MBRACE Serves Ending December 31st 2025
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 574
Likes: 119
From: New Jersey
MB W213 E300 4MATIC Luxury Model
It appears to require a USB to plug in an update and may require an extra car key to be mounted somewhere discreetly in the car. For a mobile phone use, there seems to be an extra fee.
I never liked that the OEM Mercedes remote start automatically turned off the car once you got to the door to unlock it. This may be better, but I've seen several aftermarket remote starters for the MB over the years and none of them caught my fancy.
I never liked that the OEM Mercedes remote start automatically turned off the car once you got to the door to unlock it. This may be better, but I've seen several aftermarket remote starters for the MB over the years and none of them caught my fancy.
PREMIUM SPONSOR
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 324
Likes: 65
From: Chicago
2013 SL550, 2016 GLE350, 2016 GLC300
For anyone following the Mbrace® changes, whether your features have already stopped working or you’re in the 2012–2019 group affected by the 12/31/25 shutdown… you’re not alone.
Mid City Engineering has released an OEM-integrated solution that restores this functionality.
The shutdown is happening in phases, but the end result is the same: factory remote start, lock and unlock tied to Mbrace will stop functioning.
Mid City Engineering has a clean workaround that works regardless of when your vehicle is affected..
Compatibility list here (by model/year):
👉https://www.midcityengineering.com/d...t-key-starter/
Full breakdown of the shutdown timeline and options:
👉https://www.midcityengineering.com/mbrace-shutdown/
Posting this in case it helps anyone trying to plan ahead.
We are happy to help with any questions or concerns!
Shoot us a message on Instagram or Facebook
Mid City Engineering has released an OEM-integrated solution that restores this functionality.
The shutdown is happening in phases, but the end result is the same: factory remote start, lock and unlock tied to Mbrace will stop functioning.
Mid City Engineering has a clean workaround that works regardless of when your vehicle is affected..
Compatibility list here (by model/year):
👉https://www.midcityengineering.com/d...t-key-starter/
Full breakdown of the shutdown timeline and options:
👉https://www.midcityengineering.com/mbrace-shutdown/
Posting this in case it helps anyone trying to plan ahead.
We are happy to help with any questions or concerns!
Shoot us a message on Instagram or Facebook
PREMIUM SPONSOR
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 324
Likes: 65
From: Chicago
2013 SL550, 2016 GLE350, 2016 GLC300
The system is integrated to the vehicle via a plug and play T harness. Our SmartKey Starter communicates with the vehicle via the CAN network. It interfaces with any OEM alarm / security protocol.
In addition, there are upgrades available to add additional security features like shock, tilt, tow and glass-break sensing. It also can receive alarm notifications on your mobile device.
Here is an example of one of our installation guides but they vary by model:
https://midcityengineering.dozuki.co...tion+Manual/29
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,336
Likes: 6,318
Welp, here is one for the W205 didn't find any E-Class threads so this will have to do https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...tall-tips.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 595
From: NY & FL
MB’s of all kinds.
A 2018 S560 is my first MB. Bought a few days ago. After installing the Mercedes app on my android phone yesterday was shocked that the car has no remote start capability! In fact the app states the car has no remote capability at all! Unbelievable especially after knowing my 2018 Ford pickup has all those remote access features and more and I am not paying monthly fees. Never in my wildest imagination did I ever think that a Ford F150 would rise head and shoulders above a Mercedes flagship Sclass communication. Never thought I would be disappointed in this car.
So you do not like your car because it does not have remote start? Just get a car starter if it’s that big of a deal. Personally I am not a fan of that type of stuff so I couldn’t care less.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 17
Likes: 4
Ran into this same issue with my 2013 BMW 535 when 3G went away and BMW didn't offer an upgrade path. When it happened with our 2015 Volvo V60, Volvo - to its credit - offered a 4G modem, but at a cost of $750-ish, as I recall. We didn't do it.
I'm sure it'll happen again when 4G goes away, which is what's in my E450 wagon.
I'm sure it'll happen again when 4G goes away, which is what's in my E450 wagon.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 574
Likes: 119
From: New Jersey
MB W213 E300 4MATIC Luxury Model
Ran into this same issue with my 2013 BMW 535 when 3G went away and BMW didn't offer an upgrade path. When it happened with our 2015 Volvo V60, Volvo - to its credit - offered a 4G modem, but at a cost of $750-ish, as I recall. We didn't do it.
I'm sure it'll happen again when 4G goes away, which is what's in my E450 wagon.
I'm sure it'll happen again when 4G goes away, which is what's in my E450 wagon.
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Newbie
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
C300 4matic
Mbrace ending Dec 31
why didn't MB add the option of remote start on the fob as welll as the app.
2 criteria when I bought car was auto start and good in snow.
living in NE Auto start is a must. Guess I'll be looking for another car and most likely will not be a MB
2 criteria when I bought car was auto start and good in snow.
living in NE Auto start is a must. Guess I'll be looking for another car and most likely will not be a MB
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,336
Likes: 6,318
The app was afterthought to satisfy North American customers as before, remote start was banned in Europe. Yes not defending the company when German brands like bmw has it on the fob. That said, in MB's defense, Porsche doesn't have remote start at all I heard?
PREMIUM SPONSOR
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 324
Likes: 65
From: Chicago
2013 SL550, 2016 GLE350, 2016 GLC300
I hear you. Especially living in the Northeast, remote start isn’t a “nice to have,” it’s a requirement. Before you write the car off completely, it’s worth knowing there is a clean workaround that gives you exactly what you’re after:
Mid City Engineering’s SmartKey Starter® has an OEM-integrated remote start that will start from the factory key fob or add Drone for cellular device control.
Check it out:
https://www.midcityengineering.com/d...t-key-starter/
Mid City Engineering’s SmartKey Starter® has an OEM-integrated remote start that will start from the factory key fob or add Drone for cellular device control.
Check it out:
https://www.midcityengineering.com/d...t-key-starter/
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 380
Likes: 100
From: Orlando, FL
2017 550SL - 2018 560S
MBRACE Refunds???
I had 2 active subscriptions to MBRACE services when Mercedes discontinued MBRACE in 2025. I should have received 2 refunds for $557.95 each. Both refunds were briefly posted to my credit card account on 1-9-2026, but then vanished on 1-11-2026. I called MBRACE about the missing refunds; they advised me to contact ecesupport@verizonconnect.com. I sent an email to exesupport, but never received a response. I tried calling Verizon, but I got the runaround.
Mercedes appears to have no intention of assisting customers who are attempting to collect refunds for their prepaid, cancelled MBRACE contracts.
Have any MBWorld members had any success obtaining their refunds? If yes, please post the details of who to contact.
Mercedes appears to have no intention of assisting customers who are attempting to collect refunds for their prepaid, cancelled MBRACE contracts.
Have any MBWorld members had any success obtaining their refunds? If yes, please post the details of who to contact.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 574
Likes: 119
From: New Jersey
MB W213 E300 4MATIC Luxury Model
I had 2 active subscriptions to MBRACE services when Mercedes discontinued MBRACE in 2025. I should have received 2 refunds for $557.95 each. Both refunds were briefly posted to my credit card account on 1-9-2026, but then vanished on 1-11-2026. I called MBRACE about the missing refunds; they advised me to contact ecesupport@verizonconnect.com. I sent an email to exesupport, but never received a response. I tried calling Verizon, but I got the runaround.
Mercedes appears to have no intention of assisting customers who are attempting to collect refunds for their prepaid, cancelled MBRACE contracts.
Have any MBWorld members had any success obtaining their refunds? If yes, please post the details of who to contact.
Mercedes appears to have no intention of assisting customers who are attempting to collect refunds for their prepaid, cancelled MBRACE contracts.
Have any MBWorld members had any success obtaining their refunds? If yes, please post the details of who to contact.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 574
Likes: 119
From: New Jersey
MB W213 E300 4MATIC Luxury Model
