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11-03-2021LAST POST
Much of this is the same as the install for the regular 3 series, but I thought it'd be nice to get some pics of an install on an M3. Our install is actually easier than the regular 3 series because we already have the hood switch sensor installed. Here goes ...

Assumptions (I won't go over how to do these):
- You know how to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery.
- You can safely jack up the car and remove a wheel.

Tools Needed:
- 10mm socket wrench
- 6mm socket wrench (someone mentioned it's an 8mm not a 6mm)

References:
E90 install: DIY: Installing the Factory E90 Alarm
PDF: http://www.e90post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=59685&d=1171605521

1. Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery.

2. Install the motion sensor in the rear dome light (not the front light module). I found it easier to pull the module down from the front instead of at the lights.

Image hosted on: www.m3post.com

Image hosted on: www.m3post.com

3. Remove the two connectors (1 for the lights, 1 is plugged into nothing). Now you can snap in the motion sensor, there should be an empty space that's perfect for it. If there isn't you probably pulled off the front dome light module. Connect the connector back to the lights and now connect the other black connector to the motion sensor unit. Snap the lighting module back in place in the headliner.

Image hosted on: www.m3post.com

Look at that carbon fiber on the right! I should have taken a closer look. Sweet.
Image hosted on: www.m3post.com

4. Jack up the car and remove the driver's side rear wheel to install the siren. If you don't know how we'll need to link to other DIYs for this.

5. Unbolt various 10mm and 6mm bolts that are holding the wheel well lining in. There's quite of them so be sure to get all of them. There's a 6mm underneath the side skirt. I don't think I photographed all of them so double check. It will be much harder to remove the lining with any bolts still attached. You'll probably rip something if you forget. Haha.

Image hosted on: www.m3post.com

Image hosted on: www.m3post.com

M3 stamped in the wheel lining. Nice touch.
Image hosted on: www.m3post.com

6. Carefully pull the lining out. Be careful not to force it out along the edges of your bumper because you could ruin it as well as the paint.

Image hosted on: www.m3post.com

7. Now you have a bare wheel well. The siren will be installed where the red circle is.

Image hosted on: www.m3post.com

8. First bolt the siren bracket to the 3 screws and use 3 of the 4 bolts that came with the kit.

Image hosted on: www.m3post.com

9. Use the last bolt to fasten the siren to the big piece of rectangle plastic that comes with the kit. There should be a dangling connector for the siren and it should have a cap on it. Remove the cap and plug in the siren.

Image hosted on: www.m3post.com

10. Use the 2 screws that came with the kit and screw the siren to the bracket. After you're done it should look like this.

Image hosted on: www.m3post.com

11. Reassembly. Wheel well lining reinstall, wheel back on and reconnect battery. Now when you lock your car you should get a blinking red nose on your rear view mirror. Now you need to get everything programmed at the dealer.

Presto! This was one of the easier installs I've done and I think anyone with some basic skills can do this. I was amazed at all the M stamped parts in the suspension area. We even get an M stamped wheel lining. I wonder if that means they can exclude that from the list of parts that are the same as the regular 3 series. LOL. I wouldn't be surprised. Enjoy and good luck!
Only seeing bunch of x boxes..
RealSanaii wrote
Only seeing bunch of x boxes..
he said he'll re upload tonight.
Looks like an admin fixed it. Whoever did that let me know if you need me to upload the pics in this thread.

EDIT: Ok looks like it's not fixed. I tried to upload them using "new thread" and then linking to the pics without creating that thread, just so I can keep these images on the forum server. Also so //Mantis can see them at work ... haha. Looks like I have to do it this way.
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not fixed yet
Last 2 pics. Does the original post work now?
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Thanks for the great DIY...good pics. Can't wait to do it on mine when it finally arrives.
Great pics!!!:cool!:

Thanks for taking the time to do this :respect:
Very nice & thx! This will come in handy when the oem alarm arrives. :thumbsup:
great post! just wondering how many hours of labor you paid for to have them program it.

also, who has the best deal on buying the alarm kit?
moog55 wrote
great post! just wondering how many hours of labor you paid for to have them program it.

also, who has the best deal on buying the alarm kit?
Sadly it's not even programmed yet. Haha. I think I got it from Tischer in the low 200's.
moog55 wrote
great post! just wondering how many hours of labor you paid for to have them program it.

also, who has the best deal on buying the alarm kit?
Most charge 1 hour. Circle has it for $238, I believe.
GregW / Oregon wrote
Most charge 1 hour. Circle has it for $238, I believe.
Oh ya, that's where I got it from.
Thanks...will definitely do this.
GregW / Oregon wrote
Most charge 1 hour. Circle has it for $238, I believe.
cool. thx, greg.

*ordered* :)
awesome DIY. it worked on my friends car. He paid $145 to get it installed tho : (
///M3BEAST wrote
awesome DIY. it worked on my friends car. He paid $145 to get it installed tho : (
Ouch, hopefully that included enabling the alarm as well. As you can see anyone that has a wrench can do it and there's not much you can screw up.
MDCTFTW wrote
Ouch, hopefully that included enabling the alarm as well. As you can see anyone that has a wrench can do it and there's not much you can screw up.
Installation takes about an hour, plus the coding time for the dealer. On the regular 3 Series it takes a little longer because the hood switch is not preinstalled. On mine something went wrong when the coded it, and they ended up having to keep the car over night and reinstall all the software modles for the car. Pain.
After getting two quotes of $900:confused0068:from Long Beach BMW and then $700 after I bitched about price, I called Center BMW. They quoted me $600. So yesterday I picked up alarm and installed myself. Thanks to MDCTFTW for the great DIY write up. I installed alarm in under 1 hour. Very easy install. It just amazes me how a $70K BMW comes without alarm.
Is it OK to use the car without the alarm being coded for a couple weeks? I have the alarm and am ready to install, but I don't have an appointment to get the coding done yet.
I installed my alarm then had it coded 4 days later with no problems or error messages.
M3MIKE wrote
I installed my alarm then had it coded 4 days later with no problems or error messages.
Good to hear...thanks.