Alarm vs. Mobile Guardian

Schweitzer · 12-29-2005, 02:20 PM

I got my car in July. It was my first time to a BMW dealership and my first BMW. I saw the new E90 and basically had to have it. And I'm very, very happy with my compulsive purchase.
The downside is I didn't know about some of the features, like the clown nose/alarm, and I think the dealer gave me some bad advice, because he sold me Mobile Guardian as opposed to the BMW car alarm. It cost five or six hundred -- can't remember. Mobile Guardian is basically a GPS device like LoJack, but from your computer, you can track your car's location and also disable it so that it can't be started. (If it's currently running, it'll be disabled when the engine is turned off.) You can also program it to let you know if your car's been driven over a certain speed. I guess it's nice to have if you want to verify that your wife is really at the mall like she said, or to let you know if your kid took a more spirited drive than he was allowed.
But if you're the only driver of the car, like I am, and you have the Premium package with Assist, then you already have a GPS system in your car, and if it's stolen, BMW can locate the car; right?
And while I like the peace of mind about locating the car from my desk and disabling it right there, I'm more concerned about that great big red clown nose that isn't turned on at any time emboldening a thief to break in.
Bottom line, since I already have a GPS through BMW, I think I should have spent that money on the factory alarm versus Mobile Guardian. Any thoughts?

jflecha · 12-29-2005, 02:45 PM

I had mine installed when I purchased it, they charged me $500.00.
Some have paid more some less. The cost can be much less if you buy it and install it yourself, I would never attempt it.

Some guys think its a waste of money but they will spend money on mods and other things, its up to you.

As far as I know if you got PP, BMW Assist includes car recovery free for the first year.

The much discussed clown nose is a reassuring site a night its almost like a red beacon at eye level, the motion sensor is my favorite.

Schweitzer · 12-29-2005, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jflecha

The motion sensor is my favorite.

What's the motion sensor do?

LEDZEP · 12-29-2005, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schweitzer

What's the motion sensor do?

It senses motion.

Yeah, it looks like your salesman took you for a ride! BMW Assist can locate your stolen car. Meanwhile you don't have an alarm system. You could still get it I'm sure, but shelling out more money sucks.

But seriously, the motion sensor will detect any movement inside the car and trigger the alarm. It also has a leveling sensor so that if someone tries to raise your car to take wheels off or tow it the alarm will go off.

LEDZEP · 12-29-2005, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schweitzer

What's the motion sensor do?

Actually, it's a motion detector. Not a motion sensor.

It can't sense motion... as in... oooh I get the sense that there is motion!

It detects motion... as in... hey, somethings moving!

jflecha · 12-29-2005, 03:01 PM

I sense a lot of motion in your brain cavity.

BMRAMA · 12-29-2005, 06:29 PM

What's the monthly fee on Mobile Guardian? Is there a web site I can check out for them? I'm considering the alarm.

ksfrogman · 12-29-2005, 06:48 PM

One of my friends is the master mechanic at a local BMW dealership. I told him that Irvine BMW was trying to sell me a lojack instead of the factory alarm I said I wanted. My friend informed me that the dealership doesn't make much profit off the factory alarm whereas they do profit from other aftermarket devices like the lojack.

The dealer guy (<--yeah, the pusher) also said that a professional would know to break the satellite antenna off the bmw before breaking in, and that this would prevent it from transmitting its location.

In any case, it irks me to no end when a salesman tries to sell me something other than what I want for his own personal gain at the expense of the consumer's best interests.

Schweitzer · 12-29-2005, 07:13 PM

Mobile Guardian

LEDZEP · 12-29-2005, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jflecha

I sense a lot of motion in your brain cavity.

Yes, the neurons are firing at a rate that you could never comprehend.

(comprehend means 'understand')

BMRAMA · 12-29-2005, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schweitzer

Mobile Guardian

Thanks so much for the link. This was not offered to me when I bought my car, despite my dealership being listed as a distributor.

I like this far more than the alarm - although, I suppose both would be best.

jflecha · 12-29-2005, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Yes, the neurons are firing at a rate that you could never comprehend.

(comprehend means 'understand')

I sense much fear in you.

(fear means 'easily provoked')

Schweitzer · 12-29-2005, 11:07 PM

Quote:

I sense much fear in you.

Fear leads to anger; anger leads to hate; hate leads to The Dark Side......

jflecha · 12-30-2005, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schweitzer

Fear leads to anger; anger leads to hate; hate leads to The Dark Side......

What did you decide to do about the alarm?

BMWally · 12-30-2005, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schweitzer

Fear leads to anger; anger leads to hate; hate leads to The Dark Side......

Use the force.... Use the force..... or

and you'll feel better

LEDZEP · 12-30-2005, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jflecha

I sense much fear in you.

(fear means 'easily provoked')

No, just tired of every wiseass-come-lately on the forum that doesn't recongnize a bit of soft humor when they read it. You're welcome to battle wits with me anytime. I'll even let you bring two friends.

jflecha · 12-31-2005, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

No, just tired of every wiseass-come-lately on the forum that doesn't recongnize a bit of soft humor when they read it. You're welcome to battle wits with me anytime. I'll even let you bring two friends.

Oh led,

This is a time for celebrating not bickering.

I've learned so much from this forum, I want to thank you all and wish everyone here a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

LEDZEP · 12-31-2005, 05:01 PM

Fair enough.

Happy New Year!

Schweitzer · 12-31-2005, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jflecha

What did you decide to do about the alarm?

As of now, nothing. I have BMW Assist and Mobile Guardian -- and no blinkie blinkie, but that's ok for the moment. One of the posters above suggested that experienced thieves rip off the car's antenna, impeding BMW's GPS. I don't know if Mobile Guardian runs off that antenna or not (I hope not.) They removed my dash gauges to install the thing; so I don't know.
Anyway, gonna hold onto the 5 or 6 bills for the moment rather than get the alarm.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

BMRAMA · 01-01-2006, 04:42 PM

According to the Mobile Guardian Website, the antenna is within the car. So let the thieves remove the fin, it won't help them and might even give them a false sense of security :-)

12-29-2005, 02:20 PM	#1
Schweitzer Lieutenant 46 Rep 415 Posts Drives: 2015 M5 CP Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Downtown Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 335i Coupe [0.00]	Alarm vs. Mobile Guardian I got my car in July. It was my first time to a BMW dealership and my first BMW. I saw the new E90 and basically had to have it. And I'm very, very happy with my compulsive purchase. The downside is I didn't know about some of the features, like the clown nose/alarm, and I think the dealer gave me some bad advice, because he sold me Mobile Guardian as opposed to the BMW car alarm. It cost five or six hundred -- can't remember. Mobile Guardian is basically a GPS device like LoJack, but from your computer, you can track your car's location and also disable it so that it can't be started. (If it's currently running, it'll be disabled when the engine is turned off.) You can also program it to let you know if your car's been driven over a certain speed. I guess it's nice to have if you want to verify that your wife is really at the mall like she said, or to let you know if your kid took a more spirited drive than he was allowed. But if you're the only driver of the car, like I am, and you have the Premium package with Assist, then you already have a GPS system in your car, and if it's stolen, BMW can locate the car; right? And while I like the peace of mind about locating the car from my desk and disabling it right there, I'm more concerned about that great big red clown nose that isn't turned on at any time emboldening a thief to break in. Bottom line, since I already have a GPS through BMW, I think I should have spent that money on the factory alarm versus Mobile Guardian. Any thoughts? __________________ 2015 M5, Alpine White, Sakhir Orange/Black leather, 20"M Style 343M, forged black wheels, Carbon Fiber trim/mirror caps, Competition Package, Executive Package, Bang & Olufsen sound.
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12-29-2005, 02:45 PM	#2
jflecha Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 205 Posts Drives: E90 06 330i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The Garden State iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330I [0.00]	I had mine installed when I purchased it, they charged me $500.00. Some have paid more some less. The cost can be much less if you buy it and install it yourself, I would never attempt it. Some guys think its a waste of money but they will spend money on mods and other things, its up to you. As far as I know if you got PP, BMW Assist includes car recovery free for the first year. The much discussed clown nose is a reassuring site a night its almost like a red beacon at eye level, the motion sensor is my favorite. __________________ Tit-Silver 330i/STEP/SP/PP/CWP
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12-29-2005, 03:01 PM	#6
jflecha Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 205 Posts Drives: E90 06 330i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The Garden State iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330I [0.00]	I sense a lot of motion in your brain cavity. __________________ Tit-Silver 330i/STEP/SP/PP/CWP
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12-29-2005, 06:29 PM	#7
BMRAMA Private 2 Rep 72 Posts Drives: 2006 e90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Santa Cruz, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 Debadged e90 [0.00]	What's the monthly fee on Mobile Guardian? Is there a web site I can check out for them? I'm considering the alarm. __________________ Mystiic Blue 330i ZPP, ZSP, CA, PDC, Sun Shade.
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12-29-2005, 06:48 PM	#8
ksfrogman Major General 576 Rep 6,750 Posts Drives: E90 330i 6MT Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	One of my friends is the master mechanic at a local BMW dealership. I told him that Irvine BMW was trying to sell me a lojack instead of the factory alarm I said I wanted. My friend informed me that the dealership doesn't make much profit off the factory alarm whereas they do profit from other aftermarket devices like the lojack. The dealer guy (<--yeah, the pusher) also said that a professional would know to break the satellite antenna off the bmw before breaking in, and that this would prevent it from transmitting its location. In any case, it irks me to no end when a salesman tries to sell me something other than what I want for his own personal gain at the expense of the consumer's best interests. __________________
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12-29-2005, 07:13 PM	#9
Schweitzer Lieutenant 46 Rep 415 Posts Drives: 2015 M5 CP Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Downtown Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 335i Coupe [0.00]	Mobile Guardian __________________ 2015 M5, Alpine White, Sakhir Orange/Black leather, 20"M Style 343M, forged black wheels, Carbon Fiber trim/mirror caps, Competition Package, Executive Package, Bang & Olufsen sound.
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12-31-2005, 05:01 PM	#18
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Fair enough. Happy New Year! __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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01-01-2006, 04:42 PM	#20
BMRAMA Private 2 Rep 72 Posts Drives: 2006 e90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Santa Cruz, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 Debadged e90 [0.00]	According to the Mobile Guardian Website, the antenna is within the car. So let the thieves remove the fin, it won't help them and might even give them a false sense of security :-) __________________ Mystiic Blue 330i ZPP, ZSP, CA, PDC, Sun Shade.
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