Aftermarket Alarm System for the X?

[fullmetaljacket]

My 03 X 3.0d didn't come with an alarm system when I got it. (just the keyless entry). Would it be wise to install an aftermarket alarm system? What would be the best type or brand to install? Or is there an OEM Alarm system available? Cant seem to find any on ebay Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[JCL]

Do you need an alarm? Not sure if it is wise or not in your neighbourhood, but here when car alarms go off in the street they are routinely ignored. I think the world would be a better place if there were no car alarms, less noise pollution.

Your vehicle does have an ignition immobilizer, and that is useful. It can lower your insurance rates, and makes it harder to steal the car.

If you want an alarm, you can buy the BMW accessory for retrofit, or an aftermarket one.

[fullmetaljacket]

Thanks for our thoughts! Yes I will think about it. You have a point. The immobilizer sounds good. Will study that too.

[JCL]

I guess it wouldn't be called an ignition immobilizer with a diesel, but I believe there should still be an immobilizer. Check it out.

[Quicksilver]

Why not? Ignition immobilizers only interrupt the electrical
and you still need electrical ignition for a Diesel correct?
Or am I missing something

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

Why not? Ignition immobilizers only interrupt the electrical and you still need electrical ignition for a Diesel correct?
Or am I missing something

Diesels are compression-ignition engines, not spark-ignition engines.

The immobilizer would interrupt the starter motor circuit, thus preventing the engine turning over and thus compression-ignition, or they could block fuel flow, but there is no spark-ignition system to immobilize.

[Quicksilver]

Like I said "you still need electrical ignition for a Diesel" Therefore the immobilizer would interrupt the starter motor circuit.

Originally Posted by JCL

Diesels are compression-ignition engines, not spark-ignition engines.

The immobilizer would interrupt the starter motor circuit, thus preventing the engine turning over and thus compression-ignition, or they could block fuel flow, but there is no spark-ignition system to immobilize.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

Like I said "you still need electrical ignition for a Diesel" Therefore the immobilizer would interrupt the starter motor circuit.

You don't need electrical ignition for a diesel, since there is no ignition system. To me, ignition refers to igniting the fuel air mix, not to turning on electrical accessories.

It wouldn't help much to just interrupt the starter circuit, as you could bump start the vehicle in gear, and it would start fine.

[Quicksilver]

Really? You ever tried to push start a Diesel in gear???
If it worked for you then good but the last time I tried that
there was no bump start of the vehicle in gear.

In fact to achieve the start you have to get some
good speed like 20MPH for a manual shift not a bump imo.
For an automatic it may be possible but getting enough speed
to achieve ignition of diesel fuel? I think in a BMW with an
auto tranny your asking for trouble.

Additionally The question I would ask is the diesel fuel pump electrical?
If it is then your dead in the water. No matter how much pushing
you do that pump aint gonna work. No fuel no start period.

Originally Posted by JCL

You don't need electrical ignition for a diesel, since there is no ignition system. To me, ignition refers to igniting the fuel air mix, not to turning on electrical accessories.

It wouldn't help much to just interrupt the starter circuit, as you could bump start the vehicle in gear, and it would start fine.

[Sketcheddd]

I've an immobilizer in my 02 3.0d. If you are talking about that thingy you gotta beep before you start the engine, otherwise it'll let you only to "battery" mode.