anyone have parking distance control?

[cali-ti]

anyone have the parking distance control option on their car? be interested to hear how it works.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...85&hg=66&fg=05

[moku]

First off, I love the RealOEM site... you can find so many things on there for our cars that can't be found anywhere else. I just wish they'd hurry up and start selling things.

As far as the distance control, I wouldn't imagine too many people having it because I don't think it's a well known option. I'm surprised they even have it for our cars. Besides, our cars are so small that I don't think it's really necessary.

[aceyx]

my friend has the option on his m3. it's basically a small sonar system, and beeps with greater frequency the closer you are to the object behind you.

the problem is that it becomes a continuous tone within 6" or so, and anytime you'd really use it you'd want it to go at 2" or even 1" of space. perhaps the sensitivity can be turned down, but he really doesn't even pay attention to it anymore.

i usually just turn around and look out the back glass, since that's where the car basically stops anyway.

[1996 328ti]

I have it and it has saved me several times. Particularly at the track when I am backing up. I can't always see garbage cans and tires on the ground. And many times people are walking behind you who weren't there a second ago.

[cali-ti]

cool ... someone has it! where's the control module reside in the car? can you describe in general how it works? for example, does it "bong" faster as you get closer to an object or what? thanks steven ... you've got some cool features on that car

EDIT: i read aceyx's post (duh) and now know the basic operation. any idea if it is adjustable (distance wise) steven?

[1996 328ti]

I believe the only thing that migh be adjustable is the volume.

[joshydee]

ive got it. It came standard on later european models like mine which is a 316i compact. Bit tedious but quite useful. I personally am not surehow to adjust the volume. A good feature and becuase its sonar can be sprayed over for colour coding.

[cali-ti]

thanks everyone! i'll have to see if it's still available and price it out if it is. be nice at times and, as steven says, for times when you wouldn't have even been able to see things that you're about to potentially hit.

it would be great if the volume is adjustable because i'm guessing by default it's too loud

[ipswich318ti]

hi ya guys who have it can u help me out as i have loads of bits to fit it
just need instructions and where the wires go to

[zboot]

i'm going to make one soon, though I just plan on using some 3m sticky thing to attach it to the bumper.

Typically, ultrasonics should be accurate down to about an inch (or even a centimeter) - I guess the commercial ones don't want to be sued by ppl who were within that distance of an object, then hit it it because were in fact too close.

[ipswich318ti]

i have all the bmw bits just need the instructions

[studyolic]

One interesting point; I have it as a factory-fitted option on my car. However, I recently noticed that my heated driver's door mirror was being heated anytime the car was running, not just when the heated rear window was switched on. As I intend changing the mirror motor soon, and couldn't be bothered taking the mirror apart to unplug the heater wires, I just went into the fusebox and pulled the fuse that was marked for "mirror". Then I noticed that my park distance didn't work anymore, and when I checked the fuse diagram, it uses the same fuse as the mirrors! Weird.

[ipswich318ti]

thats alot of help mate ill have a look at my fuse board tonight