Hi all,

My 2016 CX5 did not come with remote-start so I asked the dealer for a verbal price-quote and had it installed.

To my surprise (when picking the car up) the dealer had not installed the official Mazda accessoires remote-start but another brand (on the fob it says Automate).

According to the dealer the quality of the Mazda accessoiry remote-start system is kind of "not so good."

Is this true ?

 

Nothing wrong with the Mazda remote start. Dealer just makes more money on the aftermarket ones.

 

Thanks TB. Are you refering to the dealer installed accessory , or to the one installed at the Mazda factory ?

 

The information has a lot of "depend on" before it can be answered factually.
If the dealer is a distributor of the electronics, then the price point should be less than MAZDA. There are not many low-quality remote start kits on the market that I am aware of. I belong to a stereo forum and those are often a topic of discussion between members and professional stereo installers. The dealership may also have an experience service technician with the brand you purchased and had installed which should have also saved you money over the MAZDA.
Really without knowing more details about your personal transaction and comparing what they offer a MAZDA unit and install it's hard to answer a question with opinion?

 

Thanks. But remember I am not comparing anything. Am just amazed that a Mazda dealer will install non-Mazda parts (remote-start is an official Mazda accesory) instead of the real Mazda one without discussion this with the customer.
I only found out because he stated he could not grant the 15% Discount coupon I had for official Mazda accessoires. Did get 50 bucks off though.

 

Well I understand and most shops and or dealerships generally you would think let the customer know in advance if there are multiple choices for aftermarket vs OE parts? I would also look at your service order and see what you authorized to pay for?

What brand did you get?

 

Not sure what brand it is, but the fob says Automate.

We got 2 fobs, one one-way and one two-way.

It works good, no complaints there.

 

I am not familiar with that manufacture. When I installed my remote starter in my MAZDA , I used components from 3 different companies for the system that included an alarm.
If your happy with it and if you can inquire the cost difference between MAZDA and yours maybe it will be a WIN ?

 

Q Did the 2016 CX-5 have a factory remote start option/accessory when launched?

Q If it was an option, I would doubt they would still make /stock them nowadays.

 

A Yes
A https://tinyurl.com/27yfs6y5