Dealer will not allow me to install OEM alarm.

[808MGuy]

They are quoting me $650 installed. I asked if I could buy the part, do the install and bring it back for programming. They said no. They have to install it if they're going to program it. After doing more digging though, I think the OEM is the way to go for an alarm system. It has more positives than negatives vs an aftermarket system like the Viper. I was quoted $350 installed for a Viper at a local shop.

[aus]

That's too bad your dealer is like that.
You should be able to get the alarm for $200 and activated for about $150 for an hour at the dealer.

[pittsy]

and thats the only bmw dealer right, honolulu bmw??

[808MGuy]

Originally Posted by pittsy

and thats the only bmw dealer right, honolulu bmw??

Yup. Unless I feel like putting my car on the Superferry and going to BMW Maui.

Actually the labor hours they quoted me is only 2 hours so I wouldn't really be saving much there by installing it myself. It's the cost of the alarm itself that's the big difference. They are saying its $400 when I've seen it only line for $230 (Probably be $260 or $270 shipped to Hawaii). So say $270 plus 2 hours labor at $120/hr (I don't know what the real labor rate is but I'm sure it's around there) puts me at about $500. We're only talking about a $100 difference here which I guess is not that significant.

$650 is definitely not as bad as some other have posted. I know I came across a few posts that said $900+.

[wgf77]

BMW CCA members save 10% on parts...

[Singletrack]

Call BMWUSA and see what they have to say about the dealers position. There is no reason you should have to buy the part from them. I mean if they insist on installing it - whatever....but, they can't force you to buy it for MSRP from them.

[aus]

My dealer wants $800 for the install!!!
They also charge 2 hours of labor at $144/hr for the install, when their directions suggest 1.5 hours.

[808MGuy]

Originally Posted by Singletrack

Call BMWUSA and see what they have to say about the dealers position. There is no reason you should have to buy the part from them. I mean if they insist on installing it - whatever....but, they can't force you to buy it for MSRP from them.

They are not forcing me to buy it from them. They are just saying that I can't install it myself and bring it in just or programming. Of course, they gave the standard disclaimer about if I buy it from somewhere else and something is defective I'll have to deal with it myself.

[Big Windy]

So what's the big deal? If the cost for the part is the big difference, just order it online from Circle BMW and then take it and get them to install and code. The BMW alarm is a rip off, but you're right that it is basically the only option if you want something that is integrated. I didn't pay that much for mine, but I would say that it would still be worth it even for $500.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by HIS4

They are not forcing me to buy it from them. They are just saying that I can't install it myself and bring it in just or programming. Of course, they gave the standard disclaimer about if I buy it from somewhere else and something is defective I'll have to deal with it myself.

How convenient is for this BMW dealer to forget to tell you the part of you buying the OEM alarm cheaper from another BMW dealer and if something is wrong they have to provide the 2 years parts warranty.

One thing is denying programming the alarm, another thing is denying warranty on parts bought from another BMW dealer. You do not have "to deal" with what it is their BMW warranty contract obligation...

[rouxeny]

BMW Maui is of course owned by exactly the same people.

Thanks for the info, I've been considering the alarm also.

[sparkyg]

The M3 comes with the alarm, in Canada it does.

[808MGuy]

Originally Posted by Big Windy

So what's the big deal? If the cost for the part is the big difference, just order it online from Circle BMW and then take it and get them to install and code. The BMW alarm is a rip off, but you're right that it is basically the only option if you want something that is integrated. I didn't pay that much for mine, but I would say that it would still be worth it even for $500.

I wouldn't say its a ripoff. An aftermarket alarm with similar features would cost the same (roughly $300-400 in parts) as the BMW was is. Its the fact that they need to program it that really gets you because they are charging you $120-150/hr labor (typically 1.5 - 2 hours) is what really makes it expensive. If you could install the alarm yourself and have it fully functional, the alarm would be a good deal. Too bad there's no programming software available for BMW yet like there was for VW/Audi from Ross-Tech.

[aus]

I don't understand why the stealer's don't just do a Port Install on all the higher end 3 series cars. My SA told me it only cost's $200 for a Port Install. They could easily charge $400 as a "dealer intalled option." It's just crazy a $65k car doesn't come with a $200 alarm.

[Technic]

Somehow mine came with the OEM alarm installed and programmed and nowhere in the sales paperwork nor in the window sticker showed it as an accessory much less the cost for it...

[Buffalo]

I'm here on the island as well, I went by their service department and realized they can do whatever they want since they are the only BMW dealership on Oahu. I got my OEM alarm installed for $200 when I was in California complete. The part I bought from Circle BMW o/a $200. I recommend you to never buy parts from the Honolulu parts department, I was quoted $275 for a part that was $125 in the mainland. They have the right to straight out rip you off and claim what ever they want. It sucks, I feel like my maintenence and service wont be top notch like in California, because all their service departments compete for your attention. In Oahu, they know you only have one choice.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by Big Windy

So what's the big deal? If the cost for the part is the big difference, just order it online from Circle BMW and then take it and get them to install and code. The BMW alarm is a rip off, but you're right that it is basically the only option if you want something that is integrated. I didn't pay that much for mine, but I would say that it would still be worth it even for $500.

Didn't you read that they won't code the alarm unless they install it? I got it from circle and installed it myself in an hour. My dealer charge me 1 hour to code it. Too bad he doesn't have more options, but guess I'd still do OEM over aftermarket. BTW, the alarm light iwll blink w/o coding, but it will not be fully active.

[808MGuy]

I took my car in for the 1200 mi service this morning and while I was there the SA was able to break down the cost for me. $311 for the alarm (which is the list price on the BMW catalog) and 2.5 hours labor at $130/hr. Comes out to a total of $636. I was satisfied with that breakdown so I gave them the go ahead to do it. 2.5 hours for the install and programming is reasonable and I don't feel like I'm getting ripped on parts since they are just going by the list price.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by HIS4

I took my car in for the 1200 mi service this morning and while I was there the SA was able to break down the cost for me. $311 for the alarm (which is the list price on the BMW catalog) and 2.5 hours labor at $130/hr. Comes out to a total of $636. I was satisfied with that breakdown so I gave them the go ahead to do it. 2.5 hours for the install and programming is reasonable and I don't feel like I'm getting ripped on parts since they are just going by the list price.

With the M3 they don't need to install the hood switch, as it is already present. If it took me an hour to install, they should be able to do it in 3/4. Coding should not take more than an hour. Well, it's probably useless to argue the points.

[808MGuy]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

With the M3 they don't need to install the hood switch, as it is already present. If it took me an hour to install, they should be able to do it in 3/4. Coding should not take more than an hour. Well, it's probably useless to argue the points.

Yup. At that point you're arguing about either a 1/2 hour or one hour of labor. Not really worth the trouble to argue over that. In the end, I'm happy, their happy, and everybody gets along. The service department is not exactly somewhere I need to be stirring up trouble if I'm going to be a regular there for 4 years.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by HIS4

Not really worth the trouble to argue over that. In the end, I'm happy, their happy, and everybody gets along. The service department is not exactly somewhere I need to be stirring up trouble if I'm going to be a regular there for 4 years.

True, you need to develop good relationships so they will be willing to go out of their way for you. I have taken my SA a bottle of wine on occasion when he has done me a "favor".