Alarm noise/honk when arming the alarm?

[pifiu]

I dont own a Mini yet, but one day I will. =) I was wondering, if when you guys lock your cars, if the alarm beeps(arms) and sounds like the BMW's ones.

The sound is a soft chirp, sounds almost like a little bird.

I am trying to swap the stupid nasty 'standard honk' sounding one on my Jetta for something different. I was thinking maybe a BMW one or even the A4's.

Basically its just plug and play, so it doesnt really matter.

So if it sounds like the way I described it, is there a part # or a place where I could purchase the alarms siren by itself? How much should I expect to pay for something like this?


thanks!

[DeadCanDanceR]

Actually, there's no noise of any kind when I arm the alarm in my MINI...

I wonder if it's the same in all other MINIs...

[Cherry2005]

My 2005 MCS alarm chirps once when armed, twice when dis-arming. I like to imagine the sound is my MINI's way of saying, "Hi there" as I walk up to the car. Definitely NOT a honk.

[DeadCanDanceR]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cherry2005

My 2005 MCS alarm chirps once when armed, twice when dis-arming. I like to imagine the sound is my MINI's way of saying, "Hi there" as I walk up to the car. Definitely NOT a honk.

I'm now wondering if my alarm is supposed to chirp when I arm it!... Do all 2005 MINI alarms chirp?

[fairmont]

The alarm on my 05 Chirps as well. It was dealer installed.

[ryanelp80]

don't quote me, BUT I believe I have heard that the US MINI alarms chirp and all others don't...

Can anyone back me up on this? or am I crazy?

[Kodak]

My 2003 UK MCS doesnt make a sound when (un)locking....

Apart from the sound of the door locks.


Is this abnormal, or are the US specs just a little different??

[Gr8Dain]

I have the chirp.

[0007]

UK Jan 2005 MCS with standard fit alarm - no chirp!

Also - how sensitive to motion is the alarm? I've tried rocking the car when parked & armed to see if it will react but no joy. I draw the line at a brick through the window in the interests of research though!

[Gr8Dain]

Don't bother. I hear a truck could hit it hard and you will still not get a reaction. There are no sensors for it. At least that is what I was told (and read on here). Just has the interior sensors.

[Cherry2005]

I just went outside and shook the heck out of my MINI and it didn't make a sound. I know if you tried to jack it up to remove a tire or load it onto a tow truck it's supposed to sound off, but trying to shake it, bump it, trying the door handles, etc...not a sound.

I'll let you know if it goes off in an earthquake.

[pifiu]

Can someone explain how the chirp sounds like though?

[Cherry2005]

OK, here it is -

It sounds off in the key of "F" (right above middle "C", same octave) one time when locking (a sound no longer than it would take you to say the word "one"), and twice ("One one") for unlocking. The tone doesn't vary, it's the same without going up or down at the beginning or end - a steady "F".

Capiche?

[MiniBrum]

Quote: Originally Posted by 0007

UK Jan 2005 MCS with standard fit alarm - no chirp!

Also - how sensitive to motion is the alarm? I've tried rocking the car when parked & armed to see if it will react but no joy. I draw the line at a brick through the window in the interests of research though!

I believe the motion sensor is only when the car is being tilted/lifted (as in being towed away)

[Tom D]

My 02 has a factory fitted alarm, the only time it chirps is if you attempt to arm it without having one or more of the doors closed tightly. When you arm it normally the only indication is one flash of the turn signal lights, front, rear and side. There is no indication of any kind when it is disarmed with the key/remote.