2003 BP Legacy immobiliser/alarm

[Guest]

Hi Guys,

Recently purchased a jap import 2003 BP legacy GT, love it so far, although going easy on it until a service booked in the next couple of weeks as I don't trust what the dealer has/hasn't put in...

Anyway, insurance tells me I need a 3 star immobiliser, Wingers has said that the factory is 5 star and it would be a waste of time to put an aftermarket immobiliser in. So I'm thinking just getting an alarm with the siren etc but I see that all the good ones (have looked at AVS range) come with immobilisers.

Can they be installed and still use the factory immobilser or am I better off going to get some cheap siren as it doesnt really matter as along as the immobiliser is good?

Whats everyone's take on this? Cheers.

[DRFVDR]

Not sure if u can with this car but some manufacturers have an add on that brings in a siren, do you really need an external siren ? Most of the time they are ignored unless you are close.

An internal screamer would be better and maybe txt alert

[Guest]

Hmm that might be an option thanks. I just thought that an external alarm will hopefully deter thieves taking stuff and ultimately not get the chance to bridge the immobiliser/tow it. Although seen lots of tow trucks with cars blaring away on them driving off so probably not going to get rid of this problem...

Eitherway it seems like that it would be a waste of money to install a $400-500 alarm system then...

[spark_38]

My mate has one of these. The factory immobilizer is better than any 5 star alarm on the market. Without the key in the ignition the whole ECU is disabled. They have come a long way since the previous generation.

The factory alarm (when locked using key) only sounds the horn when the drivers door is opened, doesn't sound for other doors. But then only the drivers door has the keyhole for manual lock/unlock.

The only purpose of fitting an aftermarket alarm would be the extra immobiliser cuts, chirps, and central locking (if the factory one is playing up), you could probably get the aftermarket alarm to work with the factory lock/unlock buttons on the original subaru key too.

[Guest]

factory immboliser in the BP/BL's is better than an other alarm unit

As stated by Spark-38 , they require a coded freqency key to allow BCM and ECU to operate,

incorrect key = no start

bypassed ign switch = no start

[subieboy]

Apparently you can get the AVS S5 can be integrated into the factory system of the new ones... and keep al that fancy factory stuff with...

[spark_38]

Yeah Dynatron also make the alarms that integrate into factory CAN-BUS system....which I'm assuming it is, most cars 2004 upwards.

Just had a look on the dynamco.com.au site, the can-bus system for the 2004 legacy requires two wires CAN-LO (pink wire from connector: grey/blue connector located under dashboard, drivers side near brake pedal, positions No 2 & 3), and CAN-HI (purple wire from same connector), power and grounds.

Such a simple install. Forget the old 20+ wires - all the door triggers, ignition sense, etc...are all decoded by the can-bus.

[AVS Car Security]

Hey guys

Unfortunately if the insurance company is after a star rated system then one will need to be fitted. Factory systems are not insurance rated no matter how good they are and in the case of the Legacy, miss many of the features required to be rated. The immobiliser side of the system is awesome from factory and using an S-Series/A4 alarm will enable full utilisation of the factory key and immobiliser system along with the added functions of the alarm and extra immobilisers without the need for the CAN-bus module (which we also do). This is a much cheaper option as you do not have to have the CAN-bus system to enable an alarm in a 2003 Legacy but you can if you like.

With newer cars there is no option as everything is integrated into the CAN-bus system so they need the more expensive module to talk to the car. CAN-bus installs are great with only the two wires needed to talk to the car but most systems still need alot of wiring due to the lack of factory sensors in most cars but newer cars are coming out with more and more factory sensors, some BMW's for example come with factory tilt and motion detectors.

Brad

[Guest]

Well I was told by Subaru (Wingers) that the factory is equivalent to 5 star insurance rated.

Anyhow so I can get an alarm system that does not destroy the awesome factory immobiliser while increasing security with the extras? Am interested, is that S4 only or can it be A4?

[AVS Car Security]

To be five star it needs a battery back up siren and a certified glass break sensor just to name the two most obvious features so unfortunately it isnt 8)

Yes the A4 can do the MAP upgrade no problems at all, which area are you in?

Brad

[Guest]

Sorry, I was told by insurance that it needed a 3 star immobiliser, and subaru told me it was equivalent to 5 star immobiliser not alarm so I guess glass sensors etc not required there.

Im in Auckland so I'll give you guys a call next week about this.