Has anyone ever installed a cruise control mod? If so, what model?

Post your E12 technical questions and comments here. Please, no off-topic posts.

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keehn
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Has anyone ever installed a cruise control mod? If so, what model?

Post by keehn »

Like the subject line says, I'm curious to see if anyone has done this. There are options online, but the control stalks look very out of place in an E12.

Just wondering if there's a vendor who sells this solution, but offers a period-correct control stalk that makes it look "normal" in our vehicles.

Thanks!

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Lock
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Re: Has anyone ever installed a cruise control mod? If so, what model?

Post by Lock »

Maybe a little OT, I haven't done this, but am planning to. I have all the kit out of an e34, which includes the computer, accelerator cable actuator, stalk, gauge cluster and wiring.

All I need then is to either install the Porsche speedo ring and sensor I have on my axle, or put in the e28 subframe with diff pulse generator, one of which I need to do anyway because my gearbox has no mechanical speedo output so I have to use a phone app for my speed.

The only catch with the e34 setup is there's some circuitry in the cluster that smooths out the signal from the stock diff before passing it to the cruise computer. I think just changes it from the raw analog pulses from the sensor into sharp binary ones for the other e34 computers, so this will work in conjunction with e34 speedo in my cluster.

I'm with you I'm not sure what to do about the stalk. I was considering mounting the e34 one - it's mostly hidden behind the steering wheel and looks similar to the later squared-off stalks, it's still BMW so it's the same format. I've looked on ebay etc. for universal cruise control buttons, but nothing really fits the e12 interior style, so I'm leaning towards mounting the stalk. Not really keen to cut the steering wheel cover, but haven't seen any other good ideas and to me this is the least worst look. They're cheap new on ebay if that's the only BMW piece you get.
1979 528i - M30B34 with 9.5:1 B35 pistons, 5-speed conversion G260/6, e28 rear subframe, e34 LSD 3.9:1, glass sunroof, e30 elec speedo, cruise control
tlake
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Re: Has anyone ever installed a cruise control mod? If so, what model?

Post by tlake »

I think back in the day BMW dealers fitted aftermarket Escort units to late e12 528is :?:

Why not raid the factory cruise from the e28 :?: 8)
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528i-1981
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Re: Has anyone ever installed a cruise control mod? If so, what model?

Post by 528i-1981 »

Lock wrote: Fri Dec 20, 2019 10:40 pm I'm not sure what to do about the stalk.
Maybe this is a bit out there, but I posted yesterday on another thread about the E28 e-brake console. It has four cutouts for the window rocker switches. You could use the driver-side switches for the cruise. In fact, the stock momentary-contact window control switches might be ideal for Accel, Coast and Resume features. Yes, it's not on the stalk and you'd have to reach down to set it, but as long as the clutch and brake switches worked then safety wouldn't be a major issue.

I remember my dad's '70 New Yorker when I was a kid had the CC control up on the dash, and that dash was a long way from the seat. If you didn't have orangutan arms, you needed to scooch forward and fiddle with the rocker control. Ergonomics weren't a thing then. Anyway, if you had the tactile feedback, i don't think having the control in your field of vision is that important. You're only using cruise in 5th gear when a shift isn't intended. And hey, your shifting hand would be right near the CC controls.
(oo=00=oo) Eric
1981 528i Manual
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keehn
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Re: Has anyone ever installed a cruise control mod? If so, what model?

Post by keehn »

528i-1981, my doors are equipped with ye-olde crank windows, so not an option for me :wink:

So, I've been giving this unit and its ancillaries a hard look:

Rostra 250-1223 Universal Electronic Cruise Control

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002VI9G6S/re ... jEbWACMPTT

250-4165 Magnetic VSS Speed Pulse Generator Kit for Rostra and Audiovox Cruise Control

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009GVUG8/re ... jEbE0BD9AF

The clutch switch disengagement module:

https://www.amazon.com/Rostra-250-4206- ... B004NKL1U6

And the Rostra Universal Column Mount Cruise Control Switch 250-3421

https://www.amazon.com/Rostra-Universal ... B008R98F94

I'm thinking this unit will likely be what I choose, because it is electronically, not vacuum controlled. Thusly, it will be more accurate.

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Lock
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Re: Has anyone ever installed a cruise control mod? If so, what model?

Post by Lock »

tlake wrote: Thu Jan 16, 2020 11:35 pm I think back in the day BMW dealers fitted aftermarket Escort units to late e12 528is :?:

Why not raid the factory cruise from the e28 :?: 8)
For me, I had an e34 parts car for a while, so plenty of time to pull parts. And the cruise control was modular, not integrated into the ECU, so it was easy to separate out. Interestingly, looking at e28 cruise pictures, it is the exact same system so you could get e28/e34, they didn't change the system so plenty of parts.

The other benefit is the actuator is motorized, not vacuum driven. And obviously already compatible with BMW speedo readers.

If you went to a pick n pull you could probably get the parts cheaply, then figure out a way to read the car speed, maybe the Porsche speedo wheel.
1979 528i - M30B34 with 9.5:1 B35 pistons, 5-speed conversion G260/6, e28 rear subframe, e34 LSD 3.9:1, glass sunroof, e30 elec speedo, cruise control
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keehn
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Re: Has anyone ever installed a cruise control mod? If so, what model?

Post by keehn »

Lock,

This "kit" requires the magnetic VSS speed pulse sensor - so I'm presuming that it ignores existing speedo hardware entirely.

I'll need to research where Rostra says the speed sensor is best placed.

....Also, if I went to a pick and pull for a cruise control....I'd probably end up buying the entire car to fix up! LOL

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Lock
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Re: Has anyone ever installed a cruise control mod? If so, what model?

Post by Lock »

keehn wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2020 1:19 pm Lock,

This "kit" requires the magnetic VSS speed pulse sensor - so I'm presuming that it ignores existing speedo hardware entirely.

I'll need to research where Rostra says the speed sensor is best placed.

....Also, if I went to a pick and pull for a cruise control....I'd probably end up buying the entire car to fix up! LOL

Mike
Yes, I should have clarified - when I said it fits BMW speed sensors, I meant the e28/e30/e34 type on the newer diffs, not our mechanical drive speedos. Just that it was 'in the family', which would make installation easier if you had access to an entire car or were upgrading with newer parts such as the diff.

When I go to pick and pull I go not long before closing time, otherwise I'd spend the whole day pulling parts..
1979 528i - M30B34 with 9.5:1 B35 pistons, 5-speed conversion G260/6, e28 rear subframe, e34 LSD 3.9:1, glass sunroof, e30 elec speedo, cruise control
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