[danny_cotw]

As the title really, am playing with the spec on my next car and these are 2 options that I have always fancied having but didn't get on my F31 as it was a stock car.

On test drives they seem useful and a good idea but does the novelty wear off or do they remain worthwhile having? I'm thinking especially about the HUD, I can see it is useful to have speed and nav directions directly in front of you without you having to take eyes off the road but it's hardly difficult to look down 6 inches to the dials for a couple of seconds.

I'd be grateful for comments from people who have had these options for a while, what do you think of them now and would you spec them again on your next car?

Thanks

[SteveChester]

HUD and reversing camera useful - side camera just behind the front wheels a waste of time and I never use them IMHO

[Hoyboy]

The HUD is amazing and is definitely worth having. It's especially useful when using the sat nav as it displays road names and tells you what lane you should be in, plus I like having my speed shown in digital as it's very handy in average speed camera situations. If you do get it make sure you get the speed camera display option as well. I bought my car second hand and unfortunately it didn't come with this but it would make the HUD even more useful.

With regards to the 360 camera I can't comment as I only have the reverse camera. The reverse camera is handy when reverse parking however when it rains it does become really blurry. Not sure if it happens to all the cameras on the 360 option.

[73henny]

Originally Posted by SteveChester

HUD and reversing camera useful - side camera just behind the front wheels a waste of time and I never use them IMHO

+1.

Agree with all of the above. I didn't spec surround view as I tried it in a loaner a while back. For me, a waste of money.

[Ajs_435d]

Agree I think hud is excellent.

[Grant_7]

Originally Posted by SteveChester

HUD and reversing camera useful - side camera just behind the front wheels a waste of time and I never use them IMHO

Surround View isn't just the cameras in front of the front wheels, but also cameras in the wing mirrors.

I added Surround View to my order as a bit of a "well, might as well spec it anyway" type of action, however I use it every day. It's proved far more useful than I imagined and it has, without doubt, saved my alloys from being kerbed on a number of occasions.

[JLR1969]

HUD is great, never had it before but glad I have it now. Looking at the dash is just a habit as there is no need anymore

[Tengocity]

I absolutely love the HUD, and specced it again on our second 3 series. Seems weird not to have it once you're used to it. I'd take it over a virtual cockpit any day of the week.

It's the integration with nav, SLD, phone, media that I find so good.

I have a rear camera on one car, but not on the most recent and regret it. I expect the same if I'd got surround view, and if it saves a few Kerbed wheels then it's pays for itself.

[Worzey]

HUD is one of those options I would never had spec'd until I purchased a used car with it. It's now one of the few options I wouldn't go without.

It seems strange taking my eyes off the road when I drive a car without it.

[kzg1969]

another vote for HUD + speed display

i dont have surround view (2nd hand car) but if i were buying new, I would spec it if only for the front camera.

[pauricmcb]

Have HUD and find it excellent, would be compulsory for me on my next car.

Also have the surround view, do find it useful but wouldn't necessary spec it again.

Comfort access, HUD and reversing camera I would definitely spec on next car.

Comfort access is amazing I think, just so convenient.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Grant_7

Surround View isn't just the cameras in front of the front wheels, but also cameras in the wing mirrors.

I added Surround View to my order as a bit of a "well, might as well spec it anyway" type of action, however I use it every day. It's proved far more useful than I imagined and it has, without doubt, saved my alloys from being kerbed on a number of occasions.

Same here, more useful than I thought cameras would be.

I use surround view most times I'm in car parks, useful for exact positioning, side view cameras for pulling out when there are restricted views, (particularly of folks who don't seem to think others may be moving as well as them).

May be a bit of a luxury, perhaps more useful in the bigger cars like my 5-series. Reversing camera is superb for parallel parking.

HUD, would miss it after living with it for over 4-years.

[pmgreenwood]

I have both and would spec both again. In practice, I would be reluctant to buy a car without both.

The side view is very useful when exciting my drive on to the main road and is wonderful when parking alongside kerbs or in any close space maneuvering .

[teaston]

Quite honestly I can't believe anyone would not go for HUD, looking down at the dials is so last year darling!

[dizzy619]

Hud and cameras are a must for me...

[Observer1122]

HUD is no gimmick, coupled with the speed limit display its just great. Any future vehicle i own must have this option.

[sahajesh]

Have HUD and all the cameras on 330d and doing the same on 340i - I will not get a car without them. Kerbed wheels, pulling out of car parks etc - just takes one incident that could have been avoided that isn't even your fault and you'd regret.

[djcowlin]

Definitely HUD - when you're driving on the Continent you can change the units to metric and see your current speed in kph alongside the speed limit display (if you've specced that).

[sahajesh]

Originally Posted by djcowlin

Definitely HUD - when you're driving on the Continent you can change the units to metric and see your current speed in kph alongside the speed limit display (if you've specced that).

And if you don't change to metric, the speed limits will be read by the camera as kmh but the speed limit display will show them in mph, so your dials and HUD current speed match the limits

[G82Dude]

HUD is great (especially with speed limit display). Have surround view too, it's quite cool and can help in tight spots/with kerbs... I even use the front bumper cameras too when edging out of a tricky road and you can't see, but it's more of a gimmick.

[SkyJawa]

I had HUD, its great.

Never had surround, and didn't care because I can park and in 2.5 years didn't mark the alloys once.

HUD you will use constantly on every journey. Surround view you'll use below 5mph.

If BMW did what our Octavia did you wouldn't need it. Will park in bay or parallel, then it will also drive you back out of it. That said I'm not a bird so never use that feature

[RobUK]

Another + for HUD (and speed limit display). Had this on both my F30's and would spec again if buying another. Useful safety feature.