Any soft stop developments?

[e90andy]

Just wondering if the soft stop issues with the steptronic models has been addressed by BMW as yet.

Thanks in advance.

(BTW, first post here. Hi everyone.)

[swu]

Havn't heard anything. I'm interested in getting some updates as well.

[BeemMeUp]

I have never noticed this issue in my E90. I have heard about it, but I don't have it. :)

[Jon_Hanson]

I honestly think that Soft Stop has been disabled in newer production models. I remember distinctly feeling Soft Stop in action when I test drove a 330 last summer. My car (produced late last year) definately does not have the same feel when the car comes to a stop that the test drive model did.

The test drive model definately did feel like it would lurch after stopping sometimes and I knew from reading here that was the Soft Stop in action. My car has never done this.

[e90andy]

"I honestly think that Soft Stop has been disabled in newer production models."

Interesting. I'll arrange a test drive with my dealer and see if there has been any improvement in the newer models (Mine's an August '05 build). I don't know what might be done to mine to fix its issue, but I'm guessing it won't be as simple as a firmware upgrade otherwise it would have been announced by now.

It's a shame that it has the problem as it's a lovely car to drive in most other respects - the only other flaw is that it can step off line on a high speed bend with a bump in it. But that's the price you pay for run-flats I suspect.

[E90Fleet]

Remember soft stop only operates when braking softly

If you brake hard, it wont operate

[e90andy]

Remember soft stop only operates when braking softly. If you brake hard, it wont operate
Soft stop is a complete misnomer. Nice idea, poor implementation.

I have been driving for 30+ years and I know how to stop an automatic car without abruptness. The E90 steptronic I drive makes it next to impossible to stop smoothly. My workaround is to shift to neutral just before the car stops and feather the stop the way I always have.

It would be nice if I didn't have to do this - I certainly haven't had to with any other automatic I have ever driven. It is something that is unique to this car in my experience.

Some here have steptronic cars and don't experience this issue. I wish I knew what is different between their machines and mine. It's a shame that this takes some of the pleasure of driving the E90 away as in so many other ways, it's a really nice drive.

[Bill330i]

The soft stop drives me nuts too! What I really can't stand is when I'm backing up, if I stop for a second and go to move again the brakes feel like they stuck. I can't just ease up on them so the car starts moving again. I have to let the brake pedal come up so much higher to get going, then the car jerks. It's the one thing that really annoys me about the car. :thumbdown

[e90andy]

...all I can hope for is that BMW will issue a fix in the near future. I don't want to be whining about this for the next 2 1/2 years. :(

[Paul330d]

Can anyone confirm that soft stop has been disabled on the most recent cars? I tried the feature on my March 06 330d (Step) and couldn't feel a thing, the car just came to a 'hard stop'.

[gilbertb11]

I didn't know whether it was me or if my brake, after a complete stop, was actually sticking. I hate that damn feeling. If you come to a stop then want to inch up a bit, the car feels like the brake is stuck and then it abruptly moves. Am I the only one?

[marmite]

Mine is also a March '06 330d Step. and I must admit I've not been able to detect 'soft stop'. I hadn't read rumours about it being disabled until now and I was quite looking forward to it in a gadgety kinda of way (if it worked). I assumed I hadn't noticed the feature though because perhaps it only applied in very specific circumstances.. but perhaps it is disabled on my car.

How can I really test if it is enabled?

[E90Fleet]

I didn't know whether it was me or if my brake, after a complete stop, was actually sticking. I hate that damn feeling. If you come to a stop then want to inch up a bit, the car feels like the brake is stuck and then it abruptly moves. Am I the only one?

Thats the hill assist working.

If you want to inch forward, just let the brake out slightly, then count 1...2 and the car will start to move slightly. If you totally let go of the brake it will suddenly jump forward.

Also the function is not supposed to be active if you use the handbrake ( emergency brake for USA people ). So apply the handbrake and let go of both the normal brake and the handbrake slowly, and the car will inch forward nicely

[E90Fleet]

Remember if you brake harder than a certain amount the soft stop wont work

[gilbertb11]

Thanks E90Fleet. I appreciate the info. i was really considering taking it in but just haven't had the time. one more thing, does anyone's cup holder stick?

[marmite]

Remember if you brake harder than a certain amount the soft stop wont work

I wouldn't say I brake hard, but in normal driving, I tend to brake moderately when coming to a junction to take off most of the speed and then ease off the brake for the final couple of seconds. Normally I'd then also time the brake release to emulate soft stop.

I *think* I've tried not doing the final bit to no effect, i.e. the car stops abruptly a little and rocks back.

I'd have thought my braking pattern was fairly normal, do you think on a car with soft stop enabled it should come into effect ??

[marmite]

one more thing, does anyone's cup holder stick?

It stinks, but doesn't stick :) - Probably the worst feature of the car IMO, they look like they forgot them in the design and added them as an afterthought.

[E90Fleet]

I wouldn't say I brake hard, but in normal driving, I tend to brake moderately when coming to a junction to take off most of the speed and then ease off the brake for the final couple of seconds. Normally I'd then also time the brake release to emulate soft stop.

I *think* I've tried not doing the final bit to no effect, i.e. the car stops abruptly a little and rocks back.

I'd have thought my braking pattern was fairly normal, do you think on a car with soft stop enabled it should come into effect ??


here is a bit from a technical Manual

It says it only reduces the jerk by 50% and only on low pressure braking

People also dont seem to know it only acts on the rear brakes

[marmite]

Thanks, I'll try and experiment a bit more - sounds like the 50% reduction may be a little difficult to perceive though.

[Paul330d]

How strange that it only works on the rear: I thought most of the braking was done by the front wheels, hence the larger discs...

[noflash]

Is this for AT and manuals? I have not noticed it working.

[e90andy]

"Thats the hill assist working."
Interesting that BMW have the tech knowhow to implement this feature but seemingly lack the ability to determine whether or nor the vehicle is actually on a hill (or a slope). Why would they allow Hill Assist to activate on a perfectly flat piece of real estate? Curious.

Another thing, how come all these highly-paid roadtest "experts" never mention this issue? Are test cars carefully selected so that they don't exhibit the symptoms, or are the test drivers incompetent? Enquiring minds, and all that... :laugh: