Remote Start kit - any issues anybody know of

[Bruno]

I just bought an 08 M35x and love it. Since my motorcycles get the garage the car is outside and it is cold. I have always enjoyed the remote start on other vehicles. My dealer gave me the name and number of who they use so I could buy it directly from them and save me some money.

Are there any issues that arise when having this installed. The vendor said he does several of them every month with no issues. I believe it is an Audiovox unit going in with a one button remote start.

Thanks in advance.

[BlackStevO]

from what I hear, not a good idea with the push button.

[Broadfield]

I personally install several every single day during the winter months. My other installers combine for another 5 or so every day. Absolutely no problems! But I have been installing them for 16 years. Just make sure you have it professionally done by someone with experience. Also, MECP certification means absolutely nothing. So don't judge the quality of a installer or install shop by that certification..... which is the only mobile audio certification out there.

Toby

[Broadfield]

from what I hear, not a good idea with the push button.

Absolutely wrong! But you want someone with experience. I have done many push button Nissans. I know a lot of shops struggle with them though, or certain features suffer because the shop is not capable enough to figure it out. It is always ALL about the install, not the system. The Circuit City and Best Buy here will not even attempt them.

[Silvia2b]

Toby,

I agree with you that he should have someone professionally install his remote start security/system. That way his car will function as it was designed and he’ll get the feature he wants to add with minimum hassle.

However I disagree with you regarding the MECP certification, recommendation. Not every mobile 12v professional takes the time to study and pass a certifications test for the knowledge related to installation of 12volt products on the consumer market. It says something about the quality and attention that that particular installation professional might provide while working on one of the assets from your garage. You want a professional you can trust, somebody that will take his/her career more seriously than the shop down the street that can “hook your $hi# up real good”. Most people will agree that they want a knowledgeable person to take the time and effort to compete a professional installation, not just put the product into the customers car. This consideration is especially important for a product that could compromise the security of that vehicle if it is done with considerable sloppiness and not disguised to be factory in appearance.

I’m not suggesting someone who doesn’t hold an MECP certification to be un-professional. It does make a statement about the person who is. As reference I also installed mobile products for 11 years, of those I was certified basic for 2, first class for 3, and Master for 5 years. The certifications are now labeled as basic, advanced and Master. I was not certified when I first started, and I was also less experienced. Maybe only a handful of others in the last company I worked for at all of 15+ stores held the Master certification level. Most had Basic level and received additional tier of compensation for completing a certification level. But they had to pay for study materials and the test out of their own pocket. MECP says something about the Installer that takes the time outside of the installation bay to achieve career level of peer recognition for the professionalism and knowledge that they possess. Please reconsider your opinion of the MECP program, or any professional certification for that matter.

DP

[Broadfield]

My point was to not base a decision on MECP certification alone. All of the installers at Best Buy and Circuit City in my city are MECP certified. Not a single one of their installers could install their way out of a paper bag. You can't even comprehend how much money they have paid out in damages to customer vehicles. I am the tech support for their installers unfortunately. I get calls from them quite often on subjects that they really should know or at least have the common sense to come up with their own solution. The certification just doesn't bridge the gap between book studies and hands on. It's no different than book smarts and street smarts. Now if you have both, then more power to you. I have hired plenty of installers with MECP certification and that have graduated from Mobile Dynamics. They have all admitted that it really hasn't prepared them for the real job. So you can argue that you have to start somewhere. But tell that to the customer with the $40k vehicle, that's getting worked on by a guy with no experience, but is MECP certified.

[Bruno]

Thanks all. The dealer is the best in the area. That came from 4 dealers and previously using them for another one on another car. I spoke to the service manager at the dealership and he told me that there should be no issues if I am having them do the work.

Spoke to the mechanic about the push button start and he said that they just need to do things a little differently for that, but they had done it before several times.

Thanks again,

[RM450GT]

from what I hear, not a good idea with the push button.

I had my 06 M45 done and no issues at all.working great but definately have a good shop do the job.