Mid City Remote Starter
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 104
Likes: 8
From: Massachusetts
2014 E350 4matic Sport
Mid City Remote Starter
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.
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 323
Likes: 37
From: Dallas, Texas
2015 S550 4MATIC
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.
I do not recall having to soldering a jumper in the ignition module... Just replacing the connector piece so the pigtail fit properly.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 104
Likes: 8
From: Massachusetts
2014 E350 4matic Sport
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.
Midcity will do it for free at a 2 week turn around.
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.
I do not recall having to soldering a jumper in the ignition module... Just replacing the connector piece so the pigtail fit properly.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 129
From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
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...
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 104
Likes: 8
From: Massachusetts
2014 E350 4matic Sport
If you are in the Boston area my friend will do it for $1,000 including soldering, installation, and the remote starter unit.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 387
Likes: 4
From: Boston, MA
2010 E550 Coupe
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
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
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 695
From: Northwest Illinois
2014 E350 also restored: 1969 Camaro convertible SS 1957 Chevy Belair 2dr hardtop
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.
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.
Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 192
Likes: 47
From: Nor Cal
21 E63 Wagon
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.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 104
Likes: 8
From: Massachusetts
2014 E350 4matic Sport
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.
Last edited by thephantom; Nov 7, 2016 at 08:55 PM.
