lotuni

Hi Everyone. Long time reader, first post.

Living up in the frozen north I am looking at getting a Remote starter for the GL. Being a Diesel there are some item to consider and likely not all remote starters will work.

Does anyone have a remote starter on a BT? What brand?

The dealer warned me about warranty violation of installing a remote starter if I did not get it installed through them (even though I know they outsource that to a specialty shop that I can go and get it done myself for a significantly lower price). Does installing a remote starter void the warranty?

xxGenericSNxx

Might want to look into the factory option (only available overseas) called the Webasto heater. It's a small gas motor that will preheat the engine fluids and turn on the heater for your car. However, I don't know if it'll work with yours since it's a diesel. But just do a search for it and in particular look for member MBenzNL from this website.

hkm2010

https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...ml#post5355440

lotuni

An update....

I've been calling around to a couple of dealers and it seems the starter of choice by dealers is the compustar. Some kind of integration with MB and compustar.

http://www.compustar.com/mercedesstarter/

No one was able to give me a straight answer on the warranty from dealers (they obviously want it done through them). They seem to be adding about a$500 margin over an authorized compustar installer. I'll place a few more calls next week and see what info I can get.

JimBarnhart

Bring in your quote to the dealer, tell them you don't mind a small premium to the dealer ($50 perhaps) over what someone else can do. I'll bet they get very close to your outside price.

hkm2010

I got mine installed at the dealer, no warranty issues to worry about. Definitely more expensive. Didn't feel comfortable taking chances with an independent installer.

Remote starter that I have within the original MB Key fob's range is worthless. Maybe newer one's have extended range. Diesel's take longer to warm when idling. I end up using only my Drone Mobile in winter. Live in Fargo, my GL never got comfortably warm even after 15 min of idling(default time).

lotuni

Great info, thanks! Even more reason to get a starter. It's cold here.
Do you remember how much was the install and unit with the drone ( if you don't mind sharing)? Looking at he drone as well

stickygreen

Diesels take FOREVER to warm up just from idling. If anything, would only be good for getting the AC going on a hot day. Perhaps if you were to somehow install a high-idle mode when cold...

hkm2010

lotuni
My cost was as follows.
Mid city eng remote start $830
Drone mobile unit $375 (include 1 year subs)
Installation $640
Mine was the first that the dealer installed. My only other option was to drive 300+ miles to Minneapolis, for other alternatives.
As "sticky green" said, diesels take forever to warm when idling. But you drive 2-3 min, it gets warm. Overall I was disappointed with heating results for the price. Don't care much about cooling in Fargo.

JimBarnhart

Thanks for the feedback. I was considering getting a remote start when my GL350 comes in. In my world, I'd like to turn on the heated seats and steering wheel, and have the heater warm the cabin, all from an Android app. My world isn't here yet, but I might have settled for having the heater warm the cabin. Sounds like that really isn't available yet either without allowing excessive time.

redii

Why do both mb and bmw not include this extremely convenient feature as standard or at least a factory option? It seems every other crappy car I get into has this feature from the key fob remote.

alx

... It is not included because all us- destined gl trucks have electric heaters that start to blow heat within 30 secs of operation. I have always marveled mine how the heat comes very quickly. In my mind unless really really cold the factory setup works very well.

Alternatively a block heater might also be an option. I do not know if mb offers it as an accessory though.

JimBarnhart

alx, I'm guessing you don't live in the cold of Minnesota or Canada. A few years ago I was able to confirm that the thermometer on my GL450 bottoms out at -40 degrees Fahrenheit. I know, I know, I could I chose to live in such a place, but that's another thread. ;-)

While the heaters are fast, they aren't that fast. Also having a remote starter to help clear the windows is another added benefit. Frost, sleet, snow removal from the windows become much easier if the windows are warmed a bit from the inside.

redii

That's nuts! I want it for the exact opposite reasons...the heat! When it's 110F the dark gray car with black leather seats are outrageously hot. A few of my coworkers have vehicles, like Tahoe's, that they remote start 5 min before they leave and it sets the temp to whatever is preset (aka max a/c).

It sucks to have a sweaty back in a suit. I bought the ventilated seats to help out with that too. I don't like being envious of a Tahoe. :-)

JimBarnhart

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find out at what temperature the GL maxes out it's thermometer.

alx

Irrelevant. In your conditions I would be using surplus NASA personal equipment also known as "space suit". Heater or not, -40 or not- you can't scare me.

houseofdiesel

Obviously you don't care much about fuel economy or emissions thats why no european cars have remote starters. It is a North American thing...enough of my rant.
IF your going to spend that much on a remote start buy a webasto or proheat or espar diesdel fired coolant heater or cabin heater, they sell both for $1200 plus installation or less for just one or get a combo unit. Idling your engine is useless at -40, it just doesn't produce enough heat at idle to matter. These heaters run off your diesel fuel, consume less then an idling engine and preheat the cabin or coolant or both (all depends on which unit you buy, there is vast selection) and keep wear to a minium your engine will love it, the eniviroment will love it and your cold body will love it. Yes, the dealer should be able to install them as all Sprinter vans/trucks have them as options! I would NEVER EVER trust an aftermarket installer with electronics in these vehicles, makes me shudder just thinking about the splice lock connectors they use and other "shaddy" fast install techniques they use that lead to corroded wiring harnesses or no starts/fried electronics. The aftermarket parts do not last the lifetime of the vehicle, they tend to break down and cause all sorts of issues like no starts, dead batteries, harness issues, bare wires from poor installs, it just butchers the entire vehicle. I know I have had to remove that stuff from some really nice vehicles and make the wiring correct again which is very time consuming. You should never ever tap a wire on these vehicles and thats exactly what they do.
Or upgrade your block heater to a tank type circulating heater 1500watts it will be "hot" when you start the engine in 2 hours of plugging in.
I agree with idling the engine for oil circulation, a minute or two and slowing driving away but long warm up idling on modern diesels just pollutes and shortens engine/turbo life with little heat benefits.

JimBarnhart