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I’m not paying MB a fee just for remote start. If the Sclass was like many other cars with remote start without a membership fee then I would certainly use it.
Then I guess you're going to be hot.
Its $130 a year lol, small price to pay to have a nice cool car when you get into it. Sounds to me like your honeymoon with your S Class is over huh?
Originally Posted by Quietride
Wow, is that really $150/year?
The whole suite of services is that cost, its not just remote start. Pretty much everybody charges a fee for the app after the trial that comes with the new car ends. When I drove Lexus cars it was the same way. Our Chrysler Pacifica is the same way.
There is actually a Mac OS widget where I can start the car right from my computer desktop:
Its $130 a year lol, small price to pay to have a nice cool car when you get into it. Sounds to me like your honeymoon with your S Class is over huh?
The whole suite of services is that cost, its not just remote start. Pretty much everybody charges a fee for the app after the trial that comes with the new car ends. When I drove Lexus cars it was the same way. Our Chrysler Pacifica is the same way.
There is actually a Mac OS widget where I can start the car right from my computer desktop:
Yeah, it’s worth it, but is it free for competing vehicles with the S?
I’ve owned numerous vehicles that offered those connectivity features for free.
Yeah, it’s worth it, but is it free for competing vehicles with the S?
I’ve owned numerous vehicles that offered those connectivity features for free.
No, its not free for the S's competitors. I can't think of any manufacturer who offers all of those app connectivity features for free, except perhaps Tesla. BMW requires a ConnectedDrive subscription, Lexus requires a subscription, Audi requires a subscription.
Some cars offer remote start on the key for free, but if you want to use the app you need a subscription. Thats how Chrysler is, the key button will work but thats not of much value IMO, if I can see the car enough to use the key it might run for 30 seconds before I unlock it. I use the app to let them run for 5-10 minutes and really cool down.
No, its not free for the S's competitors. I can't think of any manufacturer who offers all of those app connectivity features for free, except perhaps Tesla. BMW requires a ConnectedDrive subscription, Lexus requires a subscription, Audi requires a subscription.
Some cars offer remote start on the key for free, but if you want to use the app you need a subscription. Thats how Chrysler is, the key button will work but thats not of much value IMO, if I can see the car enough to use the key it might run for 30 seconds before I unlock it. I use the app to let them run for 5-10 minutes and really cool down.
Interesting, my cars might have come with multi-year free periods. But some were older and still had all of the connectivity (BMW i3, MINI Cooper). This is for remote locking, climatization, etc.
Interesting, my cars might have come with multi-year free periods. But some were older and still had all of the connectivity (BMW i3, MINI Cooper). This is for remote locking, climatization, etc.
They're also older cars on older systems. Modern BMWs, which would cover your i3 and a Mini Cooper absolutely require a subscription. Some may have 3 year trials, Mercedes' is just a year, so was Lexus'
No, its not free for the S's competitors. I can't think of any manufacturer who offers all of those app connectivity features for free, except perhaps Tesla. BMW requires a ConnectedDrive subscription, Lexus requires a subscription, Audi requires a subscription.
Some cars offer remote start on the key for free, but if you want to use the app you need a subscription. Thats how Chrysler is, the key button will work but thats not of much value IMO, if I can see the car enough to use the key it might run for 30 seconds before I unlock it. I use the app to let them run for 5-10 minutes and really cool down.
Yes running servers cost money.
I think bmw offers remote start available from the keyfob? They are the only German brand that offers it I guess. Did it backfire for Toyota when they started charging a subscription for remote start?
Its $130 a year lol, small price to pay to have a nice cool car when you get into it. Sounds to me like your honeymoon with your S Class is over huh?
The whole suite of services is that cost, its not just remote start. Pretty much everybody charges a fee for the app after the trial that comes with the new car ends. When I drove Lexus cars it was the same way. Our Chrysler Pacifica is the same way.
There is actually a Mac OS widget where I can start the car right from my computer desktop:
Don't forget the apple watch has a widget (app?) as well, but I am not sure if you can remote start on the apple watch maybe just check status.
I think bmw offers remote start available from the keyfob? They are the only German brand that offers it I guess. Did it backfire for Toyota when they started charging a subscription for remote start?
The beauty of remote start from the app opposed to the keyfob is there is no distance restriction (mostly). The disadvantage is well, you need to pay, plus it doesn't always work due to maybe server side issue but in MB's case. relatively stable.
I think bmw offers remote start available from the keyfob? They are the only German brand that offers it I guess. Did it backfire for Toyota when they started charging a subscription for remote start?
They do but I don’t know if it works if the car doesn’t have the data plan. Lexus vehicles will remote start from the key with a multi lock press but only if the subscription is there.
People on Lexus forums complain like this and some are too cheap to pay for it but it is what it is. When I think of all the stupid stuff I spend $10 on, $10 a month to have all that app connectivity is cheap. It’s a 6 figure car, what’s another $120 a year to use all its capability?
Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
Don't forget the apple watch has a widget (app?) as well, but I am not sure if you can remote start on the apple watch maybe just check status.
Cant remote start from the watch unfortunately. You can check status and lock and all. I use the desktop widget all the time in the winter at work, the car is undercover so it doesn’t get hot but it gets cold. 10 minutes before I leave the office I just click and it’s warming up.
They do but I don’t know if it works if the car doesn’t have the data plan. Lexus vehicles will remote start from the key with a multi lock press but only if the subscription is there.
People on Lexus forums complain like this and some are too cheap to pay for it but it is what it is. When I think of all the stupid stuff I spend $10 on, $10 a month to have all that app connectivity is cheap. It’s a 6 figure car, what’s another $120 a year to use all its capability?
Cant remote start from the watch unfortunately. You can check status and lock and all. I use the desktop widget all the time in the winter at work, the car is undercover so it doesn’t get hot but it gets cold. 10 minutes before I leave the office I just click and it’s warming up.
Oh so if the bmw physical remote start works the same as lexus,, that will interesting.
That said, I still prefer doing it through the app, you can see the vehicle is started, you can start it from a distance and you can see how long it was started for. IIRC, the app also shows the current cabin temperature (but I think that was only for Europe), I haven't paid attention to this, maybe I should.
One thing I wish MB would copy bmw is the open door engine remain on thing, first world problem for sure.
No, its not free for the S's competitors. I can't think of any manufacturer who offers all of those app connectivity features for free, except perhaps Tesla. BMW requires a ConnectedDrive subscription, Lexus requires a subscription, Audi requires a subscription.
Some cars offer remote start on the key for free, but if you want to use the app you need a subscription. Thats how Chrysler is, the key button will work but thats not of much value IMO, if I can see the car enough to use the key it might run for 30 seconds before I unlock it. I use the app to let them run for 5-10 minutes and really cool down.
No, that's not true Steve. My former X5, three of my former X7s and my current BMW Alpina B8 all have unlimited or 100% FREE LIFETIME subscription for the engine auto-start, lock/unlock, light, horn, location as well as door/window and fuel live data. The only feature I lose if I do not pay the 150 USD ConnectedDrive fees is the Remote Camera View via the app and automatic OTA Map updates.
I'd still get lifetime remote software upgrades for idrive and digital key services free.
Same for my former Tesla ... Most "App" features were free except for Camera view. Of course, both have a disclaimer that it's lifetime "as long as technically capable" in case future 4G/LTE connectivity is lost.
This reminds me of a debate I had with another user in the GLS subforum: he doesn't want to believe that BMW standard charge rate for the annual 10K service for oil and filter is a standard 150-160 USD including full inspection and video and all free fluid top-offs, or $225 USD for 3 years (3 visits) if paid in advance. You don't know until you know.... He wouldn't believe it. There is a lot that I wish Mbenz could learn or offer to its customers compared to other brands.
No, that's NOT true. My former X5, three of former X7s and my current BMW Alpina B8 all have unlimited or 100% FREE LIFETIME subscription for the engine auto-start, lock/unlock, light, horn, location as well as door/window and fuel live data. The only feature I lose if I do not pay the 150 USD ConnectedDrive fees is the Remote Camera View via the app and automatic OTA Map updates.
I'd still get lifetime remote software upgrades for idrive and digital key services free.
Same for my former Tesla ... Most "App" features were free except for Camera view. Of course, both have a disclaimer that it's lifetime "as long as technically capable" in case future 4G/LTE connectivity is lost.
This reminds me of a debate I had with another user in the GLS subforum: he doesn't want to believe that BMW standard charge rate for the annual 10K service for oil and filter is a standard 150-160 USD including full inspection and video and all free fluid top-offs, or $225 USD for 3 years (3 visits) if paid in advance. You don't know until you know.... He wouldn't believe it. There is a lot that I wish Mbenz could learn or offer to its customers compared to other brands.
To be honest, I find it pretty ironic when bmw was the one who started the heated seat subscription idea although in select markets like South Korea but still, the idea was started, the greed took the better of them, it backfired I get it but then Mercedes probably liked the idea and started charging for upgrade 10 degree rear wheel steering from 4.5 degree and also the EQ-vehicles' acceleration increase.
To be honest, I find it pretty ironic when bmw was the one who started the heated seat subscription idea although in select markets like South Korea but still, the idea was started, the greed took the better of them, it backfired I get it but then Mercedes probably liked the idea and started charging for upgrade 10 degree rear wheel steering from 4.5 degree and also the EQ-vehicles' acceleration increase.
True but in the end they never implemented any of that in the US. On the other Mbenz has a number or subscription based options now.
They're also older cars on older systems. Modern BMWs, which would cover your i3 and a Mini Cooper absolutely require a subscription. Some may have 3 year trials, Mercedes' is just a year, so was Lexus'
The MINI is a 2021, but it looks like they granted large free periods (maybe because of being EVs?).
I'm reading that a lot of i3 owners were caught by surprise with the charges. It makes sense, of course, with the server costs, just not something I'd ever been charged for thus far. With an EV you do need to have access to that info when charging on public DC fast chargers. You may finish earlier than expected, or in case of a charge error requiring reinitialization.
I do understand server costs, etc. Even the acceleration boosts make sense to me, since they are supplementing that boost with a warranty. Charging for stuff like the ability to use existing heated seats (Tesla), is not a good look.
The MINI is a 2021, but it looks like they granted large free periods (maybe because of being EVs?).
I'm reading that a lot of i3 owners were caught by surprise with the charges. It makes sense, of course, with the server costs, just not something I'd ever been charged for thus far. With an EV you do need to have access to that info when charging on public DC fast chargers. You may finish earlier than expected, or in case of a charge error requiring reinitialization.
I do understand server costs, etc. Even the acceleration boosts make sense to me, since they are supplementing that boost with a warranty. Charging for stuff like the ability to use existing heated seats (Tesla), is not a good look.
For the heated seats, their argument is if you want to buy it per onetime purchase, you can and pay the full price and have it activated permanently. Their other argument is for those who don't want it, they don't have to pay it upfront and for those who need it say for a season, they can pay it for that season and have it disabled the reset of summer for example. Obviously, the subscription cost will add up and might be more than the lifetime activation depending on how long you keep the car.
I thought I'd bump this thread, as my W222 also felt hot inside, even when the AC was blowing cold. It turns out, the rear HVAC controls were set to HI by my son, he cranked the fan speed to high, and he closed the vents. This made all of the ducting really hot, but it wasn't clear where the heat was coming from. Just something to check...
I thought I'd bump this thread, as my W222 also felt hot inside, even when the AC was blowing cold. It turns out, the rear HVAC controls were set to HI by my son, he cranked the fan speed to high, and he closed the vents. This made all of the ducting really hot, but it wasn't clear where the heat was coming from. Just something to check...
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