[Florida-X3]

I just received an email for our new X3 offering remote start (via the App) for a one time fee of $330. Has anyone signed up for this and what are your thoughts? Living in FL, the ability to cool the car down prior to arriving at it is very appealing, however having my car drive off by someone other than myself is a concern. This would be mainly used away from the house as the X3 is garage kept.

[Oswego79]

Car has to be locked without the key in it.

[bocabimmer]

Originally Posted by Florida-X3

I just received an email for our new X3 offering remote start (via the App) for a one time fee of $330. Has anyone signed up for this and what are your thoughts? Living in FL, the ability to cool the car down prior to arriving at it is very appealing, however having my car drive off by someone other than myself is a concern. This would be mainly used away from the house as the X3 is garage kept.

They can’t put it into gear without the key. To be honest, I had it in my i3 in South Florida and it was nice to precondition the car before I left work… it took like 20 minutes to get the car cool enough to be worth it. Not sure how it is with the X3, but I wouldn’t want my car idling that long.

[Florida-X3]

Originally Posted by Oswego79

Car has to be locked without the key in it.

I understand .... after I posted, I was thinking it's no different than the car sitting there locked but not running from a theft perspective.

[Florida-X3]

Originally Posted by bocabimmer

They can’t put it into gear without the key. To be honest, I had it in my i3 in South Florida and it was nice to precondition the car before I left work… it took like 20 minutes to get the car cool enough to be worth it. Not sure how it is with the X3, but I wouldn’t want my car idling that long.

Yeah, me either but it has to be better than nothing. We have tinted windows and a windshield shade. I'll discuss with the boss, it's her DD anyhow.

[Leem40i]

Just to head this off, this is only for 2022 or newer models.

[Florida-X3]

Originally Posted by Leem40i

Just to head this off, this is only for 2022 or newer models.

Thanks for clarifying!

[BMWbiker]

Originally Posted by Florida-X3

I understand .... after I posted, I was thinking it's no different than the car sitting there locked but not running from a theft perspective.

My car came with Remote Start.

When the car is started using Remote Start, the display says that you have to have the key (or Digital Key) on you, and you must depress the Start button, before you can drive.

So, it should be even more secure than a car that just has its engine running with locked doors.

Re purchasing it online: I assume you’ve done your due diligence to make sure that it’s an offer from BMW and not a scam. I also assume that it’s a BMW offering, and not aftermarket.

I like Remote Start. I use Remote Start to warm the car, seats, and steering wheel in the winter. I assume that I’ll use it to cool the car in the summer.

[visualexstasy]

I have the remote start and also put my car in sport individual so the engine actually runs when remote start/preconditioning is on to heat up my car every morning. Its definitely worth it to me

[BobBMWX3]

I love remote start. I was hesitant to pay the extra money at first, but I use it all the time now. Warms the car nicely in winter, cools nicely in summer. It also gets the engine warmed up a little before driving. I would highly recommend it.

[Florida-X3]

Originally Posted by BMWbiker

My car came with Remote Start.

When the car is started using Remote Start, the display says that you have to have the key (or Digital Key) on you, and you must depress the Start button, before you can drive.

So, it should be even more secure than a car that just has its engine running with locked doors.

Re purchasing it online: I assume you’ve done your due diligence to make sure that it’s an offer from BMW and not a scam. I also assume that it’s a BMW offering, and not aftermarket.

I like Remote Start. I use Remote Start to warm the car, seats, and steering wheel in the winter. I assume that I’ll use it to cool the car in the summer.

It's directly from BMW, email first then I went into My BMW app and also saw the offer and ability to purchase it there as well.

[jsh139]

Originally Posted by Oswego79

Car has to be locked without the key in it.

Just an FYI, but the car does not have to be locked and there can be a key left inside of it. The app will remote start your car regardless. It doesn't check. I have a 2022 with the factory BMW remote start and I just tried it.

[Spacecoast]

Originally Posted by bocabimmer

They can’t put it into gear without the key. To be honest, I had it in my i3 in South Florida and it was nice to precondition the car before I left work… it took like 20 minutes to get the car cool enough to be worth it. Not sure how it is with the X3, but I wouldn’t want my car idling that long.

The car will shut off after ~ 15 minutes running. (page 287 of the manual)

[Florida-X3]

Well we decided to get it. I placed the order via the MyBMW app, the primary user has to do it (I'm the secondary). It said it could take up to 24hrs to activate (ordered it late Friday afternoon). Saturday afternoon there was a iDrive message that the update was ready, I kicked off the install, took about 5 minutes to install. You then have to enable Remote Start via Settings in iDrive. Then you can select the fan icon in the MyBMW App to remote start, takes about 5 -8 seconds to send to the vehicle an then away she starts. I can see using this often given the climate I live in. Thanks all for your thoughts on the matter.

[Florida-X3]

Originally Posted by jsh139

Just an FYI, but the car does not have to be locked and there can be a key left inside of it. The app will remote start your car regardless. It doesn't check. I have a 2022 with the factory BMW remote start and I just tried it.

We have the feature enabled that when you walk away from your car it locks. I always have the key in my pocket and the wife always has it in her pocket book.

[BillsGirlGina]

You can also quickly click the lock button (BMW center button) on the remote 3 times & it will start within a few seconds.

[ASAP]

one of the coolest and most useful features around... bonus in an M40i is that you get to hear your exhaust as the car starts... especially nice if you pulled the exhaust flap valve

[Florida-X3]

Originally Posted by BillsGirlGina

You can also quickly click the lock button (BMW center button) on the remote 3 times & it will start within a few seconds.

Yes but that is almost useless unless you want to start the car when it's on your property, say before you go to work. Being able to start it and have it cool down, like walking from the beach to your car, or from anywhere when the car's been sitting a while.

[BillsGirlGina]

Originally Posted by Florida-X3

Yes but that is almost useless unless you want to start the car when it's on your property, say before you go to work. Being able to start it and have it cool down, like walking from the beach to your car, or from anywhere when the car's been sitting a while.

I wanted to make sure you were aware that was an option. I use it quite often when I’m with friends & we are chatting in a parking lot or outside someone’s home. It’s nice to use it to cool down the car & not lug out my phone. It’s quick & discrete.