bmw 540i adaptive cruise control

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Overview of the main driver assistance systems

16 September 2019

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• Automotive Life
• Driving Experience

What is a driver assistance system?

Driver assistance systems relieve the driver of the task of driving, offer more comfort and increase safety. In an emergency, a driver assistance system can even take control of the car. Liability for the task of driving always remains with the driver.

Status Quo driver assistance systems

Currently, driver assistance systems act as practical support: Sensors capture information on – for example, speed limits – the distance to other vehicles and lane markings. Also, GPS and navigation system data feeds into the processing. Thanks to this data, audio signals or visual displays can warn against potentially hazardous situations.

However, there are already more advanced systems that not only warn you but also actively help you manage the vehicle if necessary or preferred. Some driver assistance systems brake, accelerate or perform active steering movements to avoid an accident or take the strain off the driver, for instance in critical or monotonous driving situations. Other systems assist you with maneuvering or parking.

Overview of driver assistance systems

Hill start assist Road sign recognition Emergency brake assist Steering and lane guidance assist Cruise control Distance control Speed limit assist Lane-change warning & lane-change assist Parking assist    

How does hill start assist work?

You’ll certainly know this situation well: You’re driving up a hill and shortly before the peak, you need to stop. When starting with a manual gearbox, you press the clutch and take your foot off the brake to accelerate. What happens at this exact moment? You roll back. Hill start assist – or simply start assist – should prevent exactly this. When the driver disengages the brake, the rear axle secures the vehicle for a short time. When starting the driver assistant releases this once more.

Benefits: This driver assistance system is certainly not indispensable for the safe operation of a vehicle as with sufficient experience you can avoid tricky situations yourself. The assistance system can nevertheless make starting on extreme gradients, or with an additional trailing load, more pleasant.

What added value does road sign recognition offer?

When you’re in slow-moving traffic it’s often difficult to devote your full attention to everything that is happening. The road layout, oncoming traffic, speed restrictions, what’s happening beside you as well as behind you: A driver has to bear all this in mind. Road sign recognition can relieve you from this with help of a camera system which scans road signs and represents the processed data on the display. Accordingly, the road signs are displayed directly on your screen. Often this system is contained within other driver assistance systems such as the right of way warner, the wrong way assistant or speed limit info.

Benefits: For accurate results, the driver assistance system is able to take into account and process various data sources such as recognised road signs, navigation devices and current vehicle data. Road sign recognition offers you increased safety and comfort during your journey by providing you with information i.e. right of way rules. You can concentrate on the traffic better without having to constantly gaze at the forest of signposts.

How does emergency brake assist work?

Emergency brake assist warns about the risk of collision and, where appropriate, brings the vehicle to a complete stop before it results in a crash with an obstruction, a person or another vehicle. Sensors measure the current speed and distance of the car ahead or the static obstruction (e.g. a person). Depending on the system, cyclists can also be identified. Acoustic warning signals are complemented by visual displays. Prior to emergency braking the driver assistance system calculates the optimal braking power and the resulting necessary braking pressure. This computed pressure is, depending on the system, independently transmitted by the assistant into an automatic brake, or only then applied when you press the brake pedal. A further development of brake assist is avoidance manoeuvre assistance: In order to avoid a collision, this system actively supports the driver with an evasive manoeuvre.

Benefits: Emergency brake assist offers many advantages: Drivers are often careless, distracted, find themselves in chaotic circumstances or underestimate the distance to the vehicle ahead. This brake assist can, at the very least, reduce the severity grade of certain types of vehicle collisions.    

How does steering and lane guidance assist provide support?

Congestion, slow-moving traffic, and long, monotonous journeys are sadly not uncommon, especially on the highway. When this happens, you have to keep a steady hand and patiently follow the road, sometimes for long periods of time. In these situations, a steering and lane guidance assistant can help you keep your vehicle in the lane – at high speeds as well – and make the task of steering easier. Cameras detect the lane markings, thus guiding the driver assistance system to the boundaries of the lane you are driving in. A look beyond the borders of Europe shows just how much more advanced this technology has already become. In some countries, the BMW Driving Assistant allows drivers to cruise “hands-off” at speeds of up to 130 km/h.

Benefits: Lane guidance assistants can relieve the driver from steering, offer a feeling of safety and, above all, make long motorway journeys more comfortable.

In what way does cruise control make driving easier?

Cruise control is also known as “Speed Control” and allows you to select your desired cruising speed. This often takes place in combination with distance control. Following activation the driver assistance system constantly maintains your chosen speed and therefore offers enhanced comfort during long-distances. Cruise control can electronically adjust the speed to the surroundings and appropriately adjust the engine power.

Benefits: With this assistance system particularly long journeys are more relaxing, and you can concentrate on the traffic. In conjunction with distance control the driving comfort is further enhanced: This calculates the speed of the vehicle ahead and automatically alters your own speed.    

What is distance control?

Distance control is also called Adaptive Cruise Control. With a pre-set desired speed this driver assistance system orientates to the vehicle ahead and automatically brakes or accelerates depending on the distance from the leading vehicle. This system has already been integrated into many modern vehicles. The applied sensors measure the current speed and the distance from the car ahead. If you find yourself in stop start traffic, the distance control takes over braking and start-up.

Benefits: Above all, you can use distance control during long journeys in combination with the cruise control function in order to arrive at your destination much more relaxed and to rest your legs as you don’t need to continually press the pedals. You must of course still keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. Besides comfort, distance control should also provide for greater safety during the journey.    

What does the speed limit assist do?

This driver assistance system combines the distance control with speed limit recognition and can also called Speed Limit Assist. Speed limit assist superimposes information about the speed limit onto the display area. With the help of this assistant you can adapt the maximum speed of the vehicle to a particular limit. The system scans road signs with a camera. Software then processes all the data and combines this with the data from the navigation system. You can view this driver assistance system as additional “speed camera insurance” because, in supplementing cruise control and the distance controller, it recognises the respective speed limit and – in the latest design – also automatically adjusts.

Benefits: According to research papers, around a quarter of accidents are due to speeding and the failure to maintain safe distances. Here, speed limit assist can increase your safety. Nevertheless, these systems do not absolve the vehicle operator of responsibility – they can however help to significantly reduce these numbers.    

How does a lane-change warning work? Why use lane-change assist?

The lane-change warning can help you to safely execute a lane-change and support the view in the rear mirror and over the shoulder. Sensors monitor the area beside and behind your car, and they cover the notorious blind spot. If another car approaches your vehicle in the blind spot or is dangerously close and overlooked by the driver, the driver assistant recognises this and warns against changing lanes. This warning is made, for example, using flashing symbols in the side mirror and even with steering wheel vibrations or steering impulses. A further development is lane-change assist. This means you can change lanes automatically once you’ve set the indicator for a few seconds. In doing so, the system assesses whether there is another vehicle in the blind spot or dangerously close and only changes lane as long as the sensors do not detect a hazard.

Benefits: A lane-change warning offers additional protection for road users, but it’s not a replacement for the rear and side mirrors or glancing over your shoulder. This driver assistance system can indeed help to avoid accidents – the driver must nevertheless pay full attention.

What advantages does parking assist offer?

Parking assistants support you when manoeuvring or parking and help protect you from parking damage. The range thereby extends from systems with a warning function to systems which display the surroundings or automatically carry out the parking process. Assistants make use of ultrasound and camera sensor data. Parkpilot indicates the distance to surrounding objects and in this way supports the drive mainly through the use of beeping. A rear camera is more detailed: Additionally, it displays the area behind the car and adds in suggested lines which provides guidance when parking. In further developments, driver assistance systems completely take over the parking process and independently carry out all the required steering manoeuvres as well as braking and acceleration. With such automated systems the assistant manoeuvres your car into and out of tight parking spaces at the touch of a button. Up to a certain speed the BMW Rear Drive Assist is capable of reconstructing the last 50m of the route driven in reverse. This can be useful, for example, in parking situations, but also when you want to reverse into a narrow lane. 

Benefits: With this assistance system tight car parks and narrow parking spaces on the roadside should no longer present a challenge. The comfort and advantages of a self-parking vehicle are clear.    

From driver assistance systems to autonomous driving

The assistance systems presented offer only a small preview of the aim which many manufacturers are striving towards in the future: autonomous driving.

Matthias Hartwig, Scientific Advisor at the Institute for Climate Protection, Energy and Mobility (IKEM), and his team are occupied with the scientific, economic and legal questions surrounding this topic. In our free E-Book, he explains the challenges and prospects of autonomous driving.

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Does BMW Have Adaptive Cruise Control? ACC Availability

If you’ve been considering a new luxury vehicle, you may be wondering – does BMW offer adaptive cruise control (ACC)? This increasingly popular driver assistance feature can provide added comfort and potentially improved safety on daily commutes and long highway drives. Read on to learn all about BMW’s ACC availability and capabilities across their model lineup.

What Is Adaptive Cruise Control?

Adaptive cruise control represents an evolution beyond traditional cruise control systems that simply maintain a constant driving speed set by the driver. With basic cruise, you need to brake and reset when traffic slows down ahead.

ACC uses radar, cameras and other sensors to monitor surrounding traffic flow. When vehicles ahead slow down or stop, your ACC equipped car can automatically slow as needed to maintain a preset following interval, then resume the desired speed when traffic clears. This provides a more natural driving experience, with less constant resetting.

Some ACC systems even allow your car to come to a complete stop if traffic halts, then accelerate smoothly when vehicles start moving again. This “Stop & Go” functionality offers the most convenience in heavy traffic or congested highway driving.

Which BMW Models Offer Adaptive Cruise Control?

Most current BMW passenger vehicles now come equipped with adaptive cruise control either as standard equipment, or available on higher trim levels or via optional packages:

Standard ACC

• BMW 2 Series Coupe and Convertible
• BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
• BMW 4 Series Coupe, Convertible, Gran Coupe
• BMW Z4 Roadster

Optional ACC

• BMW 3 Series Sedan – ACC available on higher trims
• BMW 5 Series Sedan – ACC in Driver Assistance Package
• BMW 8 Series Coupe and Convertible – ACC in Driver Assistance Package

Standard on Some Trims

• BMW X3 SUV – Standard on xDrive30i and M40i
• BMW X4 SUV – Standard on xDrive30i and M40i
• BMW X5 SUV – Standard on 40i, 50i, M50i, 40e
• BMW X6 SUV – Standard on xDrive40i, M50i, 40e
• BMW X7 SUV – Standard on xDrive40i, M50i, 40i

So in summary, ACC is now available across most model lines in the BMW portfolio. Only the base trim versions or classic “i” and “eDrive” models omit adaptive functionality from the standard cruise control system.

How Does BMW’s ACC System Work?

BMW utilizes a fusion of technologies including radar, cameras, ultrasonic sensors and advanced software to make ACC possible. This sensor array constantly monitors changing conditions out to around 400 feet ahead of your vehicle’s current position.

When ACC is active, the system tracks the speed and distance of vehicles ahead. If traffic slows, the ACC automatically reduces your vehicle’s speed to maintain a preset following interval. This following time can be adjusted based on driver preferences and traffic conditions.

On most newer BMW models, the ACC allows the vehicle to come to a complete stop if vehicles ahead stop moving. This occurs smoothly and automatically based on the sensor inputs. The Traffic Jam Assistant and Stop & Go functions control the BMW safely in heavy traffic up to speeds of around 40 mph.

You can choose from several following distance settings on BMW ACC. At the closest setting of 1.8 seconds, your vehicle will be approximately 150 feet behind at highway speeds. This might be suitable in faster flowing traffic when vehicles are farther apart.

The maximum following interval is 3.7 seconds – giving around 300 feet of space at 70 mph. This setting allows for more gradual slowing and a more relaxed drive in dense traffic. The system provides enough flexibility to accommodate different driving styles and traffic scenarios.

Key Benefits of BMW Adaptive Cruise Control

There are several excellent reasons to consider a BMW model equipped with adaptive cruise control:

Reduced Driver Fatigue

Long drives can be taxing, requiring constant adjustments to your speed. ACC significantly reduces the number of pedal inputs needed to maintain safe speeds and spacing in traffic. This decreases fatigue, letting you feel more refreshed.

Enhanced Safety

ACC systems can react more quickly than humans to slowing vehicles ahead. This extra fraction of a second in response time can be crucial to avoiding rear end collisions. The more consistent speed control also improves safety for all nearby cars.

Smoother Traffic Flow

With vehicles maintaining steady speeds and gaps, traffic flow becomes more uniform. This reduces abrupt braking by other drivers that can lead to accidents. ACC adoption could continue improving commute times.

More Focus on Driving

Your attention shifts from speedometer watching to taking in more of the driving environment when ACC is active. Features like Lane Keeping Assist also work better in conjunction with ACC to maximize safety.

Ease in Traffic Jams

Stop & Go functionality takes the stress out of bumper to bumper traffic. Only needing to control steering and allowing the BMW to manage braking and acceleration helps both alertness and fuel efficiency.

Tips for Using BMW Adaptive Cruise Control

Like any advanced feature, getting the most from your BMW ACC requires understanding proper usage:

• Only activate ACC on limited access controlled highways where traffic is free flowing. Avoid winding roads or poor weather conditions.
• Adjust following distance based on speed. Use maximum following gap over 50 mph for more gradual speed changes.
• Disable ACC well in advance if you’ll need to exit or change lanes frequently. Manual driving is required for full control.
• Keep eyes on the road when ACC is active and be ready to brake as needed. Driver attentiveness is still required by law.
• In heavy rain or snow, enhanced sensor capabilities on newer BMW models can allow continued ACC use when safe and appropriate.

Following these usage tips will help you take full advantage of BMW’s adaptive cruise control for both safety and maximum driving ease.

How Does BMW ACC Compare to Rivals?

All major luxury automakers now offer adaptive cruise control to match consumer demand for these convenient and potentially lifesaving driver aids. How does BMW’s ACC stack up against key competitors?

Mercedes-Benz – Mercedes ACC works very similarly to BMW’s, with full speed Stop & Go functionality on newer models. Following distance can’t be adjusted over a set range of time gaps.

Audi – The Audi adaptive cruise mirrors BMW’s capabilities while adding traffic jam assist, which can completely stop and start the vehicle in traffic up to 40mph.

Lexus – Lexus ACC doesn’t bring the vehicle to a complete stop, requiring driver intervention at very low speeds. Operation may be less smooth than BMW’s system.

Acura – Similar to Lexus, Acura ACC slows all the way to a stop but doesn’t automatically reaccelerate when traffic moves. More driver input is required.

Volvo – Volvo ACC offers a range of following intervals like BMW, from 1 to 3 seconds. Autobraking for pedestrians is also included, but no Stop & Go feature.

Overall, BMW matches or leads many competitors in adaptive cruise technology – especially with the latest X5, X6, X7 or 8 Series models. Smooth acceleration and deceleration plus a wide range of selectable following distances provide excellent safety and ease of use.

The Future of Adaptive Cruise Control

Vehicle automation will continue progressing rapidly in coming years. How will ACC evolve along with self-driving technology?

• Expanded speed ranges – ACC may soon work at very low speeds and also at highway speeds over 100mph.
• More integration – ACC will combine inputs with lane centering, blind spot monitoring and other ADAS features for more natural automated driving.
• Camera and sensor upgrades – higher resolution cameras, multiple radar systems and more powerful vehicle to vehicle (V2V) communication will improve ACC responsiveness.
• New situations – going beyond just speed adjustment, future ACC may automatically apply maximum braking in emergencies or provide evasive steering input when needed.
• More vehicle types – heavy trucks are testing ACC, which could significantly improve highway safety and reduce accidents resulting from fatigued truckers.

These ACC enhancements will pave the way for fully autonomous vehicle operations as additional redundancies in sensors and vehicle control systems increase reliability.

What Does BMW ACC Cost?

As a standard feature on many BMWs, ACC itself doesn’t add to the purchase price or require membership fees to activate as with some automakers. However, you’ll need to choose specific packages or trim levels to get ACC included if not standard:

• 3 Series Sedan  – Adaptive cruise control pricing starts at $3000 above base price for Premium trim with Driver Assistance Package.
• 5 Series Sedan  – The base 530i doesn’t include ACC. You’ll need to add the $1700 Driver Assistance Package.
• 8 Series  – Getting ACC requires $1700 for the Driver Assistance Package on all coupe and convertible models.
• For SUV models like the X3, X4, X5 and X7, ACC comes standard on the volume selling trim levels, minimizing additional costs in most cases.

Overall ACC represents a minor expense given the benefits over a BMW’s lengthy lifespan. And the residual value boost from desirable safety features may offset the small initial price premium.

Should You Choose BMW ACC?

Adaptive cruise control has progressed from a novelty to a near requirement for most luxury car buyers. BMW has stayed at the forefront of ACC technology to provide a seamless driving experience.

For regular highway driving or commutes in congested traffic, few options deliver more daily value than BMW’s ACC equipped models. Camera and radar based systems reduce driver stress while enhancing safety through precise speed and distance management.

As BMW’s ACC capabilities continue to expand in areas like stop-and-go functionality and integration with other automated features, expect even broader adoption across BMW’s lineup. Having adaptive cruise can meaningfully improve any drive where traffic demands your full attention. Evaluating ACC should be a priority during your new vehicle research process.

As a lifelong BMW enthusiast, I founded BMW Insights in 2023 to combine my passion for the brand with my engineering degree from Munich and experience in BMW's R&D department. I now provide insider technical articles, how-to tutorials, test drives, and commentary on all things BMW. My lifelong immersion in the world of BMW allows me to offer a unique perspective for fellow BMW fans.

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2021 BMW 540i xDrive review: Riding the line between sharp and soft

The latest 5 Series is a luxury sedan that does a pretty good job moonlighting as something sportier.

Alpine White makes everything better.

For nearly 50 years, the BMW 5 Series has stood as a midsize sedan that doesn't scrimp on luxury while offering a pretty engaging drive along the way. Recent generations have perhaps pushed a bit further into luxury than "Ultimate Driving Machine" nerds might want, but taking a spin in the 2021 BMW 540i shows me that BMW is still emphasizing both parts of the equation.

2021 BMW 540i xDrive

• Smooth mild-hybrid system
• Comfy, spacious interior
• Hides some decent hustle

Don't like

• Plain interior and exterior design
• Gesture control still useless
• Priced for princes

Casual outside, comfortable inside

The latest generation of BMW 5 Series looks a bit anonymous, but I'd levy that judgment to every sedan the automaker produces -- if you don't have a sense of scale handy, they could easily be confused for one another. I'm all for brand recognition, and I'll admit that my 540i tester looks a bit dressier than your average Fiver thanks to a bright Alpine White paint job, but the whole shebang isn't exactly what I'd call evocative. It lacks the dramatics of the Genesis G80 or the Audi A6 , but it's not a problem exclusive to BMW -- Mercedes is currently suffering from the same cookie-cutter design trappings.

The interior is on the snooze-button side of inspiring, as well, rocking the same design it's had for years, save for a few tweaks here and there. But the real luxury doesn't come from how everything's laid out. Instead, I'm smitten with the 2021 540i's cabin because it's just so damn comfortable. The ventilated, massaging front seats ($1,000) are wrapped in dark brown Nappa leather ($2,500), which is soft to the touch and immensely cushy on longer drives. Combined with ample headroom and legroom in both rows, the 5 Series is clearly pushing a comfort-first agenda.

2021 BMW 540i xDrive keeps it comfortable

There's some function to back up the form, too. The doors have suitably sized cubbies for holding straw wrappers and other random detritus, and while the center console's under-armrest cubby is on the small side, having a wireless device charger (part of an $1,850 Premium Package) ahead of the cup holders means that space can be dedicated solely to masks, wallets, keys and whatever else is in my pockets. With 14 cubic feet of space, the 540i's trunk is roomier than what the A6 or E-Class offer up.

Optioned for curves

There's clearly a lean toward luxury when it comes to how the 2021 BMW 540i drives, but that doesn't mean BMW has completely abandoned its rowdier roots. For the most part, though, my tester is most rewarding when the car's myriad settings are placed in the standard Comfort mode. The adaptive dampers (part of a $3,200 package with active roll bars) do a great job soaking up Michigan's manifold crappy roads while returning very little to the cabin. There's an inherent feeling of solidity coming from the chassis -- the ride is soft, but that doesn't mean the whole thing is so loosey-goosey that the metaphors start moving nautical. It's just very pleasant taking soft turns on long roads out in the sticks.

Should you be moved by a need for speed, I'd probably recommend moving to something more dedicated to that mood like the M550i, but there's still a good bit of fun to be had in the 540i. Tapping the Sport button on the center console sharpens things up considerably. The variable steering ($3,300!) gets heavier, the adaptive dampers stiffen and the throttle response ratchets up. Body roll in corners dissipates, making it a surprisingly fun car to throw into corners, even though it's certainly not a lithe little thing. It's worth noting, though, that the fun I'm having commands at least $6,000 in options, so I can see why some folks might criticize the 5 Series for being a little too luxurious before boxes start getting checked off.

Under the hood is a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 producing 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, enough to push my all-wheel-drive tester to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds. At most points on the tachometer, a squeeze of the throttle elicits a little extra exhaust noise and a whole bunch o' torque, giving me the agility to do just about anything I need to do on a public road. The eight-speed automatic transmission is similarly smooth, swapping gears in both directions with minimal fuss or movement in the cabin.

There's a hint of electrification in the 2021 BMW 5 Series , too. Six-cylinder models like this one carry a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. Its starter-generator can provide an additional 11 hp to help fill gaps in power delivery as needed, but its prime directive is efficiency. Stop-start sessions are longer and barely feel like anything at all when the motor kicks over, even when it shuts everything down below 9 mph. Brake regeneration is on the mild side, although it gets a little more aggressive in Sport mode; to be honest, I can't really feel the point at which the regenerative and friction brakes start to mingle, which is a very good thing. All that efficiency-boosting goodness happens in the background with little for the driver to note.

Those extra electrons make the 2021 540i xDrive decently efficient, with the EPA estimating its fuel economy at 23 miles per gallon city and 31 mpg highway. As usual, I trend slightly lower in the city, but the 540i is a champ on the freeway, returning 31 mpg (or more) with very little conscious footwork on my end.

The 540i xDrive's cabin is comfortable enough for long stretches, no breaks necessary.

Tech aplenty

Sitting down in the 2021 BMW 5 Series feels just as technologically advanced as any other modern luxury car. Best of all, most everything seen on my tester is standard, from the 12.3-inch touchscreen to the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.

The main infotainment screen, which has grown from 10.3 inches in the past year, can be manipulated through its touchscreen or by using the iDrive dial on the center console. The system is easy on the eyes, impressively responsive (it boots very quickly from a cold start) and loaded with features like embedded navigation, Apple CarPlay , Android Auto , over-the-air updates and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The gauge cluster shows a permanent map free of street names, so it's really only useful when you have turn-by-turn directions on. The left and right sides of the gauge cluster can show what's playing on the radio and various other bits of information. Plunk down $1,850 for the Premium Package and you also get wireless device charging and a head-up display that further reduces distractions. It also adds iDrive's gesture control, which is largely useless and distracting, especially when I make a hand motion that unknowingly changes the station or stops the music entirely.

On the safety front, everybody should be pleased. Every Fiver comes standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams and speed-limit information. This specific 540i also includes the $1,700 Driving Assistance Plus package, which adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, lane-keep assist and something called Extended Traffic Jam Assist. That last bit is interesting in that it's an honest hands-off feature, albeit one that is only supposed to be used in traffic jams on limited-access highways in order to reduce tedium. It works well, creeping along with traffic while I nervously scan every vehicle in a half-mile radius to ensure nobody's doing anything that might catch the system off guard.

Stop trying to make fetch (or, in this case, gesture control) happen. It's not going to happen.

Down to brass tacks

Most of the major players in the 2021 BMW 5 Series' segment are well known. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class leans a bit harder on the luxury angle, while those looking for more technology and a more unique appearance might want to consider the hard-edged Audi A6. However, there's a new player in town: the 2021 Genesis G80. This Korean sedan is absolutely stunning as a pure luxury car, and it absolutely mollywhops the Bimmer on price, with fully loaded examples commanding about $69,000 (nice). It lacks the cachet of a Roundel on the hood, sure, but don't throw the baby out with the bathwater just because its provenance isn't Teutonic.

The 2021 BMW 540i xDrive isn't just a luxury car. I mean, sure, that's what it is -- and when it comes to being luxurious, it excels -- but it's a bit more than a one-dimensional qualifier like that. With a few button presses, this straight-six sedan picks up a sportier nature that makes for quite an engaging experience if there are a few curves between Points A and B. 

Score Breakdown

BMW Driver Assistance Package: Features and Benefits Explained

The BMW Driver Assistance Package is a collection of advanced safety features designed to make driving safer and more comfortable. BMW has always been at the forefront of innovation, and the Driver Assistance Package is no exception. It includes a range of features that help drivers avoid accidents, stay in their lane, and even park their car.

Some of the key features of the BMW Driver Assistance Package include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. These features work together to help drivers stay safe on the road, even in challenging driving conditions. For example, adaptive cruise control can automatically adjust the car’s speed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front, while lane departure warning can alert drivers if they are drifting out of their lane.

Overall, the BMW Driver Assistance Package is a valuable addition to any BMW vehicle. It offers a range of features that can help drivers stay safe on the road, and it is available on a wide range of BMW models. Whether you are a seasoned driver or a new driver, the BMW Driver Assistance Package is an investment in your safety and peace of mind.

Table of Contents

Understanding BMW Driver Assistance Package

The BMW Driver Assistance Package is a safety upgrade that offers a range of features to enhance the driving experience. It uses technology to assist drivers in navigating tricky situations while driving.

The package includes blind-spot detection, lane-departure warning, and more. The features in the package may vary depending on the model and year of the BMW vehicle.

For instance, the Driving Assistance Package includes a Head-Up Display (HUD), Active Blind Spot Detection, and Lane Departure Warning. The package also includes the latest automated driving system from BMW, the Highway Assistant feature.

In addition, BMWs equipped with standard Active Driving Assistant can be optioned with a Driving Assistance Professional Package. This package includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, active collision avoidance for the blind-spot warning system, front cross-traffic warning, and Active Driving Assistant Pro.

Key Features of BMW Driver Assistance Package

The BMW Driver Assistance Package is a collection of advanced safety features designed to make driving safer and more convenient. This package includes a range of driver assistance systems that work together to help drivers stay safe on the road. Here are some of the key features of the BMW Driver Assistance Package:

1. Active Cruise Control

Active Cruise Control is a system that automatically adjusts the speed of the vehicle to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle in front. This system uses radar sensors to detect the distance between vehicles and adjusts the speed accordingly. It can also bring the vehicle to a complete stop and resume driving when traffic starts moving again.

2. Lane Departure Warning

Lane Departure Warning is a system that alerts the driver when the vehicle is drifting out of its lane. This system uses a camera to detect lane markings and will provide an audible warning if the vehicle starts to drift out of its lane.

3. Frontal Collision Warning

Frontal Collision Warning is a system that alerts the driver when a potential collision with another vehicle or object is detected. This system uses radar sensors to detect the distance between vehicles and will provide an audible warning if a collision is imminent.

4. Parking Assistance Plus

Parking Assistance Plus is a system that helps drivers park their vehicle in tight spaces. This system uses sensors to detect the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects and provides visual and audible guidance to the driver.

5. Back-Up Camera

The Back-Up Camera is a system that provides drivers with a view of the area behind the vehicle when backing up. This system uses a camera mounted on the rear of the vehicle and displays the image on the infotainment screen.

6. Speed Limit Info

Speed Limit Info is a system that displays the current speed limit on the instrument cluster or infotainment screen. This system uses a camera to detect speed limit signs and will display the information to the driver.

Benefits of BMW Driver Assistance Package

The BMW Driver Assistance Package offers a range of features that enhance driving safety and comfort. Here are some of the key benefits of this package:

• Improved safety: The BMW Driver Assistance Package includes various safety features that help prevent accidents and protect passengers. For example, the Lane Departure Warning system alerts the driver if the vehicle starts to drift out of its lane, while the Blind Spot Detection system warns the driver of vehicles in the blind spot. Additionally, the Frontal Collision Warning system with City Collision Mitigation can automatically apply the brakes to prevent or reduce the severity of a collision.
• Enhanced convenience: The BMW Driver Assistance Package also includes features that make driving more convenient and less stressful. For instance, the Adaptive Cruise Control system maintains a safe distance from the vehicle in front, while the Traffic Jam Assistant system can take over steering, acceleration, and braking in heavy traffic.
• Increased confidence: By providing real-time information and alerts, the BMW Driver Assistance Package can help drivers feel more confident and in control behind the wheel. For example, the Speed Limit Info system displays the current speed limit on the dashboard, while the Cross-Traffic Alert system warns the driver of approaching vehicles when reversing out of a parking space.

Overall, the BMW Driver Assistance Package is a worthwhile investment for those who prioritize safety, convenience, and confidence while driving.

How to Use BMW Driver Assistance Package?

The BMW Driver Assistance Package is a set of advanced features designed to provide drivers with a safer, more comfortable driving experience. Here’s a brief overview of how to use some of the key features included in this package:

1. Lane Departure Warning

The Lane Departure Warning system uses a camera mounted on the windshield to detect when the vehicle is drifting out of its lane. If the system detects that the vehicle is about to leave the lane without signaling, it will alert the driver with an audible and visual warning.

To activate this feature, the driver must first ensure that the system is turned on in the iDrive menu. Once activated, the system will automatically detect lane markings and provide warnings when necessary.

2. Blind Spot Detection

The Blind Spot Detection system uses radar sensors to detect vehicles in the driver’s blind spot. If the system detects a vehicle in the blind spot, it will provide an audible and visual warning to the driver.

To use this feature, the driver must first ensure that the system is turned on in the iDrive menu. Once activated, the system will automatically detect vehicles in the blind spot and provide warnings when necessary.

The Frontal Collision Warning system uses radar sensors to detect when a collision is imminent. If the system detects that a collision is likely, it will provide an audible and visual warning to the driver.

To activate this feature, the driver must first ensure that the system is turned on in the iDrive menu. Once activated, the system will automatically detect potential collisions and provide warnings when necessary.

4. Adaptive Cruise Control

The Adaptive Cruise Control system uses radar sensors to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front. If the system detects that the vehicle in front is slowing down, it will automatically adjust the speed of the BMW to maintain a safe distance.

To use this feature, the driver must first ensure that the system is turned on in the iDrive menu. Once activated, the system will automatically adjust the speed of the BMW to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front.

Cost and Availability

The BMW Driver Assistance Package is an optional feature that can be added to most BMW models. The cost of the package varies depending on the model and the specific features included. According to GetJerry.com, the Driving Assistance Package can cost between $700 to $1000. However, owners of BMWs with this package should consider upgrading to the BMW Driving Assistance Professional Package for added protection.

It is important to note that not all BMW models come with the Driver Assistance Package as a standard feature. Most SUV and electric models only include the Professional Package. Therefore, it is recommended that buyers check the availability of the package before purchasing a BMW.

The BMW Driver Assistance Package is available at authorized BMW dealerships and can be added to a new or used BMW. It is also possible to purchase the package as an accessory for a BMW that does not have it installed.

The BMW Driver Assistance Package is a great safety upgrade for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road. It includes a range of features that can help prevent accidents and make driving more comfortable and convenient.

The package varies depending on the BMW model, but some of the key features include blind-spot detection, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic warning. These features work together to create a safer driving experience for the driver and passengers.

While the BMW Driver Assistance Package may come at an additional cost, it is worth the investment for those who prioritize safety and convenience. The package has received positive reviews from both experts and BMW owners, who appreciate the added peace of mind and ease of use that the features provide.

Overall, the BMW Driver Assistance Package is a valuable addition to any BMW vehicle. It offers a range of features that can help prevent accidents and make driving more comfortable and convenient. With its advanced technology and user-friendly design, the package is sure to enhance the driving experience for BMW owners.

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Review: The 2021 BMW 540i delivers exactly what you want

This Ultimate Driving Machine is a luxurious sports sedan

For decades, the BMW 5 Series has been the pinnacle of the Ultimate Driving Machine family.

Sure, the 7 Series is the big boy flagship, and the 3 Series is the zippy fun one, but the 5 is the just-right-goldilocks executive sedan for the driving enthusiast.

I've written many times that sedans are dead, and that's true at lower price points, but up in the luxury world, they're anything but. BMW is indeed shoveling truckloads of South Carolina-made X-whatever SUVs out the dealership door as fast as they can build them — but BMW still sold almost 27,000 5 Series cars last year, and it's for one simple reason: They're excellent.

The new 5 Series takes a tried and true formula and doesn’t mess with it too much.

My BMW 540i xDrive test unit came in a beautiful Alpine White with a Mocha Nappa Leather interior and stickered for $77,935. That's a lot of cheese, and, as always, whether it's worth it depends on whether you have $77,935 and want a BMW 5 Series.

“That's a lot of cheese.”

There were some options fitted that were definitely worth it. For example, the $1,850 Premium Package includes a power tailgate, heated front seats (how are these not standard?), a head-up display, and a wildly silly gesture control system that allows you to wave or point at the stereo to change the volume or a few other things.

I talk with my hands, gesturing wildly, and more than once, I moved my hand in just the right gesticulating manner to crank the volume up unnecessarily loud. If I had this car, I'd need to disable the gesture control or stop waving about while talking.

It doesn’t have the enormous front kidney grille like the new 4 Series. It’s much more subtle.

The options list goes on.

There's the $3,200 Dynamic Handling Package that includes active roll stabilization (presumably without this, the car flips over at the slightest provocation) and dynamic damper control. Actually, both of these improve handling and make the ultimate driving machine even more ultimate and sporty.

The same is true of the $3,300 M Sport Package that includes variable sport steering and some other stuff. So basically, if you want your car to drive better, faster, sportier, BMW has a (very profitable) package for you and will happily take your money.

“The car screams luxury.”

But even still, the car screams luxury. Open the door, and you immediately know you're not in some mid-tier sedan. The ($2,500) leather is soft and cosseting. It's obviously not Rolls-Royce caliber (which BMW owns, by the way), but it's some of the nicest you'll find on this side of $100 grand.

You know what you’re going to get with the 5 Series. Sporty, refined luxury.

Add in wireless CarPlay (Android Auto is supported too), a terrific steering wheel (great wheels are underrated), and a 48-volt mild hybrid system that keeps fuel economy at a rather excellent 26 mpg combined (23/31 city/highway), and you have a pretty well equipped luxury automobile.

And now we can get to the engine. It’s the cherry on top of this Alpine White sundae. BMW has fitted a peach of a 3-liter twin-turbo inline-6, mated to a buttery-smooth 8-speed transmission that shoves all the power through a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system.

“It's far faster than you'd ever need.”

If all that is meaningless to you, never fear: it means it's far faster than you'd ever need. It's also theoretically capable of dealing with whatever icky weather comes your way (particularly if you stick some winter tires on there, depending on your local climate).

The BMW steering wheel is lovely to hold, as always. The gearshift remains needlessly complex, though you’ll have it figured out within a week.

The engine makes 335 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque (from just 1,500 rpm) which means it has plenty of get-up-and-go, and it can run right up to its 155 mph speed limiter without an issue. This car was built to be an Autobahn cruiser, after all.

Of course, you'd never go that fast in it — in fact, the 540i is far more likely to be a country club cruiser than to be headed for the nearest Ausfahrt sign.

And if you do buy it to get to and from your high-powered law office or investment firm, you should make sure to pick up the $1,700 Driving Assistance Plus package. It includes several advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that help keep you safe while making life easier in traffic.

The drive mode buttons are at the top left, but my favorite is the “Auto H” button at the bottom right. Press that and the car will automatically hold position when you come to a stop at a red light.

It combines adaptive cruise control with active lane-centering to help with steering when on the highway. In other words, you can momentarily take your hands off the wheel, and the car will help you steer. It's similar to other systems from Volvo or Mercedes, and it's best used in stop-and-go traffic.

“BMW drivers are BMW drivers for a reason.”

I doubt that anyone buying this car needs to read a review to decide if they like it or not. BMW drivers are BMW drivers for a reason: they want the history, they like the performance, and they like what driving one says about them.

I'm not sure if the BMW 540i is the best sports sedan on the market, though it's definitely a solid competitor. But I know that anyone slipping behind the wheel will very much enjoy their time with the Ultimate Driving Machine.

One Cool Detail: CarPlay in the HUD

The new BMW can put turn-by-turn directions from Apple Maps in CarPlay right in the instrument cluster and the head-up display .

That means you don’t need to choose between using Apple Maps on your phone and having turn-by-turn directions in your HUD.

Why doesn’t every car have this?

Subscribe to PRNDL , Jordan Golson’s car reviews newsletter, free on Substack . This review is also published in the North State Journal .

This article was originally published on July 8, 2021

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Am I correct that the 2021 530i does not have adaptive cruise control unless you find one with the driving assistance professional package add-on? Seems crazy given that even base level Toyota's, Kia's and Hyundai's have adaptive cruise control these days. Just got out of a base Toyota Corolla that had it. Am I missing something? Or is BMW that far behind the times?  

That is the case. But you noticed this on your test drive and are yet to buy the car? Would be painful to be looking for features after signing on the dotted line.  

In general, many features you find standard on US and Asian vehicles are added to German cars through expensive options packages. Speaking just for BMW, I believe this is their strategy for getting base prices down when compared to the competition. Whenever I get on to the BMW configurator to consider ordering a car, I end up choosing the premium, cold-weather, technology and m-sport option packages. Those packages are not cheap, and except for m-sport, many of the included features come standard from other manufacturers with competing vehicles. The one that bothered me most for cars older than 2012 is the fold-down rear seat. You would be lucky to find that on 5% of their 3-series and 5-series 2000 through 2011, because it was part of the cold weather package OR a stand-alone $500 option. But you would be hard pressed to find a Japanese sedan from that time period without a fold-down rear seat.  

With me, it was remote start. It never even occurred to me that my 2020 G30 didn't have it, so I didn't think to look for it before buying it. Then I learn that it wasn't even available as an option if I'd wanted it! It wouldn't have been a deal breaker but lesson learned: Check for everything!  

The lesson I learned after buying my first German car used. Go online and find the brochure or ordering guide or whatever a manufacturer calls it. Figure out everything that was/is available for the car. Then decide which ones you really want and start searching for those. Rare options require you to know what you are looking for, but they are always pennies on the dollar compared to new. So you are better of waiting until you find the car with your options than trying to retrofit or swap after the fact.  

One would think these cars would come fully loaded. The first car 540 drove had all the bells and whistles. However I just was not wowed with it. The second one was not as highly optioned but had the m-sport package. Fell in love with it immediately. Had the dealer send me all the option codes. Car doesn’t even have blind spot monitors. But to be honest I can live without most of the new tech. Both my wife’s Lexus and my son’s Subaru have lane keep etc which we turn off. Roads are just too narrow around here. I do however like the adaptive cruise in the Lexus. But can live without in the BMW. Been driving long enough that not having the tech doesn’t really bother me. When buying out of stock or pre owned you may or may not find a car optioned the way you want. Just the way it is. So need to decide what is a must have vs nice to have. Sent from my iPhone using Bimmerfest  

peteinpa said: One would think these cars would come fully loaded. Click to expand...

skierrob said: Am I correct that the 2021 530i does not have adaptive cruise control unless you find one with the driving assistance professional package add-on? Seems crazy given that even base level Toyota's, Kia's and Hyundai's have adaptive cruise control these days. Just got out of a base Toyota Corolla that had it. Am I missing something? Or is BMW that far behind the times? Click to expand...

Sad that 50k-100k plus BMWs all do not have the Driver assistance pro features standard. My G30 does not , I was lucky to find a 2020 G05 for my wife that does. Drove over 150 mile on the highway this weekend, never touched brake or gas, kept one hand on wheel, it even changes lanes when I put on the turn signal. IMO very good. Son's Hyundai has similar feature, and it actually works a bit better.  

I agree BUT I think it might have to do with many BMW owners HATING driver assistance packages so making them optional may keep those buyers happy.  

BMW is taking a much more cautious approach to autonomy then other manufacturers but the progression makes sense if you look at the features linearly as to when they came out and how they operated. BMW is paving the way for the future slowly as of now but much bigger/better things are on the horizon. As an example G05 now uses DSCi which is a brake by wire system. When you step on the brake pedal your not using a piston to move fluid like all other past cars. Now your pedal is an input to a brake pedal pressure sensor and that sensor talks to DSCi to determine how much pressure is needed. You then get a feedback on the brake pedal via a brake pedal feedback sensor. The system is very good and most people can’t tell. I promise Hyundai doesn’t have this. While this isn’t that impressive by itself it opens the window moving forwards to further autonomy and self driving. Again it’s a slower approach then many other brands but these cars are also doing MANY things people don’t even know are happening such as Brake drying or torque vectoring or facial recognition or object detection with the headlights. It’s all pretty seamless but you gotta pay to play baby. You want features then bmw prefers you pay for them as they R&D separately from other manufacturers. As a few examples BMW put out Xenon lights first. BMW put out Lazers first, BMW put out FlexRay first, navigation mapping with trans shift points starting in 2012 ( predictive drivetrain management ) moving forwards, the list is impressive and endless. There’s a reason we are bmw enthusiasts even if you don’t realize why.  

Back to the OP, though: IMHO, the OP isn't missing much with ACC. BMW's engineers may have designed an amazing ACC system, certainly, but BMW's attorneys made it far too conservative to be useful. My ACC pushes me so far back in traffic that another car will move into the "hole." Then the presence of a new car pushes me further back in traffic, so another car moves in, etc. Everybody just ends up going around me, until I'm the slowest vehicle on the highway. Pointless. The only place I've ever found it useful is at about 5mph on the interstates of northern New Jersey at rush hour. Then it will auto-follow in 100% electric mode, and it will do it pretty decently. BMWNA is located right there, which I suspect might not be entirely coincidental. Here in Boston, I literally never use it.  

On the LCI and the X5 it will automatically adjust for a narrower following distance than our cars preset points. It is just an evolution... On our cars it is built around giving you time to respond. So if you come here to Philly and you use it in our area (which I have a lot). If you get a sudden slowdown in traffic that the system will still chime for you to brake before it has to apply emergency braking maneuvers to stop you. They wanted to give you enough time to process and respond to that warning so you can decide how to handle it. For instance, our cars have evasion assistance that will help you stably shift lanes or to a shoulder if that is safer, but you have the initiate the shift the car will do everything to support you ONLY if you initiate first. Again, the car needed to give you time to decide and process that. I find the feature extremely helpful though. It does what I purchased it for perfectly. In the annoying bumper to bumper traffic that hits on 76 it can do 99% of the work fully and I end up being far more relaxed during the whole drive and arriving relaxed as well. On the longer drives I can turn it on to reduce the constant twitching you need to do to keep a car tracking straight. Which can make longer drives less fatiguing. But even more importantly, for me, than all of that was the added safety benefits. It will use that radar to make it much more accurate at preventing you from rear ending the car in front of you. In Philly I-76 (locally nicknamed the “Sure”kill expressway) can be brutal. Traffic can open up and people will zoom up to 80MPH and come around a curve looking at a wall of cars… If you use the features complaining about the areas where they are weak instead of using them where they excel you’re only missing out on valuable features in your car awaiting perfection. This was a crash that happened on I-76 in Philly just this afternoon…  

I agree with @SteveinArizona -- I turn off almost all of the driver aids when I rent a car that is equipped. The only one I find useful is blind spot alert. Maybe all of this is a sign I am too old. I use conventional cruise control every day, but I have not found an Active Cruise implementation I enjoy using. The ones I have tried extensively include BMW, Chevy, Lincoln and Toyota/Lexus. That said, if I purchased a new BMW today (or any new car, actually), I would purchase those driver aids just to ensure decent trade value down the road.  

I have a 2018 530e and had it coded to closest on ACC. I also had the lighting coded and the Alpina display instead of the standard display. Also, I have the adaptive dampers so I had the car coded to default to adaptive mode.  

Thanks Steve, yes, I remember now that I could code the closest ACC on mine. I passed on the dazzle lighting thing. From what I understand, coding it is an art and success relies heavily on the skills of the coder. I know a few people that had it done that were underwhelmed. Auto high beams works fine for me and I don't drive much at night. Alpina display can be done with Bimmercode simple mode. I tried it, too much blue for me, but that's me. I am a BMW purist, I like their signature orange. I can't even bring myself to trying one of the ambient color lighting choices other than orange.  

My 540 has ACC and I wanted wife's X3 to have it too. I use it a decent amount actually and find it to work well on my short highway commute that can get backed up. Took the X3 on a 1600 mile trip this month and didn't touch either pedal for at least an hour at a time on many stretches. It's not perfect but it helps on long trips and I'll keep it as a must have on my list on future cars. Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk  

Did a search to find this thread (imagine!). Mrs. is looking at a new G30 order, and I had the same question. I was sure that ACC was standard - but no, as confirmed here. I'll admit it was a little tricky to try and wade through the BMW-speak on the configurator, but in the end, we determined she'd need to order Driving Assistance Professional Package (bundled with Convenience, $600) at $1,700, for a net bump of $2,300 to get what she wanted on a '22.  

I’m glad you did the legwork to both find this thread and catch this before confirming the order!  

In late 2010 I was ordering my first 5, a 2011 535i. I almost broke down and added the $400 stand-alone USB connector. I ordered on a Saturday. 2 days later, Monday, I called my CA to add it. Too late, car already was locked for production. I lived without it. On my '18 540i, basic blind spot monitor was in a $1700 package. I've been driving long enough to know how to set mirrors correctly and avoid a lane-change crash -- didn't order it. Of course it is now standard on my '22 540i. BMW is hardly behind in tech. Their strategy is to charge for it until they are forced by all the other cars making it standard. At least they don't fleece people for a pay-in-advance $10,000 option that will never be available during one's lease term (you know who you are Tesla). Everyone is free to buy whatever car meets their needs. A Toyota Corolla might have ACC, but it sure doesn't drive, look, smell or behave like a BMW. Can't add that to a Toyota no matter the price.  

Kind of an old post, but enjoyed reading it. I had the first iteration of ACC on an Audi A8 many years ago. I live in SD. It wasn't a good option. There was no way to toggle it on and off. After about 10 minutes of Interstate driving, not detecting anything in front, the system declared that there must be a "sensor error" and shut down cruise control. Then you had 2 choices, continue without and find yourself near 100mph territory (it was quite smooth) or pull over, turn off the car and restart. As long as you "sense" another car in front of you, it was fine, but on a long stretch of Interstate out here in the Great Plains, sometimes you literally have the road to yourself for prolonged stretches. I think that they must have corrected this issue by now. (God knows I chewed their tech department enough). After that experience, I'm unlikely to want ACC again, lol.  

My last 3 cars have had ACC....a Lincoln, a Mustang and my new M550. All worked flawlessly and make Interstate driving much more enjoyable. I cannot imagine going back to conventional cruise control.  

When ACC is activated, and you come up behind a vehicle going slower than your preset speed, do your brake lights stay on as long as the ACC is maintaining the speed of that vehicle and you remain behind that vehicle?  

I don't have ACC, but why would it behave that way? Most likely it simply applied less throttle and the car is now travelling at a lower speed. If it needs to brake I would expect the brake lights to activate only during the period the brakes are engaged, like a "real" driver.  

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What BMW package has adaptive cruise?

Adaptive cruise control is included in BMW’s driver-assistance package, which can be optioned on a 3 Series sedan. Here are some of the other autonomous-driving features included in this luxury technology suite: Parking assistance with a surround-view camera.

Does BMW have radar cruise control?

Adaptive cruise control is a great feature to have in your BMW, and it comes standard on the following 2021 models: Adaptive cruise control: BMW 2 Series coupe and convertible. BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.

Does BMW X5 2011 have adaptive cruise control?

A base-level BMW X5 does not include standard adaptive cruise control to monitor the flow of traffic and adjust your car’s cruise control speed accordingly. However, adding the BMW X5 Driving Assistant Pro gets you this feature and more: Steering and lane-keep assist.

What year BMW has adaptive cruise control?

2013: BMW introduced Active Cruise Control with Traffic Jam Assistant. 2014: Chrysler introduced full speed range radar “Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop+” on the 2015 Chrysler 200.

How do you set cruise control on a 2011 BMW?

How do I know if my BMW has adaptive cruise control?

To turn on Adaptive Cruise Control, press the cruise control button on the left side of the steering wheel. Once it’s turned on, you’ll see a white Adaptive Cruise Control icon on your driver display.

Can I upgrade my BMW to adaptive cruise control?

You can add adaptive cruise control to your BMW after purchase, but it won’t be the same system that comes standard in BMWs from the factory. It might also require other modifications or accommodations to the vehicle’s system.

What is the 2011 BMW X5 premium package?

The Premium package offers a universal garage door opener, auto-dimming mirrors, lumbar support, ambient lighting package, BMW Assist with Bluetooth and a power tailgate.

How do I know if my BMW has adaptive drive?

Just hit the driver control switch on the center console (ECO PRO > COMFORT >SPORT etc). If you have Adaptive it will ask you on the iDrive screen if you want to change ‘Chassis & Drivetrain’. Non Adaptive cars don’t have the chassis option (suspension).

How do I know if my car has adaptive cruise control?

A tip to know if your car has adaptive cruise control or regular cruise control is to look for the “gap distance” button, which usually shows a symbol of a car with horizontal distance bars in front.

Can you have adaptive cruise control installed?

Fortunately, it is possible to add adaptive cruise control (ACC) to vehicles that are not already equipped with it. The ability to install ACC in your car will depend on whether or not your car was designed to support it or if you would need to install all of the additional required components.

Which BMW 3 Series has adaptive cruise control?

Optional 2022 BMW 3 Series safety features are adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and traffic sign recognition.

Where is the cruise control on a BMW 328i 2011?

How do I enable adaptive cruise control on my BMW?

How do I access BMW hidden menu?

Is there a difference between cruise control and Adaptive Cruise Control?

Conventional Cruise Control can maintain a steady speed that you set. Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is an enhancement of conventional cruise control. ACC automatically adjusts the speed of your car to match the speed of the car in front of you. If the car ahead slows down, ACC can automatically match it.

Is dynamic cruise control the same as Adaptive Cruise Control?

Adaptive cruise control, also known as dynamic cruise or smart cruise, goes further by detecting and reacting to the vehicles ahead of you. How it goes about this varies by the automaker and the type of technology used, which ranges from radar-based systems to those with sophisticated cameras.

Is Active Cruise Control the same as adaptive?

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is an intelligent form of cruise control that allows vehicles to speed up and slow down automatically in order to keep pace with the traffic ahead. ACC is also known as autonomous cruise control, active cruise control, intelligent cruise control and radar cruise control.

How much does adaptive cruise control cost?

ACC systems with the highest technology and features may cost $2,000-$2,500. But if you only need adaptive cruise control for low speeds of 20-25 mph, more rudimentary systems can go for around $500.

Can BMW iDrive be upgraded?

If you want to update your BMW iDrive software you can do it 3 ways: With BimmerTech’s iDrive software update. via the BMW ConnectedDrive website. via the BMW ConnectedDrive App.

Can I add packages to my BMW?

UPGRADE PACKAGES. Choose from a BMW Vehicle Care package to keep your Ultimate Driving Machine shining or a BMW Explorer package to help you accessorise your BMW for adventure on your next road trip.

How fast does the 2011 BMW X5 go?

Available on xDrive35i Premium models and higher trims, it adds 20-inch wheels with performance tires, BMW’s Adaptive Drive system, and an increased top speed limiter (150 mph). “Outstanding balance and grip make the X5 feel more like a sedan than an SUV.

What does X5 mean on BMW?

Here, the “X” represents “Cross-over” or a “Four-Wheel-Drive.” Besides, BMW offers five SUVs starting from the X1 to X6. The X1 & X3 are the Compact SUVs, while X4 is a Compact Entry-level and X5 is Mid-Size Luxury SUV. The X6 is a Luxury Sports Activity Vehicle available in Coupe. BMW X6 (Photo courtesy: BMW)

What model is a 2011 X5?

2011 BMW X5 models There are five trim levels available: xDrive35i, xDrive35i Premium, xDrive35i Sport Activity, xDrive35d and xDrive50i. The last three digits in the xDrive name indicate the engine. There is a high-performance version known as the X5 M that we address in a separate review.

How do I know if my BMW has M technology?

An easy way to distinguish between the two is by the badge on the trunk. A 340i with the M Sport package, for instance, will just say ‘340i’; the M Performance version, the BMW M340i, though will actually say ‘M340i. ‘ And while M Sport is mostly about looks, M Performance adds genuine speed.

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Sell my car, car research, sign in, 10 new cars under $50,000 with adaptive cruise control, the continuing democratization of tech means you can find adaptive cruise control on more vehicles than ever..

Article QuickTakes:

• Hyundai Sonata  |  Audi A4
• Acura Integra  |  Toyota Corolla Hatchback
• Subaru Forester  | Mazda CX-30
• Kia Carnival  | Honda Ridgeline
• BMW 2 Series  |  Volkswagen ID.4

Once a feature exclusive to high-end luxury models, adaptive cruise control has trickled down into a wide assortment of vehicles and has become a must-have feature for many car shoppers. Like regular cruise control, it will keep the vehicle at a set speed; unlike regular cruise control, adaptive cruise control will tell the vehicle to brake as it comes up behind another and will correspondingly follow at a safe distance. Moreover, should you find yourself facing an open lane again, the system will tell the car to accelerate back up to the desired speed without your involvement.

All adaptive cruise control systems work at highway speeds, but many examples are capable of low-speed operation, with some even able to manage acceleration and braking through stop-and-go traffic. The best of the lot provide steering assistance as well.

Here, we look at 10 models in the sub-$50,000 price range that offer some kind of adaptive cruise control.

2023 Hyundai Sonata

The 2023 Hyundai Sonata is a versatile model, offering several powertrain options to suit different needs, including a 290-hp turbo four in the $36,000 N-Line trim and a 192-hp hybrid setup for as little as $29,000. Hyundai is generous with its safety tech on this midsize sedan, providing every trim level with not only stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, but also blind-spot monitoring, automatic high-beams, driver-attention warning, lane keeping and centering, and collision-avoidance assistance.

2024 Audi A4

Buyers of the 2024 Audi A4 get adaptive cruise control as standard equipment on the automaker's compact sedan. The entry-level 2024 Audi A4 costs about $42,000 with 201 horsepower in 40 TFSI spec and $44,000 with the 261-hp 45 TFSI. Alternatively, you could choose a mid-level Premium Plus model — with an impressive Bang & Olufsen sound system and 360-degree camera as standard — and remain just under budget.

2023 Acura Integra

The 2023 Acura Integra is a reboot of the brand's classic sports car, but now with a 200-hp turbocharged four-cylinder and, on the $38,000 A-Spec with Technology model, an available six-speed manual transmission. All trim levels come with an impressive array of driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, but as you might imagine, the manual transmission car can't manage the stop-and-go operation of the CVT-equipped Integras. Instead, its adaptive cruise control system disengages when the speed drops below 22 mph.

2023 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

The 2023 Toyota Corolla hatchback, starting at $24,000, offers all the value, reliability, and quality of its venerable compact sedan sibling plus a bit more cargo space. The entire Corolla lineup — even the performance-oriented, manual-transmission-equipped, 300-hp GR model — comes with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. That comprehensive tech suite includes adaptive cruise, lane keeping, collision-prevention tech, lane-departure alert with steering assistance, road-sign detection, and automatic high-beams. Unfortunately, Toyota's base adaptive cruise control system doesn't work at low speed.

2023 Subaru Forester

The 2023 Subaru Forester provides everything drivers expect from the brand: all-wheel drive (AWD), trail-friendly ground clearance, and ample cargo space. It also includes Subaru's EyeSight driver-assistance suite with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist. It's reasonably priced, too, with 2023 Subaru Forester models starting around $28,000 and topping out around $38,000.

2023 Mazda CX-30

Mazda provides stop-and-go adaptive cruise control as standard equipment on its subcompact crossover. The cost of entry is about $24,000, but if you want your 2023 Mazda CX-30 to provide lane-centering assistance while adaptive cruise control is active, you'll need to choose the range-topping $37,000 CX-30 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus model, as it's the only one with traffic-jam assist.

2024 Kia Carnival

Is it an SUV? A minivan? A multipurpose vehicle, as Kia likes to call it? Categorize it however you want; the 2024 Kia Carnival is an attractive option for families. The entry-level trims come with a litany of driver-assistance tech, but adaptive cruise is included as standard equipment starting at the mid-level $40,000 EX trim and up. Kia's adaptive cruise control system works in stop-and-go traffic as well as at highway speed.

2023 Honda Ridgeline

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline may not have the towing capacity or off-road credentials of some midsize pickup trucks, but its unibody construction, spacious cabin, and dual-action tailgate make it a great option for those who want to split the difference between an SUV and a truck. All Ridgeline trims include adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow as part of the Honda Sensing driver-assistance suite. Model pricing for the 2023 Honda Ridgeline starts around $40,000 and goes up to around $48,000 for the Black Edition.

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BMW's smallest car is available in sporty two-door Coupe or four-door Gran Coupe form. No matter how many doors your 2024 BMW 2 Series has, adaptive cruise control is available for about $500 as a standalone option. Though not as capable as the system available on the more expensive 3 Series — that system supports stop-and-go with partial steering — the 2 Series' Active Cruise Control supports what BMW calls limited-force automated braking.

The adaptive cruise control available on the BMW 2 Series is designed to handle the more gradual changes in traffic flow found on many highways, but not the stop-and-go slog found on some commutes. No matter the form, either 2 Series with adaptive cruise control comes in well below the price cap, with Coupes starting around $40,000 and four-door 2 Series Gran Coupe models starting around $42,000.

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The IQ.Drive suite of driver-assistance technologies is included as standard equipment on every 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 . That means the electric crossover gets not only adaptive cruise control, but also blind-spot monitoring and forward- as well as rear-collision prevention with automatic emergency braking. The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro, which includes AWD and the longer-range battery, starts around $49,000.

All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication), and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.

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2023 BMW 5-series

Starting at .css-1ykuyyb{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;margin-left:0.25rem;}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-1ykuyyb{color:#000000;}} $56,995.

Select a year

• Lows Some rivals offer more grandeur inside, most desirable features are pricey, driver involvement has fallen off the menu.
• Verdict Those expecting sports sedan friskiness will be disappointed, but the 5-series is a comfortable and classy executive-class sedan.

What's New for 2023?

The 5-series sedan carries over to the 2023 model year largely unchanged. The optional Premium package now includes a remote-start feature but no longer includes the company’s gimmicky gesture controls for the iDrive infotainment system. The Parking Assistance package is no longer available on 530i, 530e, and 540i models but the Executive package is now available for those cars and includes a head-up display, a Harman/Kardon stereo system, a power-operated trunk lid, and heated front seats among other items. The top-spec M550i now comes with a power rear sunshade. Three new colors—Artic Race Blue, Skyscraper Grey, and Aventurin—are now available.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The price of the 2023 BMW 5-series starts at $56,995 and goes up to $82,495 depending on the trim and options.

The mid-range 540i continues to be the best value in the 5-series lineup, offering a nice balance of performance and comfort. This model comes standard with rear-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available. The available Convenience package seems like a wise add-on, as it includes heated front seats and a power-operated trunk lid.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Smooth, powerful, and efficient, both the four-cylinder in the 530i and the six-cylinder in the 540i motivate this big sedan with authority. The 540i's powertrain benefits from a little extra boost, care of a 48-volt hybrid system. Each engine pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission that shifts intuitively and quickly, making the most of the available power. The 540i's six-cylinder is silky smooth and potent, and it makes delightful noises. Apart from the top-dog M5 , which we review separately, the M550i is the athlete of the lineup, with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 under its hood. In our testing, the M550i sprinted through our acceleration runs quicker than the Audi S6 and Mercedes-AMG E53 , hitting 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds . All 5-series models are competent handlers, but they lack the kind of driving verve we expect from BMW. Steering feedback is light, and the ride—even in the performance-oriented M550i—appears to be tuned more for comfort than driver involvement.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA estimates the four-cylinder 530i will earn up to 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The six-cylinder 540i is rated at up to 25 mpg city and 32 highway. The more powerful V-8 M550i lowers those to 17 mpg city and 25 highway. All three of the models we tested overachieved in our real-world testing ; the 530e delivered 34 mpg while the 540i and M550i did 31 mpg and 28 mpg, respectively. For more information about the 5-series's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website .

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Rich appointments and good design make the cockpit of the 5-series a civilized space. It's a noticeable upgrade compared with the somewhat drab cabin of its predecessor. It's also spacious for rear-seat passengers and features an impressive amount of technology. We've experienced the optional 20-way multi-contour front seats, which adjust in every way imaginable and provide hours of comfort. The standard seats might not be as indulgent, but you can still adjust them in 16 ways. The BMW's large trunk space is on par with what its competitors offer, fitting six carry-on suitcases back there. That said, the cabin is lacking in cubbies and storage compartments. To accommodate the battery pack, the plug-in-hybrid 530e has four fewer cubic feet of trunk space than nonhybrid models and swallows two fewer carry-on suitcases, but at least it retains its folding rear seats, unlike many other hybrids.

Infotainment and Connectivity

A large 12.3-inch high-resolution central display comes standard on every 5-series. You can control it by using BMW's iDrive rotary knob, tapping the screen, or saying various voice commands. All 5-series models come with a digital gauge display that can be configured to show a variety of information to the driver. Navigation, a USB port, Bluetooth audio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability are all included in the tech suite.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Plenty of driver-assistance features are standard and additional tech is optional, including a navigation-based semi-autonomous driving mode that can even plan for upcoming lane changes based on GPS data. For more information about the 5-series's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ( NHTSA ) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ( IIHS ) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Standard blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross-traffic alert
• Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

BMW's warranty and complimentary scheduled maintenance are about average for the segment but fall short of what's offered on the Jaguar XF .

• Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles

Specifications

2021 BMW 530e

VEHICLE TYPE front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE AS TESTED $70,485 (base price: $58,195)

POWERTRAIN turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 181 hp, 258 lb-ft; permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor, 107 hp, 195 lb-ft; combined output, 288 hp, 310 lb-ft; 9.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack

TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic

CHASSIS Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink Brakes (F/R): 13.7-in vented disc/13.0-in vented disc Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 ZP, F: 245/40R-19 98Y ★ R: 275/35R-19 100Y ★

DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 117.1 in Length: 195.8 in Width: 73.5 in Height: 58.4 in Passenger volume: 99 ft 3 Trunk volume: 10 ft 3 Curb weight: 4308 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS 60 mph: 5.2 sec 100 mph: 13.8 sec 130 mph: 28.3 sec Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.0 sec Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.1 sec Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.9 sec 1/4 mile: 13.8 sec @ 100 mph Top speed (mfr's claim): 146 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 154 ft Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.

C/D FUEL ECONOMY Observed: 27 MPGe 75-mph highway driving, EV/hybrid mode: 64 MPGe/32 mpg Highway range, EV/hybrid mode: 17/380 miles

EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/city/highway: 26/24/29 mpg Combined gasoline+electricity: 64 MPGe EV range: 21 miles 

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

2021 BMW 540i xDrive

VEHICLE TYPE front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE AS TESTED $78,235 (base price: $62,745)

ENGINE TYPE turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve inline-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection Displacement 183 in 3 , 2998 cm 3 Power 335 hp @ 6500 rpm Torque 332 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm

CHASSIS Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink Brakes (F/R): 14.7-in vented disc/13.6-in vented disc Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4, F: 245/40R-19 98Y ★ R: 275/35R-19 100Y ★

DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 117.1 in Length: 195.8 in Width: 73.5 in Height: 58.2 in Passenger volume: 99 ft 3 Trunk volume: 14 ft 3 Curb weight: 4187 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS 60 mph: 4.7 sec 100 mph: 11.7 sec 130 mph: 21.3 sec 150 mph: 32.9 sec Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 5.2 sec Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.7 sec Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.4 sec 1/4 mile: 13.3 sec @ 106 mph Top speed (mfr's claim): 155 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 152 ft Braking, 100–0 mph: 311 ft Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.91 g Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.

C/D FUEL ECONOMY Observed: 22 mpg 75-mph highway driving: 34 mpg Highway range: 610 miles

EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/city/highway: 26/23/31 mpg

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• Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best of Moscow by high speed train

By shuguley , February 15, 2014 in Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Recommended Posts

Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.

Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?

My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

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If you are considering this on the 2015 June Baltic cruise on Voyager; my suggestion is don't. There is so much to do in St. Petersburg and although a train is one of my favorite ways to travel the time would be far better spent in St. P.

Thanks for the advice. Yes, this would be on the Voyager during the 2015 season but not yet sure exactly which cruise.

We did the Moscow excursion "on a different luxury line", but from your brief description it sounds very much like the same trip, so I will operate on that assumption. It is a VERY long day! We left the ship at 5:30 AM and returned at 12:30 AM. The highspeed train trip is comfortable, and while they call it "Business Class" it does not compare well to the equivalent class on say Rail Europe. When we did it in 2011, we did have highspeed both ways, and the trip back seemed much longer as the adrenaline and excitement had worn off!:D

Moscow itself is not that terribly different from any other big city in the world, but this Cold War kid never thought he would ever stand in Red Square, never mind walk the grounds of The Kremlin, or tour The Kremlin Palace, or see (but not visit) Lenin's Tomb, or visit The Armoury. But he did, and he loved every minute of it! Yes, it is a long day, and you barely scratch a scratch on the surface, but it is worth it. There is a tremendous amount to see in St. Petersburg, but every Baltic cruise goes to St. Petersburg, so you can go back if you choose to. Not every cruiseline offers you the chance to see Moscow.

I have not personally done this tour, but our last time in St Petersburg, the private guide that we hired for a day was leading the regent tour to Moscow on the high speed train the next day. He said it was way better than the previous alternative, which was flying to Moscow and back. He said that you actually got to Moscow faster because you didn't have to deal with airline checkin etc. it did seem like a very long day to me, and there is so much to see and do in st. Petersburg that I didn't consider doing it.

countflorida

We toured to Moscow from St. Petersburg via the hi-speed SAPSAN train last September, from a Baltic cruise on the Oceania Marina. You need to have a two-night, three day port call in St. Petersburg to take this tour because the tour typically leaves the ship around 5:00 - 5:30 AM and doesn't return until after midnight the next day. We didn't take the ship's tour; we made private arrangements with TravelAllRussia for three days of touring, the first and third days in St. Petersburg and the second day the tour to Moscow by train. Our cost for the private tour for three days was about the same as what the ship charged for the excursion to Moscow alone. There are a number of private tour agencies that operate in St. Petersburg and offer the Moscow train tours; we would strongly recommend them over the ship's tours.

All three days had private guides with car and driver. The second day, the driver picked us up at the ship and took us to the train, but we were alone on the train, and met in Moscow by the guide on the station platform. After our tour and dinner, we were brought back to the train and after the return train trip met by the driver and taken back to the ship. Because you are alone on the train you must have your own Russian visas.

If this is your first visit to St. Petersburg, I would agree there is much more to see there. We found Moscow somewhat a disappointment, particularly Red Square. The Kremlin and the cathedral in Red Square were also worth seeing. But the best thing we saw was the Moscow subway! I worked for the Washington Metro system back in the 1980s as it grew from 40 to 80 miles and although I was in the computer area, I learned a lot about the challenges of running a subway system. We used the Moscow system to get across the city from where we had dinner to the train station, and I was amazed at the cleanliness', speed of operation, the short headways maintained, and the courtesy of everyone involved. A very impressive experience!

We had been to St. Petersburg before, and so had the time to take a day and go to Moscow. Also, I really like trains, and the SAPSAN is a German train set running on Russian rails. Seats are like first class domestic air, spacious but not too plush or comfortable, but with enough room. Not too much recline, and almost 8 hours on the train in two shots is a lot for an old man. They come through and sell drinks, candy, etc. but the sellers don't speak English and no one around us helped, so we had just poor coffee once coming, and brought stuff with us for the trip back. Not too much to see from the train either, particularly on the return when it is night the whole way.

If you decide to go, take a private tour and avoid the overly expensive ship's tour. I'm glad we did it, but wouldn't bother to repeat the tour; we've seen Moscow.

Thanks so much to all of you for the thorough and thought insight. Yhe information you have provided is most helpful.

countflorida: Your detailed post is very helpful. We are not quite ready for a Baltic cruise but should do so within a year. Time enough to do our pre travel research, bookings and visa gathering.:) Thank you!

Emperor Norton

Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.   Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?   My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

I did this on Seabourn. IMO DONT. Take Aeroflop (er Aeroflot). The train has non folding seats where you are literally knee to knee with your fellow passenger (facing each other). Further they don't believe in air conditioning. It's also the worlds slowed bullet train. I think I would have found more enjoyment wandering around the St. Petersburg and Moscow airports.

Countflorida,

This is a little off topic,, however we had planned a river cruise in Russia but decided we would rather stay on land and have booked about two weeks with Travel-All-Russia using the private guide and driver. I'm curious as to how you found them as a tour company.

The guides they provided were fine. We had a different guide each of the days in St. Petersburg, but both were flexible, pleasant, knowledgeable and spoke English very well, as did the guide in Moscow, incidentally. She was a bit aloof, distant, not too friendly, but otherwise fine. In fact, she was the one who suggested taking the Metro, which unexpectedly became one of the highlights of the Moscow excursion. If I have a complaint with AllTravelRussia, it is with their plan and its execution (more later).

I had requested emphasis on World War II (in Russia, the Great Patriotic War) sites and info. In scheduling us, they weren't careful about dates and a couple of the sites we wanted to see were scheduled on the third day, after we'd been to Moscow. But both sites were closed that day of the week, and that info was readily available, right on web sites describing them. Also, the included meals (lunches in St. Pete, dinner in Moscow) were not what we asked for: light meals with some choices, so we could avoid things we didn't like and choose things we did like. My request was ignored; we were given full Russian meals with a fixed menu, no choice. On the first day, a fish dish was the entre, but I am allergic to fish. Fortunately, I had the e-mail I'd sent with me and showed it to the guide, and she was able to change my entre to chicken, which was very good actually. But we didn't want a 3-4 course lunches or dinner (in Moscow). We had the guide drop the lunch the third day, although we never got any credit or refund. But, particularly in contrast to the ship's tours, the prices were so reasonable we didn't worry too much about it.

The people who were on the ship's tour to Moscow saw us boarding the same train for which they were forced to queue up and wait on the way back, and asked us what we had done. I was candid and open so they were not happy when I explained what we had arranged and particularly what it had cost. Also, when we returned to the ship, we found they had laid on a late supper for those who had gone to Moscow, so up we went and had something. Well, it turns out the late supper was supposed to be just for those on the ship's tour, but we and others on 'independent' tours, there were a dozen or more of us, crashed the party, actually got there first, and they didn't realize it until the larger group arrived and there weren't enough tables/places set. By that time, the 'independents' had all gotten served and were eating; what could they do?

A couple from the larger group sat down with us and asked us about our tour, and they were the ones I told about our arrangement and its cost. They turned to others who’d been with them and announced the details, loudly enough so the whole room heard, which started a lot of bitching and complaining. I gathered they weren't very happy with the ship's tour to begin with, and this was the straw that broke the camel's back. We finished up and beat it out of there, but overheard later that one of the excursion staff came to check on something and ran into a real mess. I caught a cold on the trip, which forced me to bed the second day following in Tallinn, so by the time we reappeared we heard about the contretemps' but apparently no one recalled who started it, thankfully.

Because of what happened to us, I would probably not use AllTravelRussia if I were to go again, or if I did, I would be sure to get confirmation of every detail of the tour. They do have good reviews generally, and we were certainly helped by their visa department and liked the guides and drivers. Their weakness, I say now with full 20:20 hindsight, is that once the sales person who plans the tour, sells it to you and collects your money, he (or she) transfers the plan to their Russia office for implementation; there is no follow-up to make sure it gets done right. And that is where our problems arose; we paid for a custom tour but got a standard package with a few destinations switched, and no one checked them out, even to see when they were open the day we were scheduled to go. If you check every detail that’s important to you, it should be OK, but that’s a hell of a way to have to do business, in my opinion.

Thank you for the 20/20 hindsight observation on your Russian tour operator, and better priced than the ship's excursion cost.

Thanks very much for the feedback.

We had the same experience as you so far as price. We originally booked a Viking Cruise but, hearing some things about the river cruises that made us unhappy, looked into other options. T-A-R cost the same or less than a cruise and had us in hotels for 11 days. We opted for the private tour. They have three tour levels, based on hotels. We originally opted for the four star as it did not cost much more than the three star hotels. Finally we decided to throw it all in and upgraded to five star. In Moscow we will be at the newly opened Kempinsky which is two blocks from Red Square. In St. Petersburg it is the Grand Hotel Europe, one of the most vaunted luxury hotels in Russia. Location is important for us as the tours use up only part of the day so being in the center of everything for our independent touring is important. As with many other cities, the less you pay, the farther out of the center of town you are.

We have been working with our salesman in D.C. and he seems to get back to us with the changes we want. He recently returned from Russia so is up on everything. When I asked they said they paid the full TA commission if I wanted so I got my usual TA on board so he is watching our back and giving us that extra level of comfort. He also set up our air, which I know pays him little or nothing, and got us business class for much less than T-A-R wanted for economy, though it took working for a while with a consolidator. He's happy to get his 10 percent on this trip without having booked it. He also took care of the trip insurance. We've been doing a lot of research on the CC sister site Trip Advisor and will write a report there. We will, I guess, become a source of info for CC members after having spent 5 days in Moscow and 6 in SP.

• 4 months later...

scubacruiserx2

Anybody considering a day trip to Moscow from St. Petersburg on the Sapsan may want to look at our travelogue filled with pictures.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1927687

Very informative. Thanks dor sharing. Jeff

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Robust linear object control by indirect measurements

• Control Sciences
• Published: 20 May 2010
• Volume 71 , pages 920–934, ( 2010 )

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• A. M. Tsykunov 1  

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We study the problem of designing a robust surveillance system for a linear object whose input and output is subject to various external uncontrolled disturbing influences, and regulating variables cannot be measured. We offer a control algorithm that provides satisfaction of target surveillance conditions by reference signals and compensating parametric and exogenous disturbances with the necessary precision. We show numerical examples and results of computer modeling.

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Astrakhan State Technical University, Astrakhan, Russia

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Original Russian Text © A.M. Tsykunov, 2009, published in Problemy Upravleniya, 2009, No. 3, pp. 13–22.

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Tsykunov, A.M. Robust linear object control by indirect measurements. Autom Remote Control 71 , 920–934 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0005117910050206

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Received : 26 January 2008

Published : 20 May 2010

Issue Date : May 2010

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1134/S0005117910050206

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