soldier2304

Does anyone have any information on the progress on the remote start for the W204 from Mid-City Engineering? They were developing a remote start that fully integrates on the factory key but have not heard from them again around the forums. Anyone got any Intel on this ?

Jae Duk

I beleive it's already out if you check their website. You can start it to warm up your car by pushing the button on your key, but in order to drive the car it seems you would still have to insert your key. It's not purely keyless but semi?
Personally I don't think it's that good because it's not fully keyless but it's good to get the car started up if you're in a cold area and wanna get the inside of the car hot enough.

EURO KNG

http://www.smartkeystarter.com/

arctichaze

I would like more info on this. I can brush my teeth while the car warms up ftw!

Jae Duk

Found the thread.

https://mbworld.org/forums/audio-ele...-smartkey.html

Hope this helps. I haven't followed up on it so I dunno how much. We can always call them to find out :/

rob13572468

Yes... it is available and shipping. Its also completely plug-and-play.

dremorg

Please excuse my ignorance but what is plug & play? Also, how much is it?

rob13572468

Normally to get a remote starter installed the installing tech has a box with 25-40 wires which need to get spliced into the vehicle at various different points. Naturally this would sometimes cause warranty issues when the vehicle would be brought for service as the dealers like to blame any problems the vehicle has on aftermarket products that are installed int the vehicle.

Our starter has absolutely no wiring connections and no splicing into the vehicle. The entire starter is installed just behind the key cylinder module and uses factory connectors to allow it to plug into the factory wiring harness. At any time the starter system can be unplugged and removed and the vehicle would be *completely* stock configuration again. Thats plug-and-play.

MSRP on the starter is $999 for the C class. That includes everything you need to start the vehicle so there are no hidden extra costs.

ulovemybenzo

will it work for both keyless go and non keyless go?

dremorg

Thanks for the info.

dremorg

Thanks for the info.

arctichaze

so how hard would this be to install?

drawde

Digging up an old thread here, but a dealer near me sent me an email saying they now have the SmartKey remote start system available. Anyone have this? I think they said $1495, not sure if that includes install but I would hope so. Thinking about getting this. Thoughts?

emericr

Nice feature but wholly crap... $1,000.
I am sure this took quite a bit of engineering time. At least, it is 50% less than the dealer.

soldier2304

****, that's good news. I'm going to find out if they install at my dealer. I rather pay $500 more and do it through the dealer just in case.

doos

so is it true that you still need to use ur keys to drive the car after it is started?

jvanbrecht

My wife has a smartkey (the infiniti FX variant, not a push button, but a twist button similar to normal ignition, only you don't have to stick the key in it), and has an auto start, she just hits her lock button on the remote twice within 1 second of each other (yes that occasionally starts the car by accident when locking your car if you double tap).

The reason the car does not work until the actual ignition has been engaged, is so that they do not steal your car. In my wifes car, if she does not turn the actual ignition on, when she touches the brakes or gas pedal, the car shuts off.

and $1k+..... are they nuts....

elijah

Good question, any answers??

rob13572468

Yes... The security provided by the mercedes key is still fully active. All this means is that once you the vehicle is remote started and you wish to get in and drive, you need to either insert the key in ignition and turn it to 'ON' or (for keyless go equipped vehicles) you have the option of pressing the 'START' button while you have the key physically present. In either case this will unlock the steering/gear shift and transfer control of the vehicle to you.

If at any time while the vehicle is remote started, an unauthorized user attempts to enter the vehicle and drive it, the vehicle will shut down as soon as they attempt to engage the gear shift.

rob13572468

Yes the smartkey starter works with both keyless go and non-keyless go vehicles. When its installed on a Keyless go vehicle you retain all the KG features when remote started: so you can remote start the vehicle and still use the touch unlock feature to enter and the pushbutton instead of the key to start or take over... (or you can also just use the key like on a non KG vehicle.).

mattwin

Check out the Viper Smartstart on Youtube. You can control your car windows, start your car through your blackberry or iphone anywhere there is reception.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw3bCMcgv3A

What are your thoughts?

Militia

The response time is horrible, but everything else looks alright.

jvanbrecht

The Viper smart start system is also ridiculously over priced.

MB_Forever

Is this available for the W211 E63 as well?

rob13572468

yes it is!