BMW's Hill Assist feature "Start-off Assistant"

[seanx10]

So I've looked to a number of sources about this, ranging from BMW owners to BMW salesmen to non-BMW salesmen to BMW brochures (which apparently some are incorrectly labeled) and I keep getting different answers about this feature.

A little bit of background: I am moving to San Francisco here in a few months and am thinking about buying a 135i. I would like to get a manual transmission (as I've always driven one), but I know that those SF hills make even the most experienced stick shift driver sweat. Therefore, I was looking at a car that has a start-off assistant feature.

I know that all 6 cylinder Z4's come with it, but I was wondering if anyone could definitively tell me if all 135i's come with this feature or if there is a good rule to determine which ones have it?

I was also wondering if someone who actually uses this feature a lot could verify for me that it does what I imagine it doing: being able to hold the car steady on something as notorious as a SF hill for a few seconds as you let out the clutch and press the gas (after releasing the brake pedal) and start off into first gear.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

[Kgolf31]

Pretty sure it is on my 128i. It is on my Z4M and it is on my dads 09 E92

Basically you need to put the clutch to the floor, and when you left off the brake it holds the car for 3 seconds.

After 3 seconds it will release the car.

As well, it will hold the car until the clutch reaches close to the friction point, it will also release it. It will NOT hold the car until it starts to move forward. Once it sense the clutch close to engaging, it will release the brakes.

Need to confirm if it is indeed on the E82s, but that is what it does

[str8shot]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

Pretty sure it is on my 128i. It is on my Z4M and it is on my dads 09 E92

Basically you need to put the clutch to the floor, and when you left off the brake it holds the car for 3 seconds.

After 3 seconds it will release the car.

As well, it will hold the car until the clutch reaches close to the friction point, it will also release it. It will NOT hold the car until it starts to move forward. Once it sense the clutch close to engaging, it will release the brakes.

Need to confirm if it is indeed on the E82s, but that is what it does

My 135i has it. Standard feature.

Holds the break for 3 seconds.

[Sleeps]

I can verify that my 135is 6MT has this feature. On a hill when the clutch and brake are fully depressed it will kick in once the brake is released and you will be able to ease off the clutch and apply gas while the car is held in place.

[JimD]

There are no really steep hills where I live but it has always held my car fine as long as I did not mess around letting out the clutch. Once you move your foot off the brake you have like 3 seconds to get going forward. Normally that is plenty. If something happens in front of you and you delay, you can roll back. Otherwise it has always worked and is a nice little "extra" feature. It's in the electronics and uses the same controls on the brakes as the stability control and ABS.

Jim

[Mach1er]

I can verify that my '13 128i has it and it's noticeable even on a slight incline. It will hold for 3 seconds if you start releasing the brake after been in a state where the brake is depressed and you're in gear at a full stop. It won't hold if you release the brake before you put it in gear. I've only tested on a medium grade hill, about 40% of what SF's worst is.

[Bmwbreed]

Yup. My 2013 135i has it. Holds for 3 seconds as everyone's said. You should be fine with whatever year 135 you pick as all years have it

[ejm3]

My 135i has it and I wish it didin't,

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by ejm3

My 135i has it and I wish it didin't,

My smart has this feature too and can't stand it.

[cheshirecat79]

Yes, and it works for both auto and manual transmissions.

[makrop]

Originally Posted by ejm3

My 135i has it and I wish it didin't,

You can always avoid it "activating" by just not coming to a complete stop if you like to sit and play around...

I think the coolest thing about it is that it also prevents you from rolling forward if you are in reverse!

I had never heard of anything like this feature and when I went on the test drive for my car I kept thinking to myself "man this car is easy to drive, I already have mastered starting on a hill!"

[JimD]

In my non-BMW SUV, I sometimes accomplish the same thing with the parking brake. It's more of a hassle but works fine.

Jim

[Peerless135]

I live in SF and my 135 6MT has it and is def a welcomed addition on some of the crazy steep hills here!

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by ejm3

My 135i has it and I wish it didin't,

Because you enjoy roasting the clutch on a hill?

[sea6speed]

Works great on steep hill starts and especially for parallel parking on one. No need to use the hand brake. Part of my driveway is so steep my truck will literally slide down it when wet. No issue starting the 135i in the same spot.

[Lucky1]

Yeah I have it. Makes me forgot I'm driving stick until I'm on a very very slight incline and it doesn't kick in. Nothing like being trained not to expect rollback and suddenly your car is doing so

[631twentyeighteye]

Makes life substantially easier IMHO. This is one "gimmick" that is actually extremely beneficial. Not only when driving, but when driving the car up on ramps. i know it will hold me for 3 seconds letting me inch up the ramp slowly and check when i do work by myself and don't have a spotter, like today when i changed my oil.

[fe1rx]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

My smart has this feature too and can't stand it.

I am surprised that you can stand anything about your Smart.

As for hill hold, what's not to like?

[bdoooh]

Yup I have it. Something to note.. It won't engage unless you come to a complete stop in gear though. So if you're inching forward and put the clutch in, you will roll back until you hit the brakes and come to a complete stop first.

[Top Gon]

yep I have it too even though my car has the step trans. It still comes in handy when driving on SF hills though

[Vigilante375]

Chiming in as well and it works like advertised for my 6spd. Come to a complete stop and once you let off the brake it'll hold it for 3 seconds which is plenty of time to keep you from rolling back and it is for the auto or manual version of the 1er.

Its a awesome feature and better than having to do the hand brake method.

[Simonnn]

Just to clarify, I think you need to have the clutch fully depressed AND have a gear selected (First or Reverse, havent tried taking off in any other gear :P).

I'm pretty sure if you leave it in neutral the car will still roll back even with the clutch fully depressed (from memory)