Query regarding cruise control

[a11y]

I retro-fitted cruise control a few months ago - bought the part from the dealer, fitted myself. Works great.

Query I raise is: is cruise control in the Z4 active? And if so, what the hell does it mean by "Active Cruise Control"? I have a rough idea of what it might be but just wanting to be sure.

I've just been looking at a thread listing the spec of the pre-facelight Z4 3.0i SE and stumbled across the option of "Active Cruise Control" for £170, hence the query...

Anyone know? :!:

Ally

 

[gannet]

active cruise control in the modern sense means that the car will automatically brake if it senses a car in front (in theory )...

in terms of the brochure you link to and the system fitted to ours cars though - I dunno :idunno:

 

[Taz]

so, this means i can even get rid of my brake peddle, this car driving is getting easier by the day

 

[Z4 Beemer]

I found on my old 325i coupe that if you quickly used the stalk to reduce the "set speed" the car would brake quickly to get to that speed. I understand the brake lights are also activated during this braking!

 

[srhutch]

Find a steep down hill, set cruise control if car speeds up it hasn't got active cruise simplez

 

[a11y]

active cruise control in the modern sense means that the car will automatically brake if it senses a car in front (in theory )...

in terms of the brochure you link to and the system fitted to ours cars though - I dunno :idunno:

That's exactly what I'm wondering, but I'm not brave enough to try that out in practice

Although, I would've classed a system that automatically brakes if it senses a car in front as "adaptive/reactive" rather than "active" cruise control. What's confusing me most though is the listing for "Cruise Control" in the spec list in addition to "Active Cruise Control" in that link.

 

[a11y]

Find a steep down hill, set cruise control if car speeds up it hasn't got active cruise simplez

Ahhh, that might be the distinction between "cruise control" and "active cruise control". I'm pretty sure the Z4 one isn't an adaptive type (if it was, where are the sensors on the front...).

 

[AlanJ]

Srhutch - not quite right........

BMW Quote,

Active Cruise Control.

Driving on busy highways and freeways is more relaxing with Active Cruise Control. It maintains the desired speed when possible, while also keeping a pre-defined distance to any vehicles in the lane ahead.

Radar sensors at the front of the vehicle permanently scan the road ahead. As your BMW approaches a slower vehicle, Active Cruise Control automatically reduces power output from the engine and gently applies the brakes, holding your BMW at a pre-defined distance to the vehicle ahead.This distance is set as a number of seconds, not of metres, so that a safe reaction time is always available, relative to the current speed. When the lane ahead becomes clear, Active Cruise Control automatically increases your vehicle's speed to your preferred cruising speed. Up to four different cruising speeds can be pre-programmed. A touch on the accelerator or brake pedal deactivates the system.
On curves, Active Cruise Control uses data from the DSC and navigation systems to calculate whether the cruise speed needs to be adjusted, and to determine whether vehicles in the radar's field are in the same or a neighbouring lane.The high-performance radar sensor is heated in cold weather, ensuring year-round operation. Active Cruise Control is functional at speeds above 30 km/h and below 180 km/h. The system is not intended to serve as an autopilot: outside these speeds, and if sudden deceleration is required, the driver is alerted by a warning sound and visual message.

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/technology/technology_guide/articles/active_cruise_control.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px_uo643aV8

If you have retrofitted cruise control you won't have this

 

[Smokin]

AFAIK, before the "new" Z4s, it was NOT active cruise. Mine certainly doesn't adjust speed when overtaking slower cars.

 

[lacroupade]

I think you'll find that all manufacturer-fitted cruise and most aftermarket stuff is Active and always has been - some are linked to a speed sensor and others to a rev sensor. The latter aren't so good as they disengage if your speed drops by 10-15% on a steep incline.


The only type that isn't is a £40 piece of tat that installs in about 20 minutes and works by clamping to the throttle cable and holding a set position with a solenoid contraption......hence it slows down as you go uphill and speeds up downhill, so its more of a 'cruise lottery' LMAO. :roll: