How do I Know if my Z3 has a Car Alarm

[Zack Schneeberger]

I just reciently bought a '98 Z3 2.8L. It did not come with a remote
for locking the doors or car alarm but is almost fully loaded. How do
I know if my car has the alarm/keyless entry? I have a feeling that
the guy just might have lost his remote. Also, if it doesn't have an
an alarm/keyless entry, how hard/cost is it to install?

[Tom D]

Post by Zack Schneeberger
I just reciently bought a '98 Z3 2.8L. It did not come with a remote
for locking the doors or car alarm but is almost fully loaded. How do
I know if my car has the alarm/keyless entry? I have a feeling that
the guy just might have lost his remote. Also, if it doesn't have an
an alarm/keyless entry, how hard/cost is it to install?

Do you have the owner's manual for the car? If so, look in the sections
titled

- Keys
- Electronic Vehicle Immobilizer
- Central Locking System
- Door Locks.

These refer to the security system. The system is only activated by the
key. That is the way it is for my '97 anyway. Let me know if you need any
more details.

-=- Tom

[SC]

Post by Zack Schneeberger
I just reciently bought a '98 Z3 2.8L. It did not come with a remote
for locking the doors or car alarm but is almost fully loaded. How do
I know if my car has the alarm/keyless entry? I have a feeling that
the guy just might have lost his remote. Also, if it doesn't have an
an alarm/keyless entry, how hard/cost is it to install?

Keyless remotes for Z3's didnt show up till the 2001 MY. My 2000 Z3 2.3 was
manual key open/lock. Last week, I upgraded to a 2001 3.0L. It has a
remote opener/lock like my 97 528i does.
SC
97 528i
01 Z3 3.0

[Zack Schneeberger]

So I guess that my car was not equipped with an alarm. What is the
best brand/model for an alarm system on the Z3? I have been looking at
Clifford and Viper. Thanks for everyone's help.

[Kathleen Melby]

I had the keyless remote installed on my 98 Z3 in Nov 97 when I took
delivery. It was $575. It always was a dealer-installed feature for that
year using a key fob. Others have easily installed this feature themselves
as it is supposed to be somewhat plug and play. Note that the OEM alarm does
not have a motion sensor. I have no idea where the unit is located, but I
would guess that any dealer could find its location if it is installed.

I think SC is talking about the remote as part of the key itself.

Kathy

Post by Zack Schneeberger
So I guess that my car was not equipped with an alarm. What is the
best brand/model for an alarm system on the Z3? I have been looking at
Clifford and Viper. Thanks for everyone's help.

[DUINK]

The keyless entry/alarm unit is installed behind the glove box, near to the
wiper control module. Not easy to get to. Mine was installed by the dealer
when I bought it new in '98.

Post by Kathleen Melby
I have no idea where the unit is located, but I
would guess that any dealer could find its location if it is installed.

[Neoisthe1]

Post by DUINK
The keyless entry/alarm unit is installed behind the glove box, near to the
wiper control module. Not easy to get to. Mine was installed by the dealer
when I bought it new in '98.

It's so easy to install you should buy it on discount from one of the several
BMW dealers that still have them in stock. It plugs into a pre-existing
connector under the dash via a short wiring harness in the kit. Hook-up the Led
warning light and the horn to the harness conector under the hood and you are
ready to go. I tried a Stellar, and had problems, I had to send it back
because it never worked right and factory support was so bad.I ended up with
the factory unit and it works great. If you buy another brand, like a
Clifford, they will have to cut into your wiring harness to do the hook-up. I
really didn't want some 18 year old kid messing my wiring harness up, so I
installed the factory unit myself. Works great !!

[Fred W.]

Post by Neoisthe1
It's so easy to install you should buy it on discount from one of the several
BMW dealers that still have them in stock. It plugs into a pre-existing
connector under the dash via a short wiring harness in the kit. Hook-up the Led
warning light and the horn to the harness conector under the hood and you are
ready to go. I tried a Stellar, and had problems, I had to send it back
because it never worked right and factory support was so bad.I ended up with
the factory unit and it works great.

Just curious what probvlems you had with the Stellar unit? I have heard
good recommendations on them and had considered buying one for my ole' 325i
(remote door locks only)

Thanks,
-Fred W

[Neoisthe1]

Post by Fred W.
Just curious what probvlems you had with the Stellar unit? I have heard
good recommendations on them and had considered buying one for my ole' 325i
(remote door locks only)
Thanks,
-Fred W

Control module was bad ?, constantly alarmed on it's own, where and when it
decided to, doors wouldn't lock using remote, then it would decide to just
flash the lights on it's own continously. After two weeks of talking to the
tech support people and getting nowhere I returned it for a full refund. They
kept trying to convince me that I had it hooked up wrong, but could give no
coherent electrical trouble shooting advice - LOL. The documentation IMHO is
not worth the paper it's written on. Translated from another language no doubt
? I got rid of it, glad I did as the BMW unit installed in about 1-2 hours
depending on how fast you work, arms correctly, opens doors correctly, worked
first time and has functioned flawlessly. While it does not have a motion
detector, it does as I recall have glass break that can be set very sensitive
for the Z3.

[Zack Schneeberger]

Neoisthe1 - Did the factory unit you bought come with a remote? How
much did it cost?

Post by Neoisthe1

Post by DUINK
The keyless entry/alarm unit is installed behind the glove box, near to the
wiper control module. Not easy to get to. Mine was installed by the dealer
when I bought it new in '98.

It's so easy to install you should buy it on discount from one of the several
BMW dealers that still have them in stock. It plugs into a pre-existing
connector under the dash via a short wiring harness in the kit. Hook-up the Led
warning light and the horn to the harness conector under the hood and you are
ready to go. I tried a Stellar, and had problems, I had to send it back
because it never worked right and factory support was so bad.I ended up with
the factory unit and it works great. If you buy another brand, like a
Clifford, they will have to cut into your wiring harness to do the hook-up. I
really didn't want some 18 year old kid messing my wiring harness up, so I
installed the factory unit myself. Works great !!

[Neoisthe1]

Post by Zack Schneeberger
Neoisthe1 - Did the factory unit you bought come with a remote? How
much did it cost? >

The factory model alarm, 2 remotes w/ keyless entry was $285 on discount from
BMW dealer. Denville BMW in NJ (1-800-246-2697) was advertising them for
$285 in June 2004 issue of Roundel for the Z3. Don't know if they still have
them but other dealers around the counrty also advertise various E36/Z3 or E46
modules at discount in Roundel from time to time.
Hope this helps !

[Fred W.]

Post by Neoisthe1

Post by Zack Schneeberger
Neoisthe1 - Did the factory unit you bought come with a remote? How
much did it cost? >

The factory model alarm, 2 remotes w/ keyless entry was $285 on discount from
BMW dealer. Denville BMW in NJ (1-800-246-2697) was advertising them for
$285 in June 2004 issue of Roundel for the Z3. Don't know if they still have
them but other dealers around the counrty also advertise various E36/Z3 or E46
modules at discount in Roundel from time to time.
Hope this helps !

Helps me. Thanks so much.

-Fred W

[Fred W.]

Post by Zack Schneeberger
So I guess that my car was not equipped with an alarm. What is the
best brand/model for an alarm system on the Z3? I have been looking at
Clifford and Viper. Thanks for everyone's help.

Stellar Alarms

http://www.bavauto.com/se1.asp?dept_id=327

You can get the just the remote entry, or an alarm with as many or few
features as you want.

-Fred W