Alarm Question

I've never been in there but the reviews of the place online sound horrible. All 1 out of 5 stars with a couple 5 star reviews that seem very suspisous and other reviews accusing the owner of submitting reviews. I would steer very clear of that place myself.

I wish I could recommend a place but I just don't know of a good independent. I would swing by Cat Exotics (Roy Cats) in Lynnwood and see where he would recommend. He may even do them there at his shop. I would not hesitate to have his shop do work on my 355. His reputation is top notch on Fchat for a reason.

 

Assuming it is nice on Saturday, I am planning to take the 328 out first to Kirkland then to swing by Cat's around 10:30 - 11am. Might meet you there if you're around in the morning. I'd like to know the answer to this question too.

 

I guess I don't really see the point of installing an alarm into a 348. The chances of having the car stolen are almost nil. If someone wants to smash a window, or slash your tires, or "key" the paint, an alarm isn't going to prevent it. Is anyone going to steal the radio out of a 348? Do you have a navigation system, or some other component that might invite thieves?

When I owned a 348, I didn't even lock it most of the time, and no one ever bothered it.

 

Just take this as one data point view: alarms are useless. The chances that an alarm actually stops a crime are statistically insignificant. While it is not statiscally relevant, I've seen plenty of cars going down the street with alarms flashing and nobody seems cares.

In fact, I've seen more times where a false alarm has caused injury to a car (alarm goes off and people throw stuff at it or hit/kick it) than when an alarm has stopped someone.

Also, in spending a great amount of time around mechanic shops, I've come to expect aftermarket alarms as the source of many no-start issues. Just two weeks ago a friend of mine was complaining of a car he bought stalling out dead sporadically, and it turned out to be a problem with an alarm.

If someone is good and desperate enough to steal a car, the alarm isn't going stop them. (Many alarms are fairly easy to bypass.) If they see a blinking LED light (which you can buy with a 9V battery for a few bucks from Radio Shack) and still break in, they weren't afraid of an alarm going off.

The best protection is good insurance.

 

Only thing I would personally add is Lo-Jack. I don't trust aftermarket alarms on cars unless I know absolutely everything about the alarm and car and am installing it myself. There is no way around the fact that no one would be more concerned about the install being perfect than the owner.

 

I've heard nothing but favorable reviews regarding Benchmark on the Eastside. They've installed radar detectors for several folks that I know and do an amazing job:

http://www.benchmarkmotoring.com/

Mike

 

+1 on the Lowjack. Get the Early warning kit, it is just awesome. Very simple install and if the FOB is not in the car when it moves then you immediately receive a text message, email and phone call.

Somebody bumped into my car while I was at lunch and BOOM, text, email and phone calls - I was impressed.

I had my X5 stolen last Christmas right out of the condo in Bellevue. They defeated the alarm by hijacking a battery out of another car. Don't understand how that works, but they were able to quickly move my car. Nothing worse then seeing your car on surveillance tape the next day. F$CK!