Bimmertech Remote Start Option

[Maverik259]

I know this has been a question for years since I got my X5 and a lot of back and forth with bmw offering it then not offering it and some 3rd party options but nothing really solid then eurostart was the only option but they were expensive and Canadian and not a lot of good support info there.

Well I just happen to be looking for a video on removing passenger door panel to replace my handle and apparently Bimmertech just posted an install of their F15 remote start kit and it looks easy as pie to install and they even have a diy video. Plus it doesn't break the bank (still requires a key as they all do).

https://www.bimmer-tech.net/category...rt_F15_install

[Vdesai0326]

Nice find

[Breakmywalletf15]

$600 for just a remote start seems like a stretch.

[Tomcat_F15_STL]

Actually, $1054 including the purchase of an extra key which you need to leave in the vehicle at all times. Crazy expensive.

For comparison, the remote start for my '13 X5 was $429. It is a Flashlogic.

[happydude]

Great find. Gonna try to pick one up next sale they have.

[lonestar22]

For $1000 I wouldnt call it much of a bargain.. Especially since there is no optional feature to use a long range remote.

[sukhk527]

I'd like to be an early adopter for this too, let's hope it actually works.

[zero2sixtyZ]

These were the key takeaways (pun intended) for me:

"Reliable and safe
With remote start comes responsibility, so we made sure our solution is 100% safe to use by introducing the following precautions:

- No one will be able to start your engine with ONLY the key fob inside your car, as it doesn’t contain a battery. Having the second key is vital for activation.
- Opening the door after starting your car remotely will make the engine shut off. To engage it once again you’ll have to push the start stop button on the dashboard.
- The engine will shut off when using the keyless entry function.
- To engage and disengage BMW remote start you need to have your transmission placed in Park.
- It’s not possible to turn off your car’s engine while driving using remote start."

I'd consider this before any other aftermarket option. Would like to wait for some reviews first.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by zero2sixtyZ

These were the key takeaways (pun intended) for me:

"Reliable and safe
With remote start comes responsibility, so we made sure our solution is 100% safe to use by introducing the following precautions:

- No one will be able to start your engine with ONLY the key fob inside your car, as it doesn’t contain a battery. Having the second key is vital for activation.
- Opening the door after starting your car remotely will make the engine shut off. To engage it once again you’ll have to push the start stop button on the dashboard.
- The engine will shut off when using the keyless entry function.
- To engage and disengage BMW remote start you need to have your transmission placed in Park.
- It’s not possible to turn off your car’s engine while driving using remote start."

I'd consider this before any other aftermarket option. Would like to wait for some reviews first.

Not sure what your point is here. They all do this nowadays. At least all the 3rd party ones and even the oem bmw remote start for newer models. European law I believe.

Personally I hate the fact that you have to restart your car when opening the door. Quite useless "safety" feature as the car is already locked. I leave my car running quite often when I go into a gas station etc and just lock the car when I get out. Especially with my dogs in the car.

[Tomcat_F15_STL]

Being forced to restart the car is a deal-breaker for me. Awful. I suspect they did not have an engineering fix for this problem and are pawning it off as a’ feature.’

Not for that kind of money. No way.

[happydude]

I went ahead and ordered it instead of waiting until Black Friday. It's just so hot here that I wanted to try to get it installed before it gets even hotter. Will just sacrifice my spare key for now. I agree shutting off when doors open is not ideal but I'll see how it goes

[sukhk527]

Please keep us posted !

[1norseman]

Originally Posted by happydude

I went ahead and ordered it instead of waiting until Black Friday. It's just so hot here that I wanted to try to get it installed before it gets even hotter. Will just sacrifice my spare key for now. I agree shutting off when doors open is not ideal but I'll see how it goes

If I didn't still have issues stemming from the new engine installation and getting that running right, I would probably go for it too. 100 degrees here and getting hotter. The issue with engine shutting off when opening the doors, to me is not a deal breaker at all.

[M3HNGRY]

following...

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Tomcat_F15_STL

Being forced to restart the car is a deal-breaker for me. Awful. I suspect they did not have an engineering fix for this problem and are pawning it off as a’ feature.’

Not for that kind of money. No way.

It's not a feature. It's common place. Most non American manufacturers are doing this. bmw, Toyota, Subaru, lexis, to name a few. It's a security thing and I think law in europe/Canada. I only know of Ford not having to do this as my neighbor has an F-150 and mustang and they also start the things for 20 min before going anywhere. Does get annoying with the mustang exhaust lol.

[Tomcat_F15_STL]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

It's not a feature. It's common place.

The FlashLogic I installed in my E70 does not kill the engine with door opening, fyi.

I really despise most attempts to protect people from themselves. Generally, bureaucrats make terrible engineers!

Thanks for the info.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Tomcat_F15_STL

The FlashLogic I installed in my E70 does not kill the engine with door opening, fyi.

I really despise most attempts to protect people from themselves. Generally, bureaucrats make terrible engineers!

Thanks for the info.

Ok. Not sure what flash logic is but unless they make something for F15 it doesn't really matter. I didn't say no one does it. Just that it's common place across most manufacturers and 3rd party entities.

I just installed the only mainstream kit available for the G30/F90 from Eurostart and it does the same thing. Turns engine off.

100% agree about the eurocrats. They always f it up for the rest of us.

[1norseman]

Originally Posted by Tomcat_F15_STL

...

I really despise most attempts to protect people from themselves. Generally, bureaucrats make terrible engineers!

...

Haha, you are so right! Bureaucrats/ politicians sitting behind a desk, wielding the mighty power of the pen, believing they know everything and must save people, while actually often being clueless about reality.

Still having to restart the car, as much as it is stupid, is not a deal breaker for me. I'm hoping to hear a good review from happydude, and if so I'm going to seriously consider ordering this too. About ready to leave my office, and it's still over 100° outside.

[happydude]

Originally Posted by 1norseman

Haha, you are so right! Bureaucrats/ politicians sitting behind a desk, wielding the mighty power of the pen, believing they know everything and must save people, while actually often being clueless about reality.

Still having to restart the car, as much as it is stupid, is not a deal breaker for me. I'm hoping to hear a good review from happydude, and if so I'm going to seriously consider ordering this too. About ready to leave my office, and it's still over 100° outside.

Got an email from Bimmertech last week saying it’s on backorder so still hasn’t shipped yet.

[Tomcat_F15_STL]

Originally Posted by happydude

Got an email from Bimmertech last week saying it’s on backorder so still hasn’t shipped yet.

...slow boat from CH*NA.

We need to get used to this as that is where nearly all the low-end chips for simple applications are made. Probably get far worse, even..

[Vdesai0326]

Any update on this?? Did you get the remote start yet?

[happydude]

I got a little while ago but held off on install while I was getting extended warranty work done on the car for Dpf sensor and didn’t want to risk them declining it. Just want to make sure some other codes for fuel injector don’t pop back up and I’ll probably look to install the next month or so.