[krillnasty]

Hey guys. I searched the forum and couldn't find anything so figured I'd ask. Mineral grey and black Dakota leather make my car super hot in this Florida heat. Sure I could have gone with different colors, but I love the look. I use a sunshade and that helps, but am really wishing I could remote start the car. Anyone know if this is possible? Thanks in advance.

[Sir Thomas Bombadil]

I don't know about remote starting, but if you download the BMW app and sync it to your car you can "precondition" the car before you get in. The precondition mode starts the fan running to cycle some new air into the car. The A/C isn't on, so it's not cold air, but it helps a bit.

[Joe240]

Originally Posted by Sir Thomas Bombadil

I don't know about remote starting, but if you download the BMW app and sync it to your car you can "precondition" the car before you get in. The precondition mode starts the fan running to cycle some new air into the car. The A/C isn't on, so it's not cold air, but it helps a bit.

That's interesting. Didn't know you could precondition the car. Is the wifi option required to do that?

I know remote start is possible on any car, it just depends on which car and how much wiring is needed to do it (and risking warranty being void if something goes wrong).

[geep81]

Originally Posted by Joe240

That's interesting. Didn't know you could precondition the car. Is the wifi option required to do that?

You have to have navigation & the BMW Connect package to do this.

[DUSTOFF 46]

I searched around online a while back and found that there is equipment which works with our car but it's all unofficial/3rd party, and shops that can do it might not be easy to find everywhere.

Tried the 'precondition mode' for the first time today actually, but not remotely. In idrive under Settings > Climate after parking I was able to set a time for it to come on ten minutes before I knew I would be leaving later. It helped but only a small amount, seeing as the outside air was hot anyway.

[redontheline]

Unless you set it for x minutes before you leave work every day, it is tough to remember to do it before you're walking up to the car. The app is also painfully slow to send commands (like when you're trying to honk or turn the lights on to show off to someone).

[siwo]

I too have made a search online for any 3rd party and or official remote starts for the F series and the short answer is none...yet. There is no hint or clue whether or not any of the previous chassis (E-bmw/R-mini) companies have planned for the F chassis. One for example is iDataStart/FlashLogic which is pretty much a plug & play solution and works with the existing fob without having the need for an additional control on your key chain.

Sorry.

[siwo]

To be quite honest, living in the true north, I actually find that the M235i start up in the super hot weather, the A/C is strong and it really cools the cabin down quick so the need of a remote starter is not necessary to me. I have not had my car for a winter yet so time will tell if the heat comes out as quick too, maybe someone else with experience in the winter up here in the true north can chime in?

[Joe240]

If people want a plug and play setup then they might be waiting for awhile. If they want one now and don't mind an extra fob on their chain, there are plenty of universal ones that can be installed like the Viper ones. Hell even Geek Squad will install it for you at any Best Buy.

I believe Viper even has one that will remote and everything straight from your cellphone. There's a subscription fee for it, but it's cheap and you'd have remote start without the extra fob.

[Joe240]

https://www.viper.com/car/remotestart/

First one is the remote start from the phone and also includes alarm, monitoring (speed and trouble codes), and a 60 free trial of service.

All the others have fobs but all have different features.