remote starters
 

hi everyone new guy here..i picked up a 2006 x5 4.4.i live in northern alberta canada,and am wondering about remote starters,a local electronics store thet sells and installs recomended a compustart with the bypass module and said they could install no problem and everthing would still work.anybody else use these?any help would be great,thanks...and ya the x5 rocks.....

:xoutpost: If you want to give the aftermarket guys a try I'd not only stress how perfect of a job they need to do without cutting/butchering any of your wires, but get it in writing that any faults caused in vehicle by the install will be fixed if not by them then by the dealer at their cost. (if it doesn't go well, but hopefully it does)

I think I remember some members on here having remote start installed, but don't remember who or what problems they had if any. Hopefully they will all chime in.

anybody else able to help..........

i guess nobody uses remote staretrs on x5s.....who knew

ive had them on both of mine the 4.6 and the 4.8 and both worked flawlessly !!

used dei units both times , had them installed by a high end audio shop and all was/has been good !!

Are you looking for a remote start unit only or one with an alarm as well?

I've installed Remote Start units into an x5, many other BMW's, Benz's, Audi's, Range Rovers, and such. Its possible, but it can be challenging when having to integrate with the immobilizer and factory alarm units.

Not all installers butcher factory wiring. The ones that do are either incompetant, being rushed to finish their work, or aren't getting paid enough by their employer or the person requesting their car to be worked on. Its those people that give installers a bad name and less reason to trust them with other people's cars. I'm sure there are these type of people all over the automotive indusry that dont take any care in the quality of work they do, as long as the job gets done and wont come back to them within their warranty period.

Didn't mean to throw nonsesne into this post....Maybe I just need to find a new job...

I'm pretty sure a member here called 'Silk' has also installed a remote starter kit. I remember reading how happy he was with it, no probs at that stage (about 6 months ago).
Drop him a line, I'm sure he'll provide feedback.
GL

thanks for the help guys,i will let everyone know how it goes......

so any feedback on the remote starters, from those who installed it

i havent had one installed yet,found a place in the city who specialize in highend cars,they use only top end compustart so might go see them

Bought my X used and it had a Viper remote start installed. Only issue I have had with it is if you try and use both the starter remote and key fob together, say like you use one to lock the car the other to unlock - I have had this interfere with the starter when starting normally. Basically I just have to complete a lock/ unlock with the starter remote and seems to reset everything - just kind of scary when you turn the key to start the X and nothing happens!!

I really don't use mine much - the car was purchased from Indiana where they probably used it quite a bit, but down here in the ATL it is not needed much.

Now if I could find a way to have the seat heaters turn on when I used the remote start, I would definitely use it more!!

Yikes, almost scary to try and add a Remote Starter. Anyone got a Remote Starter that integrates with the Factory Alarm better? I think this is an interesting thread.

I'm still looking for an installer in my area. When I approached my local Futureshop store, their installer rolled his eyes and said "no way". He's been an installer for a looong time and a good one at that. He's done work for me before (and previously installed a remote starter on a Jeep for my wife). He said alarms and stereos are no problem on bimmers, but no remote starts. Two other installers/shops here said the same thing. They referred me to a shop in Vancouver, but apparently would cost about $1g. :yikes:

Wow, is this because of the Factory Alarm unit? Computer? I think if a good 3rd Party Alarm with Remote Start would work, then I would just ditch the Factory FOB, so there wasn't any kind of conflict.

Yep, he said because of the factory alarm and key coding.

I'm interested in a starter.. .how about the dealer. I know they probably want a fortune but at least it will be done right and not void my warranty.. (not sure if indeed this would void a warranty but I'll throw it in)

I know this is off topic but are you in Edmonton? I'm just curious because so far I know of only one member who's also from Edmonton on this forum :D

i live in grande prairie

Small world. I used to live in GP, 61st Ave.

roadfrog: Soundworks in burnaby does it. Usually including alarm it's about 800 bucks... i haven't gone there with my X5 yet. I had a friend who was one of their pro installers there. Give them a holler... another place you can try is Advance Motorsports in Coquitlam

You're awesome Chigga! Thanks for the heads-up. Is that one in Bby near Metrotown?

it's in n. burnaby, 3 blocks south west from brentwood mall. I'm trying to get a hold of my old friend that was the installer there, maybe we can work something out.

Great, I look forward to it!

Well, I just called them and they seemed really switched on. He said they do BMW's all the time. They quoted me approx 400 dollars for the basic kit and install (a Compustar setup). So basically, for a couple of hundred dollars over the price to replace my POS inoperative key FOB, I'll have keyless entry again AND a remote start to boot. He said they can use the valet or even the plastic, wallet key spare to bypass the system. Awesome.

Another shop I just spoke to: Soundsgood Auto Services, by Ikea in Coquitlam. 450 bucks......also with a Compustar sytem.

soundsgood auto.. lol... where do people come up with their shop names? lol

any updates?