MB Marko

3 questions about the w204 2012+ Automatic Starter :

1.Does any one have one installed that allows you to use your factory key?
2.if no is it even possible to use your OEM Key?
3.PRICE

its getting cold in Canada i feel like this would be a great investment

manny26

i start the car like few minutes before i get out of the house at 5 AM in the morning here in vancouver, and the needle usually doesn't go up at all sits at 40 degrees nor does the heat warm up , nothing warms up till I'm actually driving it. i guess a remote start is better to have on older cars that actually heat up quick in the winter, idk about you but my benz doesn't warm up till I'm driving it . but the remote start is great to have in the summer cause your car is nice and cool in the afternoons by the time you get to it .

I have a Compustar Remote start its just straight plug and play i got it off ebay used for like 150$ i think. Really easy install and works with the panic button on the factory remote.

MB Marko

ill look in to it thanks i like the fact i can use the OEM remote. mine warms up in 7 minutes of idling i timed it today but it was about -2 out will see how it goes when its minus 20 hahaha

xEryx

2008 to 2014 all use the same remote starter. I installed one on my fiance's 2010 which is a Mid-City that I bought used from ACR2001 and he used it on a 2012. It works exactly as it should, you can start the car by pressing the factory panic once and you can do it up to five times in a row before you have to start it traditionally. If you leave the heat on the car will will warm up once it reaches temp. A new one cost about $600 from Compustar and a Mid-City one who is OEM is $700. You can also add the mobile phone kit and pay for their service to do it for anywhere.

Also note that the clean factory key setup only works as far as your car will pick up the key so make sure you can lock/unlock from where you will be remote starting before you buy.

MB Marko

thanks i appreciate that ill look into it I'm hoping to get one in the next few weeks

manny26

7 minutes is a lot of idling though probably burns a lot sitting that long started . And where's the best place to put the computer drone ? I have it right under the dash with the remote start but it's slow as hell . Am I suppose to place it higher in the dash ? The drone module

xEryx

The system itself is slow being aftermarket and complicated. It takes about 8 seconds to turn on with the factory key so I would imagine with a smartphone is around 15-20. It has to go through cell service to the drone and then the starter; Also who knows how fast the drone cell service is.

MB Marko

im not worried about burning a little fuel if i was id drive a toyota or honda i just want my car to be at a proper temperature before i drive I've done this with every car I've owned and don't mind sitting and waiting for the car to warm up. BUT as it gets colder and i get older id rather use the remote from inside the house and spend less time out in the winter

what I've researched its all pretty slow as xeyrx also said which is not a huge problem but your left wondering if it worked for a few seconds

they both are good options thanks for both of them guys.