Alarm/Clown nose

[pitpro]

I just bought 2005 X3 for wife. I have 2005 545i. On the 545, when I set the alarm the lights flash, a beep is heard and the clown nose starts blinking immediately to let me know system is armed.
On this X3 when I hit the lock button, the lights flash, no beep, and the clown nose does not start blinking for like 5 minutes. And then it only blinks dimly, not bright and immediately like my 545i.
At first I thought the car didn't have the alarm option, because the clown nose didn't blink immediately after arming system. Now I am starting to wonder.
Can anyone shed some light here?
Do you think my X3 has an alarm?
Is it supposed to take 3-5 minutes for blinking clown nose to come on?
Does no beep mean no alarm?

Confused.