Start-off Assistant, How well does it work?

Lost Rider · 01-12-2006, 12:52 AM

I searched and found nothing, so here it goes.
Those of you with a MT, how well does the start-off assistant work?
Have you even noticed it?
So it keeps the brakes applied in between the time you take your foot off the brake, let out the clutch, and give it gas right?
Have you ever felt it hold the car after you've gassed it?
Thanks

Thug Muffin · 01-12-2006, 12:56 AM

I love it so far.
When on a hill I can take my foot off the brake and the car will hold for a few seconds or until I move forward. If you dont go forward the car will just roll backwards like normal.

I have noticed on smaller inclines I feel the brakes still engaged so it feels like I'm being held. I just apply more gas so it's no biggie.
Either way I'm stoked to have it.

FlyingFinn · 01-12-2006, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTown

I searched and found nothing, so here it goes.
Those of you with a MT, how well does the start-off assistant work?
Have you even noticed it?
So it keeps the brakes applied in between the time you take your foot off the brake and give it gas right?
Have you ever felt it hold the car after you've gassed it?
Thanks

Works perfectly. When you take your foot off the brake pedal it holds the car still for two seconds or so and prevents the car moving backwards. I could live without this feature but I think it is quite nice.

Lost Rider · 01-12-2006, 01:21 AM

That good to hear. Let me expand with my questions, if I may.
Lets say I'm sitting in traffic, right foot on brake, left on clutch. If I gently let out the clutch and let off the brake right when the clutch is to engage, at the same time, just to creep forward, is the assistant going to keep me from moving forward.
In other words, does the car know if its on a hill? Or will it let me feather the clutch to creep forward from a stop?

visor · 01-12-2006, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTown

That good to hear. Let me expand with my questions, if I may.
Lets say I'm sitting in traffic, right foot on brake, left on clutch. If I gently let out the clutch and let off the brake right when the clutch is to engage, at the same time, just to creep forward, is the assistant going to keep me from moving forward.
In other words, does the car know if its on a hill? Or will it let me feather the clutch to creep forward from a stop?

BTW, I love your title FlyingFinn. I've been called that before, but because I'm a Finn.

Yep, the assistant is going to prevent you from moving forward for the first 2 secs. ie. it doesn't distinguish whether you're on a flat surface or on an incline. This "bug" really bugs me to no end when I'm trying to inch forward or backward in a parking space.

Lost Rider · 01-12-2006, 01:49 AM

Thats what was afriad of.
Next question is, how do we disable it.
Since I live in chicago, its quite flat here, i could definently live without this.

visor · 01-12-2006, 01:54 AM

I'm not sure we can disable it, but I'm sure BMW will improve upon it in the next 2 years of updates/refresh by adding an incline sensor (as they should have done from the beginning).

For now, it's just something that I have to put up with when parking.

tctic · 01-12-2006, 02:46 AM

I don't think this feature is only for manual transmission is it? It's also on the Steptronic cars as far as I know. I notice it in action on an incline where I let go of the brake and then after 2 seconds, the car starts accelerating forward. On flat surfaces, I never felt it come into action before. It just acts like a normal car without Hill Start Assist.

Tierfreund · 01-12-2006, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by visor

Yep, the assistant is going to prevent you from moving forward for the first 2 secs. ie. it doesn't distinguish whether you're on a flat surface or on an incline. This "bug" really bugs me to no end when I'm trying to inch forward or backward in a parking space.

Mine doesn´t. I can kreep and inch as much as I like without having to wait two seconds.
When on an incline the hill holder will prevent me from rolling back but not prevent me from driving forward (I certainly don´t need two seconds to get going)

Sounds like your car is not working right.

David328M-Sport · 01-12-2006, 05:31 AM

yes hill assist is on my car as well. does not engage until the car is on a 'reasonable' slope angle.

does not work on flat surfaces. if so, get your car checked out.

hence the name, hill start assist.

if you are on a hill, it will disengage as soon as you move the car forward.

no need to worry as the system works well.

Broken1 · 01-12-2006, 05:36 AM

I only have my left foot and my clutch to help me with hill starts...me and my 4 pot!!

you can't miss what you've never had!

FlyingFinn · 01-12-2006, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tierfreund

Mine doesn´t. I can kreep and inch as much as I like without having to wait two seconds.
When on an incline the hill holder will prevent me from rolling back but not prevent me from driving forward (I certainly don´t need two seconds to get going)

Sounds like your car is not working right.

That's correct. The car will move forward without any delay but not backwards.

ben1364 · 01-12-2006, 07:30 AM

The hill holder is not a new idea. BMW simply found a way to make it more complex. <g>

The concept has been around at least since the mid-1930s.

jcoo085 · 01-12-2006, 07:36 AM

I test drove a MB E-class (when I was still deciding between that and an E60) and you applied the hold funtion 'manually'. At a standstill you (quickly) depress the brake pedal more and then release. It would then engage the hold function that releases when you accelerate. It worked OK, but the release was jerky.

Tater · 01-12-2006, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by visor

Yep, the assistant is going to prevent you from moving forward for the first 2 secs. ie. it doesn't distinguish whether you're on a flat surface or on an incline. This "bug" really bugs me to no end when I'm trying to inch forward or backward in a parking space.

Haven't taken delivery, but that wasn't the case when I test drove. This technology has been around for a while, and I think if Studebaker could get it right back in the '50s, and Subaru later, then BMW should be able to as well. If yours is holding you from going forward, especially on flat surfaces, you should have a mechanic take a look at it.

petesamprs · 01-12-2006, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingFinn

That's correct. The car will move forward without any delay but not backwards.

I concur with this.

vladinecko · 01-12-2006, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tierfreund

Mine doesn´t. I can kreep and inch as much as I like without having to wait two seconds.

same here. on a flat surface, i can creep right away...

espo · 01-12-2006, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vladinecko

same here. on a flat surface, i can creep right away...

Same here... In fact, if you are facing downhill the car will roll forward without any delay.

ward · 01-12-2006, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by espo89

Same here... In fact, if you are facing downhill the car will roll forward without any delay.

unless you're in reverse!!

zdognaylor · 01-12-2006, 09:47 AM

I love it!

wongmb · 01-12-2006, 10:00 AM

Its a nice feature but more for amateur manual driver. For verteran like me, I prefer to disable it (more fun to feel the car roll back on an incline.) if allowed. I already ask BMW and my technician said not a customizeable function.
Also correct me if I am wrong but it basically applies the emergency (hand) brake for you to achieve hill start assist ?? Meaning more/unnecessary wear and tear for the emergency brake.

Matbrach · 01-12-2006, 10:45 AM

Start-off works great - undetectable on level ground, but excellent on inclines (surprising how many there are around here - my other car doesn't have this feature - now I must be careful)

01-12-2006, 12:52 AM	#1
Lost Rider Captain 87 Rep 805 Posts Drives: R NineT, X1 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ventura County, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW R NineT [0.00] 2015 X1 xdrive [9.00]	Start-off Assistant, How well does it work? I searched and found nothing, so here it goes. Those of you with a MT, how well does the start-off assistant work? Have you even noticed it? So it keeps the brakes applied in between the time you take your foot off the brake, let out the clutch, and give it gas right? Have you ever felt it hold the car after you've gassed it? Thanks __________________ GET LOST! www.lostrider.com
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

01-12-2006, 12:56 AM	#2
Thug Muffin New Member 0 Rep 17 Posts Drives: Jet Black 330i Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	I love it so far. When on a hill I can take my foot off the brake and the car will hold for a few seconds or until I move forward. If you dont go forward the car will just roll backwards like normal. I have noticed on smaller inclines I feel the brakes still engaged so it feels like I'm being held. I just apply more gas so it's no biggie. Either way I'm stoked to have it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-12-2006, 01:21 AM	#4
Lost Rider Captain 87 Rep 805 Posts Drives: R NineT, X1 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ventura County, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW R NineT [0.00] 2015 X1 xdrive [9.00]	That good to hear. Let me expand with my questions, if I may. Lets say I'm sitting in traffic, right foot on brake, left on clutch. If I gently let out the clutch and let off the brake right when the clutch is to engage, at the same time, just to creep forward, is the assistant going to keep me from moving forward. In other words, does the car know if its on a hill? Or will it let me feather the clutch to creep forward from a stop? __________________ GET LOST! www.lostrider.com
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-12-2006, 01:49 AM	#6
Lost Rider Captain 87 Rep 805 Posts Drives: R NineT, X1 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ventura County, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW R NineT [0.00] 2015 X1 xdrive [9.00]	Thats what was afriad of. Next question is, how do we disable it. Since I live in chicago, its quite flat here, i could definently live without this. __________________ GET LOST! www.lostrider.com
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-12-2006, 01:54 AM	#7
visor BMW, can I have some LSD please? 88 Rep 1,591 Posts Drives: 2017 F30 340i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada iTrader: (0)	I'm not sure we can disable it, but I'm sure BMW will improve upon it in the next 2 years of updates/refresh by adding an incline sensor (as they should have done from the beginning). For now, it's just something that I have to put up with when parking. __________________ 2006 330i \| TiAg \| Black \| Al \| 6MT \| Sports Package \| Logic 7 retired 2008 335i \| AW \| Black \| Al \| 6MT \| Sports Package \| Logic 7 retired 2013 328xi \| Red \| Gray \| Al \| 8AT \| Sports Line \| Premium \| Executive \| Heat Pkg retired 2017 340i xDrive \| Estoril \| Black \| Al \| 8AT \| M Package
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-12-2006, 02:46 AM	#8
tctic Major 38 Rep 1,238 Posts Drives: BMW E90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I don't think this feature is only for manual transmission is it? It's also on the Steptronic cars as far as I know. I notice it in action on an incline where I let go of the brake and then after 2 seconds, the car starts accelerating forward. On flat surfaces, I never felt it come into action before. It just acts like a normal car without Hill Start Assist.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-12-2006, 05:31 AM	#10
David328M-Sport Brigadier General 101 Rep 3,566 Posts Drives: F30 M-Sport 328i Estoril Blue Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Melbourne Australia iTrader: (0)	yes hill assist is on my car as well. does not engage until the car is on a 'reasonable' slope angle. does not work on flat surfaces. if so, get your car checked out. hence the name, hill start assist. if you are on a hill, it will disengage as soon as you move the car forward. no need to worry as the system works well. __________________ 328i M-Sport, Estoril Blue, Carbon XP 35 Tint, front heated seats, black Dakota, Sports Suspension, Anthracite Headliner, HUD, Pro Nav, Sunroof, hk 600w, Bi-Xenon, 19" 403M wheels, Reversing Camera, DAB+, Xenon, BT Ext Connect, MST turbo intake pipe, MST Cold Air Intake, JB4 on Map 2 with Catless DP produces awesome performance in Sport.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-12-2006, 05:36 AM	#11
Broken1 Addict 203 Rep 2,074 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 40i M-Sport Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	I only have my left foot and my clutch to help me with hill starts...me and my 4 pot!! you can't miss what you've never had!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-12-2006, 07:30 AM	#13
ben1364 Captain 14 Rep 940 Posts Drives: E90 330iA Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Georgetown, TX iTrader: (0)	The hill holder is not a new idea. BMW simply found a way to make it more complex. <g> The concept has been around at least since the mid-1930s.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-12-2006, 07:36 AM	#14
jcoo085 Lieutenant 43 Rep 463 Posts Drives: E90 320d Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stuttgart, Germany iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 320d [0.00]	I test drove a MB E-class (when I was still deciding between that and an E60) and you applied the hold funtion 'manually'. At a standstill you (quickly) depress the brake pedal more and then release. It would then engage the hold function that releases when you accelerate. It worked OK, but the release was jerky. __________________ E90 320d - Black Ext/Fluid Grey Int \| Steptronic \| Business Navigation \| PDC \| Sunroof \| Alarm Exterior Pictures \| Interior Pictures \| Video
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-12-2006, 09:47 AM	#20
zdognaylor Private First Class 25 Rep 165 Posts Drives: 325i electric red Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	I love it! __________________ This one time at band camp...........
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-12-2006, 10:00 AM	#21
wongmb Private 4 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2006 325i SP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Markham, Ontario iTrader: (0)	Its a nice feature but more for amateur manual driver. For verteran like me, I prefer to disable it (more fun to feel the car roll back on an incline.) if allowed. I already ask BMW and my technician said not a customizeable function. Also correct me if I am wrong but it basically applies the emergency (hand) brake for you to achieve hill start assist ?? Meaning more/unnecessary wear and tear for the emergency brake.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-12-2006, 10:45 AM	#22
Matbrach Trophy Husband - Honorable Mention 2 Rep 60 Posts Drives: Jet Black 330i. X5 4.8 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Manhattan Beach iTrader: (0)	Start-off works great - undetectable on level ground, but excellent on inclines (surprising how many there are around here - my other car doesn't have this feature - now I must be careful)
	Appreciate 0 Quote