Remote Start Adaptation
This write-up documents my effort to adapt Alberto Marziali’s remote start project (originally intended for F-chassis cars with BDC/FEM) to work on earlier BMW platforms. My primary testbed is an E90 with CAS3+, but the scope includes other CAS variants such as CAS4 in the F10 and potentially CAS1 and CAS2 systems found in early-2000s 5/7 Series models and possibly very early E90s. I will also be using one of my F10s to validate CAS4 support, and eventually porting the system to my E83 X3 daily driver, which I previously retrofitted with CAS3.
Scope
While the original project was tied to KCAN2-equipped F-series, this work expands support to:
CAS1based platforms (7 series)CAS2based platforms (1/3/5/6 series)CAS3(+)based platforms (1/3/5/6 series, X1/X5/X6/Z4)CAS4based platforms (5/6/7 series, X3/X4)- Vehicles without Comfort Access (non-CA)
- Manual transmission vehicles
If you are unsure what CAS version your vehicle has, you can find what you have here .
The project goal is to bring OEM-style remote start functionality to chassis that never supported it, while maintaining factory-level safety and immobilizer integrity.
Current progress: ~75% hardware complete (relays, wiring, CAN taps). Software and CAN message adaptation remain in progress.
WIP: This is an active project. Documentation will be expanded as cross-platform support (non-CA, KCAN, manual gearbox) is validated.
Future Roadmap
- IoT integration (Home Assistant, etc.)
Credits: Alberto Marziali’s project