Aftermarket Alarm/Immobiliser Recommendations?

[zd3bx]

Any good aftermarket alarm/immobilisers for an E30?

I'm guessing modern alarm kits are not so easy to install on a car of this age, so that's why I'm asking maybe there's something decent out there that works well?

I was looking at Clifford Arrow 5.1, but not sure if it's the best thing to go for?

Thanks

[adam_2922]

im not a fan of any of the Clifford alarms. The wire is poor quality and they often only last a few years. I use a toad alarm system on mine but had a cobra on my last vehicle.
are you looking to install your self or get the alarm installed by a pro?

[zd3bx]

Can't do it myself, so will have to take it somewhere, but at least I want to know what I'm dealing with...

[adam_2922]

I use a bloke called andy who runs in car multimedia peckham. Dont let the location put you off they do some top quality cars in there and there work is second to none.
Andy used to work on factory e30's years ago installing premium sound systems for record companies and his enthusiasm really shows in his work.

[Rav335uk]

I have a Clifford, and it's been fitted on the car since '97, and it's still working correctly.

[Gavla]

I have a clifford 5.1 and have not had any problems. But you must make sure it is installed correctly.

[zd3bx]

I have a clifford 5.1 and have not had any problems. But you must make sure it is installed correctly.

Does the central locking work fine and you lock/unlock the car with the fob normally?

Who installed the alarm on yours?

[adam_2922]

maybe its just my bad experiences with clifford alarms then!

[gromgsxr]

Clifford alarm on mine been good for a year so far I fitted it my self

[Brianmoooore]

Three comments on this:
1) Fit a Clifford at your peril. Their reputation is deserved.
2) Don't think that fitting an alarm/immobiliser, fitted in the way that all I have seen have been, will protect you car for more than a few seconds. All are very easy to defeat for anyone who knows what they are doing. Something that contacts your 'phone when triggered may just be worth fitting if you are nearby.
3) The best immobiliser for an E30 is the DIY switch to short circuit that I have described on here many times.

[Gavla]

I have a clifford 5.1 and have not had any problems. But you must make sure it is installed correctly.

Does the central locking work fine and you lock/unlock the car with the fob normally?

Who installed the alarm on yours?

All has been working fine since it was installed 18 months ago. I use the fob for central locking.

I cannot remember who installed it, if I find the receipt I will let you know.

Brian's comments hold true, I am just letting you know my experience with Clifford.

[Tan91]

Go to caraudiosecurity.com

Check their alarms out.

If they fit the Alarm for you it has lifetime guarantee if I remember properly the concept 650 mk II is a good unit.

5.1 is also good.

If your keeping the car it would be good as it is a reputable company.

[zd3bx]

Thanks for the comments guys. Obviously, at the end of the day, ANY alarm can be dealt with, it just depends on how good the breaker is and whether it's worth the risk...

My view is, that an E30 is not exactly a Lambo, so it doesn't attract the type of a person who knows too much about car alarms in the first place. However, I would still rather have something fitted for my own piece of mind and plus, unlocking the car with a fob would be a mini-luxury for me lolz

Tanveer, that place doesn't seem to be too far from me, but have you had any experience with them or it's just a random site?

[Tan91]

Thanks for the comments guys. Obviously, at the end of the day, ANY alarm can be dealt with, it just depends on how good the breaker is and whether it's worth the risk...

My view is, that an E30 is not exactly a Lambo, so it doesn't attract the type of a person who knows too much about car alarms in the first place. However, I would still rather have something fitted for my own piece of mind and plus, unlocking the car with a fob would be a mini-luxury for me lolz

Tanveer, that place doesn't seem to be too far from me, but have you had any experience with them or it's just a random site?

They are the one of the UK's largest Audio Specialists, defo in London. I have dealt with them before and they are good people there. They are a very reputable company and known over London very well and all the shows everyone goes to like Edition38, PLAYERS etc...

I used to know a few lads there but my uni life is in Cardiff so I have been distant from the "London Scene" used to know a good handful of people.

Where abouts are you in London.

SMK Audio is in West London too, Heston to be specific, they are very good as well. Google and you will know where. (Opposite the Heston Community Centre and Library)

I know an independent Clifford Authorised fitter that will come to your house within reasonable distance obviously but again I need to reconnect.

Which I can do for you, but I will have an answer by next week after my finals this week.

Ask both places for pricing with any little extras you want with it and see what you get. Both shops should be authorised fitters to this date which validates the lifetime guarantee I think. But you will need to double check it might just be a number of Years maybe.

Sorry long post but yeah let us know how it goes down.

[Quaser]

caraudiosecurity customer service is crap!

they did my mates range rover tv on the move thing - took the feed from the wrong place which stopped the solinoids working in the gearbox - it had enough oil in the box to drive out of their carpark and the car just came to a stop and wouldn't start.

they said as it drove out, it wasn't their responsibility - cost my mate over a grand to repair the box and caraudiosecurity didn't want to know!

[Tan91]

caraudiosecurity customer service is crap!

I could probably vouch for that too, then again my opinion is from 4 years ago, SMK are nicer people...Small Busines and small shop but they are good.

[Brianmoooore]

, unlocking the car with a fob would be a mini-luxury for me lolz

Rightclick do very reliable and well designed remote locking kits for about £20 odd pounds, and come with two remote fobs in many designs, including one that closely resembles the BMW keyless entry and start fob.
The shorting switch on the fuel pump wiring will be far more effective at preventing the car being driven away than any aftermarket effort, however many whistles and bells it has attached to it, or even BMW's OE E30 alarm, most of which can be bypassed in seconds by a simple piece of wire with a croc. clip on each end. Doesn't take much knowledge.

[leeparkes]

On my compact i have the usual Toad alarm but also have a cheap £20 live/earth job that only goes off if the car is shook or if it notices a current drop.

This alarm is buried in the dash with the siren pretty close to the air vent, trust me when that fires off at 100+db inside the car its painfull!
and the only way to get to it is pull most of the dash apart, id give anyone a good drink if they could last 30 seconds in there!

[bimanut]

^
I like that idea

[zd3bx]

There must a decent specialist around the West? lolz

CAS comments are not so sweet above and also found some info about SMK here > http://www.talkaudio.co.uk/ipb/index.ph ... st-london/

So now both of them sound a bit dodgy...

Found 2 guys on eBay - Dynamic Sounds Ltd in Wandsworth and In Car Music in Leyton...

Anyone familiar with them?

[kam325itouring]

I've been fitting alarms for about 12 years. They are good as long a they are fitted properly. I deal with Clifford cobra meta. I've fitted alarms for a few guys on the forum. If you want something that's to the point simple alarm go for either cobra or meta. If you want gimmicks and want to add extra sensors go for Clifford. I've fitted loads of 650s no issues. If you want prices pm me.

Kam