Have Factory Alarm Prices Changed?

[William330]

I paid $375 for the factory alarm installed in my 330 in 2003, and when I
went to have one added to an X3 this week, they wanted $600.

They said it's "not prewired" for an alarm like the 3-series.

Is this correct?

 

[William330]

Did some digging, the vehicle is prewired, and the BMW alarm parts are $275 full retail from a dealer.

Is an alarm install booked as 4 hours of labor?

I would think it shouldn't be more than an hour of labor for a qualified tech, since it's all prewired...

 

[Tom]

Was there any reason you are going with the BMW alarm vs aftermarket?

For $600 you can get a really good alarm system that includes two-way paging that will notify you whenever your alarm goes off.

 

[William330]

Was there any reason you are going with the BMW alarm vs aftermarket?

I like how it's integrated into the vehicle (the clown nose in the rear
view mirror, how it uses the key remote, uses existing wiring, etc).

I think I'll call a few dealers, and if they're all priced insane, just order
the kit for $275 and install it myself.

 

[William330]

Made some phone calls on the alarm....

Another dealer will do the install for $250, and the parts are about $250, so it's about $500 installed.

Not exactly a bargain, but not as bad as BMW's $600 CD changer gouge.