Regret not getting PDC

moneymike713 · 10-26-2007, 06:02 PM

I regret not getting the PDC instead I chose CA instead but I should have just got both. When I realized I wanted it it was too late and my car was already built. Is there anything I can do? Will I really need it? Do alot of you have it?

ChaneRZ · 10-26-2007, 06:08 PM

i have it and it helps on parallel parking and tight spaces. just watch your back when parking. i don't know if you could retrofit that. you might need a new bumper i think.

moneymike713 · 10-26-2007, 06:11 PM

Im hoping since the car is already small I will not really need it and I will be leasing the car.

TheAcAvenger · 10-26-2007, 06:12 PM

My last car was a lot longer. And I didn't want the circles on my back bumper. The only time i've ever been happy to have it was when I was driving an A8L. It's not on the touareg in my sig, and if I don't use it on that one, I surely dont use it on the 3.

Perhaps just because my last daily driver was so long, I don't have any problems with this one. You can short park all you want.

moneymike713 · 10-26-2007, 06:17 PM

^sounds good doesnt seems like I will really need them anyway.

mmm def · 10-26-2007, 06:29 PM

bmw sells a unit that attaches to the license plate, Part # 66 21 0 395 009 $299. never seen it in person, but it is in the 3 series accessories catalog.

edgarj · 10-26-2007, 11:00 PM

I have PDC. For the price, it's a great option. It's handy when parallell parling, but really not nesecarry for anyone with good p-parling skill. The display with iDrive is very cool, but I hate that it takes so long to show up after startup. By the time it shows up, I don't need it anymore. I wouldn't bother retrofitting it, personally.

Gtrain · 10-27-2007, 10:47 AM

Does PDC just chime when you get close or does it actually display on the Navi like Lexus'?

E90SLAM · 10-27-2007, 10:58 AM

It displays like a radar image with a plan view of the car.
As well as beeps when you get closer to obstacles.

TheAcAvenger · 10-27-2007, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edgarj

I have PDC. For the price, it's a great option. It's handy when parallell parling, but really not nesecarry for anyone with good p-parling skill. The display with iDrive is very cool, but I hate that it takes so long to show up after startup. By the time it shows up, I don't need it anymore. I wouldn't bother retrofitting it, personally.

Wow, I hardly even thought about that. If you do a lot of parallel parking, you should definitely look into it. I never end up having to PP, i've hd to do it in this car twice in the 10 months I have it. So, I guess it depends on where you live. Excellent point edgarj

!Xoible · 10-27-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moneymike713

I regret not getting the PDC instead I chose CA instead but I should have just got both. When I realized I wanted it it was too late and my car was already built. Is there anything I can do? Will I really need it? Do alot of you have it?

at first i regretted getting PDC, and i wanted CA so bad. now i like my PDC (especially with tint) but still want CA

sn123 · 10-27-2007, 12:21 PM

PDC was the last thing on the list that I was on the fence with. I wish I did get it. It's not necessary but really nifty feature to have. The beeps you into 12 inches from any obstacle in most of the angles. That's very close. For the price, I think it's a great feature to have.

abmw · 10-27-2007, 12:25 PM

PDC is a cool feature with a bad look.

Gtrain · 10-27-2007, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90SLAM

It displays like a radar image with a plan view of the car.
As well as beeps when you get closer to obstacles.

Thanks for the info.

Can someone post what the radar image looks like?

halB · 10-27-2007, 01:31 PM

I used it a lot in my 530 becasue the trunk lid is very high and it is hard to see the back when I back it into my garage parking spot. That car has front & back PDC but the front ones are useless becasue they don't see the curbs in front of them because of the angles.

I have it in my 335i vert and I hardly ever use it because the trunk lid is a lot lower. Besids, I drive it into my garage spot.

Revlis · 10-27-2007, 04:28 PM

PDC is far more useless than CA. I find it comical that it's even offered on the tiny little 3-series. The wagon maybe, but hell you'll do just fine without PDC. You've lived for years without it, you'll be just fine...

I have yet to find a single use for PDC in a Coupe, there's just no need. If you're hitting shit with your rear bumper, you're in need of more than PDC... You need a spotter, maybe a flag man.

AndrewAZ · 10-27-2007, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revlis

PDC is far more useless than CA. I find it comical that it's even offered on the tiny little 3-series. The wagon maybe, but hell you'll do just fine without PDC. You've lived for years without it, you'll be just fine...

I have yet to find a single use for PDC in a Coupe, there's just no need. If you're hitting shit with your rear bumper, you're in need of more than PDC... You need a spotter, maybe a flag man.

Are you kidding me.. I cant tell you how many times PDC saved my E46 from small little items be hind my car. Especially at night if you have really dark tint and basically cant see crap out the back.

PDC is what $300 or $800? A bumper re paint is about $450-500 and a new bumper is over $1k... So if it saves you once its worth it..

Now on the other hand CA is worthless it seems more of a problem than a help.

LEDZEP · 10-27-2007, 06:15 PM

I have PDC on my E90 and I really like it. It was a cheap option, so I figured why not. I park in a parking garage at work and usually back in, and it helps my judge where I am perfectly. Also very helpful for parallel parking if, like me, you don't do it enough to be real proficient at it.

I think the BMW sensors are much less conspicuous than those of other models. I will get it again.

Joonsup · 10-27-2007, 06:22 PM

pdc is awesome. it's not only useful for parallel parking but when you're in a parking lot and the spaces are tight and you're backing out you can save yourself an "austin powers" 20 point turn. You may have people walking behind you and you not knowing it as well. I'm not saying there's people who suck at driving, but it'll happen even to the best drivers every once in a while. i'm never going to get another car w/out one.

tctic · 10-27-2007, 08:47 PM

PDC is one of those things that you will not miss if you never had it before. But once you have it, you'll miss it no matter how good at parking you are. There are many cases that PDC will give you more confidence in reversing such as when parking in the dark where you can't see the rear very clearly. You can also back up to a parking spot while facing forward and rely on the audible sound for confirmation. (Of course you do a visual check before you back in before hand)

Maybe in many places PDC is not as valuable but it is definitely a 'must get' option when parking in tight parkade or // parking.

As to the sensors impairing the aesthetics of the car really isn't much a problem for me. They are so subtle, especially on dark coloured cars.

E90SLAM · 10-27-2007, 10:46 PM

Here's the picture of PDC on iDrive screen.
No Front PDC option for US Spec.

ejazbmw · 10-27-2007, 11:01 PM

I never really parallel park being that I'm in jersey so never really cared for it...and plus it has those ugly circles on the bumper that i was just not digging.

10-26-2007, 06:02 PM	#1
moneymike713 Second Lieutenant 22 Rep 208 Posts Drives: Montego 335 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Regret not getting PDC I regret not getting the PDC instead I chose CA instead but I should have just got both. When I realized I wanted it it was too late and my car was already built. Is there anything I can do? Will I really need it? Do alot of you have it?
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10-26-2007, 06:08 PM	#2
ChaneRZ If You Aint First, You're last !!! 81 Rep 2,509 Posts Drives: 08 BMW 335i, 01 Honda Prelude Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: California iTrader: (0)	i have it and it helps on parallel parking and tight spaces. just watch your back when parking. i don't know if you could retrofit that. you might need a new bumper i think. __________________ 08 BMW BSM 335i 6MT (Sports, Premium, NAV, PDC, AS, IPOD, HD Radio, Rear Sunshade, OEM Alarm) Angel iBright V3, Luminics Fog Bulb, Turbo Tuner, K&N Drop in Filter, Dinan Exhaust, Dinan Pedals, Vorsteiner CF Front Lip, and CF Rear Diffuser. Ordered:08/25/07 Started: 09/09/07 Finished: 09/14/07 On Ship: 09/15/07 Arrived: 10/08/07 Delivered: 10/10/07
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10-26-2007, 06:11 PM	#3
moneymike713 Second Lieutenant 22 Rep 208 Posts Drives: Montego 335 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Im hoping since the car is already small I will not really need it and I will be leasing the car.
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10-26-2007, 06:12 PM	#4
TheAcAvenger Brigadier General 134 Rep 3,132 Posts Drives: 2018 R35 GTR / 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: 757 > Nova > Denver iTrader: (1)	My last car was a lot longer. And I didn't want the circles on my back bumper. The only time i've ever been happy to have it was when I was driving an A8L. It's not on the touareg in my sig, and if I don't use it on that one, I surely dont use it on the 3. Perhaps just because my last daily driver was so long, I don't have any problems with this one. You can short park all you want. __________________ 2018 R35 GT-R Cicio800 \| 2007 E92 335i - RB Turbos, TC Kline DA Coils, HPA M3 Suspension, Quaife LSD, Stoptech BBK, JB4, FuelIT, AR Downpipes, RDSport Quads, Stett OC, Helix IC, Volk TE-37, Vorsteiner V-35, OSS Headlights \| Retired - 2015 F82 M4
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10-26-2007, 06:17 PM	#5
moneymike713 Second Lieutenant 22 Rep 208 Posts Drives: Montego 335 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	^sounds good doesnt seems like I will really need them anyway.
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10-26-2007, 06:29 PM	#6
mmm def Colonel 144 Rep 2,610 Posts Drives: 21 330, 19 ND2 RF, 11 RX350 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	bmw sells a unit that attaches to the license plate, Part # 66 21 0 395 009 $299. never seen it in person, but it is in the 3 series accessories catalog.
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10-26-2007, 11:00 PM	#7
edgarj Captain 32 Rep 815 Posts Drives: 335i e92 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Marcos, TX iTrader: (1)	I have PDC. For the price, it's a great option. It's handy when parallell parling, but really not nesecarry for anyone with good p-parling skill. The display with iDrive is very cool, but I hate that it takes so long to show up after startup. By the time it shows up, I don't need it anymore. I wouldn't bother retrofitting it, personally.
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10-27-2007, 10:47 AM	#8
Gtrain Colonel 144 Rep 2,018 Posts Drives: something slowwwww Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NYC iTrader: (21)	Does PDC just chime when you get close or does it actually display on the Navi like Lexus'?
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10-27-2007, 10:58 AM	#9
E90SLAM Supreme Allied Commander 1963 Rep 61,781 Posts Drives: A BBS WHORE Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: . iTrader: (6) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 sDrive30i [0.00]	It displays like a radar image with a plan view of the car. As well as beeps when you get closer to obstacles. __________________
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10-27-2007, 12:21 PM	#12
sn123 Private 3 Rep 74 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: bay area iTrader: (0)	PDC was the last thing on the list that I was on the fence with. I wish I did get it. It's not necessary but really nifty feature to have. The beeps you into 12 inches from any obstacle in most of the angles. That's very close. For the price, I think it's a great feature to have. __________________ IN MY GARAGE '08 335I coupe, Space Grey, grey leather w/ grey poplar, 6MT, Prem, Sports, Cold, nav, Ipod, Sat, shade, CA
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10-27-2007, 12:25 PM	#13
abmw Private First Class 8 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 335xi Coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: MN iTrader: (0)	PDC is a cool feature with a bad look. __________________ 2008 335xi Coupe - Sapphire Black, Black Dakota, Gray Poplar, Premium, Sport, Cold Weather, Steptronic/Paddles, Comfort Access, HD, IPOD.
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10-27-2007, 01:31 PM	#15
halB Colonel 53 Rep 2,384 Posts Drives: W211 E350 4M MkV GTI 987.2 S Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Just north of Toronto iTrader: (0)	I used it a lot in my 530 becasue the trunk lid is very high and it is hard to see the back when I back it into my garage parking spot. That car has front & back PDC but the front ones are useless becasue they don't see the curbs in front of them because of the angles. I have it in my 335i vert and I hardly ever use it because the trunk lid is a lot lower. Besids, I drive it into my garage spot. __________________ 07 E93 335i - Returned at lease end 09 W211 E350 4Matic Avant Garde - Blk/Blk, AMG pkg w/18". Sport Susp. F1 Asym. Debadged. 09 MkV GTI w/Leather & 18" Huffs. F1 Asym 10 987.2 S w/Leather sport seat, Sport Chrono, 19" Carrera S II wheels
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10-27-2007, 04:28 PM	#16
Revlis Now With 33% MORE Sarcasm Free! 157 Rep 3,462 Posts Drives: M4 i3 X3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix AZ iTrader: (0)	PDC is far more useless than CA. I find it comical that it's even offered on the tiny little 3-series. The wagon maybe, but hell you'll do just fine without PDC. You've lived for years without it, you'll be just fine... I have yet to find a single use for PDC in a Coupe, there's just no need. If you're hitting shit with your rear bumper, you're in need of more than PDC... You need a spotter, maybe a flag man. __________________ A BMW is Just a Car, it doesn't make you smart, handsome, clever, better, cool, or wealthy.
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10-27-2007, 06:15 PM	#18
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 417 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	I have PDC on my E90 and I really like it. It was a cheap option, so I figured why not. I park in a parking garage at work and usually back in, and it helps my judge where I am perfectly. Also very helpful for parallel parking if, like me, you don't do it enough to be real proficient at it. I think the BMW sensors are much less conspicuous than those of other models. I will get it again. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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10-27-2007, 06:22 PM	#19
Joonsup Lieutenant General 322 Rep 17,316 Posts Drives: E92 M3, E30 325i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (8) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [9.50]	pdc is awesome. it's not only useful for parallel parking but when you're in a parking lot and the spaces are tight and you're backing out you can save yourself an "austin powers" 20 point turn. You may have people walking behind you and you not knowing it as well. I'm not saying there's people who suck at driving, but it'll happen even to the best drivers every once in a while. i'm never going to get another car w/out one.
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10-27-2007, 08:47 PM	#20
tctic Major 38 Rep 1,238 Posts Drives: BMW E90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	PDC is one of those things that you will not miss if you never had it before. But once you have it, you'll miss it no matter how good at parking you are. There are many cases that PDC will give you more confidence in reversing such as when parking in the dark where you can't see the rear very clearly. You can also back up to a parking spot while facing forward and rely on the audible sound for confirmation. (Of course you do a visual check before you back in before hand) Maybe in many places PDC is not as valuable but it is definitely a 'must get' option when parking in tight parkade or // parking. As to the sensors impairing the aesthetics of the car really isn't much a problem for me. They are so subtle, especially on dark coloured cars.
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10-27-2007, 10:46 PM	#21
E90SLAM Supreme Allied Commander 1963 Rep 61,781 Posts Drives: A BBS WHORE Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: . iTrader: (6) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 sDrive30i [0.00]	Here's the picture of PDC on iDrive screen. No Front PDC option for US Spec. __________________ Last edited by E90SLAM; 01-17-2011 at 08:52 AM..
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10-27-2007, 11:01 PM	#22
ejazbmw blahhh 302 Rep 6,355 Posts Drives: 2014 M235I Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NJ/NY iTrader: (7)	I never really parallel park being that I'm in jersey so never really cared for it...and plus it has those ugly circles on the bumper that i was just not digging.
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