mjahani

Hi, can you please tell me how much did you pay for each piece (Remote and compustar) and where are you located? Thanks

MercedesB_Ent86

Remote costs 799.99 and 229.99 for the compustar 2way upgrade or 200.00 for the drone app iphone/android/blackberry.

ngerstman

I was thinking about a remote starter but one with a long range. I don't need to have a remote starter to start the car in my garage, I'm lazy but not that lazy. I love the thought of remote starting my car from my office in the dead of winter before trudging out to the parking lot and getting into a warm car!!!!!!! My Mercedes dealer originally offered the remote starter with a i-phone app capability for 1500 plus 500 for the i-phone module. They recently lowered the price to 1300 and 325. almost in my zone. I'm a little afraid to have a non-dealer do the work. My dealer is in Morristown, N.J. Has anyone had it done in my area with good results. Does anyone know who makes the unit that Mercedes is now using? Thanks. Ned.

dynomite05

I'm pretty sure MB uses the version we have been discussing. You have to go to the dealer to get it installed. Seeing as how dealers are privately owned, shop around and you might get a lower price.

ngerstman

So is 1625 a low enough price for the i-phone app version of the remote starter to avoid the brain damage of looking for the cheapest install? What do you all think? Thanks. Ned.

mg-E550

You have my vote. Yes

dynomite05

I guess it depends on how much you want it. I was going to get one, but once I started reading warming up your engine for more than a couple minutes can cause premature engine wear. I can't justify it anymore.

MercedesB_Ent86

You wouldn't have to go through any headache looking for the cheapest install. I can find you the shop closetst and best priced. A shop we deal with often and it shouldn't cost you more than 1300 with everything.

ngerstman

I don't believe that warming your engine up for 5 minutes on a cold day will cause premature engine wear. I find it hard to believe that it would not be beneficial. As I said before, the great thing about the i-phone app product is starting my car from my office before walking out to the parking lot on a frigid day. And if I get delayed, I could always turn it off from the phone. Almost too cool to resist!! Thanks. Ned.

theteeman

I live in zip code 11729 I have a 2006 CLK500. anyone know someone in this area that installs the viper remote start and the IPOD download.. if you know what it would cost would be great
thanks
Steve

mikephotos

Steve, try Movinon Sounds in Franklin Square. I've heard they do a great install on MB remote starts. I'm probably going to head that way next month.

theteeman

Mike thanks.. I did call them... I think they get 1500.00 some of the dealers are less than that..
let me know how you make out with them
Steve

Racing Dad

OK. Finally gonna get this installed. Took a little bit of work, but finally found someone that could do the install. I'll probably be doing it in a couple of weeks.

As a side note, I've heard many good things about the product and ultimately that's what pushed me to put in so much effort to find a dealer. But if Mid City you are reading this, please work on your responsiveness via email. It was a little frustrating and really didn't get very far and they were very unhelpful.

in the long run I was able to work around it, but potential clients shouldn't need to have to try to work around your unhelpfulness to get your product.

I usually don't do this, but as a business owner as well, I really think there is potential to do better!

Here's my email thread, I hope this is something you can find frustrating as well.


************************************************** *****
Racing Dad Request
The following data was received at 1/12/2011 2:50:57 AM from:
Smart Key Starter
name: Racing Dad
email: ##############
phone: ########
zip: 9####
car: 2010 e63



************************

From: Eric [mailto:eric@midcityengineering.com]
To: racing dad
Subject: Re: Response from Website

We have coverage for your vehicle with regards to the Smartkey Starter®. The price is $799 + installation.

There are some authorized dealers of our products in your area. Please see the list below.

Thanks for your inquiry.


Autotech Dealer Services Inc. 13743 Bear Valley Rd. 93021, Moorpark CA 805-523-8996
GT Pro Performance Tuning Inc. 740 E Walnut Ave. 92831, Fullerton CA 714-447-1697
Guardian Automotive Surety Service 21318 Dumetz Rd. 91364, Woodland Hills CA 877-316-0717
Sounds Plus Inc. 24630 Redlands Blvd. 92354, Loma Linda CA 909-335-3525
South Bay Autohaus 4875 W Rosecrans 90250, Hawthorne CA 310-355-0922
VIP Status 19148 Van Ness Ave. 90501, Torrance CA 310-618-8886
Rocco's Autotech 775 W 17th St. 92627, Costa Mesa CA 949-722-0707
Mach III 1507 Ocean Ave. 94112, San Fransisco CA 415-594-0029
Mac Car Stereo Inc. 15138 Valley Blvd. 91746, Industry CA 626-961-7899
Kuruma Motoring 15460 Valley Blvd. 91746, Industry CA 626-336-1166
La Jolla Audio 5161 Santa Fe St. Suite B 92109, San Diego CA 858-581-6545
Exotic Car Audio And Security 1401 Mangrove Ave. 95926, Chico CA 530-895-1644
Autosound Lab 7133 N Blackstone Ave. 93650, Fresno CA 559-227-8357
Kartunz 3657 Old Santa Rita Rd. 94588, Pheasanton CA 925-410-8869
Auto Radio Stereo 2735 Arden Way 95825, Sacramento CA 916-485-3800
Sound Speed Custom 737 Barstow Ave. 93612, Clovis CA 510-205-0688
Newport Autosound 1743 Newport Blvd. 92627, Costa Mesa CA 949-548-1160
Audiowerks 555 S Bascom Ave. 95128, San Jose CA 408-250-8000
Car Stereo Plaza 13150 Paramount Ave. 90280, Southgate CA 562-531-2555
Pacific Stereo 1764 Country Squire 92081, Vista CA 760-224-5671
Basis Auto Security 36 Quail Run Circle #103 93907, Salinos CA 831-424-0356
Audio Sports 711 E Bidwell Suite 1 95630, Folsom CA 916-673-9447
East Bay Auto Spa 1363 Pine St. 94596, Walnut Creek CA 925-930-7190
Good Guys Diesel & BioMechanics 1191 Water St. 95062, Santa Cruz CA 831-469-8715


Eric
eric@midcityengineering.com
312.421.1114

***********************************
Racing Dad wrote:

Eric,

I’m sorry but we’ve been through this already. This is second time you’ve sent me this database dump.

You basically just downloaded an entire list of CA vendors, some are as far away as 400 miles.

I checked with 2 that are 10 miles from me (9****): Mac Car Stereo and Kuruma Motoring.

Mac Car Stereo is a hole in the wall, which I have to say I probably wouldn’t prefer to bring my benz to. And Kuruma Motoring is closed for business. They only have an ebay store now.

One of the next closest places is in South Gate, Car Stereo Plaza, which has 16 for 16 horrible reviews.

I want to do this, but I’m jumping through hoops. Can you please send me a list of dealers closest to my zip code. And if I remember correctly you guys do gadgets and add-on’s specific to Benz’s. I’m not being particular, but the first 3 I checked I would bring a Honda civic to, but I would have reservations bringing an E63 to. I think in this market group as a whole, we know that you get what you pay for. And the last thing I would like is to have issues with my benz because of what was originally supposed to be a nice convenience.

I hope you can help.

************************************

From: Eric [mailto:eric@midcityengineering.com]
To: racing dad
Subject: Re: Response from Website

These are all of the dealers that have signed up with us in CA, regardless of location. I'm sorry there are none close to you that fit your requirements.

You may also want to check with your local MB dealership. One of our distributors is targeting the dealerships directly, which we don't have as much information about. However, there may be one or two MB dealers near you that you can also purchase the remote start from.

Let me know if you need anything further.

thanks

Eric
eric@midcityengineering.com
312.421.1114

rob13572468

Wow, I can see why you got frustrated... I apologize for that and I will sit down with everyone tomorrow and talk to them about targeting the recommended dealers in a more precise manner...

On the subject of vetting the shops that we sell to, we actually do a decent amount of checking on shops specifically in relation to the starter system. To sell/install the product we require that they are actually a licensed professional shop with a physical location (e.g. no internet only shops, no guy working out of his house.) Unfortunately in the mobile electronics industry there is alot of turnover and many shops have closed/reopened more than once in the past years. As a result sometimes we end up with shops on the list that no longer fit the criteria. I will make sure that we weed those guys out in the near future...

Ultimately we would prefer that the all mercedes service centers would offer sales/installation of our starter (as they have properly trained techs and equipment) but they individually elect whether they want to carry the product and unfortunately not all do at this time.


Please keep me posted on how everything goes with your install... If theres anything else that you need feel free to email me at sales@midcityengineering.com (just put ATTN ROB in the header) or call me direct at 312.421.1114

regards

rob

ngerstman

I decided to avoid all of the brain damage of finding a third party to install the remote starter. My dealership will do it for $1625 which includes the i-phone option(without the i option would not have bothered. But warming the car up from my office before heading out into the cold is too cool to pass up). Getting it done on Friday. I'll report back on the product. Regards. Ned.

mjahani

Hi,

Where are you located?

ngerstman

My dealership is in Morristown, NJ. They just recently lowered the price by about $400 and that was good enough for me. Love the concept of the i-phone app!! No longer range restricted. Regards. Ned.

Anthony Louis

So ngerstman, without the iPhone option how much is the cost? After the $400 price drop it should be under $1000 correct? Please let me know the cost as I'm not far from your dealership

ngerstman

Mercedes of Morristown could not get the iphone remote starter product to work. So I had them remove the whole remote starter installation. Having a key fob starter with limited range was not what I was looking for. I wanted something that would start my car from my office to warm the car up in the winter or cool it off in the summer as I left work. I loved the concept. I have not checked recently to see if there are any new products that might work. Note that my post was from over two years ago. Regards. Ned.

matts

Strange they could not get it to work. I have had it on my 2011 E550 since January and it works very well. Nothing better than landing on a February morning, starting it and having it warmed up before I get to the parking structure!!!

-Matt

2nice4me

I had it in my C300 and will be getting it again for the E.

However I will not go with the drone app for the phone. Communication from the device was very sporadic, sometimes my phone would not be able to communicate with the car starter and other times it would take like 30 seconds to 45 seconds for the app to event start up. starting the car using the key was very reliable.

So i will be going with a 2 way RF extension this time, trying to find the smallest remote possible.

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.

Av8r3400

(I have a '12 E350 with the push button start)

Trying to understand this system. I'd like to get a remote start but don't want extra remotes to carry around.

Is the main component a Mid City Engineering controller with Compustar modules plugged into it (for long range remotes, etc.)?

I look up Mid City's website for dealers in my area and all I get are Compustar dealers. Can some one explain the relationship?

Thanks.

thephantom

Midcity unit can be integrated with your OEM key fob. Compustar unit can be added for phone support.

steinjr

Your keyfob will be paired with the MidCities unit to start and stop your engine. You can add the Compustar Drone unit to start and stop your engine using your mobile phone. It also has many other features that are very helpful. https://www.dronemobile.com/