[ciwhamc]

Originally Posted by 2ForMe

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

Yes this is so correct.

[RPM90]

When the F30's first came out the ASS was always default ON every time you restart.
We bitched and complained and BMW offered a reprogram to remember the last setting.
That's how it should have been from the get go.

I've tried ASS to see if it saves fuel. Not in my situation.
I don't drive in an urban setting so it doesn't do much for me.
Gas savings were minimal at best, less than 1 mpg. It was more annoying than gas saving. It's been off for a very long time now, and will stay that way.

[Oyinko]

Originally Posted by ciwhamc

Yes this is so correct.

This is not. They improved these parts to make sure they will be able to get 50times more start/stop than a regular car.

[miiipilot]

I have only experienced this on several loaner cars.

I found it kinda intrusive. It was rough.
If it was more seamless I'd like it better.

[aspensilver]

Originally Posted by Oyinko

This is not. They improved these parts to make sure they will be able to get 50times more start/stop than a regular car.

Maybe. Time will tell, I am skeptical.

[WWM]

I might toggle it on for traffic lights that I know are a long wait or waiting for a car wash or similar. I will not be using it more frequently than that because I don't feel like it's worth saving a couple bucks in gas every month compared to the stress that's being put on the engine.

[SmallTownBoy]

I will disable it as soon as possible.

[Areutalkingtome]

I drove a 2013 328xi with auto start/stop on for approx 2 weeks. This was in NYC in the dead of winter and it work amazingly well. With the temps being down in the 20's and below it was noticeable when the engine would start back up, but not annoying.

I then tried it in a 228i test drive in Texas in 80 degree weather and worked flawlessly.

[Dr. Indiana Jones]

In the few BMWs I've test driven (not M235i), the start-stop seems pretty seamless. I share concerns about the potential excessive wear and tear on the starter, but if it's a lease on warranty then no biggie. The gas savings are modest but commendable. If performance is affected, then off it goes for good. Kinda nice to have the option though on those rare occassions when u want to save a buck here and there. I guess it's a wait and see kinda thing.

[sdpauly]

I hated it my my loaner 328i when my 135i was in the shop for HPFP. All the European cars are starting to do this... damn fleet efficiency regs.

I will have the dealer disable this "feature" if I buy another BMW.

[nachob]

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?

Don't like it, but appreciate BMW lets you turn it off and it remembers the setting. Unlike fake engine sound, I can live with option to turn it off and leave it off. If they force it on me, I'm done with BMW.

[davefromfla]

Hate it. It's crap. Had a loaner with it- it sucked.

[DanG]

I had a loaner 328i with auto start/stop and didn't like it. But, on the M235i it is much less intrusive. I have it on all the time.

[harrd0517]

I test drove a 228i with it and didn't find it to be obtrusive. If it saves gas e.g. CO2, I don't have a problem with it.

[paulbrenneman]

I personally always switch it off as soon as I get in the car (whilst simultaneously switching it into sport mode of course)

It's actually a pretty complex piece of tech. BMW had to overcome a few massive hurdles to make it work. When the engine turns off the battery must be robust enough to continue powering the electrical systems (stereo, Nav, etc). The AC unit must also be able to maintain cold air while the engine is off. The automatic transmission had to be modified so there would be enough oil pressure change gear quickly while the engine is starting (solved with an oil pressure accumulator). And of course the starter had to be beefier to handle the much more frequent cycle of use. The starter is made by Bosch and is supposed to be extra strong in order to easily handle the increase in use. I guess we will have to wait and see how they hold up. The starter on the e90 3 series was around $650-$900 but who knows how much the enhanced starter will cost.

Impressive engineering when you look into it but I think I'll just leave it off

[2+3=5]

Can't stand it! My friends have it in their hybrid accord and 335i... maybe only useful as we have 3 minute idle bylaws here in Toronto!

[basiluf]

Originally Posted by sdpauly

I hated it my my loaner 328i when my 135i was in the shop for HPFP. All the European cars are starting to do this... damn fleet efficiency regs.

I will have the dealer disable this "feature" if I buy another BMW.

In Switzerland it's illegal to have your car running when stopped, including at a stop light.

[SuitedUp]

Yeah, I'm not a fan of the start/stop. The little shake annoys me every time.

[epic]

All you haters are damn polluters.

(my signature shows my sarcasm)

[VeryBadman]

I don't really mind start/stop behavior but in a very hot day I have to sacrifice gas to keep the engine running. The A/C in stop mode cannot really fight the heat.