davidlesage

Hi everyone, I am new on this forum. I am looking into buying a 2016 GL 450. I live in Canada and a remote starter is definitely a plus in here since it gets very cold in the winter. MB does not produce remote starters for its vehicles here nor does it make the mBrace system available in Canada (looks like we are a third world country...). I also read that adding a remote starter might void the manufacturer's warranty.

Any suggestions as to what would be the best aftermarket system for a two-way remote starter with a decent range.

Thanks for your answer.

David.

jbondox

call midcityengineering.com but it might be on keyless go vehicles only, so I hope you have a push to start vehicle
And it is going to be expensive

Mike5215

^^I have the MidCity unit for my S550 (keyless go) which gives you the same range for remote starting as your keyfob has. Then I added the Drone Mobil device, which allows the car to be started/locked/trunk opened via a smartphone app from anywhere there's cell service or wifi. Not cheap, I think around $700 for everything installed, but wow is it nice to be able to pre-cool (or heat) the car while you're still in line at the grocery check out and have it be perfect when you get to it.

I also added a Chamberlain MyQ WiFi garage door opener, so I can start the car and vent the garage without going outside.

Jason Burtman over on the W221 forum is also a MidCity distributor and he'll give forum members a discount. He can tell you if the MidCity requires keyless go.

jbondox

buy from midcity or a midcity distributor???? hmm... buy from midcity! no brainer, and $700 for an s class with keyless go installed and with drone, would be too cheap to believe. seeing i know the cost of both units and have done over a hundred of the S class's alone

Mike5215

Okay, had to dig through my PayPal history. I paid exactly $659 shipped for the MidCity Remote Start module, and exactly $115 for the Drone Mobile unit. I don't know if that's a good price or not but Jason is a friend of mine on the forum so I gave him the business.




Here's how they look on the phone:






Feel free to PM me if you need Jason's contact info.

jbondox

so it was $800 not installed?

Mike5215

Well, if you add those two numbers together you get $774 for parts and they charged me $100 at the shop to install. $874 out the door. Most of the W221 guys were installing them themselves, but my car was already at the shop for the Prima install so I had them handle it. What did you charge people for the MidCity Remote + Drone Mobile + install?

jbondox

smartstart viper not drone, $999 installed regardless if it was keyless go. Also lifetime warranty

Mike5215

Yikes! Mine's a little less expensive. How much is the SmartStar Viper unit itself?

steinjr

A buddy and I installed the MidCities piece with the Drone Mobile add on yesterday. Their instructions were simple and very helpful. The hardest part is swapping out the connections behind the ignition. Not much room to work! It took us about 5 hours. Which is the same amount of time the dealer quoted for them to do the install. 2 of the hours where for the Drone module which simply plugs into the back of the MidCities piece. I am sure an experienced MB tech would have knocked this out in far less time, but they would not negotiate the time or price. So I decided to do the install on my own. Very happy with the product.

Nanook

Find a local installer and get the Compustar starter system with the Drone module which allows cell phone capabilities..works like a charm..I have it in 4 of my cars..with subscription you can also track vehicle positions plus more

jbondox

wow, I remember those days, first one took a few hours, but a few later it was a 45 minute job with SmartStart mounted above and behind the instrument cluster. Could do the 221 blindfolded, well until i need to read the KeylessGo LED's