Best adaptive cruise control system? (On a ~100k mile car)

[nsi]

I do a lot of motorway miles for work. I've got an automatic BMW 7 series currently. But I would like to make the drive even more relaxing by getting a new car which has adaptive cruise control; by which I mean I can set a speed of say 70mph and the car will scan the road ahead and slow me down when traffic slows but then take me back up to my preset 70mph when traffic clears. Several manufactures have offered this as an option for years, all using slightly different systems and different names.

So if I'm in the market for a large saloon or estate which will be comfy, about £10k and with about 100k miles on; which has the best adaptive cruise system?

Cheers

[drivin_me_nuts]

Lexus. ACC, lane keep, active steering. LS460, LS500

[Mr SFJ]

Merc S Class?

[gf15]

I have the BMW one in my 2005 650i, it works quite well.

[Cunning Punt]

I've never used one of these systems... I'd be afraid of falling asleep from sheer boredom.

Do they ever have a problem with false positives?
(I'm thinking slowing you down when overtaking cars in other lanes, that sort of thing)

[nsi]

Has there ever been a magazine test of the different systems?

And what does each manufacture call their system? Ie what search terms should I be using on auto trader or ph classifieds.

[richarda0109]

The Merc offering is called Distronic and is packaged with "Lane Assist" (little orange warning triangles in the door mirrors to highlight cars in the blind spot.

Quite difficult to find on 2nd hand cars.

Rgds
Richard

[oldaudi]

Cunning Punt said:

I've never used one of these systems... I'd be afraid of falling asleep from sheer boredom.

Do they ever have a problem with false positives?
(I'm thinking slowing you down when overtaking cars in other lanes, that sort of thing)

There was a guy with issues with this on a new A6. Sat in the outside lane, but the radar would not overtake anycar in the middle lane. The radar would see these cars in view and slow down to sit behind them but in another lane. Seemed that the angle/scan area of the radar was too wide and took into account other objects not infront of the car

[djohnson]

Cunning Punt said:

Do they ever have a problem with false positives?
(I'm thinking slowing you down when overtaking cars in other lanes, that sort of thing)

The wife's Range Rover started doing this at one point. It wouldn't pass vehicles one lane to the left. Was cured via an adjustment to the sensor. Personally I find it hard to drive with this system anyway, perhaps it's a degree of OCD but it doesn't slow down and speed up the car exactly when I'd like it to and at the rates I'd like hence it bugs me.

[pti]

djohnson said:

Cunning Punt said:

Do they ever have a problem with false positives?
(I'm thinking slowing you down when overtaking cars in other lanes, that sort of thing)

The wife's Range Rover started doing this at one point. It wouldn't pass vehicles one lane to the left. Was cured via an adjustment to the sensor. Personally I find it hard to drive with this system anyway, perhaps it's a degree of OCD but it doesn't slow down and speed up the car exactly when I'd like it to and at the rates I'd like hence it bugs me.

Agree with this - especially the speeding up part. The systems I have used cannot (understandably) anticipate the movements or drivers ahead. I think I'd rather have normal cruise.

[Cunning Punt]

pti said:

I think I'd rather have normal cruise.

I think I agree, not sure I could get on with these.

How well do they cope with oncoming traffic on a single carriageway?

[2.5pi]

Cunning Punt said:

How well do they cope with oncoming traffic on a single carriageway?

Especially if you come round a bend and meet someone finishing off an ambitious overtake

[chris1roll]

I think these systems encourage MLMism.
Enter motorway, enter middle lane, engage adaptive cruise, disengage brain. Set alarm to wake up at destination.

[V8forweekends]

The one on my 2005 X350 Jag was average. You can adjust the gap, but as others have said, it doesn't do stuff the way you'd do it yourself. Foe example, when closing on a vehicle ahead on the motorway, if the vehicle is indicating to pull over into the left lane, I might not hit the brakes, preferring to just lift off a little, as by the time I get within a dangerous distance, I anticipate the vehicle won't be there - adaptive cruise of course has no idea of this so hits the brakes until the "obstruction" has moved over entirely.

I think it's actually quite unfair to following drivers/riders sometimes as the adaptive cruise brakes when a driver behind wouldn't be expecting it.

The only time I found it useful was following trucks and buses on A roads where there was a ghost island or double white lines and therefore no chance of overtaking.

ETA I hear the later BMW ones have a "traffic jam" mode - which is great if it works.

[anonymous-user]

I was very impressed with the system on the new Golf, you could even change gear without it switching off.