In article <benefvcs3nmru0j6arcpfn5n4o95p4amv7 (AT) 4ax (DOT) com>,
anonymous (AT) microsoft (DOT) com says...
You can do it, although the documentation might say you can't.

My car came that way off the boat, along with the blinking clown nose
(although the alarm was installed post-sale).

From an "options" pdf someone once linked to here:

------------- quoted ----------

The "Clown Nose" flashes after you purchase, install and activate your BMW
alarm. Did you know that you
can have the Nose programmed to flash, and the amber lights blink off/on
when you open/close the doors
even though the alarm is NOT installed? Here's how:
1) Have your dealer hook up the shop computer to the car.
2) Go to the "Anit-Theft" activation section.
3) Activate the alarm, but uncheck the "DWA" option.


"We spoke with BMW of North America regarding (the question) The "Car
Memory" function, "Acknowledgement without DWA" for E46 vehicles
(without factory-installed alarm), is available since DIS CD 20.0, and its
functionality is described in Service Bulletin 09 03 98. When activated,
the fault code "07 anti-theft alarm system" is going to be set in General
Module.
This fault does not affect operation of the General Module in any way.
Simply put, the sustem detects absence of certain components of the DWA -
alarm siren and ultrasonic sensor - while at the same time the module was
coded to activate the DWA for the lights acknowledgement purpose. Again,
the above mentioned fault code is transparent to driver and does not
affect the operation of the car. There is no reason to replace the General
Module after Car Memory programming. This programming procedure was
approved by BMW AG."
Roundel, December 2000, pg. 104
--
Cranial Crusader dgh 1138 at bell south point net