[greyt]

Just started to spec a new 335D.. my current one is has a good spec and I will keep most options, but was wondering whether to add active cruise control?

Does this work well in the 3 series? BMW web site says it has "stop and go", is this for when in a traffic jam?

Has anyone got any experience of using this and would you recommend it?

[kaishang]

Yes I have it. The version in the 3-series is NOT stop-and-go. You need a 5-series for the stop-and-go function.

The 3-series version will disconnect if the speed, due to traffic, falls below about 16mph. The maxiumum set speed is also 110mph, which I have actually found a bit limiting a couple of times....

I would recommend it a lot.

[greyt]

thanks - I had read that stop and go was not on the 3 series, but when adding it on the BMW web site it is described as stop and go, wondering if it is a 2010 adddition.....

[kaishang]

Nope, my car was built in June 2010 and it ain't got it. 5-series only.

[nicko44]

I've used active cruise control and found it to be really really helpful. At first you're not sure that it is going to work and you find yourself with your foot hovering over the brake pedal just in case the cruise control decides to run into the car ahead of you. However, after a few miles you learn to trust it and it works a treat.
On the standard cruise control you find that you keep closing up on the traffic ahead when going uphill on motorways, because the natural tendency of most drivers is to slow slightly and then pick up speed again when they go downhill. With active cruise control, your car will just naturally adjust to this, saving you having to brake and then reaccelerate.

If I can afford it, I will definitely spec it on my next car.

[ed335d]

Had it on my 335d, it was great for the average speed sections in the M25 roadworks.

My main grumble would be that the minimum distance, to the car in front of that you can set, is too far - it leaves a gap that someone can easily pull into.

[greyt]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I decided to add it to the order :-)

I don't think I have missed many toys now (most are on my current car, but it will be nice to get the upgraded Idrive etc.)

335D M Sport Coupe
19" alloys
electric mirrors
heated seats
active cruise control
bluetooth prep
navigation professional
DAB Radio
Loudspeaker system
USB Interface

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by kaishang

Nope, my car was built in June 2010 and it ain't got it. 5-series only.

Model year changes are from september each year, so maybe from sept 10 it has stop & go??

[kdiz]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Model year changes are from september each year, so maybe from sept 10 it has stop & go??

i found it on their site in about 20 seconds, turns out the newer ones do have it

http://bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/efficient_dynamics/bc/standard

[greyt]

Originally Posted by kdiz

i found it on their site in about 20 seconds, turns out the newer ones do have it

http://bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/efficient_dynamics/bc/standard

I think you may be getting stop and go confused with auto start stop.

stop and go - part of active cruise control that will move and stop the car when in stop/start traffic

auto start stop - turn engine off when stationary.

stop and go is detailed here - http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/t...ontrol_stop_go

this link says that the 3 series doesnt have the function, my dealer has now confirmed this. The confusion is that the BMW web site says it has it when you go through configuring and building your car.....

[kdiz]

Originally Posted by greyt

I think you may be getting stop and go confused with auto start stop.

stop and go - part of active cruise control that will move and stop the car when in stop/start traffic

auto start stop - turn engine off when stationary.

stop and go is detailed here - http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/t...ontrol_stop_go

this link says that the 3 series doesnt have the function, my dealer has now confirmed this. The confusion is that the BMW web site says it has it when you go through configuring and building your car.....

oooh my bad, thought you were talking about the stop stop in relation to the engine

[Rochdale Pioneers]

Originally Posted by ed335d

My main grumble would be that the minimum distance, to the car in front of that you can set, is too far - it leaves a gap that someone can easily pull into.

Thats called your braking zone. If you drive less than a car length behind the car in front you are far too close to them.

You see all those shunts where traffic backs up and people can't stop in the distance they have left themselves, creating a nice little pile of cars in the "fast lane"? Now ask why active cruise control leaves a proper gap.

With respect, its your kind of competitive driving thats responsible for creating so much of the congestion we have on the roads. You can fit far more vehicles down a motorway if everyone slows down and leaves suitable gaps. That way people don't need to keep dabbing the brakes, which means no back pressure wave making the people behind brake harder until a little way back traffic has come to a complete halt. Thats why they introduced active traffic management, with the speed limit gantries - slow people down, smooth the flow, we get there quicker.

Or, you can sit a foot off the car in front to stop other people getting in front of you, reacting to braking with hard braking. I'll be passing up your inside in the "northerners only" lane you seem to have on the M25 (also known as lane 1).

[ed335d]

With respect, if you haven't driven with ACC, you probably won't know what I mean, and you have no idea what my driving style is. I regulate my braking distance with the speed, traffic density, weather and lighting conditions, meaning that I'm frequently not the one dabbing brakes when those in front of me are.

I would never drive one car length from another driver at speed (let alone less than one), so there is no need for the patronising lesson in braking distances

The ACC system leaves (I'd estimate as it's been a year since I had it), 5 or 6 car lengths between you and the car in front. This is fine, but when you get people constantly filling the gap and reducing your car-in-front gap, you find the car dabbing the brakes for you, which can get a bit frustrating.

Originally Posted by Rochdale Pioneers

Thats called your braking zone. If you drive less than a car length behind the car in front you are far too close to them.

You see all those shunts where traffic backs up and people can't stop in the distance they have left themselves, creating a nice little pile of cars in the "fast lane"? Now ask why active cruise control leaves a proper gap.

With respect, its your kind of competitive driving thats responsible for creating so much of the congestion we have on the roads. You can fit far more vehicles down a motorway if everyone slows down and leaves suitable gaps. That way people don't need to keep dabbing the brakes, which means no back pressure wave making the people behind brake harder until a little way back traffic has come to a complete halt. Thats why they introduced active traffic management, with the speed limit gantries - slow people down, smooth the flow, we get there quicker.

Or, you can sit a foot off the car in front to stop other people getting in front of you, reacting to braking with hard braking. I'll be passing up your inside in the "northerners only" lane you seem to have on the M25 (also known as lane 1).

[Rochdale Pioneers]

I'll shut up then!

[ed335d]

Originally Posted by Rochdale Pioneers

I'll shut up then!

[NM7]

Originally Posted by ed335d

Had it on my 335d, it was great for the average speed sections in the M25 roadworks.

My main grumble would be that the minimum distance, to the car in front of that you can set, is too far - it leaves a gap that someone can easily pull into.

Ed the car still going well mate use the Active cruise everyday to work LOL!!! cars done 50k due for 1st service!!

[ed335d]

Originally Posted by neetin

Ed the car still going well mate use the Active cruise everyday to work LOL!!! cars done 50k due for 1st service!!

Hi Neetin

Strangely enough, I was just wondering over the weekend whether you still had the 335d! Have you made any mods?

Don't forget to supply your own oil for the service - it'll save you about £60 - £70