Alarm/Clown nose
 

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.

You wanna know if it has an alarm? roll down a window. Get out. Lock the X then stick your hand in the window and try to get something. I did that a few weeks ago and my x went nuts with the alarm.

I also own an '05 X3. As far as I know, if you don't get a beep, you don't have an alarm. It could be you do, and the previous owner had it set not to beep when armed, but I'd put my money on you not having one at all...

I agree with QuickSilver. Try stealing your own X :rofl:

Hold down the trunk release button for a few seconds. If the panic alarm goes off, then you know you have the alarm. Thats what I do to find my car in big parking lots =)

The X3 doesn't come standard with an alarm; it's an accessory that can be installed. The clown nose on mine (non-alarm) starts blinking right after I lock the doors, so I dont see an issue with that.

As others have mentioned, try stealing your X3. It's not easy. I've done this before and it's not as easy as it seems.

1. Normally when you lock the doors from the dash button, you pull the inside door handle once and it unlocks, twice the door opens. When you lock with the remote, the lock will not pop up despite any number of attempts pulling at the interior handles.

2. When you lock with the remote, and then try to unlock using the dash button, it doesnt unlock. You need the key/remote to do so.

I personally installed an oem alarm on my X5 after having bought the car,and I had the similar symptons to you. I had to get my alarm coded by DIS at the dealer for the cars electronics to accept it and for the alarm to work!

There is another way you can test the alarm. While sitting inside your car and all doors closed, lock the car via the key fob. Wait a few seconds. Then try to open the door. No matter how many times you pull the door handle, the door will stay lock. If you have the alarm, it will sound. If you don't have the alarm, no sound. I know because I have locked my gf in the car via the key fob and when she tried to get out, the alarm went off, hahahahaha.