Command start on a M6

[Phail]

I've priced out a Compustar aftermarket alarm and command start for my M6, as my last car had a 2way from them (was a manual) and it worked amazingly well.

My question - how many of you have an aftermarket system in your car's, what brand, and how is it working out for you? Has anyone found a sytem that can use the command start button on the factory keychain?

I'm slightly nervous to let a tech start cutting into wires on a brand new car, but they are warranty approved and have done great work for me in the past. Figured i'd poll the pro's before I spend 800 bucks.

[hypurone]

Just curious, is there a lock-out switch installed on the linkage or trans in case you leave it in gear?

[Russell James]

Nothing aftermarket is warranty approved. They cut into the factory wiring, expect major hassles ever trying to get an electrical problem resolved under warranty.

The car has a factory alarm. Don't see the point in hacking in an aftermarket system to change a key turn to a remote button push start. You'll still have to turn the key anyway when you get in the car.

Plus all the gyrations you'll have to go through in shutting off the car.... plus you'll be leaving the car in neutral.... car should always be in gear.

[Russell James]

Originally Posted by hypurone

Just curious, is there a lock-out switch installed on the linkage or trans in case you leave it in gear?

No. The aftermarket systems make you go through a shut down sequence of things that should result in you exiting the car in neutral. Which in itself is a bad idea. First couple days of driver's ed class they teach the kiddies to leave manual trans cars in gear whenever parked.

[Sterling]

Having a remote start would be nice, but I don't trust my e-brake enough to leave it in Neutral. I wish there was a trans-brake solution or something so that you didn't have to rely on the e-brake.

[Phail]

This car will be a winter driven ride, which means -40C mornings sometimes. Command start is almost a must around here.

The compustar require your car to be in N when you take the key out of the ignition. The car then continues to run until you shut all the doors, which turns the car off, and arms the alarm. Its a process that just becomes second nature. I live in Saskatchewan, the biggest hill we have here are the pot holes. I could leave it in N with the parking brake off half the time if i wanted to, so thats not an issue.

Thanks for the info on not being warranty approved, the shop ensured me it would be, and when I called my service department about it then didnt seem to have a problem with it, I will inquire more deeply.

Also, the fact that the Compustar is an alarm is just a bonus - I only want a command start thats 2way and works from a mile through anything. I know for a fact that the compustar does this, so thats why I priced out another.

[1BADLS3]

Another vote for not putting in a remote start system on a manual vehicle. Too easy to leave it in gear, and too risky to be leaving the car in neutral while it's parked.

There is no "warranty approval" for these kinds of things. It won't void the warranty, but if any issue can be traced or is directly caused by the remote start system, the labor and other costs associated with repairing them won't be covered by the warranty. The unit itself won't be covered by the mfr warranty, but rather the manufacturer of the unit. Make sense?

[jshaf]

while I don't drive my car much in the winter I am still getting a remote start installed next week because I had an issue with the windows indexing and ice getting trapped in the window channel and causing a battery drain. figured if I can start it without ovening the door I should be able to avoid this next winter. that and I am getting and alarm with it so the more the merrier