hpn831

Hi guys,
I recently bought an ML500...now winter is coming around and i need to install a remote engine starter. Can you guys tell me what brand to purchase/how to install it?
Thanks

sosh

If you do it be careful, You will most likely be the first one to do so. Read the posts re this item in the W163 forum about the guys that have tried and caused themselves major problems. If I were you I would rethink this and not do it.

SUNILP

it is NOT possible on the w164 due to the nature of teh smart key system. The stationary heating system is available in parts of the world instead which is a much more efficient system at heating the engine and interior and is linked to the climate control system. I have it installed in my C class. It does have a separate remote control and a menu in the instrument cluster to activate it via 3 preprogrammed times. It runs around 2500-3000 dollars.

Jakpro1

Yes NO remote starter...period.

Surprised Mercedes has not worked on that as an option....sure comes in handy, but the installers I talked to told me they "just go in hackin" at wires etc..... he says it's bad and many times never works right. Just not reliable on newer super electronic vehicles.

hpn831

"The stationary heating system is available in parts of the world instead which is a much more efficient system at heating the engine and interior and is linked to the climate control system" -- SUNMAN

Hey sunman, what is this stationary heating system that you're talking about? Can you explain a bit more? thank you. Right now i am trying anything to get this car warmed up before i enter it.

jean7of9

When I purchased my E320 4matic, the Dealer made me sign a notice stating that the installation of any Remote Starter will void the Warranty. I think you should ask your Dealer before such a move. Please keep us posted.

whynot

I don't think it is possible. To start the engine you must have circuit 15, and this can not be achieved without the smart key in the ignition.

hpn831

yea, the warrenty is voided...but that is the price i am willing to pay to keep out of the snow.

Birger

Hi, hpn831

The "stationary heating system" sunman was talking about must be this. Much better, MB approved, and not only preheats the cabin, but also avoids having to start a cold engine, thus prolonging engine life considerably. Highly recommendable.

Cheers,
Birger

SUNILP

I have the stationary heating system in my c class and is one of my favorite mods... especially in the winter. Webasto makes it for benz but you cannot use a generic heating unit. It has to be specific to the 164 as it communicates over canbus. THe way it works is that it heats up the radiator fluid and circulates it through the engine and heater element. It then blows air into the cabin as well which is heated. IT runs up to 45 minutes. It uses fuel from the gas tank and the battery is used to run the pump and fan. It's a intelligent system and knows if the battery is low. If it is then it will shut the system off. The system can be started with one of 3 ways.

1. using the remote control at a range of around 3000 feet.
2. using the button in the cabin which will activate it immediatly
3. using one of the preset times in the instrument cluster which will activate it at a certain time of the day everyday. eg. before work.

The kit is available as a retrofit kit. It maintains the cabin temperature at the temp that you set in the climate control system. It is NOT to be used indoors as it does spew out fumes from the exhaust. Pictures of it can be seen at http://homepage.mac.com/drsunilpatel/PhotoAlbum14.html

~CL500~

Sweeeeet. That's too cool.

GregW / Oregon

Pretty expensive heating system for Texas! You'd think you lived in the East or Alaska!

SUNILP

north texas has some very cold winters. It snows several weeks as well.

hpn831

Thanks for the help guys. I GREATLY APPRECIATE IT...yay now i won't have to freeze my butt off in the winter.

WienerWater

Can't see it working well, at least here in northwestern Canada. Normally, if the vehicle has to be parked outside when it's cold, say -30, the battery is drained rapidly. So, if the unit has to fire up and run the fan/pump etc every hour or so, just to maintain a temp say above or at freezing inside, it probably would only run once during the whole night, because your battery would be at low juice within a couple of minutes. Example, at 0 degrees F, your battery has only 40% available power than it did at 80 degrees F. Sounds like a unique toy/add-on to show the boys, but for that much.....no thanks.

hpn831

The thing is, once your car starts warming up, wouldn't the battery warm up to? So it just might work in Canada ...however, i do agree with you on the price. It is a little steep, but hell, i am sure if the weather is below zero, that is the price that i'll gladly pay to stay out of the cold. Considering i spent 55k on my new ML500, what's an extra 1.5k to keep warm. I am sure if this was an option made by MB, it would be at least 1k. I am sure most people living in extreme weather would be interested in this even though it is expensive.
Once again, Thank you everyone for helping, without those replies, i wouldn't know where to start.

WienerWater

This heater, from the way it reads, is it doesn't start the engine, just heats the coolant and circulates it through the rad, lines, block and heater core. The battery, wouldn't feel anything from this, just drain.
My ML gets to sit in the garage, stay warm and I plug the block heater in if it ever got cold in there. But hey, it's only money, right?