Possible long term impact of using start / stop

[Can_Car]

I'd like to get some opinions from people who have been using start / stop on their X1 for several years. What I'm wondering is if there are any known problems of premature failure of starter motors or batteries for prolonged use of start /stop?

[Kennyboy]

The owner's manual says it will cause extra wear. My co-worker said he almost got into an accident because of the one-second stall caused by that at a red light. I was warned from day one to keep it turnned off. Especially when I live in New York City area, and it is extremely annoying in stop and go traffic. I could only imagine people who live on the country side who rarely has to make frequent stops would choose to leave this feature on.

[HBWT]

Originally Posted by Can_Car

I'd like to get some opinions from people who have been using start / stop on their X1 for several years. What I'm wondering is if there are any known problems of premature failure of starter motors or batteries for prolonged use of start /stop?

Starter life will be diminished. Don't know anyone that likes the feature and uses it regularly.

[Royleblue]

Another advantage of manual transmissions. You have full control when stop start kicks in.

[scottomfg]

I absolutely love the start/stop feature. In just the first few days, I figured out how to stop the car in ways that would either trigger the ASS or not, and now can do either with a 100% success rate. So I only use it when I feel like the car will be stopped for a decent amount of time.

For me, it's a great feeling to be at a stop light for 2 minutes and not use a single drop of gasoline that whole time. And in situations like stop signs or stop-n-go traffic, I simply use a gentler touch on the brake pedal and ASS never comes on to bother me.

It's great.

Now, yes, I do think if I was planning on owning this car rather than leasing, I would be more concerned with the extra wear, but, like they say, not my problem . . .

Also, Royleblue, how does ASS work on a manual? I imagine it kicks in when the engine is on and you put the car in neutral and remove your foot from clutch? and then the engine comes back on when you engage the clutch? That sounds really great, can't wait for it on my (eventual) m235i.

[Can_Car]

Originally Posted by scottomfg

For me, it's a great feeling to be at a stop light for 2 minutes and not use a single drop of gasoline that whole time. And in situations like stop signs or stop-n-go traffic, I simply use a gentler touch on the brake pedal and ASS never comes on to bother me.

This is probably the main reason why I am now using start/stop fairly regularly.

[tominavl]

Originally Posted by Can_Car

This is probably the main reason why I am now using start/stop fairly regularly.

+1

[E39lolz]

This last week I attending the Un4gettable event at my local BMW dealer and all 435's had ASS. It was my first time experiencing ASS and let's just say I'm glad my 35i doesn't have ASS.

[leatherpants]

Never has an acronym been more appropriate.

[Mr Kleen]

Originally Posted by leatherpants

Never has an acronym been more appropriate.

Indeed. There's a software update for US Spec 3ers that remembers the ASS setting (on or off) but the German BMW dealer keeps telling my buddy that there is no such update.

I'm coding ASS OFF ASAP.

[Royleblue]

Originally Posted by scottomfg

Also, Royleblue, how does ASS work on a manual? I imagine it kicks in when the engine is on and you put the car in neutral and remove your foot from clutch? and then the engine comes back on when you engage the clutch? That sounds really great, can't wait for it on my (eventual) m235i.

Exactly. It's taking me a while to get used to using it as I was taught to put the car into first when stopped so you can move off quickly if needed.

[atomic]

Originally Posted by HBWT

Starter life will be diminished. Don't know anyone that likes the feature and uses it regularly.

I use it all the time and I like it. Saves me 2+ miles per gallon. What is not too like about it? Over the next 4 years it should save me 943 dollars at the current gas prices and mileage I drive. If the starter dies during those years it will be replaced for free by BMW.

[atomic]

Originally Posted by Kennyboy

The owner's manual says it will cause extra wear. My co-worker said he almost got into an accident because of the one-second stall caused by that at a red light. I was warned from day one to keep it turnned off. Especially when I live in New York City area, and it is extremely annoying in stop and go traffic. I could only imagine people who live on the country side who rarely has to make frequent stops would choose to leave this feature on.

That doesn't make sense at all. If you are in traffic a lot that is why you use it. If you were in the country side with infrequent stops the ASS wouldn't provide anything. And I am calling BS on your coworker. By the time you move your foot from the gas pedal from the brake pedal the car is started. Wonderful system. If you want the car to start before you move you foot from the brake you can slightly move the steering wheel and the car will start right up.

[scottomfg]

Originally Posted by atomic

I use it all the time and I like it. Saves me 2+ miles per gallon. What is not too like about it? Over the next 4 years it should save me 943 dollars at the current gas prices and mileage I drive. If the starter dies during those years it will be replaced for free by BMW.

Dude, you're making way too much sense!

I honestly don't understand why everyone here complains so much? It must be because they haven't figured out how easy it is to control with your foot. I just see it as another chance to be more involved in the driving, which is a welcome opportunity in an auto.

[Mr Kleen]

Originally Posted by atomic

I use it all the time and I like it. Saves me 2+ miles per gallon. What is not too like about it? Over the next 4 years it should save me 943 dollars at the current gas prices and mileage I drive. If the starter dies during those years it will be replaced for free by BMW.

BMW has a lot of engineers that have made sure the starter won't die during those years. Most people in the US lease their BMW so they don't care about the starter either. My hunch is that after several years of these systems being active you'll see models that use it take a larger depreciation hit as people realize that the starter has to be replaced as often as a water pump.

If it's valuable to you depends on how long you plan on keeping your automobile. If you get a new car every 3 or 4 years you can save some money by using the system.

Personally, I hate it and am glad to spend a few extra dollars to keep it off.

[atomic]

Originally Posted by Mr Kleen

BMW has a lot of engineers that have made sure the starter won't die during those years. Most people in the US lease their BMW so they don't care about the starter either. My hunch is that after several years of these systems being active you'll see models that use it take a larger depreciation hit as people realize that the starter has to be replaced as often as a water pump.

If it's valuable to you depends on how long you plan on keeping your automobile. If you get a new car every 3 or 4 years you can save some money by using the system.

Personally, I hate it and am glad to spend a few extra dollars to keep it off.

I am sure it is made to last more than 4 years. I have a 4 year loan and I am not afraid, soon all cars will have this feature. Time value of money as we'll it is better to save money today than in 5 years.

[jbc77]

At least BMW gives the ability to turn ASS off. My understanding is the system installed on some new Chevrolets cannot be switched off.

[mullini]

As an ASS user (!!!), what I notice is that when I drive another car without ASS, and I am at a long stop, I get this impatient vibe of wasting gas as I idle. Unlike a poster above, I can't boast of "100%" being able to manipulate when ASS comes on or doesn't, but I come pretty close. I have a regular stop at a weird intersection near work that's on a hill and at an angle, and ASS will never come on there - sort of bugs me, because I can be stopped there for a minute or two...

ASS fan! Ha ha I just love typing that.

[Mr Kleen]

Options are good. I don't always turn it off.

[Twix]

For me, because I intend on keeping this car for awhile, I don't use it. Every time the engine stops, so does the flow of oil. When it starts back up there's that few moments in time where some parts aren't lubricated thus causing wear. These parts to me are much more expensive than an extra 1000 dollars over a 4 year period.

Also, as some others have stated, I find the system annoying in any traffic situation. I don't like that the engine starts and doesn't have time to settle into an idle before being forced to move the car. That in itself has to be stressful on components.

To each their own, but I'd say this; if you intend on owning for a long period of time, don't use it; if you're leasing or throwing it out at warranty end, it might save you a few hundred bucks.

[atomic]

Originally Posted by Twix

For me, because I intend on keeping this car for awhile, I don't use it. Every time the engine stops, so does the flow of oil. When it starts back up there's that few moments in time where some parts aren't lubricated thus causing wear. These parts to me are much more expensive than an extra 1000 dollars over a 4 year period.

Also, as some others have stated, I find the system annoying in any traffic situation. I don't like that the engine starts and doesn't have time to settle into an idle before being forced to move the car. That in itself has to be stressful on components.

To each their own, but I'd say this; if you intend on owning for a long period of time, don't use it; if you're leasing or throwing it out at warranty end, it might save you a few hundred bucks.

I guess you dont' drive the car over 2000 rpm's as that could be stressful on the engine. This is a feature that will be on every car and eventually it will end up being mandatory. You might as well get used to it now.. I trust the Engineers at BMW to know what they are doing. I guess people have a hard time with change. There are people who still change their oil every 3000 miles.

[popopine]

horrible