Tracky wrote: ↑Thu Sep 23, 2021 8:36 am
Joe390 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 23, 2021 8:25 am
Is the overall view then that ACC isn’t worth it?
We’re still undecided on adding it to the S my wife has ordered. She’s never had it before and doesn’t see the benefit but I’m in two minds given in 4 years time this will likely be a standard/expected option what with all the new safety regulations coming in, plus feedback on the forum seems mixed on its effectiveness compared to other ACC systems on other manufacturers. Would be good to understand general feelings on it.
I hate people that say they ordered it for the safety aspect - they need to consider having a licence at all if they say that.
First had it on a RS4 - barely used it and the active braking was a pain in the arse
Then on my current gen e class AMG. That one was good and far better than the VAG ones. And I used it sometimes because I had it not because I needed it. Still threw false warnings when it thought I was going to die - but unsurprisingly I didn’t because I’m typing this now ….. as I drive along in the dogs Seat which also has it and would seem to be the only benefit to catch up on emails/texts/social media.
Don’t miss it at all and wouldn’t have it (or pay for it) again
The reason some people (including me) say they ordered it for the safety aspect is that ACC comes with PAS (don't you just love the acronyms or TLAs [three letter abreviations]
). The safety system is Porsche Active Safe which can only be ordered with ACC. It's PAS that contain the "safety" features of Automatic Emergency Braking and Emergency Brake Assist.
The principle of EBA was first introduced with the Mercedes Benz W211 E Class in 2003. That model had the Bosch SBS braking system which was a fully powered braking system. SBS is no longer but what started with MB has now spread to a number of manufacturers including Porsche. If you rapidly take your foot off the accelerator and brake hard the car's braking system "assists" by applying maximum braking effort. The system came about because MB research showed that all too many drivers failed to brake hard enough in an emergency.
Back to PAS: where fitted, it's always on unless separately turned off via the PCM. It's operation does not interact with ACC. If PAS had been available separately (or fitted as standard), I wouldn't have ordered ACC so that's why I say I ordered ACC for the safety features.
On Monday, travelling northbound on the M5 at 70 ish, the traffic in front suddenly slowed. Because of bright sunlight behind me the brake lights on the car in front did not stand out and it was only when I spotted the rapidly closing gap I became aware of the problem. At the exact moment I lifted my foot from the accelerator, the "Collision Alert" sound and flashed on the screen. When I hit the brakes hard, EBA cut in. I know this because I could feel the ABS system virbrating beneath my foot. I never got closer than two car lengths from the car in front and my flashing brake lights (activated by EBA) must have caught the attention of the guy behind because even though he came a lot closer than two car lengths at least he didn't hit me. so yes, I've had the odd false alarm but I'm glad the car has PAS.
ACC is not something I use a lot but in heavy stop/start traffic it can mean you don't have to sit with your foot on the brake. At a standstill "hold" is activated and stays on until you touch the accelerator or hit "resume". Last Friday I was in an hour long traffic jam and it made life a lot easier (not safer because I was still watching what was going on around me).