Do you use the start/stop engine feature?

[3.0L]

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]

I disable it on both of my cars.

[alexdal1125]

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

[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.

[NikMN]

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

[Chappers 71]

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

[eugenebmw]

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]

I have it disabled also.

[NickyC]

I would never use this option.

[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 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]

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

[KevinC]

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]

We found it annoying and turned it off.

[Bc2005]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[KevinC]

Scotty weighs in...

[DrEntropy]

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]

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]

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?