That’s my fear with the extra key in the car, makes it easier for your car to get stolen. I rather to be safe than sorry and deal with whatever inconvenience of not having a remote start option. I rather to have the peace of mind of MB’s security protocols in place.

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

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

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

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.

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.

My 2017 has 4G, it’s the earlier models that has MBRACE that’s the issue

Ah, got it. Thanks!

My '18 E300 has COMAND. It doesn't work with the current MB app and the older app is no longer available.

Same here as well.

Same here as well.

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

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?

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/

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.

That’s unfortunate, I have it on my to do list to contact MBRACE as well regarding my refund. If I experience the same thing as you, I will be contacting MB Corporate.

Update, I finally received a credit for the portion on MBRACE service that wasn’t provided. So they are providing refunds/credits, just a bit slower than expected.