I can't imagine a scenario (with me driving) where soft stop would add to the driving experience. It only seems to work with gentle, leisurely stops - which makes sense. Sorry, if anyone is wondering what soft stop is, it's part of the new braking systems on the 550 and the new 3s (soft stop, hill stop, random sweeps of the rotors when raining etc..). I don't know which models have it and which don't. The only person soft stop might help is the type of driver who gives no special attention to those critical last few seconds of braking leading up to the stop. That's not me, and I suspect a healthy number of BMW driver would also be exempt from that group. I like the rotor sweeping since my old 7 used to really have a delay when braking in the wet, particularly when it was cold out. And the hill stop is probably cool for a manual or maybe even SMG, but it adds nothing to a steptronic car. This is a good example of the type of equipment that is adding to the weight of modern BMWs and should be optional.

Regards,
DRP

 

What means you think this would add to the weight? I doubt there are any extra parts involved. It sounds like all of the advanced DSC features are ones that would be implemented in the software for the controller unit.

 

I really don't like the brake feel of the auto-box 3 series I keep getting from the dealer as a loaner. I suspect it's the soft stop. I suspect the soft stop is for the automatics and not the manuals? My manual E60 has brakes that feel normal when stopping (just the way I like it). I do have the hill hold and I don't care either way for it and would be just as happy without it.

 

I have a manual tranny and although I don't need it, I can see how it would benefit someone who might have a problem
launching the vehicle from a dead stop on a steep incline.