[johnlethlean@me.com]

Hi there, I am very keen to buy a good secondhand 320d, but how do I tell which examples have adaptive cruise control? Thank you, John

[Elvisfan]

Originally Posted by johnlethlean@me.com

Hi there, I am very keen to buy a good secondhand 320d, but how do I tell which examples have adaptive cruise control? Thank you, John

On the ones I’ve seen ,the left side of the steering wheel. Where the CC is. Regular CC has 3 buttons besides the dial. ACC has 5 buttons. 2 more to adjust the distance. Hard to find on 3 series, I think.

[drdino]

On the exterior, you'll see the radar (black rectangular square) in the middle of the lower air intake on the bumper.

[Elvisfan]

Originally Posted by drdino

On the exterior, you'll see the radar (black rectangular square) in the middle of the lower air intake on the bumper.

That’s not going to help if you browsing a dealer’s website or cars.com. They almost always have a photo of the steering wheel.

[drdino]

And always have an exterior frontal view as well. Either way, the guy has two things to look out for.

[Pittcrew]

I have a 2013 335i Xdrive and it has adaptive cruise control. These are pictures of the left hand side of my steering wheel. The two buttons that are normally blank on most steering wheels control the following distance to the car in front on my wheel. I can set it to 4 different distances. After having this feature I will not buy a vehicle that doesn't have adaptive cruise control on it. I use it everyday and I love it. I also included a picture of the box that is on my front grill. When I'm browsing autotrader for a newer 335 or 340, I always look at the picture of the steering wheel to see if it has ACC buttons like mine.

[Elvisfan]

Originally Posted by Pittcrew

I have a 2013 335i Xdrive and it has adaptive cruise control. These are pictures of the left hand side of my steering wheel. The two buttons that are normally blank on most steering wheels control the following distance to the car in front on my wheel. I can set it to 4 different distances. After having this feature I will not buy a vehicle that doesn't have adaptive cruise control on it. I use it everyday and I love it. I also included a picture of the box that is on my front grill. When I'm browsing autotrader for a newer 335 or 340, I always look at the picture of the steering wheel to see if it has ACC buttons like mine.

I must have looked at over 100 convertibles when buying mine. I couldn’t find one with ACC. I finally gave up. I just saw one that had it. It was a factory order. Spoken for. I may order the next generation.

[Pittcrew]

Originally Posted by Elvisfan

I must have looked at over 100 convertibles when buying mine. I couldn’t find one with ACC. I finally gave up. I just saw one that had it. It was a factory order. Spoken for. I may order the next generation.

I'll be honest, I didn't realize the car had it when I bought it used. I didn't know it was available on the 3 series. I've never seen another 335 with this option. I'm not sure I've seen it on a 340 either. Does seem to be an extremely rare spec on the 3 series.

[Elvisfan]

Originally Posted by Pittcrew

I'll be honest, I didn't realize the car had it when I bought it used. I didn't know it was available on the 3 series. I've never seen another 335 with this option. I'm not sure I've seen it on a 340 either. Does seem to be an extremely rare spec on the 3 series.

Must be a German thing.

[SantaEugence]

I'd never buy another car again without ACC. Just makes any kind of longer drive, especially on motorways infinitely less stressful and enjoyable.
As you say I think it's quite a rare option, also the f30 adaptive cruise isn't the best, especially compared to the likes of VAG but does the job and you get used to its limitations