[bsavic]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking for some tips / opinions / pointers / etc.. Here in Canada we we unfortunately are unable to spec our cars with Active Cruise control. Why? Because BMW Canada loves you too Currently on my 2007 328xi I have the regular cruise control (brakes on downhills to keep speed constant) and I'd like to retrofit a Active Cruise control system on it. I was unable to find any info on this topic on the forums and I have an appointment with the dealer for next week but I have the feeling they'll tell me to take a hike. Any ideas?

Your help is much appreciated in advance.

Savicbo

[FCP Euro]

What is the difference between Dynamic CC and Active CC?

As for swapping it out, it may be as simple as swapping computers or as hard as rebuilding the system from the ground up. I am thinking it will be more to the ladder of the two.

[bsavic]

Originally Posted by FCPGroton

What is the difference between Dynamic CC and Active CC?

As for swapping it out, it may be as simple as swapping computers or as hard as rebuilding the system from the ground up. I am thinking it will be more to the ladder of the two.

Hi, You bring up a good point, looks like I have the naming conventions a bit wrong:

Cruise control with braking function: Maintains any speed above 30KM/H including applying the brakes on downhills

Active Cruise control: (As per BMW.ca) Driving on busy highways and freeways is more relaxing with Active Cruise Control. It maintains the desired speed when possible, while also keeping a pre-defined distance to any vehicles in the lane ahead.

Radar sensors at the front of the vehicle permanently scan the road ahead. As your BMW approaches a slower vehicle, Active Cruise Control automatically reduces power output from the engine and gently applies the brakes, holding your BMW at a pre-defined distance to the vehicle ahead.
This distance is set as a number of seconds, not of metres, so that a safe reaction time is always available, relative to the current speed. When the lane ahead becomes clear, Active Cruise Control automatically increases your vehicle's speed to your preferred cruising speed. Up to four different cruising speeds can be pre-programmed. A touch on the accelerator or brake pedal deactivates the system.
On curves, Active Cruise Control uses data from the DSC and navigation systems to calculate whether the cruise speed needs to be adjusted, and to determine whether vehicles in the radar's field are in the same or a neighbouring lane.
The high-performance radar sensor is heated in cold weather, ensuring year-round operation. Active Cruise Control is functional at speeds above 30 km/h and below 180 km/h. The system is not intended to serve as an autopilot: outside these speeds, and if sudden deceleration is required, the driver is alerted by a warning sound and visual message.

Thanks for pointing this out, OP edited.


Savicbo

[bsavic]

So this gives me hope " Retrofitting of SA544 possible by replacing the instrument cluster, the complete switch cluster and the
lower steering column trim. Code retrofit with Software Service Station (SSS) via "Retrofit CIP" path."

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...69&hg=66&fg=95
and
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...18&hg=66&fg=20

[FCP Euro]

I wonder how much something like that would cost you and if it would even be worth it.

[I335]

If you can get a sensor for cheap out of a bone yard it may be worth it otherwise I'm guessing it's a $3500K retrofit going w/new parts, not including labor.

[bsavic]

Originally Posted by I335

If you can get a sensor for cheap out of a bone yard it may be worth it otherwise I'm guessing it's a $3500K retrofit going w/new parts, not including labor.

That's about right (with Tischer pricing), from the information I have right now, it involves replacing:

Instrument cluster - 62109166852 - $1,024.71 (USA MSRP)
Steering Column Switch Cluster - 61319123057 + 61319110888? - $716.42 + $131.75 (USA MSRP)
Steering Column Lower Trim - 61319174346? - $43.50 (USA MSRP)
Instrument cluster - 62109166852 - $1,024.71 (USA MSRP)

In addition to adding:

ACC-Sensor - 66316777883 - $2,926.71 (USA MSRP)
Longitudinal dynamic module - 66316775949 - $424.41 (USA MSRP)
A bunch of minor brackets / wires / screws / etc...

The installation of the above should probably be a DIY weekend job but the software upgrade is about 2-3 hours of labour charged. By buying the parts above from Tischer I can save probably 30-45% on US MSRP. However, a scrap yard isn't possible for me since there are no Canadian 3-series cars with active cruise control

So yep, it'll be rather expensive... But kinda cool, it's a feature I always wanted, so if it can be done I might give it a try. (And post a detailed DIY if it works )

Savicbo

[I335]

Sounds like a fun project - looking forward to seeing how it goes for you. Best of luck!

EDIT: BTW - are you sure you need to replace the instrument cluster? Looking closely I can see that in my cluster I have all the graphics already there even though I don't have AC. You may want to look into that a bit more closely as if you don't need it your cost will be reduced quite a bit...

[FCP Euro]

Originally Posted by bsavic

That's about right (with Tischer pricing), from the information I have right now, it involves replacing:

Instrument cluster - 62109166852 - $1,024.71 (USA MSRP)
Steering Column Switch Cluster - 61319123057 + 61319110888? - $716.42 + $131.75 (USA MSRP)
Steering Column Lower Trim - 61319174346? - $43.50 (USA MSRP)
Instrument cluster - 62109166852 - $1,024.71 (USA MSRP)

In addition to adding:

ACC-Sensor - 66316777883 - $2,926.71 (USA MSRP)
Longitudinal dynamic module - 66316775949 - $424.41 (USA MSRP)
A bunch of minor brackets / wires / screws / etc...

The installation of the above should probably be a DIY weekend job but the software upgrade is about 2-3 hours of labour charged. By buying the parts above from Tischer I can save probably 30-45% on US MSRP. However, a scrap yard isn't possible for me since there are no Canadian 3-series cars with active cruise control

So yep, it'll be rather expensive... But kinda cool, it's a feature I always wanted, so if it can be done I might give it a try. (And post a detailed DIY if it works )

Savicbo

Good luck with it. I would love to see the How To and how it all work.

[bsavic]

Originally Posted by I335

Sounds like a fun project - looking forward to seeing how it goes for you. Best of luck!

EDIT: BTW - are you sure you need to replace the instrument cluster? Looking closely I can see that in my cluster I have all the graphics already there even though I don't have AC. You may want to look into that a bit more closely as if you don't need it your cost will be reduced quite a bit...

That's a good question. I was told yes, but I'm going to follow up on this point. Thanks!

Savicbo

[gltieu]

hi,

is it possible to go from no cruise control to active cruise control? Does anyone know if the cables already are in the car of a none cruise control car? Because i got the Instrument cluster and the ACC-Sensor for cheap. Now what i need is maybe the number of the cables because the only thing you can get is retrofit kit for acc. I m from europe.

[I335]

Hey bsavic - did this ever pan out for you? I'm kicking myself that I didn't get this option when I bought the car now, but I thought the price was too steep at the time. I also didn't like the fact that you couldn't revert to a "normal" cruise control if you didn't like how it was behaving in certain situations. Oh well, maybe the next car...

[Jules-B]

also considering this depending...

[NBTBRV8]

Has anyone got an EBA guide for this?

[libradragon]

Not sure if this is a dead thread... But.

I have a spare ACC radar module if anyone is interested. It's used. I'm not sure if the retrofit is possible.

[Mahoneywc]

Libradragon, do you still have that acc radar? Thanks!

[libradragon]

I still have it. PM me if you want to chat about it.

Thanks!

[dbrajesh]

Hi libradragon,
Is the sensor still available? I can't PM yet as I just joined the form..
thanks
-dbrajesh

[libradragon]

I still have it.

[Concentric190]

bump... has anyone done this yet? seems like a really neat feature to have

[Concentric190]

*crickets*

[TotalPower]

hopefully no "i tried and failed" pictures