BMW's alarm. How does it work?

A couple of weeks ago I stayed at a hotel with a large parking garage. I parked my 745i parallel so I wouldn't get dinged. The space was right next to the main driveway so cars would be passing closeby. The space was well lit and had fairly heavy traffic so I thought it would be safe. The space was also between some posts so no one was parking directly in front or back of me.

When I went to retrieve the car the following morning the red light on the rear-view mirror was flashing so I assume the alarm was set off. The car looked fine and I could see no evidence of tampering. So either someone tried to get into my car or something passing closely set it off. It made me curious about alarms.

What will and won't set off the car alarm in these cars? I know there is a motion detector. I've bumped into the car in my garage an nothing happened. When I had my 530 the alarm went off once when I parked to close to where the helicopter lands at my hospital, so there is something to detect vibration.

Reply » BMW's alarm. How does it work?

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When I went to retrieve the car the following morning the red light on the rear-view mirror was flashing so I assume the alarm was set off.

You know what they say when you ASSuME right?

the red blinking light on the rear view mirro means the alarm is armed and functioning.

Your owner's manual is a fascinating read.

Reply » BMW's alarm. How does it work?

Can't wait to hear some response I always wanted to know this because on my 2006 z4 with the top down an alarm set, I reached inside to see if it would go off an didnt mybe I had to reach all the way to the floor ,the book says a leaf falling inside would set it off so dont park by trees

Reply » BMW's alarm. How does it work?

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You gotta quit buyin your cars from those guys on the street. Buy em from somebody who will give you a manual and some information. There is SO much more to your car than the stuff you see when you sit in the seat.

Reply » BMW's alarm. How does it work?

just to let ya know bought mine from anderson bmw crystal lake,yes they did walk me through an yes there is alot in the manual when your over 50 it is easier to ask.read the manual over an over still fining new info in it.hopefully some people will post more positive replies.also mine is paid for.not a lease

Reply » BMW's alarm. How does it work?

I won't be snide about reading the manual...some people are visual, some auditory and some kinesthetic. However, if you were to read the manual you'd discover (at a minimum) that there is a motion detector which is mounted in the center ceiling of the car...or at least it is in the 5-Series, and is probably there in the 7-Series too. I have discovered that it's possible (and you might try this yourself), to sit inside the car, activate the alarm, and remain still for about a minute or more. Then wave your arms, and, by gosh, the alarm will sound, lights will beep, etc. It seems to take about a minute for the alarm to set itself.

In the 5-Series, there is also a tilt alarm, which will activate if someone either ramps the car, lifts it, or jacks it. The main purpose of this seems to be to keep someone from stealing the wheels. 7-Series probably has one too.

The little red light under the R/V mirror flashes about once per second in normal, armed mode, but will change its frequency of flash if any of the alarms have been activated. My manual is down in the car, so I can't tell you what the frequency is, but it does change.

Of course, the tilt/motion alarms are in addition to the normal door/hood(?)/trunk opening alarms which set off the sound/light show, disable the ignition, etc.

I think that's about it, and I may have made some mistakes, but I think much of my information is good. Besides, we're all in this together for the long term, so why not get along and help each other out.

Written like a true Pollyanna, eh?

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