thephantom

I've had my remote starter installed for a couple of weeks and am happt to report that it's working flawlessly with decent range for an OEM fob. However, I thought I'd share my experience with thise of you who may be considering adding this feature:

1. Mid City Engineering's tech support is subpar, and their installation instructions/pictorials are not very clear. However, you can usually reach someone in tech support outside of normal business hours.

2. 2014+ W212 vehicles will LOSE A KEY to make this install work!!! I wish I had known that prior to the install.

3. The installation is more involved than I had anticipated. Especially the soldering of a jumper in the ignition modual.

4. There are some nice features like:
A. When the temp dips below a certain point (I think freezing), the seat warmer and rear defroster turns on automatically with the remote start.
B. The car does not shut off when you unlock and open the door.

A friend of mine, who is a professional installer, performed this install for me. Yes, I bought pizza on top of paying him because this was a very extensive job! I was quoted $1,500 to $2,000 for this install with unit from dealer and other places. My friend said he'll help out any member here (Boston/Central MA area) for $1,000 - all inclusive.

PM me for his contact info, if interested.

BTW, I will have him change my back up camera with a wide-angle camera soon. Will keep you guys posted.

steinjr

A friend and I have recently did the same for the same reasons and I agree the product is great. I also added the Drone Mobile piece so I can control the car with my phone.

I do not recall having to soldering a jumper in the ignition module... Just replacing the connector piece so the pigtail fit properly.

thephantom

From what we were told and shown in the instructions, 14-16 W212 requires this step: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B7di-JDXqFw_T0ZBbGRZTHVpTkk&usp=sharing&tid=0B9LGLyLb-OsrfjdmT0Fxb3lkamtlTjNnWFZPOWNwbDVFQWlJUU9Ra0J4REJ 3ajFwV0hpWXM

Midcity will do it for free at a 2 week turn around.

steinjr

I see the confusion.... I have a 2011 W212. No soldering for me.

jonUF02

So if you don't have the skills to install yourself, then your're talking $800 for the package I think, then another $1000-2000 for install. Not worth it IMO, but maybe if I lived in a snowy area and parked outdoors it would be...

thephantom

If you are in the Boston area my friend will do it for $1,000 including soldering, installation, and the remote starter unit.

C230Brit

Good to hear of the review - I was/am contemplating the remote starter also. Still on the fence myself - whilst Boston-based, my car lives in a garage when not at work.

Would be interested to hear about the wide angle camera install. Take some before /after pictures of the reverse screen on the dash for comparison (please!)

Thanks,

Rich

Paullo

can you share his contact please ? I need a RS ASAP , I'm from Bos as well!

dbldpr

Mid city engineering also makes a module to get rid of pushing the eco button every time you get into the car. I had it installed and it works great. No problems, and now I do not have to push the button every time I get into the car. It automatically shuts it off.

designzio

When do you guys typically use the remote start? My truck has it and I only used it once to see that it actually works. Never really had a situation where I thought, "I wish I had remote start right now." Please, enlighten me.

thephantom

Example 1: Started my car from my office 5 mins before I got in the car in the 30-degree weather. It also automatically turned on my heated seats which made getting into the car that much more comfortable.

Example 2: Started my car from inside of the grocery store on my way to the car in the 30-degree weather. It also automatically turned on my heated seats which made getting into the car that much more comfortable.

designzio

Thanks. Sounds like its not a California thing.

thephantom

It gets even better when the temp drops to teens or single digit... Or below 0!