Alarm advice

[Carlouk]

Old topic I know but advice would be appreciated!

What alarm should I get for my Mk2 172? Upto £300 or there abouts!

Had a Clifford concept 300 on my Punto Sporting (paid £300 fitted) but fancy a change, Toad AI 606 any good?

Can anyone recommend a fitter as I don’t want my interior butchering?

(I’m based in Newcastle, but am in Preston, Lancs most weekends)



Also is it worth adding a shock sensor?

 

[m888arc]

Toad AI606 rocks imo....... not had a problem, maybe a tad sensitive, but wicked alarm all the same. i think u can get these fitted for near £300, iv got a feelin its less. but depends on the place.

Marc

 

[Scott]

My first question would be ... have you got an alarm fitted already?! If not your insurance company may be iffy about a theft related claim! If you havent got one then your car must be an import.

I expect what Im about to write has all been written before in past posts but here we go...

The standard alarm/immobiliser as fitted to the 172 (and probably other Clios) is actually a Cobra product. It may say Renault on it but is just a rebranded Cobra deal. 172s come as standard from the factory without an alarm and one is fitted on arrival at the docks in the UK by Renault UK to bring the security upto Thatcham Cat 1 spec.

If you fit the Cobra alarm you have the potential of having your alarm rigged to your existing key plipper rather than having a separate plipper.

Double check what is Thatcham 1 approved. This is important as most insurance companies will not insure a car like the 172 unless you have decent security. Practically any system from a well known car security company will be approved but it doesnt harm to cast your eye over http://www.thatcham.org/resources/pdfs/compliance.pdfhttp://www.thatcham.org/resources/pdfs/compliance.pdf

If you do get an alarm fitted make sure its from a VSIB accredited installer. If you dont you may find your insurer has itchy feet if you ever unfortunately have to make a claim! You may pay a bit more over Dodgy Dave Security Consultants but itll probably be worth it and they wont trash your car!

Personally I dont reckon a shock sensor is probably worth it. Cat 1 gives you all the stuff you need with perimetric and volumetric detection.

Hope this helps!

 

[Carlouk]

Yes my car is an import, does this mean it has an immobilser already fitted? In which case I could get a cat 2 -1 upgrade? Rather than splashing out on a cat 1

 

[Robby]

if you have a flashing led on your dash then it will have an imobiliser.

 

[Scott]

You do have an immobiliser - this is standard. As Robbie says this is indicated by the red flashing light on your dash (just above the fuel low petrol-pump icon).

You may be able to find a company that will do you a Cat 2-1 upgrade but since most alarms come in a pack (control box, siren, plippers, volumetric sensors etc.) a company may not be willing to split this. In any case do not expect to see a massive drop in the money youre going to have to pay out.

Unless your insurance company has given you special dispensation and is okay with a Cat 2 (i.e. immobiliser only) then get the alarm fittted sooner rather than later!

Another tip ... ask the installer where hes going to put the siren. The easiest for him will be to try and fit it in the engine bay. On Renault UK cars I believe its fitted under the dash though(?)

 

[Oakley]

Are the standard alarms any good. Because you can get it fitted from renault for under £200 with takes you up to Cat 1.

 

[Scott]

Standard alarms are Cobra based. I think these are pretty good and well respected along with makes like Toad. Im happy with mine and also have a Cobra system fitted on my other car.

As with anything its probably best phoning round for a few quotes. FYI my VSIB accredited installer did a great job and charged £250. Oakley must have a very nice Renault dealer as mine wanted over £400 to do the job on the 172! [It probably depends on the dealer - fitting an alarm/immobiliser is a non standard job which I know for a fact some dealers farm out to a specialist!]

 

[Oakley]

You can buy the alarm from renault for £170! so is you know anyone who is good at fitting alarms then it could be a cheap option