11-23-2021, 07:59 AM | #1 |
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After Market Remote Starter
Anyone able to share experience or recommend an after market remote starter?
I purchased a used 2018 440i xDrive Gran Coupe a few months ago. It's getting a bit chilly here in New York. Winter can be brutal with ice and snow and sub freezing temperatures. Sure, I can run outside and start it. Turn on the defrosters and heat warmers and then go back inside for 10 mins. But . . . ehhh. And the real issue is at work. I get out and it's dark out already. Freezing cold. And long walk to the parking area. Only to get in my car and it's freezing. Looking for one that I can start from some distance away. Having the only start option to be on a fob that has to be within 35 feet won't help me much haha. I saw a few very inexpensive options for some that were deemed 'plug and play' remote starters. They seemed to be that install is quite easy and fast. But, the ones I found only worked for models up to 2016 (which I found odd). Any suggestions? |
11-23-2021, 10:01 AM | #2 |
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This is possible but not as straight forward as you may imagine. Unless things have changed, they have to be direct wired and then a new fob will that work with your car will be programmed. Complicated electronics.
There is a lot of info on this but German Laws dont let you idle the car so BMW doesn't have it (or something along these lines). I'm also going to guess that IF you can find a model that works with your car AND an installer that can do it, you are looking at big bucks. Probably in the $1000 range??? I'm happy to be proven wrong on this as its a nice convenience. This what I have heard from my garage who won't do this as they don't want to mess around with this. |
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11-23-2021, 10:17 AM | #3 |
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11-23-2021, 03:25 PM | #4 |
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Not easy to do. Someone posted about a euro option that worked. It wasn't cheap.
I just get in my car, turn on the heated seats and steering wheel and by the time I'm done brushing off the snow (5 mins?), it's good to go. I'm in NE Ohio so it does get cold her. And I work nights, so it gets cold when I go home. I pretty much gave up on trying to get remote start for my '18 or '19. |
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11-23-2021, 08:43 PM | #5 |
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I believe it's also illegal in Europe to let your car idle without you in it for any length of time really.. so they purposely make it not easy to acomplosh.
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11-24-2021, 04:57 AM | #7 | |
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You can find an Arduino guide for it on this forum too if you really want to do it OP |
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11-24-2021, 07:00 AM | #8 |
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Thank you for all of the responses. I think the simple solution is buy a better winter coat for $300, and save $700 LOL. I am going to pass on the remote starter.
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11-24-2021, 07:25 AM | #9 |
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11-25-2021, 03:35 AM | #11 |
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I inquired about it here in the US, I live just north of chicago. I was told by 2 professional install shops... "No". There was no "maybe if you spend a bunch of money etc etc" Just - "No on your 2018 F36" I rarely drive mine in the winter, but BMW really missed the mark with not having this be a feature for a few years. Screw greta thunberg, she gets flown around in private jets and chauffeured in warmed up limousines while the rest of us suffer.
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11-25-2021, 07:46 AM | #12 |
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As already mentioned in much of Europe their use is prohibited, as is leaving a car unattended with the engine running. Having to drive for ten minutes until the heat comes up qualifies as a First World Problem. Man up and deal with it.
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11-25-2021, 08:49 AM | #13 | |
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https://eftm.com/2020/07/bmw-adds-re...u-get-in-78843 Making people go out to their car just to warm it up and then go back inside is just stupid. Winter is a thing, and its brutal in a lot of area's where they sell cars. I for one will be upgrading as soon as possible. |
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11-25-2021, 11:04 AM | #14 | |
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Not sure I'd ever use it, but it would be nice to have as an option. |
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11-25-2021, 06:23 PM | #15 | |
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11-25-2021, 06:25 PM | #16 | ||
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11-26-2021, 03:44 AM | #18 |
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