Mystery Button on 2011 M3 Sedan with Competition Package

Bruce AaLee · 02-26-2012, 02:45 PM

I test drove a 2011 M3 Sedan with Competition Package yesterday. I noticed a button that I don't recognize. Its not a rear shade button.

Any clue what it is and what it does?

48Laws · 02-26-2012, 02:46 PM

Engine start/stop feature?

MTV · 02-26-2012, 02:48 PM

Well.... what does it look like... what does it say...?

Vise · 02-26-2012, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 48Laws

Engine start/stop feature?

This.

jphughan · 02-26-2012, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 48Laws

Engine start/stop feature?

Correct. It theoretically can save you 1-2 MPG depending on your driving habits. When you come to a stop, if a lot of conditions are met, the engine will automatically turn off when you're in neutral and off the clutch (6MT) or have your foot on the brake (DCT) and come back on when you either press in the clutch or let off the brake.

I've found the engine starts quickly enough that it doesn't impede my starts, but I usually keep it disabled because my driving is either very short drives where the engine barely warms up or long drives on back roads with no lights and therefore very few prolonged stops.

BMW's site about it is here: http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/t..._function.html

Bruce AaLee · 02-26-2012, 03:03 PM

Interesting, I didn't realize that the 2011's had the start/stop feature. Thanks for the info.

jphughan · 02-26-2012, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce AaLee

Interesting, I didn't realize that the 2011's had the start/stop feature. Thanks for the info.

They do as of 9/2010 production, and only M3s. The base 3 Series doesn't have it. I think the F30s do, but I'm not positive. BMW has had this on lots of their models for ages outside the US and it's on by default in those areas (it always starts up disabled in the US). Mercedes has had it across their model range outside the US too, but in the US even the models that were just redesigned don't have it even as a disabled-by-default option; it's just not there because according to them the US isn't ready for it.

Mr. ///M3 RD · 02-26-2012, 04:14 PM

It is your STOP/START feature ... when the light is on the feature is off. Light is out feature is on and your engine will stop once you disengage your clutch (MT). The moment you depress the clutch and shift into gear the engine will restart again.

I don't use this feature, simply because it feels wired sitting on a red light with the engine off. Besides to save gas you need to be off for 40 Seconds. Further I think your wear and tear on mechanical components must outweigh the gas savings. So mine is NOT being used. Most people will not use it.

aajami · 02-26-2012, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jphughan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce AaLee

Interesting, I didn't realize that the 2011's had the start/stop feature. Thanks for the info.

They do as of 9/2010 production, and only M3s. The base 3 Series doesn't have it. I think the F30s do, but I'm not positive. BMW has had this on lots of their models for ages outside the US and it's on by default in those areas (it always starts up disabled in the US). Mercedes has had it across their model range outside the US too, but in the US even the models that were just redesigned don't have it even as a disabled-by-default option; it's just not there because according to them the US isn't ready for it.

F30s have start/stop standard.

spdy330 · 02-26-2012, 05:50 PM

I do not use mine either. Felt strange at the stop light with the engine off.

Jeskali · 02-26-2012, 05:52 PM

If you press that button and the power button simultaneously it will eject the passenger

kmarei · 02-26-2012, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeskali

If you press that button and the power button simultaneously it will eject the passenger

Only if you have ZCP
civic M3 doesn't have that feature

Bruce AaLee · 02-26-2012, 11:37 PM

I could see the Start/Stop being annoying... but the passenger eject is a must have. I'm selling my 2008 E92 tomorrow and hopefully will have a 2011 E90 by the end of the week.

Morning Hawk · 02-27-2012, 06:48 AM

they have these on all the buses in Japan and a lot of the commercial/personal vehicles too... i'm starting to get used to it. little annoying at first but after a while, it's like anything else, you get attuned to it...

luis_m3 · 02-27-2012, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeskali

If you press that button and the power button simultaneously it will eject the passenger

It literally does (even w/o the Power button)... I remember reading a post about it a while ago; some guy couldn't figure out why his car had suddenly shut off. He popped the hood, got off the car, and checked the engine.

DivideBYZero · 02-27-2012, 08:13 AM

I love start/stop on my E82, I would hate it on my E92.

mdosu · 02-27-2012, 08:19 AM

i wish I had it in my 08. I would use it in heavy traffic. However, most of my drives are too short of a distance for the engine to even warm up all the way. But I think it's a very useable feature.

stefan · 02-27-2012, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce AaLee

Interesting, I didn't realize that the 2011's had the start/stop feature. Thanks for the info.

MY2011.5+

Personally I thought I stalled when I enabled it once. Scared the hell out of me. Will not enable again.

mkoesel · 02-27-2012, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jphughan

They do as of 9/2010 production, and only M3s. The base 3 Series doesn't have it.

For completeness sake I'll add that, outside of North America, M3s got it starting at the beginning of MY2011 production. Also, 3 series sold outside of North America have included it since almost the beginning of the E90 platform run. Initially only a couple models featured it I believe, and then it was added to others, including, IIRC, diesels.

Quote:

I think the F30s do, but I'm not positive.

Yep. For that matter, I believe that all FXx model-code BMWs do. There may be a few isolated exceptions to that, however.

TVMA Doc · 02-27-2012, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 48Laws

Engine start/stop feature?

That would be correct. I have the same spec, and the only button I have active is the auto start/stop activation button. It is in precisely that location.

TVMA Doc · 02-27-2012, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DivideBYZero

I love start/stop on my E82, I would hate it on my E92.

The good news for you is that it is actually an "opt in" button. Whenever the vehicle is started the auto start/stop enters the disabled mode. It is the driver's option to turn auto start/stop "on".

If you don't like it, you don't have to do anything to not use it. If you like it, you must push the button to enable it.

persian54 · 02-27-2012, 07:06 PM

oddly enough, the certain times i WANT the feature to work, it doesn't..

02-26-2012, 02:45 PM	#1
Bruce AaLee Private First Class 35 Rep 189 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (3)	Mystery Button on 2011 M3 Sedan with Competition Package I test drove a 2011 M3 Sedan with Competition Package yesterday. I noticed a button that I don't recognize. Its not a rear shade button. Any clue what it is and what it does?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-26-2012, 02:46 PM	#2
48Laws Banned 705 Rep 1,908 Posts Drives: '15 F80, '18 991.2 GTS Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0)	Engine start/stop feature?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-26-2012, 02:48 PM	#3
MTV Banned 243 Rep 1,906 Posts Drives: E60 M5, Volvo S60R Join Date: May 2007 Location: Montreal iTrader: (1)	Well.... what does it look like... what does it say...?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-26-2012, 03:03 PM	#6
Bruce AaLee Private First Class 35 Rep 189 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (3)	Interesting, I didn't realize that the 2011's had the start/stop feature. Thanks for the info.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-26-2012, 04:14 PM	#8
Mr. ///M3 RD Happy Camper 614 Rep 7,869 Posts Drives: C63 AMG & 280 SL on Weekends : Join Date: May 2010 Location: GTA, Ontario - Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 1969 Restored Merce ... [7.50] 2011 M3 Coupe TRADED [7.34] 1987 BMW 535is [1.00] Cars from the Past [6.50] The ///M3 Engine S65 [9.59]	It is your STOP/START feature ... when the light is on the feature is off. Light is out feature is on and your engine will stop once you disengage your clutch (MT). The moment you depress the clutch and shift into gear the engine will restart again. I don't use this feature, simply because it feels wired sitting on a red light with the engine off. Besides to save gas you need to be off for 40 Seconds. Further I think your wear and tear on mechanical components must outweigh the gas savings. So mine is NOT being used. Most people will not use it. __________________ Cheers, Rolf-Dieter Life will take us to some interesting places, fortunately The ///M3 will too with a many of us know this very well, now my C6.3 AMG with 487 HP does it too ---> Click here for some good stuff I found
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-26-2012, 05:50 PM	#10
spdy330 Major General 530 Rep 6,149 Posts Drives: 05 Tundra, 15 FIT, 17 CRV Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA iTrader: (163)	I do not use mine either. Felt strange at the stop light with the engine off. __________________ If you will be purchasing ANY AT&T services online or in store could you mention that you were referred by me? My Employee Referral ID is eo4489. This would be a great help and it costs you nothing, thank you!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-26-2012, 05:52 PM	#11
Jeskali Akra Exhaust, Eibach Springs, BBS CH 19x9 Square 7 Rep 83 Posts Drives: E93 M3 Jerez Black Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Short Hills, NJ iTrader: (0)	If you press that button and the power button simultaneously it will eject the passenger
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-26-2012, 11:37 PM	#13
Bruce AaLee Private First Class 35 Rep 189 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (3)	I could see the Start/Stop being annoying... but the passenger eject is a must have. I'm selling my 2008 E92 tomorrow and hopefully will have a 2011 E90 by the end of the week. Last edited by Bruce AaLee; 02-27-2012 at 05:41 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-27-2012, 06:48 AM	#14
Morning Hawk Private 3 Rep 98 Posts Drives: Subaru R2 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Yokohama/Yokosuka, Japan iTrader: (0)	they have these on all the buses in Japan and a lot of the commercial/personal vehicles too... i'm starting to get used to it. little annoying at first but after a while, it's like anything else, you get attuned to it...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-27-2012, 08:13 AM	#16
DivideBYZero Never underestimate the Home-Bowl 484 Rep 821 Posts Drives: F87 M2<E92 M3<E46 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M2 [0.00] 2016 BMW M235i [0.00] 2012 BMW 120d M Spo ... [0.00] 2010 BMW M3 - SOLD [10.00] 2002 BMW Z3 2.2i Sport [0.00] 2001 BMW M3 - SOLD [9.00]	I love start/stop on my E82, I would hate it on my E92. __________________ 2017 F87 M2, MG, M-DCT 2002 E36/7 Z3 2.2 Sport 5MT 2016 F22 M235i Coupe, MW, ZF8
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-27-2012, 08:19 AM	#17
mdosu Banned 314 Rep 8,496 Posts Drives: Double Vanos'd Civic-M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (6)	i wish I had it in my 08. I would use it in heavy traffic. However, most of my drives are too short of a distance for the engine to even warm up all the way. But I think it's a very useable feature.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-27-2012, 07:06 PM	#22
persian54 Lieutenant General 927 Rep 15,818 Posts Drives: M760/G83M4 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Valley, SoCal iTrader: (298)	oddly enough, the certain times i WANT the feature to work, it doesn't.. __________________ From E93 335i to E89 Z4 to E93 M3/E89 Z4 to E350/SL550
	Appreciate 0 Quote