[ModernAngel]

Just wanted to note that one of the biggest surprises with the M50 for me has been the Driving Assistant Professional package. Would not have spec'd mine with it as I basically never even use normal cruise control but the model I wanted on the lot already had it so I was like "whatever".

Anyway, glad I did because the past few days I've started using it all the time to chill out through stop-and-go expressway traffic. It works surprisingly well! Just turn it on and the darn car basically drives itself. Magic.

I know Driving Assistant Pro isn't unique to the M50 but if anyone is on the fence about it and has to sit through stop-n-go traffic frequently I would say go ahead and get it.

[galactic-world]

Yeah I agree - Basically others may call it “adaptive cruise control” and it’s kind of a game changer. Yes you have to steer, but it keeps the appropriate safe distance in front of you automatically, which is great!

[ModernAngel]

Originally Posted by galactic-world

Yeah I agree - Basically others may call it “adaptive cruise control” and it’s kind of a game changer. Yes you have to steer, but it keeps the appropriate safe distance in front of you automatically, which is great!

You don't have to steer, though (at least I don't on the expressways I've used it on so far). I can be completely hands-free (and feet-free ) and it will follow the road. The steering wheel lights up green and you're good to go so long as you don't look away from straight-ahead too long.

[JoeyO]

Yea, OK, but does it make a good pot of coffee?

[ModernAngel]

Originally Posted by JoeyO

Yea, OK, but does it make a good pot of coffee?

It doesn't. Total POS.

[stormchaser]

Confused here. I have DAP on my G30 5 series and there is no camera. The wheel lights up orange every 10-15 seconds if it does not detect pressure. Highway Assist has a camera and is hands-free. The new X3 does not have Highway Assist, does it? That is hands-free on designated highways. Perhaps you are referring to hands-free in traffic (Traffic assist) right? BMW is on the edge of a slippery slope in my opinion regarding the 3 options that are not clear to customers. They start with basic lane assist (Which works terribly) and then throw Driver Assist Plus at you. Then there is the Driver Assistance Professional which gives you everything aside from Highway Assist on certain cars. There are no good explanations and I think many customers think getting Driver Assist Plus is all they need or all that's available. I have a dealer in Sandy Utah that annoys me by ordering 100% of their LOT cars with Driver Assist Plus (None with professional) and 90% with M Sport. They seem to think without M Sport a car won't sell, and that with Driver Assist Professional they won't sell. BMW- Just come out with 1 package and keep it simple or include these safety features as standard like Audi and Kia do.

[ModernAngel]

Originally Posted by stormchaser

Confused here. I have DAP on my G30 5 series and there is no camera. The wheel lights up orange every 10-15 seconds if it does not detect pressure. Highway Assist has a camera and is hands-free. The new X3 does not have Highway Assist, does it? That is hands-free on designated highways. Perhaps you are referring to hands-free in traffic (Traffic assist) right? BMW is on the edge of a slippery slope in my opinion regarding the 3 options that are not clear to customers. They start with basic lane assist (Which works terribly) and then throw Driver Assist Plus at you. Then there is the Driver Assistance Professional which gives you everything aside from Highway Assist on certain cars. There are no good explanations and I think many customers think getting Driver Assist Plus is all they need or all that's available. I have a dealer in Sandy Utah that annoys me by ordering 100% of their LOT cars with Driver Assist Plus (None with professional) and 90% with M Sport. They seem to think without M Sport a car won't sell, and that with Driver Assist Professional they won't sell. BMW- Just come out with 1 package and keep it simple or include these safety features as standard like Audi and Kia do.

Lordy. Hmm. I’m not super clear either as I didn’t even care about the features to begin with. That said, sounds like I’ve been using the “hands free in traffic” as that’s the only time I use it. Still, it’s super handy for the use case!

According to the BMW site this is what it comes with:

“Active Driving Assistant Pro

Innovative camera/radar-based driver assistance systems provide partly-automated support to deliver peace of mind. Features like Distance Control, Steering Assistant, Lane Change Assistant, Traffic Jam Assistant, and Evasion Assistant help the driver during monotonous and also critical driving situations, such as the sudden presence of vehicles or pedestrians in front of the car.”

[avi66]

Originally Posted by stormchaser

Confused here. I have DAP on my G30 5 series and there is no camera. The wheel lights up orange every 10-15 seconds if it does not detect pressure. Highway Assist has a camera and is hands-free. The new X3 does not have Highway Assist, does it? That is hands-free on designated highways. Perhaps you are referring to hands-free in traffic (Traffic assist) right? BMW is on the edge of a slippery slope in my opinion regarding the 3 options that are not clear to customers. They start with basic lane assist (Which works terribly) and then throw Driver Assist Plus at you. Then there is the Driver Assistance Professional which gives you everything aside from Highway Assist on certain cars. There are no good explanations and I think many customers think getting Driver Assist Plus is all they need or all that's available. I have a dealer in Sandy Utah that annoys me by ordering 100% of their LOT cars with Driver Assist Plus (None with professional) and 90% with M Sport. They seem to think without M Sport a car won't sell, and that with Driver Assist Professional they won't sell. BMW- Just come out with 1 package and keep it simple or include these safety features as standard like Audi and Kia do.

May vary by market, but since G01LCI, the version of Driving Assistant Professional changed to the SP18 version and is fitted with a driver attention camera, which constantly monitors the drivers head and eyes, and is located the top of the instrument cluster.

I use DAP a lot, and it’s great especially on long journeys and slow, stop start traffic. At lower speeds I don’t need to hold the steering wheel, and the car essentially drives its self, providing my head and eyes are looking at the road ahead.

Afaik, the G45 does not have highway assist, but can offer hands free at lower speeds with the appropriate options. Again, not sure if this is enabled in all regions.

[stormchaser]

Thanks. Does the camera become annoying with any deviation of the eyes looking right, left, or down for 1-5 seconds? Just a chirp or does the system shut off? I like my current DAP without the camera since it's only telling me to touch the wheel every 15 seconds or so while on the highway.

[ModernAngel]

Originally Posted by stormchaser

Thanks. Does the camera become annoying with any deviation of the eyes looking right, left, or down for 1-5 seconds? Just a chirp or does the system shut off? I like my current DAP without the camera since it's only telling me to touch the wheel every 15 seconds or so while on the highway.

I haven’t looked away too extensively to test it but so far it seems like it’ll only pop an alert on the infotainment screen to remind you to pay attention if you look away for more than a few seconds. The steering wheel has little light bars that turn green when in assisted driving/steering mode and they turn orange when it thinks you’re not paying attention.