Is it possible to retro-fit Front PDC at the dealer?

[BMW86]

Okay before you guys flame me for needing front PDC, I'm sharing a parking space with my gf which is actually meant for 1 car but we've found that we can fit both our cars into the space at a certain angle because we both have equally small cars. However, I need to be as close against the wall as possible to allow enough room for our neighbours cars in the carpark.

It's not a big deal at the moment, with practice I'm consistently parking around 0.5 - 1 inch from the wall but having PDC would give me a bit more piece of mind because I've had a couple close calls.


So now that I've explained myself, can front PDC be retro-fitted at the dealer? If so, how much and what's involved?

[2010AW135i]

im pretty sure PDC would go solid beep sooner then 1" so it would be useless. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

I would highly suggest some wheel chocks instead, the distance from the front of your wheel to front bumper do not normally change =)

something like this

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...arking+stop.do

I'm not advertising for this site, It was just the 1st hit I found on google. shop around if you decide to go this route =)

[BMW86]

I have rear PDC and the beeping sound occurs about a whole foot before I'm close to hitting the wall. Also, the visuals on idrive help a lot and I've figured out exactly how much room I've got when I hit the red zone, a few inches, but this still gives me piece of mind as I know exactly how far I am. Those who have the idrive and PDC will know what I'm referring to. Unfortunately, I don't think I can put wheel chocks in this car space and my car is lowered with a front lip going on soon so I'd probably scrape with this. Thanks for your help though.

[Lester]

I don't think front PDC is available on the 1 series. If it was, it would mean a new bumper with the sensors, and wiukd be fairly expensive. Just hang a tennis ball from the ceiling at the exact spot where it touches your window when your car is as close as you want it to be.

[NL-J]

Front and rear PDC is listed in the accessories, http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicle...equipment.html

I believe you can order a 1 with front PDC off factory here.

Check the accessories showroom, communications & information->driver assistance

[x5mad]

Definately available, I have it as factory option

[Absorber]

Wouldn't something like this solve the problem? http://www.smarthome.com/7187/Single...-System/p.aspx

Should be much cheaper.

[Bruck]

2 other options

1) The old tennis ball trick: hang from right spot in ceiling, drive until it rests against your windshield, then you stop

2) get one of those stop sign stands but modifiy it so it gets really close to the wall (may not help with 1 inch intentions)

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by Lester

I don't think front PDC is available on the 1 series. If it was, it would mean a new bumper with the sensors, and wiukd be fairly expensive. Just hang a tennis ball from the ceiling at the exact spot where it touches your window when your car is as close as you want it to be.

Just as we in the US don't get all BMW models, it's useful to remember we also don't get all the options available in other countries.

Tom

[BMW86]

Thanks for the alternative options guys. Unfortunately the tennis ball trick is a bit hard because the ceiling is really high, I have no chance in reaching it without an extremely long ladder. Also, my car comes in it different angles all the time depending on how the other car is parked so the tennis ball wouldn't be in the right place in every situation.

[sb335is]

Hey man ive got some lasers in my garage that turn on when the garage is activated. you just pull in until the red dot lines up on the place of your choice. i forgot where we got them but i can find out if youre interested. probably about 30 bucks if i remember correctly but its a lot cleaner than the tennis. you just stick them to your garage box and aim it at your left airvent or something.

bad thing is you have to adjust if youre driving a different car.

[eleven11]

Wouldn't a laser beam saw the car in half?

If I were in your position, I would just use something like a large foam wall. Something you would find in a camping store - the old school foam stuff (non-asbestos ). It would probably be 2-3 inches thick (i.e. compressible). A gradual approach would easily show a touch of movement at the top. It could be like 4-5 feet tall from the ground and, again, the top would show subtle movement once it's barely touched. I've done something similar to this, temporarily in the past, and it worked pretty good.


Another option would be something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/MAXSA-Parking-...sim_dbs_auto_6

However, if you're talking only an inch, you'd have to get your measurements just right.

[BMW86]

twinturboz - That sounds pretty interesting. If you can find out that would be great. Thanks

eleven11 - Thanks, that's actually not such a bad idea. Cheap and easy. I might just do this. Thanks!

[guydude]

Front and Rear PDC is only available on 2009+ cars.....