[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by shil

Leaving your car at home is best for wear and tear.
The auto-stop doesn't bother me. Big deal.

Originally Posted by JohnnyCanuck

+1 ... I only use it for stop and go, but for the same reason.

Originally Posted by Merc for hire

Auto start saves me some gas, which comes out of my pocket, so I use it.
If the starter breaks, warranty covers it. The car will be returned in 3 years anyway.

You Canadians are so flexible and accommodating! But, I learned that when I married one 37 years ago!

[Merc for hire]

/\
we are cheapskates

[five3three]

I didn't use it for the first two years I owned the car. But in the last 6 months, I have given it a chance and actually like it and find it works pretty well. When I want to do spirited driving and shift in sport mode it's off automatically but when I'm simply commuting or sitting around in traffic I don't see a point in wasting gas or keeping the motor running.

I'm not worried about starter wear as this isn't a new technology and has been out for many years in Germany before coming here so I'm sure they've gotten the starter able to handle a lifetime of cycles. I'm also leasing so I won't have it long enough to find out.

[wjones14]

From page 65 of the M235i owner's manual regarding the Automatic Engine Stop/Start Function:

"Certain vehicle components may experience additional wear as a result of this system."

[doccyber]

Originally Posted by wjones14

From page 65 of the M235i owner's manual regarding the Automatic Engine Stop/Start Function:

"Certain vehicle components may experience additional wear as a result of this system."

Well this settles it.

[Dylan86]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

You Canadians are so flexible and accommodating! But, I learned that when I married one 37 years ago!

Good on ya

In regards to the start/stop feature.. The start motor will take a beating long term for sure, that's all I can think of, though.. I don't use it for that reason alone (because long term ownership). I also live in an area that's pretty sparse, and can't remember the last time we had stop and go traffic. That would be the case where I could see an added benefit, or even a really bad construction delay. I just kick it "old school" and pop it into neutral and release the pedal.

If it's leased, have at it!

[P2]

Originally Posted by wjones14

From page 65 of the M235i owner's manual regarding the Automatic Engine Stop/Start Function:

"Certain vehicle components may experience additional wear as a result of this system."

Strangely, not in the 2016 owners manual.

I found with the AC on I don't like it. The car restarts after 20 seconds or so. But now that it's cold out, I like having the car go off at long lights. If I think the light will turn quickly I play it and roll a bit, or flip the shifter to sport so as not to have the car shutoff. That all said I don't know if I'll use it long term or not yet.

[raleedy]

I use it all the time, and find it works fine. A couple of minor annoyances: (a) as someone noted above, in certain conditions the car restarts itself after just a few seconds; (b) it is disabled in Sport mode. I find it works especially well with a clutch; you have some added control over when it activates in traffic. Not only that, if you carelessly kill the engine while clutching, it thoughtfully restarts it for you. The primary benefit I see is not fuel economy but reduced emissions. It makes sense from this point of view to have the engine off when it is not being used. People who don't like the system seem to be thinking more narrowly.

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by raleedy

I use it all the time, and find it works fine. A couple of minor annoyances: (a) as someone noted above, in certain conditions the car restarts itself after just a few seconds; (b) it is disabled in Sport mode. I find it works especially well with a clutch; you have some added control over when it activates in traffic. Not only that, if you carelessly kill the engine while clutching, it thoughtfully restarts it for you. The primary benefit I see is not fuel economy but reduced emissions. It makes sense from this point of view to have the engine off when it is not being used. People who don't like the system seem to be thinking more narrowly.

Good point about how well it works with a clutch, and even better point about the environment.

I usually leave it on when I'm in Comfort mode. If I planned on keeping the car 10 years or so I would worry more about the wear and tear caused by the system.

[MZWIE]

When ready to accelerate from light or stop have to wait. Find this dangerous and exasperating.

[doccyber]

Originally Posted by e34m5

When ready to accelerate from light or stop have to wait. Find this dangerous and exasperating.

I totally agree.

[DF]

Originally Posted by doccyber

I totally agree.

Me too. And the judder

[kz1000]

Annoying as all hell.

[geep81]

Originally Posted by e34m5

When ready to accelerate from light or stop have to wait. Find this dangerous and exasperating.

Is it that hard to anticipate the light change coming up and let your foot off the brake slightly to restart the engine a couple seconds beforehand?

[Tpeterson]

Originally Posted by geep81

Is it that hard to anticipate the light change coming up and let your foot off the brake slightly to restart the engine a couple seconds beforehand?

I don't use it much because I usually don't drive in any areas with a lot of stop lights,but I'm impressed with how fast the engine does re start.

[redontheline]

Originally Posted by e34m5

When ready to accelerate from light or stop have to wait. Find this dangerous and exasperating.

Install a third pedal. I think Turner sells a nice one.

[RotorOver]

Originally Posted by e34m5

When ready to accelerate from light or stop have to wait. Find this dangerous and exasperating.

Interesting. On the 240 8AT the engine restarts immediately as your foot comes off the brake. Unless you are driving with two-feet, I don't think you could get your foot on the gas before the car is ready to go.

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by e34m5

When ready to accelerate from light or stop have to wait. Find this dangerous and exasperating.

You can just hit the button and it will stay off indefinitelly

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by Maynard

I'd not heard of this, thought it was all via the starter (but a bigger one, that can do that re-gen thing to recoup engine braking energy for the charging tasks). The idea of constantly firing a static piston has me wondering if this is trading bearing/piston life for starter life. Seems like the worst case scenario for piston scuffing and harsh bearing loads on the fired-cylinder. Any engineers who can weigh in?

The regen uses the alternator, not the starter. The starter and the battery are bigger to account for the added cycles from start/stop. It doesn't bother me, but my car is a stick so I control when it shuts off. Has to be in neutral with the clutch out.

I have an automatic MB C300 as a rental this weekend, it is an automatic and the stop/start is fairly irritating - too quick to shut off, though it does restart very quickly. Weird car - love the look inside and out but incredibly cramped and the ergonomics are a hot mess.