[mitch625]

I see a lot of people coding to disable stop start by default and some people who absolutely hate it. What is it that you hate about it?

[anom3]

In my opinion its not fuly 'polished' yet.

Its noticable. if it worked better I would possibly use it.

To top it off I'm of the opinion that constantly turn the motor off and on can't be good for the motor. I know there is a small amount of disagreement as to if the motor is built to handle this or not... But simple common sense tells me its better to leave the oil slushing around until you actually need to stop the vehicle.

Originally Posted by mitch625

I see a lot of people coding to disable stop start by default and some people who absolutely hate it. What is it that you hate about it?

[stormlv]

Your gearbox will definitely influence how you see it.

I personally hate it in mine, having an automatic transmission.
In Switzerland, a country with loads of roundabouts it's a real mess.
It happened more than once to stop when I was slowing to a crawl to let someone pass.
Somehow, it manages to be more cumbersome than helpful.

That said, I also tested a 3 series with a manual gearbox.
And there, it was a blast to use.
You directly control when it's active.
Keep the clutch pressed and it won't engage.
Take the foot off the clutch and it will.
It makes for a very good control mechanism and it's almost transparent to the user.

[Torque of the Devil]

It's dangerous if you ask me, when coming up to a roundabout in the UK sometimes you have a very narrow window to 'go' this stop/start feature makes the car hesitate and you can miss your chance, plus really I mean how much fuel does it really save you. It's just nonsense to help them with emission figures and complying with Eco legislation.

[stormlv]

Originally Posted by Vanguard

It's dangerous if you ask me, when coming up to a roundabout in the UK sometimes you have a very narrow window to 'go' this stop/start feature makes the car hesitate and you can miss your chance, plus really I mean how much fuel does it really save you. It's just nonsense to help them with emission figures and complying with Eco legislation.

Agree about the roundabouts, disagree about it being a nonsense.
Saves about 10% of fuel...

[Torque of the Devil]

There is no way it would save me 10% fuel on my journey to work.

If stop/start saves you so much in fuel why does the car disable the feature when you get down to a low fuel reserve levels ?

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Vanguard

There is no way it would save me 10% fuel on my journey to work.

If stop/start saves you so much in fuel why does the car disable the feature when you get down to a low fuel reserve levels ?

Same here, not the occasions where I'm sitting in traffic to save fuel.

I'm sure many drivers using stop-start in the conditions where it has real benefits, will get the fuel savings. As long as we change our mind-set and adapt to drive along with the stop-start function, not simply rubbish it, and expect the same drive as not having it in operation.

As to the fuel reserves, that is more likely a technical reason, fuel cools the pumps. Low fuel and not a lot of cooling is possible, particularly if we have heat soak from engine shut down.

[Billfitz]

It doesn't bother me at all. If you go back through the history of the automobile you'll find detractors with respect to every innovation. For instance, computer controls, air bags, seat belts, fuel injection, turbo chargers, radial tires, power brakes, power steering, automatic transmissions...go back far enough and the overwhelming complaint is about those newfangled automobiles scaring our horses.

[RoundelM3]

I'll decide when to shut off my engine. I don't need some electronic "nanny" doing it for me. I don't commute to work and I don't drive in traffic, so it's of zero use to me.

[NewM3driver]

Why? because it is a PITA!

[435MSport6Speed]

Engine wear.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by roundel335

I'll decide when to shut off my engine. I don't need some electronic "nanny" doing it for me.

A case in point relative to my last post. When the automatic transmission was introduced the #1 response from detractors was "I don't need my car telling me when to shift"

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by Vanguard

It's dangerous if you ask me, when coming up to a roundabout in the UK sometimes you have a very narrow window to 'go' this stop/start feature makes the car hesitate and you can miss your chance, plus really I mean how much fuel does it really save you. It's just nonsense to help them with emission figures and complying with Eco legislation.

When I'm in that situation, I make sure to tug on the steering wheel or lift 1/2 way off the brake to make sure the car is ON.

[Michael Schott]

Originally Posted by roundel335

I'll decide when to shut off my engine. I don't need some electronic "nanny" doing it for me. I don't commute to work and I don't drive in traffic, so it's of zero use to me.

That's why you have the option to shut it off.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by Vanguard

There is no way it would save me 10% fuel on my journey to work.

If stop/start saves you so much in fuel why does the car disable the feature when you get down to a low fuel reserve levels ?

While I'm skeptical how much fuel it saves, why would all these car companies add complication and potential wear to vehicles, which may result in higher warranty costs, if it doesn't get them material CAFE increases?

[nozydog]

Originally Posted by roundel335

I'll decide when to shut off my engine. I don't need some electronic "nanny" doing it for me. I don't commute to work and I don't drive in traffic, so it's of zero use to me.

But you're OK with nanny changing gears for you?? (even tho you don't drive in traffic) Bizarre!!

[Michael Schott]

The biggest issue is the abruptness of the system. In my 2014 it was decent but still too noticeable. My mom just leased a Chevy Cruze and it has the stop/start system. It's much less intrusive than on my 328i.

[jgoens]

It lowers my 0-60 time.

[nozydog]

Apparently with the original system, once the engine has been off for 4 seconds then fuel is being saved. Personally I think stop/start is the way forward! Far too many drivers (my misses included) sit there for ages with the engine running causing pollution, and I'm not talking about the ozone layer, just sheer pollution. I used to live in a flat and in the summer a neighbour would start up his engine in the morning and not drive off for five minutes.... all the petrol fumes would come in the bedroom window and it was disgusting, you could almost taste the petrol. So in my book, anything which encourages drivers not to leave engines running is a good thing. As long as we have the option to switch the system off... what's so bad!!

[madmonkey]

I'm of the apparently small minority that doesn't hate the auto start stop. I unfortunately drive mostly in crappy rush hour traffic on city streets. When it gets cold and the feature turns itself off, I get 15.5l / 100km on my trip computer. With it on, it brings it down to around 12.0 / 100km. The difference may not be all that great, but the way I see it is why should I be wasting fuel while sitting at a stop light.

I can see where some drivers want to have instant power available. However, there are so many ways around the stop/start feature that I can't see why you'd need to code it out.

1) push the button to turn it off
2) lift your foot slightly before you think you need the power
3) push the shifter left in cars with sport auto
4) Get BMW to reprogram the feature to remember the last setting

[mbanks21]

No issues with manual tranny. As soon as you press the clutch the car is back on. I'm usually in sports mode anyway where it doesn't turn on.

[roll_the_dice]

Like many people above me, I don't think it can be doing anything good for the starter. When I am trying to merge into busy oncoming traffic from a side street, I don't feel safe with the car in the off position. There is a hesitation when I press the gas pedal and it starts and moves. I think in certain situations it can be dangerous, whether it is or not the perception that it is doesn't allow me to trust it.

However, if I am in bumper to bumper traffic or driving down a long street with lots of red lights, I don't mind it and enjoy "thinking" I am saving gas. I do feel I get better MPG with it on, but the 1-2 MPG difference isn't enough of a factor for me to leave it on 100% of the time.