Clifford Alarms

[GR33NIE]

Anyone ever had a Clifford Alarm fitted to their MINI?

I know they are probably one of the best alarm systems available with lots of add on's just wondered if anyone had one installed on their MINI and was it worth all the money!!!???

[L33 KBY]

If your looking for the alarm to reduce insurance check with your insurance company first - I was with directline on my previous car a corsa being young I thought get a Nice cat 1 alarm reduce the insurance - got one fitted chuffed to bits - phoned them up - how much have I saved?? - there response "naff all" we dont reduce premiums for those who fit an alarm or tracker, we treat all customers equally - my angry response - WTF YOU BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP - now I have changed insurance companies and also got a Modified Mini so it was an expensive learning curve.

I know that wasnt your question buy hey the more information helps.

[dietcokeplease]

I had a Clifford on my old Golf. Very trick system with a whole host of features. But most cars use their ECUs to perform the same features that the Clifford could do ('cept engine start). I would tend to err towards the OEM retrofit rather than aftermarket though.

L33KBY,

The reasons you don't get discounts for alarms from most insurers is that most alarms are:

1) Most alarms are activated due to user error
2) A determined thief will still smash and grab with an alarm sounding
3) Most insurers pay out more for accident damage and personal injury than for theft especially as most cars have immobilisers as standard.

[L33 KBY]

dietcoke,

If I had the money I would start an insurance company that benefits those that pay to protect there motor. What a gutter. Obviously I still got the alarm on my Mini, but thats just so I know its that little bit safer. I suppose thats the only reason for an alarm, maybe then we should a "redcare" style car alarm that works alongside a tracker. If your car senses that there is movement inside the vehicle when the alarm is set - it automatically texts the owner, sends an alert to a control centre which then phone the police alerting them to the cars location and if the car has been stolen where it is being driven. With the inside movement feature it would stop the police being alerted when a loud noise sets the alarm off, or some bumps there door into the side as car alarms go off 24/7

Maybe I could paton the idea and earn a fortune looking for easy money or go on dash my hopes and say its already invented. I know the tracker goes off when the car is moving but what about when someone is attempting to steal the car there is a delay while there hot wiring etc. More chance of the police catching them before it ends up written off into a wall or a child being killed due to there irratic driving

[GR33NIE]

Not really looking for my insurance to drop loads, it's already pretty well priced. Just looking for the best alarm sys money can buy without f***ing up the car ofcourse!

[Tonyt3]

I got a Clifford on my Cooper S Works - top of the range engine start etc etc....

When I had some minor engine problems (car was cutting out when it should have idelled) the BMW tech wanted to strip the clifford out so that he was sure it wasnt causing the issue..... at my cost.

anyway, issue went away but they still said it was probably the alarm (which it wasnt)..

[GR33NIE]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tonyt3

I got a Clifford on my Cooper S Works - top of the range engine start etc etc....

When I had some minor engine problems (car was cutting out when it should have idelled) the BMW tech wanted to strip the clifford out so that he was sure it wasnt causing the issue..... at my cost.

anyway, issue went away but they still said it was probably the alarm (which it wasnt)..

Thanks for the info! Doubt that was related to the alarm, just the usual dealer excuse blame something else first!

What was the cost of that alarm?? From memory I think the cheapest Clifford ones start at around £300ish. Then more for the intellistart etc

Cheers

[Lucky Dave]

The mini comes fitted with a CAT2 sytem as standard with a chip in your key,

TOAD have a approved 2 - 1 system which boosts your standard system to a CAT 1 and you do not require any additional key fobs!

Its called a 850T 2 to 1 upgrade

Also you can add internal radar protection and warn away chirps!

Its worth knowing if you do have an engine start kit fitted in invalidates your CAT1 Thatcham approval, and having the alarm sysem will mean nothing if you try to make a an insurance claim.

[Tonyt3]

Quote: Originally Posted by GR33NIE

Thanks for the info! Doubt that was related to the alarm, just the usual dealer excuse blame something else first!

What was the cost of that alarm?? From memory I think the cheapest Clifford ones start at around £300ish. Then more for the intellistart etc

Cheers

came to about 500 for cash i think - it was done by the previous owner.

[Ell P]

i had a clifford alarm on my clio and I WOULD NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER BUY ONE AGAIN!!

clifford always have probs if u get one and has no probs ur very lucky, mine complete buggered my car and the way it was fitted at sextons wasnt good and my car never started and killed the battery as it uses so much power. i had to sell the car it was that bad. lucky i got rid of it. it costs me more money to sort it and remove it. it was the worst thing i have ever brought. dont get one but thats my experience of them.

[GR33NIE]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ell P

i had a clifford alarm on my clio and I WOULD NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER BUY ONE AGAIN!!

clifford always have probs if u get one and has no probs ur very lucky, mine complete buggered my car and the way it was fitted at sextons wasnt good and my car never started and killed the battery as it uses so much power. i had to sell the car it was that bad. lucky i got rid of it. it costs me more money to sort it and remove it. it was the worst thing i have ever brought. dont get one but thats my experience of them.

Sounds like you had a bad experience with Clifford there!

[lukey]

ive heard a few bad things about clifford alarms, but Toad or Cobra car alarms are supposed to be quite good.

[Electric Blue]

I would always have something like a Clifford fitted by someone that you know have done the work to MANY other cars. ONLY use someone that really knows what they are doing, remember that these systems are often plugged into you ECU and hidden in the harness, so a bad fitter can = major problems.

On a side note, if you want to reduce the chance of your car being stolen (which is all a CAT1 helps with) fit a Disklock (big metal lock that goes completely over the steering wheel). While these are VERY hard to remove, they also add a HUGE DO NOT BOTHER sign to your car, as any theif will think its easier to get another mini without one.

A thief doesn`t see a CAT1 alarm, they see a disklock. Just something to think about.

[Virez]

I got a Clifford CAT1 fitted in my MINI for over a year now, I think its the Concept 650 and I had no problems at all. GAP Security came to my home to fit it and cost me about £300 which they price matched against a top local fitter. I highly recommend these guys as they claim to be the biggest installer for Clifford in Europe. If your car is standard then insurance wise it won't help much but since my car is modified and insured by Andrian Flux then it does knock the premium down.

[Brian Cooper S]

I have a Clifford Concept 650 with proximity sensors, tilt sensors etc etc etc and I'm very happy with this. I knew at the time of having it fitted it would not reduce my premium but all I wanted was piece of mind. I also had GAP security fit it at home, excellent service altogether!!