Just needes some advice/help on a alarm. I didn't get the factory alarm put in on my car. I thought i would go get an aftermarket which would be better down the road. Since they broke into my car last friday now i have to go get one and a new cylinder for the drivers side door. They popped out the cylinder and opened it with a screwdriver. Luckily no body damage. My theif had a heart. My question is the factory BMW Alarm any good, or are the aftermarket ones better to get? And everyone's response to my story was..." You mean a $60,000 car doesn't come with an alarm. Didn't know what to say.. What the hell is up with that too? Well back to my question... Factory or Aftermarket... what do you guys have on your cars??? Thanx...

Had a factory alarm installed on my M3. I don't know what you know about it already, but it seems pretty adequate as it has interior motion and car tilt sensors. To be honest with you, I have not found a way to test the alarm (there's no button for it on the key) but i'm sure it works fine. If you do decide to get factory, my advice to you is to look around for the best deal. I got mine at Pacific BMW even though i live in fla. (they have a website: www.pacificbmw.com) (http://www.pacificbmw.com)) for about $70 bucks under the MSRP! It is my understanding that you will still have to have a BMW center install the alarm but, like I said, ebay or Pacific BMW should have E46 alarms at GREAT prices (I swear i'm not advertising for them or anything http://m3forum.com/ubb/smile.gif ). Hope this helps and sorry to hear about the unfortunate incident! Car theives will come back as asphalt in their next lives!

Had a factory alarm installed on my M3. I don't know what you know about it already, but it seems pretty adequate as it has interior motion and car tilt sensors. To be honest with you, I have not found a way to test the alarm (there's no button for it on the key) but i'm sure it works fine. If you do decide to get factory, my advice to you is to look around for the best deal. I got mine at Pacific BMW even though i live in fla. (they have a website: www.pacificbmw.com) (http://www.pacificbmw.com)) for about $70 bucks under the MSRP! It is my understanding that you will still have to have a BMW center install the alarm but, like I said, ebay or Pacific BMW should have E46 alarms at GREAT prices (I swear i'm not advertising for them or anything http://m3forum.com/ubb/smile.gif ). Hope this helps and sorry to hear about the unfortunate incident! Car theives will come back as asphalt in their next lives!

Thanx for the tip. I was looking into the factory alarm and my dealer wanted $400.00 installed and thats after i talked him down from $599.00 Then i checked out Pacific BMW like you said and the were selling it for 219.00 (a signifincant difference) so i bought it. One hour labor at my BMW dealer and it will be installed. I guess the factory is better. If you want to check out the way it works why don't you lock your car with the windows open and then just reach in and open the door from the inside. It normally should go off.. Thanx for the tip

As far as the sensors go on the standard M alarm, im sure they are fine, but the alarm sound is pitiful.. it just beeps quietly.. I think this is something to do with UK laws though