[LuvMyE92]

My question is directed to you lucky folks in Europe and the U.K. who already have the auto start/stop feature on your cars. I understand the residual heat sink that these cars have will keep you warm while the engine stops, but what about in the hot summer months? Is there some kind of electric motor that keeps the A/C compressor running, or is there some other method to keep cold air blowing when the engine is off?

I'm just thinking of being stuck in traffic here in the Southern US, or maybe just at a long traffic light, and my engine shuts itself off and then I die of heat stroke.

[crowdedhouse]

If the day is hot outside and if the interior is getting too far from the selected temperature then the engine will restart(or not stop in the first place)

The car has to tick off several boxes before activating stop/start such as: is the engine warmed up, not too hot or cold outside, the charge state of the battery is OK, transmission in neutral (for MT) etc

[inny]

Excuse my ignorance... Been reading around for the start/stop but couldnt find a clear answer if it exists on the 520D automatic.

For manual I know but automatic??

[crowdedhouse]

I've a June 11 built 520d auto now - not on it.

My 08 E90 320d(mt) had it but my 09 E90 330d(mt) hadn't

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by crowdedhouse

If the day is hot outside and if the interior is getting too far from the selected temperature then the engine will restart(or not stop in the first place)

The car has to tick off several boxes before activating stop/start such as: is the engine warmed up, not too hot or cold outside, the charge state of the battery is OK, transmission in neutral (for MT) etc

Cool. Thanks ch.

[clarence]

Originally Posted by inny

Excuse my ignorance... Been reading around for the start/stop but couldnt find a clear answer if it exists on the 520D automatic.

For manual I know but automatic??

Start/stop will be fitted to all 5ers apart from 550i from 9/11 production onwards.

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by inny

Excuse my ignorance... Been reading around for the start/stop but couldnt find a clear answer if it exists on the 520D automatic.

For manual I know but automatic??

I recently drove the new F12 640i auto which had this function; have to say that I didn't like it because of the very slight delay between pressing the accelerator and the engine restarting.
Fortunately there's a disable button just below the start/stop button, but you end up with an annoying amber light not far enough away from your line of sight.

[inny]

Hmmm.. I'm not sure from your post Jon D. if its something I would want or not then. Gotta wait until September when my F10 arrives.

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by inny

Hmmm.. I'm not sure from your post Jon D. if its something I would want or not then. Gotta wait until September when my F10 arrives.

Depending on which model you order, I don't think auto stop/start will be optional.
The F12 640d is on the market in Sep/Oct and I'm hoping that it won't be fitted to the larger diesel engines, but I fear that I hope in vain.

[rsyed]

BMWs have to put the auto start stop on ALL cars simply because it reduces the EU norm petrol consumption by about 15%. @Jon - the 640d has it too...

even the m5 has a start stop automatic...

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by rsyed

even the m5 has a start stop automatic...

Good grief, the EU's going eco-crazy... And on that note, I see that M5's for the European market get the crappy electric assist steering, whereas those in the US get good-old-fashioned hydraulic.

['17 750i Msport]

thankfully U.S. Cars Do Not Have This Horrific Option!!!!

[Breach]

Originally Posted by '11 Bimmer

thankfully U.S. Cars Do Not Have This Horrific Option!!!!

You can always turn it off so what's the big deal? I'd rather have the option to actually choose. This also applies to persisting the rain sensor and seat heating settings but no joy.

[pyramid]

Why not reprogrammed the default to be off? like auto brake..

[inny]

Originally Posted by Jon D

Good grief, the EU's going eco-crazy... And on that note, I see that M5's for the European market get the crappy electric assist steering, whereas those in the US get good-old-fashioned hydraulic.

You kinda need the electric assist steering in order to have the Parking Assist? I mean parking assist will only work with electric steering.

[clarence]

Originally Posted by Jon D

I see that M5's for the European market get the crappy electric assist steering, whereas those in the US get good-old-fashioned hydraulic.

AFAIK EU-spec will have M-servotronic which is a hydraulic rack.

[clarence]

Originally Posted by inny

You kinda need the electric assist steering in order to have the Parking Assist? I mean parking assist will only work with electric steering.

Don't think it's available on the M5.

[PsychDoc]

From what I understand in the US non x-drive cars have elctronic assist steering while the x-drive cars get hydraulic. Most people who have driven both say there's no difference and that the elecronically assisted steering has just as much 'feel' and weighting as the hydraulic.

And parking assist works with either.

[listerone]

Is start/stop *mandatory* in Europe? Is there any country there where the feature cannot be overridden? With the trust-funded tree worshipers currently running the US I can see them mandating the feature and requiring manufacturers to prevent overrides.I'll walk before I ever own a car where such a feature,if present,cannot be overridden.Too many things...some annoying and some dangerous...can happen.

[listerone]

Originally Posted by '11 Bimmer

thankfully U.S. Cars Do Not Have This Horrific Option!!!!

Yet!

[listerone]

Originally Posted by Jon D

I recently drove the new F12 640i auto which had this function; have to say that I didn't like it because of the very slight delay between pressing the accelerator and the engine restarting.

My Mercedes has a braking feature where you press the pedal firmly and the brake remains fully engaged when you remove your foot (can't recall what that feature's called).I use it occasionally when I know I'll be stopped for more than a few seconds....it's kinda handy.To disengage it you just press the accelerator but there's a short delay.That delay is no more than slightly annoying but,I suspect,a similar delay waiting for your car to restart would be *very* annoying and even potentially dangerous.

[Rochdale Pioneers]

Its fabulous on a manual box. You roll to a halt and the engine cuts out. Heating/cooling keeps running, the ignition stays on so my phone kit keeps working. When the lights change the engine has restarted before my clutch pedal has reached the floor - I can go from stationary with engine stopped to pulling away before other drivers have reacted.

I'd have to drive an auto box with the system to see how it works on that. The engine restarts if you even brush clutch or throttle with your foot, so it is sensitive, but if you put your foot on the power pedal I suspect there would be a momentary pause.