Remote Starter

[noncom23]

Any of you all have experience with remote starters in X5s? ie... problems, etc...

[X5Jay]

There's been quite a bit of discussion on them - you may want to try searching a bit. Bottom line is that BMW doesn't recommend them - they want you to drive the car immediately after starting...

[X5Dawg]

Mine had one (Viper) installed on it when we bought it used. No issues whatsoever - absolutely love it. Just wish the seat heaters would turn on when the vehicle cranked.

Originally Posted by X5Jay

Bottom line is that BMW doesn't recommend them - they want you to drive the car immediately after starting...

Just curious, why is this?? What could be harmful to the vehicle by just sitting there and idling for a few minutes??

[chubyball]

I like my car warm up until the idle drops to 500 rpm then shift gear and go. I experienced with a big clunk sound if I shift and right after starting engine, I think the sound cause from engine at high rpm.

[SuaveX5]

Originally Posted by X5Dawg

Mine had one (Viper) installed on it when we bought it used. No issues whatsoever - absolutely love it. Just wish the seat heaters would turn on when the vehicle cranked.

same here, no problem, and wishing for the same !

[X5Jay]

Originally Posted by X5Dawg

Mine had one (Viper) installed on it when we bought it used. No issues whatsoever - absolutely love it. Just wish the seat heaters would turn on when the vehicle cranked.



Just curious, why is this?? What could be harmful to the vehicle by just sitting there and idling for a few minutes??

It's in your owner's manual. I feel the same way, but I believe the argument is that BMW wants all the fluids to warm up together - engine oil, tranny fluid, diff fluids, etc. That way you won't be tempted to gun a fully warmed up engine with a cold everything else. I'm sure one of the more technical folks on the board (like Adam) can explain it much better than I can. My guess is that you would be just fine w/a remote starter as long as you still take it easy for a bit after you drive off... I'd like to have one myself...

[noncom23]

Originally Posted by X5Jay

There's been quite a bit of discussion on them - you may want to try searching a bit. Bottom line is that BMW doesn't recommend them - they want you to drive the car immediately after starting...

Yeah i read the threads. No one really talks about if they got one and if it worked well or not. Just spoke to Circle in NJ, says they don't offer 'em.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by X5Jay

It's in your owner's manual. I feel the same way, but I believe the argument is that BMW wants all the fluids to warm up together - engine oil, tranny fluid, diff fluids, etc. That way you won't be tempted to gun a fully warmed up engine with a cold everything else. I'm sure one of the more technical folks on the board (like Adam) can explain it much better than I can. My guess is that you would be just fine w/a remote starter as long as you still take it easy for a bit after you drive off... I'd like to have one myself...

True comment that all fluids should warm, not just the engine oil. Not letting a car idle when cold is not just a BMW position, it is all manufacturers. The biggest reason is that more wear happens while the engine is cold. With no load on the engine, you are extending the time that the engine operates cold, thus there is more wear every time you go through a cold start cycle. You want to warm it as quickly as possible, without putting enough load on it that you cause accelerated wear due to the low oil temperature. Best advice is to idle until you have oil pressure (several seconds), then drive easily and moderately until all components are warm.

[noncom23]

Learning alot here. These cars get more technical with the more light that gets shed on them. I guess thats why we as a group are more patient with our problems knowing there is usually a logical answer.

[lbeats2001]

I have one on my 03 No problems as of yet, But i did noticed that my brake light and front right indicator went out recently I wonder hmm