Do you use the start/stop engine feature?

3.0L · 02-02-2024, 03:30 PM

Just curious as to how many folks use the engine start/stop feature. My M235i has it, but I keep it disabled. I prefer to have my engine running, plus not put extra wear on my starter. Just me, old school.

I recently drove a ~2022 BMW 530i loaner and the start/stop feature was on when I picked up the car. I disabled it, but the car turned it back on a while later. Strange.

Westside Guy · 02-02-2024, 03:40 PM

I disable it on both of my cars.

alexdal1125 · 02-02-2024, 03:51 PM

hate this feature in any car i own. i also feel like its unnecessary wear and tear on my engine/starter.

jzeiler4 · 02-02-2024, 03:56 PM

Come on guy's (gals) it is going to save the planet ... get behind it.

I keep it off in my M240 and I have to turn it off every time I start the wife's Pacifica.

NikMN · 02-02-2024, 03:59 PM

Coded out to stay off. Like mentioned above not worth wear and tear

Chappers 71 · 02-02-2024, 04:08 PM

I don’t like it & have it turned off unless I’m in eco pro then I usually turn it on

eugenebmw · 02-02-2024, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzeiler4

Come on guy's (gals) it is going to save the planet ... get behind it.

I keep it off in my M240 and I have to turn it off every time I start the wife's Pacifica.

The replacement battery for G8x is over $3000. I am not letting the start/stop feature drain out the battery. Forget about save the world

DanG · 02-02-2024, 04:15 PM

I have it disabled also.

NickyC · 02-02-2024, 04:54 PM

I would never use this option.

christianb5s4 · 02-02-2024, 05:05 PM

Things like starters and associated hardware are all beefed up on vehicles with start stop, so wear and tear is usually not an issue.

I am one of the rare people that like having it on occasion, especially in city driving. It's turned off in the G80, and fortunately on those cars, it keeps whatever setting you choose. But generally it's nice to HAVE it at the very least.

MassWholeBimmer · 02-02-2024, 05:21 PM

Only time I use it is when I forget to turn it off. Glad my 2023 has an off switch.

KevinC · 02-02-2024, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christianb5s4

Things like starters and associated hardware are all beefed up on vehicles with start stop, so wear and tear is usually not an issue.

I've heard that too, but never seen any actual evidence of any "beefed up" components. I don't want ANY additional wear & tear, even if the components are somehow more durable, so this crap is permanently disabled on my cars.

BeEmVe · 02-02-2024, 06:50 PM

We found it annoying and turned it off.

Bc2005 · 02-02-2024, 07:52 PM

I have mine coded off on my 2021 M340i. However, I want to verify the comment that on these MH cars the start/ stop components are “beefed up”.

There is a combination starter/alternator that both starts the car and uses regenerative power to charge a separate 48 volt starting battery. The standard 12 volt battery in the trunk is not part of the start/stop system.

On a 2021 M340i MH I do not have a button to turn the system off, so I have it coded to start up in Sport Individual mode.

Mason Hatcher · 02-02-2024, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinC

I've heard that too, but never seen any actual evidence of any "beefed up" components. I don't want ANY additional wear & tear, even if the components are somehow more durable, so this crap is permanently disabled on my cars.

Do you have any evidence that it increases wear and tear?

Gautam · 02-02-2024, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mason Hatcher

Do you have any evidence that it increases wear and tear?

I used to have an F30 with an N20, and the anecdata indicated that it exacerbated timing chain issues:
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1622988

Had it off on that car as soon as I saw that thread, and continued when I switched to G30. Not worth the risk.

chris719 · 02-02-2024, 09:33 PM

I would be fine using it on a B48/B58TU or later engine and not use it on any car before that. Those cars have the 48V system and IROX coated rod bearings. I don't use it on my M2C as I think it is probably a contributor to rod bearing wear on N55 and S55 engines. I would also not use it on S58 as it shares rods and bearings that have the older material with S63.

Llarry · 02-02-2024, 09:39 PM

I know I'm in the minority but I leave it on. And have left it on with my previous Porsche Boxster.

KevinC · 02-02-2024, 10:00 PM

Scotty weighs in...

DrEntropy · 02-02-2024, 10:08 PM

I leave it off, but I realize it is just an irrational fear brought on from driving crappy cars in the 90's that you can never be sure will restart when they turn off.

tranquility · 02-02-2024, 10:37 PM

I've only experienced this in loaner cars, annoying as hell, glad I don't have it. Save the planet my x. Only way is if we humans don't exist, we are a virus. /Agent Smith

pmsteinm · 02-02-2024, 11:06 PM

I hate this and it stays off.

In terms of beefed-up components, the dealer technical guide for Auto Start/Stop (MSA) from 2011 says the starter is designed for 8x the number of cycles. You can do the math if using it only incurs 8x the number of engine starts per day with your driving habits. And keep in mind starters generally last 100-150k miles anyway.

The N63TU2 guide mentions an "IROX" coating on the rod bearings because of MSA and increased cycles and no lubrication film when starting. It says "The connecting rod bearing shell may be subject to wear in this short period. The IROX coating reduces this wear to a minimum".

Note that it doesn't say 0. How much wear is it over the life of the vehicle? Who knows. Do you want to be the beta tester and find out?

02-02-2024, 03:30 PM	#1
3.0L Colonel 8937 Rep 2,010 Posts Drives: M235i, 20k miles Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Do you use the start/stop engine feature? Just curious as to how many folks use the engine start/stop feature. My M235i has it, but I keep it disabled. I prefer to have my engine running, plus not put extra wear on my starter. Just me, old school. I recently drove a ~2022 BMW 530i loaner and the start/stop feature was on when I picked up the car. I disabled it, but the car turned it back on a while later. Strange. __________________ ///M235i \| Mineral Grey Metallic \| Premium Package \| Technology Package \| Driver Assistance Package \| Dakota Coral Red/Black Leather \| Harman/Kardon Premium 360 watt sound system \| 8-speed automatic When writing your life's plan, use a pencil with an eraser
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02-02-2024, 03:40 PM	#2
Westside Guy Brigadier General 5721 Rep 4,404 Posts Drives: 2022 Z4 M40i, 2021 228i GC Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Hallandale Beach, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW Z4 M40i [9.81] 2021 BMW 228i Gran ... [7.83]	I disable it on both of my cars.
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02-02-2024, 03:51 PM	#3
alexdal1125 beemdream 6 Rep 1 Posts Drives: bmw 540i Join Date: Feb 2024 Location: dallas texas iTrader: (0)	hate this feature in any car i own. i also feel like its unnecessary wear and tear on my engine/starter.
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02-02-2024, 03:56 PM	#4
jzeiler4 Lieutenant 320 Rep 536 Posts Drives: 2021 M240i xDrive vert Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Hazel Green, AL iTrader: (0)	Come on guy's (gals) it is going to save the planet ... get behind it. I keep it off in my M240 and I have to turn it off every time I start the wife's Pacifica.
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02-02-2024, 03:59 PM	#5
NikMN Private First Class 189 Rep 174 Posts Drives: BMW F10 n63tu Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0)	Coded out to stay off. Like mentioned above not worth wear and tear
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02-02-2024, 04:08 PM	#6
Chappers 71 Major General 5483 Rep 5,421 Posts Drives: Beige G31 40ix m sport Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Kent, The Garden of England iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 G31 xdrive 40i ... [4.00] 2006 E92 335i SE [9.50]	I don’t like it & have it turned off unless I’m in eco pro then I usually turn it on __________________ G31 40ix M Sport E92 335i. E36 328is coupe E39 540i V8 6SP manual E34 3.6 M5. E34 525i sport. VW Jetta Mk2 GTI 16v. 1679cc 1967 resto-cal beetle
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02-02-2024, 04:15 PM	#8
DanG Major General 10661 Rep 6,937 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 AW DCT Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 BMW M2 [7.68]	I have it disabled also. __________________ BMWCCA member Puget Sound Chapter
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02-02-2024, 04:54 PM	#9
NickyC Lieutenant General 17485 Rep 10,663 Posts Drives: M4 CS. Former G82, x2 F82, F80 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Jacked out of my mind iTrader: (23)	I would never use this option.
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02-02-2024, 05:05 PM	#10
christianb5s4 Lieutenant 824 Rep 589 Posts Drives: Built 2001 Audi S4 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Newport Beach, CA iTrader: (0)	Things like starters and associated hardware are all beefed up on vehicles with start stop, so wear and tear is usually not an issue. I am one of the rare people that like having it on occasion, especially in city driving. It's turned off in the G80, and fortunately on those cars, it keeps whatever setting you choose. But generally it's nice to HAVE it at the very least. __________________ 2024 M3 CompX Dravit Grey - MP HAS - Millway - MHC+ carbon - CS software - MAD single-mid - PPF 2019 G05 X5 x40i, built 2001 600whp B5 S4.
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02-02-2024, 05:21 PM	#11
MassWholeBimmer Private 1569 Rep 98 Posts Drives: 2023 X5 M50i Join Date: Aug 2023 Location: North East USA iTrader: (0)	Only time I use it is when I forget to turn it off. Glad my 2023 has an off switch. __________________ 2023. X5 M50i 2019. F150 SCREW 3.5 L Ecoboost Last edited by MassWholeBimmer; 02-03-2024 at 09:54 AM..
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02-02-2024, 06:50 PM	#13
BeEmVe Lieutenant 259 Rep 567 Posts Drives: '14 X1 x28i M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: on the road to perdition iTrader: (1)	We found it annoying and turned it off.
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02-02-2024, 07:52 PM	#14
Bc2005 First Lieutenant 317 Rep 395 Posts Drives: 2021 M340i Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	I have mine coded off on my 2021 M340i. However, I want to verify the comment that on these MH cars the start/ stop components are “beefed up”. There is a combination starter/alternator that both starts the car and uses regenerative power to charge a separate 48 volt starting battery. The standard 12 volt battery in the trunk is not part of the start/stop system. On a 2021 M340i MH I do not have a button to turn the system off, so I have it coded to start up in Sport Individual mode.
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02-02-2024, 09:33 PM	#17
chris719 Major General 7334 Rep 7,298 Posts Drives: '08 M Roadster Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	I would be fine using it on a B48/B58TU or later engine and not use it on any car before that. Those cars have the 48V system and IROX coated rod bearings. I don't use it on my M2C as I think it is probably a contributor to rod bearing wear on N55 and S55 engines. I would also not use it on S58 as it shares rods and bearings that have the older material with S63.
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02-02-2024, 09:39 PM	#18
Llarry ///M driver 15948 Rep 499 Posts Drives: 2022 M3 6-speed Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oregon iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 Porsche Macan GTS [6.25] 2022 BMW M3 [9.40]	I know I'm in the minority but I leave it on. And have left it on with my previous Porsche Boxster. __________________ '22 G80 M3 6-sp Portimao Blue/Tartufo
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02-02-2024, 10:00 PM	#19
KevinC your average JAMF 3101 Rep 4,094 Posts Drives: '21 M2 Comp, '19 Golf R Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cochise County, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 VW Golf R [0.00] 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00]	Scotty weighs in... __________________ '21 M2 Comp '19 Golf R
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02-02-2024, 10:08 PM	#20
DrEntropy New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: BMW M3 G80, X1 Join Date: Feb 2024 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	I leave it off, but I realize it is just an irrational fear brought on from driving crappy cars in the 90's that you can never be sure will restart when they turn off.
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02-02-2024, 10:37 PM	#21
tranquility sportscars only 3244 Rep 3,195 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	I've only experienced this in loaner cars, annoying as hell, glad I don't have it. Save the planet my x. Only way is if we humans don't exist, we are a virus. /Agent Smith __________________ The richest one percent of this country owns half our country's wealth, five trillion dollars. One third of that comes from hard work, two thirds comes from inheritance, interest on interest accumulating to widows and idiot sons and what I do, stock and real estate speculation...It's bullsh*t. I create nothing. I own. We make the rules, pal...Now you're not naive enough to think we're living in a democracy, are you buddy?
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02-02-2024, 11:06 PM	#22
pmsteinm First Lieutenant 316 Rep 396 Posts Drives: 23 M5C, 19 X5 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW M5C [0.00] 2019 BMW X5 xDrive40i [0.00]	I hate this and it stays off. In terms of beefed-up components, the dealer technical guide for Auto Start/Stop (MSA) from 2011 says the starter is designed for 8x the number of cycles. You can do the math if using it only incurs 8x the number of engine starts per day with your driving habits. And keep in mind starters generally last 100-150k miles anyway. The N63TU2 guide mentions an "IROX" coating on the rod bearings because of MSA and increased cycles and no lubrication film when starting. It says "The connecting rod bearing shell may be subject to wear in this short period. The IROX coating reduces this wear to a minimum". Note that it doesn't say 0. How much wear is it over the life of the vehicle? Who knows. Do you want to be the beta tester and find out?
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