XSeries-forum

Here's another wonderful invention that on the face of it actually looks good........except it isn't!

From 2014, NCAP will only give 5 Stars to cars equipped with an AEB System that will stop the car dead in the event of an imminent collision.  Good idea?

Of course it is............except the car behind you may be a 10 year old Mondeo, or White Van Man travelling at near warp speed whilst eating a sarnie and texting his mate, and not equipped with said wonder brakes.

You can see where this is going already can't you?  Loud crashing noises and you shiny new BMW gets rear ended and also quite possibly shoved into the car in front! 

Insurance companies are going to lower the Insurance Groups (by up to 4) of cars fitted with AEB, but I can see premiums being ramped up as soon as those three letters are mentioned (or clicked on comparison websites) because the bills are likely to be higher.

Of course as you are in a BMW there's a good chance the system will fail to boot properly at startup, and go off in a huff rather than work (Me?  Cynical?  Er it's a BMW.....yes!) at the correct moment.  It will also fail to tell you until afterwards....

These systems are all very well, and I think a great idea but they are taking more and more off the Driver so that bad drivers can concentrate even less (cue White Van Man again) on the road ahead.  Or has this been brought in because the standard of driver training is now so bad in the UK?

Thoughts anyone?

I can see where you are coming from with this, such a pessimistic outlook 

Was that not the original thought when ABS came out?  I remember a sticker saying 'I have ABS - Have you?'

As for the white van man - I'm sure he is just a very busy man trying to get all the work done as efficiently as possible and all within budget  )

Might be time to insist on In-Car Black Box or TEDR with rear facing cameras too.

Pessimist?  Moi?    O:-)  ) ) )

And of course the misconception in the early days was that ABS would stop you faster, although in a lot of cases that wasn't true as it just allowed you to stop under control..... :blink:

[quote="X5Sport"]
Pessimist?  Moi?    O:-)  ) ) )

And of course the misconception in the early days was that ABS would stop you faster, although in a lot of cases that wasn't true as it just allowed you to stop under control..... :blink:
[/quote]

Oh I don't know?  Sliding uncontrollably into another car always happens in slow motion doesn't it, and in a straight line.
Now ABS lets you steer around the obstacle and into the path of, or into something else really quickly.  And as for ice - well

How does the car know about an imminent collision?

Microphone inside picks up the screams of fear and an aroma sensor picks up the smell of the stain your mid way making

[quote="pvr"]
How does the car know about an imminent collision?
[/quote]
According to the article I've read, the Volvo system uses a Laser Ranging (LiDAR) scanner on the windscreen to scan objects at 10 metres range (that's not very far in my view).  If it 'sees' something then it 'pre-charges' the brakes and if the driver takes no action, applies them VERY hard!!

AEB is now an option on Audi (Pre Sense Front Plus), Honda (Collision Mitigation Brake System), Merc (Collision Prevention Assist), Ford (Active City Stop), Skoda (City Safe), VW (City Emergency Brake) and of course Volvo (City Safety).  Looking at some of those names implies a large clue that this really only works at slower speeds!!

BMW already have their radar based 'Active Stop & Go' cruise control but AEB is different, even if it will stop the car quickly.

So .... sloping bend on the motorway exit and there you go ... full in the brakes

I'm guessing linked to speed sensor, steering angle sensor, abs sensor, arse sensor and every other sensor that there is on a modern car. All making for a more stress free drive.....NOT.

Can't wait for the first insurance claim statements saying I was showing off to my other half that I now do not need to apply the brakes anymore as the car will stop itself. Here, I'll show you.......BANG.... That's when the idiot behind me didn't brake quick enough......lol

Also what about when sitting on the motorway and some idiot sneaks into 15 metre gap between you and the car in front...lol

[quote="Raj"]
Also what about when sitting on the motorway and some idiot sneaks into 15 metre gap between you and the car in front...lol
[/quote]
You kiss the windscreen....? :drive:
Don't leave a 15m gap then.... ) )


Interesting thing I found with these BMWs when coming back from Wales is that if you re-engage the cruise control when going round a corner - as I was on a slip road to the M4 - nothing happens until you straighten up and then whoosh..........twin turbo heaven.. ;D

Richard

No automated drifting then...

[quote="Raj"]
No automated drifting then...
[/quote]

That's set to 'Nicht Aktiv' in the computers no doubt  >:(

I can see a whole new meaning to those insurance scams that are taking place in certain parts of the country where drivers deliberately cause accidents by braking hard  :blink:

Absolutely!  The article did note that although the insurance groups would be lower, Insurers were 'free to set their own premium levels'.