Command start

[goodie2sandles]

Well I live in Winnipeg...AKA WINTERPEG..one of the coldest cities in Canada.

I live in an apartment where I have to go down stairs, outside...run across the side of the building to the gated lot if I needed to let it run for 5 mins..then run back up. Too much time...

And it's not the cold weather package either so no heated seats or steering wheel.




But if the CONS out weight the PROS..then I'll listen to the experts on the board here..

[Lowblock]

There seems to be a bunch of haters here on the board, valid points, agreed but they are convenient. After reading what everyone has to say, It will not stop me from installing one on my X, I have had one on my M3 for more years then I can count and its done more good (for me) then harm (for the car). Like I said before $1100 sound a little high, the only thing I can stress is that if you decide to do it, make sure he outfit who is doing the work is reputable and you have seen examples of their work. Installing them on BMW's (newerish) is not an easy task so you will want someone who knows what they are doing. The only downside is the losing of the key, I haven't checked recently but they (compustar/ads) were working on eliminating that. So that being said, if you do choose to do it, let us all know the details and how you like it. Is there really nobody else on the board who has Remote Starts??

Good Luck
Dave

[goodie2sandles]

Originally Posted by Lowblock

There seems to be a bunch of haters here on the board, valid points, agreed but they are convenient. After reading what everyone has to say, It will not stop me from installing one on my X, I have had one on my M3 for more years then I can count and its done more good (for me) then harm (for the car)

[sandbagger]

I have had a remote start on my 2004 3.0 since the week after I bought it. 2 winter seasons and no problems. In Michigan with our winters no way I am not going to have remote start.

You will have to give up the valet key unless they have a new interface box but I doubt it. Make sure you use a good shop, the place that I used were not real bright.... and will never take anything back. Everything works right now though.

Hit start, jump in the shower, by the time I walk out the door the ice is melted off the windows and I am ready to roll.

The whole anti remote start is due to European laws about idling, if it was driveline based non European car companies wouldnt include them from the manufacturer

[JCL]

Originally Posted by sandbagger

The whole anti remote start is due to European laws about idling, if it was driveline based non European car companies wouldnt include them from the manufacturer

Two points. My city has an anti-idling law, it isn't just a European thing. Quite a few North American cities have them.

Secondly, the biggest concern is damage to the engine from extending the warm up period, more of a factor in cold climates. Engines warm very slowly at idle with no load. If you aren't going to keep the vehicle, and don't mind the accelerated wear, then fine. If you live in a warm climate, also less of an issue. If you have a PCV instead of an oil separator, you also have more latitude. But from an engineering standpoint, idling a cold engine in a cold ambient is just a bad idea, where ever your vehicle was designed and built. North American manufacturers offer remote starts because they are giving up on educating their customers about the above. Fifty years of telling customers not to idle a cold engine, and many still think it is appropriate. At least this way they get to sell them more parts and service.

[motordavid]

Lowblock...fairly over the top, imo.
Few 'haters' here.

If you or the OP like the remote start, get one/use it, we don't care...but we don't hate much of anything here, and none of us here whom I am familiar with on this board, 'hate' anyone posting here. I hate ISIS, et al, but not any hate toward anyone's 'own bag' and desires, esp car-wise.

Idling for 10-15 mins isn't rec'd, as noted by posters that have know their stuff.

I grew up in Detroit, and went to school in Michigan...it is cold in winter, but it isn't the UP. Still don't see the need for a remote start.
GL, mD

[sandbagger]

Also anything north of $500 is pretty crazy, unless you are getting 2 way + smart start(cell Phone remote) and even then you should be able to do that for less than $700.

[goodie2sandles]

Ok so its closing down on winter soon.
So a local shop quoted me 750 for install of a Compustar pro 90. Lifetime installation warranty and 2 yr on unit warranty.

Anyone else lately think about command start yet?

[goodie2sandles]

Plus last winter we hit -50 and such..

[JCL]

Originally Posted by goodie2sandles

Plus last winter we hit -50 and such..

Your vehicle likely didn't. Wind chill doesn't impact vehicles.