A ALARMANLAGE Alarm system"

My 2010 328ix has the factory alarm and I like the chirps along with the lights blinking when I lock/unlock the doors. I don't have to be facing the car to know the doors are locked. Plus the insurance company gives me a little discount for having the alarm.

One other benefit is the alarm does sound if the car gets bumped, window hit and if someone tries to jack up the car for the wheels. Maybe good if you park the car nearby or outside at night.

It's not a hard retrofit and the OEM kit is around $300 from Tischer. You will need to code it activ.

IF he is prewired. After 2009, the wiring was not standard and a real PITA to retrofit if not prewired.

[tonydetiger]

Here's my answer.



I don't see it.