This is listed as standard on the new550i at the BMWNA site.

Anyone know what it is and why we need it?

 

F-15 pilot or fan?

 

isn;t it for manual transmissions so you can let off the clutch on a hill and not drop back for a couple seconds?

 

And for SMGs and Steptronics! The system applies the brakes for 2 seconds to hold the car on an incline if:

a) you're pointed uphill and in a forward gear
b) you're pointed downhill and in reverse (it won't hold the car pointed downhill if you're in a forward gear)

 

And for SMGs and Steptronics! The system applies the brakes for 2 seconds to hold the car on an incline if:

a) you're pointed uphill and in a forward gear
b) you're pointed downhill and in reverse (it won't hold the car pointed downhill if you're in a forward gear)
[/quote]When does it start applying the brakes? When you stop? When you let off to brake to move/forward uphill/downhill?

 

It's when you hit the secret button and Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble magically appear behind your car and start pushing really hard.

Why we need it? Can never have enough horsepower, prehistoric variety or modern type, I guess.

 

It's when you hit the secret button and Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble magically appear behind your car and start pushing really hard.

Why we need it? Can never have enough horsepower, prehistoric variety or modern type, I guess.
[/quote]Hi ipse d:

At some point, the geniuses that try to make our cars do everything for us except go to the restroom are going to figure out that more is rapidly becoming less (IMO). I love my 545i, but I don't need help driving down a hill, etc., etc.

 

I love this option - actually it is standrad onthe 530xi manual trans. No rolling back prior to starting. Always had a manual in my cars and starting on a hill was never an issue, but this is different. And Nice also. I think it does not release the brakes for 2 seconds after you take your foot off to move to the gas. Anyway, I like it.

 

When does it start applying the brakes? When you stop? When you let off to brake to move/forward uphill/downhill?
[/quote]

If I'm stopped on a hill in my 550i and about to accelerate forward, the brakes are automatically applied the instant my foot comes off the brake with the clutch depressed and 1st gear selected. That gives you two seconds to apply the throttle to proceed forward. Once you begin to release the clutch, the brakes are released. Very convenient feature. Beats having to use the parking brake for the same purpose. Real awesome around good ol' San Francisco!

Same thing for the Steptronic: if you're stopped on a hill (foot on brake obviously) and about to accelerate, the moment you take your foot off the brake, the brakes STILL hold (for 2 seconds) to prevent roll-back and to give you enough time to add throttle (which will release the brakes).

 

I played with the assist. If you depress the break and clutch and put in neutral, the release the cluth and just sit in neutral you can then let up the brake and your car will not roll back, ever. The two seconds does not start until you depress the clutch back in.