[drednik]

Hi everyone. Is it just me or is active cruise control not offered in Canada?

[bbq]

I'm pretty sure it's standard for both the 325i and 330i in Canada.

It was mentioned on the website before they revamped it to add the 323i, and now it's just say 'cruise control'.

[petefalzzz]

Standard .. seems odd are you sure?

[TwinPowerF30]

i don't think so. i remember the salesman asking me if i wanted that option when we were pricing it

[paullo]

It is available.

But certainly not standard, on the 325, or the 330.

[bbq]

Originally Posted by petefalzzz

Standard .. seems odd are you sure?

That's what the brochure said:

http://www.bmw.ca/automobiles/brochu...chure_2006.pdf

Go to page 12: Cruise control with braking function (Standard for both 325i and 330i).

[StewtheBassman]

Active cruise control uses a little radar in your car to gauge the distance between you and the car ahead of you. It turns off below 30 miles an hour. It'll allow you to stay a few seconds behind the car ahead and you don't have to touch anything. It isn't offered in Canada on the E90.

[StewtheBassman]

This is from the BMWUSA website. It's a $2200 USF option!!


Active Cruise Control allows the driver to set a desired speed that is automatically maintained in free-flowing traffic. However, as the 3 Series Sedan approaches a slower-moving vehicle ahead, a radar sensor in the front bumper alerts the system. Active Cruise Control will then act to match the speed of the slower vehicle, and remain a set distance behind, pre-selected by the driver. As soon as the lane ahead is clear, Active Cruise Control automatically returns the car to the set speed.*


*Active Cruise Control is not a substitute for the driver`s own responsibility in adjusting speed and otherwise controlling the vehicle. Due to the road, traffic and visibility conditions, the driver decides whether and how the system is used.

[rs1985]

is it useful tho?
anyone can tell me ?

[e90fanatic]

Originally Posted by drednik

Hi everyone. Is it just me or is active cruise control not offered in Canada?

to EVERYBODY: active cruise control is different from cruise control. It's a $2000+ option. I have it. It's a laser in the front of the car that allows the car to control the distance between you and the car in front.

[drednik]

I don't know what to make of the situation. I think it's not offered in Canada.

1) There's no option for it on BMW Canada when pricing a 330i
2) It's not standard. I don't find the scroll-dial that adjusts distance on my cruise control stalk.

[bbq]

So what is the 'Cruise control with braking function' that is described in the Canadian brochure (pg 12)?

I thought the 'braking function' is refering to the ability to apply the brake to keep a distance from the car ahead.

If it's indeed not available, I think BMW should remove it from the brochure......

[JamieA]

BMW offer 3 different cruise controls.

4cyl models get standard cruise control which just maintains the set speed but if you are going down an incline your car will go overspeed. A problem if you have zealous law enforcement...

6cyl models have a choice of 2 further cruise options:

Cruise Control with brake function - same as before but will either apply the brakes or downshift the auto to maintain exactly the speed you set.

Active Cruise Control - Uses a radar at the front of the car - looks like a third fog light in the middle air-intake section of your bumber. It uses a radar to sense cars in front, and uses that info with the angle of the steering wheel to sense if the car in front is travelling slower. You set the distance with a control on the stalk.

An image of the car in yellow lights up in the warning light section of your dash and up to four horizontal bars show the distance from the vehicle. If the car in front is slower it uses brake force (up to 30% of available braking power) and downshifting (for auto) to slow the vehicle. If this is not enough, the car image goes from yellow to red and a warning alerts you to take control and brake.

If you are not required to intervene, when you pull out to overtake or the car turns away and the road ahead is clear the car accelerates back to the set cruise control speed.

Despite the steering angle sensor, this system sometimes does not work well around corners and may see cars in the next lane as being in front of you and react in error. It is best for travelling on roads with few bends - thus the warning to remain vigilant when using it. Having said that, I have driven with a similar system on an Audi A8 and it was very relaxing and a useful tool, hence I have ordered it for my 325.

On the next S Class, MB is offering the next generation of this system, which is much more intelligent. I am eagerly awaiting for it to start trickling down to other brands/models.

I hope this info helps.

EDIT: Perhaps it isn't available in Canada for legal reasons.

[Tierfreund]

Originally Posted by e90fanatic

It's a laser in the front of the car that allows the car to control the distance between you and the car in front.

Close but not quite. It uses Radar, not Laser to measure the distance to the car in front of you.

[StewtheBassman]

Canadian government doesn't understand it so we don't get to order it.

Anyway, if it's a $2200 option in the USA, could you see yourself adding 3k to your invoice in Canada just so you don't have to pay attention to your cruising?

BMW Canada would sell about 5 of these if they did offer it.

[JamieA]

I am surprised it costs so much in the US for active cruise. We get it for $AU2,900 which includes a 35% surcharge for a combined GST and Luxury Car Tax, making the base price of the option work out to be $AU2,150 pre-tax, or about $US1,610.

Does it come as an option pack in the US or something?

BTW if you do a lot of country driving, or medium density highway driving, it is definitely worth the money.

[StewtheBassman]

It's a stand alone option in the US according to the website.