Your Opinion of Start / Stop

disco4me · 04-11-2014, 02:25 PM

I drove the m235i a couple of weeks ago. First time I had driven a car with start/stop. I didn't really care for it however, I understand it can be turned off each time you start the car. What's everyone's opinion of start/stop and do you turn it off every time you drive the car?

PigWig · 04-11-2014, 02:35 PM

I had it on my F30 before my M235. After about two weeks of driving, you get used to it and barely notice it anymore. It will definitely startle your passengers, but you learn to tune it out. I always leave mine on.

In the instance of hot summer weather or needing to get a jump into traffic, at a light, etc, it is as simple as letting your foot off the brakes a bit and the car starts back up.

Scotlac · 04-11-2014, 02:37 PM

Just leave it in Sport mode and you won't have to worry about it.

disco4me · 04-11-2014, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scotlac

Just leave it in Sport mode and you won't have to worry about it.

Awesome

Killramos · 04-11-2014, 02:57 PM

Yea it definitely affects your go off the lights but tbh it's a good idea. I think it could really save a lot of gas.

Also mine was programmed to remember what setting you used last from the factory. A pet peeve for a lot of you guys from what I heard. So don't like it? Turn it off and forget about it.

M.barnes · 04-11-2014, 03:07 PM

I like it.

JustChris · 04-11-2014, 03:12 PM

Quite like it, pretty intelligent when it stops etc. get used to it quick, but I do also oftern turn it off.

disco4me · 04-11-2014, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Killramos

mine was programmed to remember what setting you used last from the factory. A pet peeve for a lot of you guys from what I heard. So don't like it? Turn it off and forget about it.

So it remembers what the setting was when the car was last turned off? How did you get this programmed? I assume you can turn it on again at any time, right?

It seems like it would decrease the life of the starter...probably would restart the car many, many times on a single trip compared to only one start.

Uridian · 04-11-2014, 03:33 PM

With the 2 series, it remembers its previous setting, so you can turn it off and leave it off. It didn't work that way the first couple trips, but it seems to stay off now.

disco4me · 04-11-2014, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uridian

With the 2 series, it remembers its previous setting, so you can turn it off and leave it off. It didn't work that way the first couple trips, but it seems to stay off now.

Excellent. A dealer told me that you had to turn it off every time you drove the car. Perhaps it starts to remember your driving habits.

rSplines · 04-11-2014, 03:41 PM

I used it for about 2 weeks then turned it off and havent looked back. If I ever put the car into eco mode, then back to normal it will kick back on, but other than that it stays off without me needing to touch anything

templarklimek · 04-11-2014, 03:43 PM

Whats really funny is the start/stop is on my manual tranny 2014 M6. Hmm, I bought this car to save gas. HAHA.

webdither · 04-11-2014, 04:00 PM

I actually didn't mind it for everyday driving on my F30... that is until the engine started stalling when it was trying to kick back on! I had to have it disabled after that. Hopefully the 235 does better with it.

I also heard it's a lot better in a manual than the automatic because the manual will start the engine as soon as the clutch is engaged which means it'll be ready when you hit the gas.

epic · 04-11-2014, 04:01 PM

Love it - saves a good amount of gas when you can't be sporty. Rather save those revs for when I have open road.

bimmerfile · 04-11-2014, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disco4me

I drove the m235i a couple of weeks ago. First time I had driven a car with start/stop. I didn't really care for it however, I understand it can be turned off each time you start the car. What's everyone's opinion of start/stop and do you turn it off every time you drive the car?

It sucks.
My dealer disables it automatically before you take delivery (as they did with my X1).
They claim that over time it is harder on the engine (or other parts).
Easily disabled by your friendly local BMW dealer.

DanG · 04-11-2014, 06:15 PM

I really like it. Seems to save a lot of gas in city driving. As soon as your foot is off the brake it starts. So I have no delays with my auto transmission.

five3three · 04-11-2014, 09:34 PM

My first experience with one was about 4 years ago on an E92 M3 in Munich and I loved it (and in that same trip had an E class MB wagon and a 3 series wagon all that had start/stop). It completely makes sense to not keep running and wasting gas while you're at a light, especially in cities where you spend 75% of your commute sitting around in stop and go traffic (like myself).

You even learn to work it when you need to. When you want to take off at a light, you simply raise your foot off the brake about half a second before you want to go and you are good to floor it.

Or, you can disable it when you're in a sporty mood.

I for one am happy to finally own a car that has this feature. About 2/3 of my driving is in sport mode so it wouldn't kick in but in that remaining 1/3 I will be happy to not burn extra fuel.

five3three · 04-11-2014, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epic

Love it - saves a good amount of gas when you can't be sporty. Rather save those revs for when I have open road.

Agree 100%. Save the revs and gas for when you can actually enjoy it.

Lucky13 · 04-11-2014, 09:47 PM

I'm used to the stop/start from my X1 but how does it work on a manual? I think as long as the clutch is in like at a stop light it will not engage so whats the point on a manual transmission. I always keep the clutch engaged when stopped.

Transfer · 04-11-2014, 09:50 PM

It completely depends on where you live and what type of traffic you drive in. There are a lot of instances where it is just plain awful and sometimes it does work ok.

Greenkirby21 · 04-11-2014, 10:34 PM

I think it is useful where I live, in the suburbs. I don't get many lights, but when I do, they last a really really long time! However, I can totally see where it could get annoying in stop and go traffic.

2ForMe · 04-11-2014, 10:54 PM

I would imagine that leaving this feature on will shorten the life of the starter, alternator, and battery...excessive load on the spark plugs. But if you're not keeping the car past 3 years I figure none of that will be your problem

On the other hand, did you know that for every 10 minutes your engine is off, you'll prevent one pound of carbon dioxide from being released?

04-11-2014, 02:25 PM	#1
disco4me First Lieutenant 55 Rep 304 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Your Opinion of Start / Stop I drove the m235i a couple of weeks ago. First time I had driven a car with start/stop. I didn't really care for it however, I understand it can be turned off each time you start the car. What's everyone's opinion of start/stop and do you turn it off every time you drive the car?
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04-11-2014, 02:35 PM	#2
PigWig Private 56 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW 330i X-Drive Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Arkansas iTrader: (0)	I had it on my F30 before my M235. After about two weeks of driving, you get used to it and barely notice it anymore. It will definitely startle your passengers, but you learn to tune it out. I always leave mine on. In the instance of hot summer weather or needing to get a jump into traffic, at a light, etc, it is as simple as letting your foot off the brakes a bit and the car starts back up.
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04-11-2014, 02:37 PM	#3
Scotlac Private First Class 5 Rep 148 Posts Drives: BMW M235i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Just leave it in Sport mode and you won't have to worry about it.
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04-11-2014, 02:57 PM	#5
Killramos Captain 312 Rep 862 Posts Drives: '19 M2 '21 X5 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Calgary iTrader: (1) Garage List 2021 BMW X5 40i [0.00] 2019 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00]	Yea it definitely affects your go off the lights but tbh it's a good idea. I think it could really save a lot of gas. Also mine was programmed to remember what setting you used last from the factory. A pet peeve for a lot of you guys from what I heard. So don't like it? Turn it off and forget about it.
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04-11-2014, 03:07 PM	#6
M.barnes Captain 41 Rep 598 Posts Drives: 123d Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Rugby, uk iTrader: (0)	I like it.
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04-11-2014, 03:12 PM	#7
JustChris General 17488 Rep 25,115 Posts Drives: Tesla MYRWD Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Quite like it, pretty intelligent when it stops etc. get used to it quick, but I do also oftern turn it off. __________________ My car made front page of Bimmerpost
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04-11-2014, 03:33 PM	#9
Uridian Second Lieutenant 42 Rep 269 Posts Drives: E36 M3, 228i M Sport Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	With the 2 series, it remembers its previous setting, so you can turn it off and leave it off. It didn't work that way the first couple trips, but it seems to stay off now.
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04-11-2014, 03:41 PM	#11
rSplines Private 6 Rep 61 Posts Drives: 2014 M235i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA iTrader: (0)	I used it for about 2 weeks then turned it off and havent looked back. If I ever put the car into eco mode, then back to normal it will kick back on, but other than that it stays off without me needing to touch anything __________________ current: 2014 BMW M235i Black on Black 2012 BMW F800R sold: 2004 Dodge SRT-4, 415whp 416wtq
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04-11-2014, 03:43 PM	#12
templarklimek templarklimek 142 Rep 868 Posts Drives: 15' X6M, 12' R8 V10, Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Houston Texas iTrader: (0)	Whats really funny is the start/stop is on my manual tranny 2014 M6. Hmm, I bought this car to save gas. HAHA.
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04-11-2014, 04:00 PM	#13
webdither Lieutenant 59 Rep 595 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW M235i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M235 (July ... [10.00]	I actually didn't mind it for everyday driving on my F30... that is until the engine started stalling when it was trying to kick back on! I had to have it disabled after that. Hopefully the 235 does better with it. I also heard it's a lot better in a manual than the automatic because the manual will start the engine as soon as the clutch is engaged which means it'll be ready when you hit the gas. __________________ 2014 M235i \| Manual \| Estoril Blue / Terra \| Tech, Premium, HK Audio, & Driver Assist \| M Performance Exhaust, Stainless Steel Pedals, Black Kidney Grilles Euro Delivery Trip Report
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04-11-2014, 04:01 PM	#14
epic M Comp 134 Rep 228 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW M2 Competition Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Chicago Suburbs iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00]	Love it - saves a good amount of gas when you can't be sporty. Rather save those revs for when I have open road. __________________ '19 M2 Competition \| '07 Heads/Cam/Stall C6 Corvette \| '17 Ford Escape Titanium Past: '14 M235i, '07 335i xDrive, '06 GTO, '02 Trans Am Firehawk, '99 Grand Prix GTP
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04-11-2014, 06:15 PM	#16
DanG Major General 10662 Rep 6,938 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 AW DCT Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 BMW M2 [7.68]	I really like it. Seems to save a lot of gas in city driving. As soon as your foot is off the brake it starts. So I have no delays with my auto transmission.
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04-11-2014, 09:34 PM	#17
five3three Major 163 Rep 1,053 Posts Drives: m2c Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: VA iTrader: (3)	My first experience with one was about 4 years ago on an E92 M3 in Munich and I loved it (and in that same trip had an E class MB wagon and a 3 series wagon all that had start/stop). It completely makes sense to not keep running and wasting gas while you're at a light, especially in cities where you spend 75% of your commute sitting around in stop and go traffic (like myself). You even learn to work it when you need to. When you want to take off at a light, you simply raise your foot off the brake about half a second before you want to go and you are good to floor it. Or, you can disable it when you're in a sporty mood. I for one am happy to finally own a car that has this feature. About 2/3 of my driving is in sport mode so it wouldn't kick in but in that remaining 1/3 I will be happy to not burn extra fuel.
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04-11-2014, 09:47 PM	#19
Lucky13 Lucky13 211 Rep 1,762 Posts Drives: 2014 M235 manual, 2020 X3 30X Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbia, S.C. iTrader: (0)	I'm used to the stop/start from my X1 but how does it work on a manual? I think as long as the clutch is in like at a stop light it will not engage so whats the point on a manual transmission. I always keep the clutch engaged when stopped. __________________ 1995 325i, 1996 328ci, 1997 528i, 1997 Z3 2.8, 2000 528i, 2001 X5 3.0, 2001 330i Convertible, 2002 M3 Convertible, 2003 M3 Coupe, 2004 M3 Coupe, 2004 Z4 3.0, 2004 X3 3.0, 2007 X3 3.0, 2007 335i Convertible, 2013 X1 28 sdrive, 2014 M235 manual, 2020 X3 30i Xdrive
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04-11-2014, 09:50 PM	#20
Transfer Major General 5254 Rep 5,874 Posts Drives: Bronco Wildtrak, Tesla MYP Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Issaquah, WA iTrader: (1)	It completely depends on where you live and what type of traffic you drive in. There are a lot of instances where it is just plain awful and sometimes it does work ok.
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04-11-2014, 10:34 PM	#21
Greenkirby21 Vrooom :) 314 Rep 2,602 Posts Drives: C7 Stringray Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Dream Land iTrader: (1)	I think it is useful where I live, in the suburbs. I don't get many lights, but when I do, they last a really really long time! However, I can totally see where it could get annoying in stop and go traffic. __________________ 2014 C7 Corvette Stringray - Laguna Blue - NPP Exhaust - Competition Seats
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04-11-2014, 10:54 PM	#22
2ForMe Private 8 Rep 53 Posts Drives: 235 maybe? Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: US iTrader: (0)	I would imagine that leaving this feature on will shorten the life of the starter, alternator, and battery...excessive load on the spark plugs. But if you're not keeping the car past 3 years I figure none of that will be your problem On the other hand, did you know that for every 10 minutes your engine is off, you'll prevent one pound of carbon dioxide from being released?
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