smiley47

Can anyone help me understand the logic behind MB not offering a factory installed remote start option on any model? Whether you're in hot or cold weather r/s is a great convenience. I rent junk GM $20,000 vehicles and they all have remote start standard.

What gives?

50cent

Maybe merc doesn't want its vehicles just idling and creating CO2 unnecessarily.

Does any Euro marque make remote start avail?

Cartronics

Several reasons:
1. It is also a HUGE liability issue for many reasons (potential engine damage, environmental issues (mentioned above), and possible security risk). Some companies may be willing to take the risk, but MB is notoriusly conservative.
2. A GM is an incredibly easy car to 'hot wire' and most still use an old fashion key. The Mercedes for a decade now uses a much more advanced security system.

That is why we offer a RS made specifically for Mercedes! Built in are several controls to mostly eliminate all the above risks, and MB "could" have done the same, but like I said, they are a conservative company.

smiley47

Interesting point and no I am not aware of any other European marques that offer R/S, only American and Japanese.

Glad to know they're saving us from creating all that CO2 from a 10 minute maximum prestart.

2012MLBlue

Do you make a remote start for BlueTEC diesels?

50cent

I know it seems insignificant but they may have just decided to draw the line at r/s.

Is it true that Germany does not even allow you to warm up your vehicle engine by idling in your drive way while you sit in it?

I do know Germany is big on climate change policies.

dougiebear

It's simply NOT GOOD for your engine.

50cent

Simply a vague answer.

smiley47

The remote starters I'm familiar with have a 10 minute time limit. What's "NOT GOOD" about a 10 minute maximum warm-up at idle speed?

2012MLBlue

Nothing. I have one on my other vehicle and its a fantastic feature in the deep freeze of January or the heat of July. LOVE it.

listerone

I think that in Europe (at least in parts of Europe) it's illegal to let your car idle for more than a very short period of time.Given that Europe is MB's single most important market that would explain it,IMO.

listerone

I've investigated the possibility of a remore starter for diesels and found it can't be done.This is because of the glow plug factor.....in cold weather the glow plugs might have to engage for a few seconds (or even longer) and,I guess,you can't program a remote starter to wait an unknown amount of time before attempting to start the car.

Cartronics

We have a remote start for the diesel, it is not a problem.

Kvn22

The great people @ Mid City Engineering have a remote start for the W166.

Great people!!

Semibru

I've got a 2012 Diesel from Mid City and it's awesome. I had it professionally installed, but it seems that the installer got good support from Mid City. I'll add a few things:

- I initially installed my remote somewhat out of necessity. I've found that the Bluetec runs very rough if you start-n-go on a cold engine. Remote starting gave it some extra time to warm up, especially on cold days.

- Mid City support is not available weekends, so do your installation during the week. It took a few tries (Saturday - Saturday - MONDAY) for my installer to get everything working correctly.

- Mid City's solution unique since it uses the factory key fob. Though this seemed great initially, the range was poor (same as locking doors). Luckily, the Mid City starter can also be programmed to a Viper remote + antenna. The incredible range makes it worthwhile to have the extra remote in my pocket.

- IF you get the Viper remote, make sure you learn how to lock the buttons so you won't be starting it by accident

RemoteStartGuy

MidCity is a great company. They are pretty big on customer service

First_Benz

MB dealerships in Canada (at least the one I got my ML from in Calgary) do offer factory installed remote starters. The catch? They start at $3000 each. I think for the ML350 BT, I was quoted $3500...

RemoteStartGuy

WOWZA! what dealership is this?

Leetom

My dealer said they can do remote start for my 2013 ML550...works right off the factory keyfob, and covered under factory warranty...catch is it is spendy...$1,500. Not sure if it is an on-board programming deal (quick reprogram), or some sort of a module the installed. I decided against it...just seems too much for that option.

fabbrisd1

No - the Mid City Engineering remote start does have a warranty same length as the MB warranty - but misrepresented/misunderstood it is not covered by the MB warranty..

Call Mid City and ask them what a "reasonable" installed price is...

RemoteStartGuy

I currently work with MidCity and they're not supposed to discuss pricing but...

Dealerships charge around 1200-1500 installed.

Don't forget...That's the price you pay to keep your factory warranty.

If you get it done at your mom and pop shop and the dealership finds out they void the warranty faster than they tried selling you the car.

Nanook

The MidCity start module (or similar..there are similar) install into our MLs is a very easy procedure...just takes time (couple hours with keyless)and really is just a plug and play at the ignition switch..although slightly more difficult if you have keyless go which then requires chasing a wire pair and connecting it to the keyless go module located under the rear seat driver side.This involves removing the seat and rear cargo cover to access the module located under the carpet and running the wire to the start module you place under the ignition key location by removing the panel under the dash above the footwell...I didn't put this together well but I'm not rewriting it
Start is activated by pressing panic button...the module has the flexibility to accept an long range fob accessory or the drone module that provides cell phone adaptability (both just plug into the module).
The base system should sell for around $600 CDN + the keyless go module if needed. In addition to the module under the dash the system comes with a valet switch that can be installed and made accessible or not

Nanook

Here is some info..download the pdf and you'll see how easy the install is
http://www.installer.com/item/displa....php?it=SKS166

fabbrisd1

Let me clear some things up - Mercedes benz does not offer remote start because they believe in their minds remote start opens a "portal" that ultimately can be hacked (hence stolen).

Do a google about BMW's recent implementation of their remote start - which in Europe has led to youtube videos showing "gone in sixty seconds".

However, since the add-on remote start (and yes, Mid City is a sound provider) is still so rare for MB's here in the US, "portal" has not been a problem.

If a MB dealer has become a MidCity sales/install agent - by agreement with that dealer - that installing dealer assumes labor responsibility for any potential future issues under the MdCity warranty - and personally I have not heard of any MidCity issues - damn rock solid actually.

That said - a DIY or non=dealer install of the Mid-City unit - under US law - would only void Mercedes warranty of the ignition/start system only - has nothing to do whatsiver over Mercedes warranty on the rest of the car...

Just trying to be helpful here guys..

Skrublove

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? Actual mechanic here. That's not true at all. If anything Auto start is good for the engine. What makes you think it will cause damage warming ur car up. Literally no downside to it. You might be thinking of engine start stop feature when you stop at red-light. Thats not great for the car.