Question for 2011 Convertible Owners

[x97Melbourne]

Hello All --

As you can see, I have a 2008 135i Convertible. It's been discussed and mentioned before, but the visibility with the top UP is horrible. And by horrible I mean absolutely terrible!!! ) The blind spot is huge and in my opinion, is a little unsafe. For that reason (and others of course) I drive with my top down 95% of the time.

My car is currently for sale and when it sells I am looking to get a new one ASAP....

My question....I am strongly considering a 2011 135i convertible. Can owners of this model specifically please comment on the TOP UP visibility? The dealer here doesn't have a model I can test drive. I know the exterior mirrors are larger than in my 2008, but other than that, has BMW improved on the blind spot/visibility???

Please let me know.....thanks in advance.

[fancyfl1ght]

Originally Posted by x97Melbourne

Hello All --

As you can see, I have a 2008 135i Convertible. It's been discussed and mentioned before, but the visibility with the top UP is horrible. And by horrible I mean absolutely terrible!!! ) The blind spot is huge and in my opinion, is a little unsafe. For that reason (and others of course) I drive with my top down 95% of the time.

My car is currently for sale and when it sells I am looking to get a new one ASAP....

My question....I am strongly considering a 2011 135i convertible. Can owners of this model specifically please comment on the TOP UP visibility? The dealer here doesn't have a model I can test drive. I know the exterior mirrors are larger than in my 2008, but other than that, has BMW improved on the blind spot/visibility???

Please let me know.....thanks in advance.

backup camera, problem solved.

[Tom K.]

While I don't have a great problem with the top up visibility on my '08 128i cabrio, I am very glad I opted for PDC for parking. Not living in a climate that offers easy 95% top down driving, I've found work arounds for the rear quarter blind spots which are no worse than the other 'verts I've owned over the years. Some things which help include setting the side view mirrors so that you must move your head to see the side of the car (affording you a greater view of the adjacent lane) and changing the angle at which you make certain turns and merges so that oncoming traffic isn't in the blind spot.

But to answer your question, it does not appear that there have been any changes to top since the original "Year of the One", especially since Tischer shows the same part for '08~'011:

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...layCatalogid=0

Tom

[Pangloss]

Did the '08 models have the feature where the right outside mirror automatically tilts downwards when you put it in reverse?

(If not I thought I'd mention it to be helpful to the OPer.)

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by Pangloss

Did the '08 models have the feature where the right outside mirror automatically tilts downwards when you put it in reverse?

(If not I thought I'd mention it to be helpful to the OPer.)

My '08 has it. I though it was standard, although the manual shows it with an asterisk (optional).

Tom

[alvitdk]

Blindspot??? Other than the same as on any car?

I'm certain we all learned for the road test to do a shoulder view, meaning turning the head over your shoulder. I have a 08 128i convertible and it is no worse than my 2011 Golf TDI, or my wife's Mazda 3s.

[Prof T]

Originally Posted by alvitdk

Blindspot??? Other than the same as on any car?

I'm certain we all learned for the road test to do a shoulder view, meaning turning the head over your shoulder. I have a 08 128i convertible and it is no worse than my 2011 Golf TDI, or my wife's Mazda 3s.

..... X2. No problem. It's better than most cars of this type.

[Mark16q]

Is there a good backup camera solution out there?

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by Prof T

..... X2. No problem. It's better than most cars of this type.

And we even have power rear quarter windows, even if they have to be raised in the proper sequence.

Hows this for blind spots?

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C14309

Tom

[Lee123]

I have a 2011 and don't find it to be a problem at all. Certainly no worse than most other cars I've owned. My last car was a 370z convertible and the rear window in it was useless. Compared to that, the 135 has outstanding visibility.

[RoundelM3]

No problem on my wife's 2011 128i Convertible...

[pdisher]

I've owned many convertibles of various manufacturers and huge blind spots are always an issue.
I guess I've grown accustomed to the fact that cars with a top that drops have blind spots.

In the good old days of plastic rear window folks like MG provided 3 windows to circumvent the issue.

Sometimes I miss the good old days.

[Pangloss]

The one that always seems dangerous to me is the right-forward view with roadsters and other low-height sports cars. Those short windshields mean that the inside rear view mirror blocks your visibility to the right. Pulling up to a 4-way stop sign suddenly becomes an adventure.

You know you're an experienced roadster owner when you've trained yourself to deal with that one. Rear blind spots have always seemed tame in comparison.

[x97Melbourne]

Originally Posted by fancyfl1ght

backup camera, problem solved.

I meant when I am driving the car. Smart ass!!! )))

[mike06612]

Funny, we have an 08 and find the visibility to be better than most, if not all of the other convertibles we have owned. We don't have any problems at all with the top up.