How is the rear visibility in the vert

JayM · 08-07-2009, 10:53 PM

I tried searching for the answer and did not really find it so I thought I would ask.

Looking at a 1 series vert but the rear window really looks small. I was wondering how the rear visibility is with the top up. I came across a post somewhere that said if the side mirrors are adjusted correctly it helps with rear visibility. I currently have an E36 M3 vert that has a much larger rear window and I wish it was a bit larger. I am planning on driving one shortly but would like to hear from those that have lived with the vert for a while to see if it just takes time to get adjusted.

Thanks

Jay

No234 · 08-07-2009, 11:06 PM

Personally I got used to it. I think its fine and you see enough out of it, and as you said if the side mirrors are adjusted you'll be fine the only time it plays a factor is when i back up out of places its a little harder because that big blind spot but its not a big deal, when you get used to it anything bigger seems weird. For instance when i drive my dads 7 series the window is so big that i actually think its weird.

oneintheory · 08-07-2009, 11:06 PM

Shit. The blindspots are huge.

oneintheory · 08-07-2009, 11:06 PM

Just leave the top down.

darkphantom · 08-07-2009, 11:22 PM

go test drive one, blind spots look ridiculous...luckily the E93 has almost none since the back windows go down as well

Zuzu · 08-07-2009, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneintheory

Shit. The blindspots are huge.

NO blindspots if you have the side mirrors adjusted correctly..

Tom K. · 08-08-2009, 09:30 AM

I had the large plastic window in a Z3 and the smaller glass windows in a Z4 and 128i 'vert. There is no scratching or yellowing with glass! And you will be amazed at how quite and refined the car is with the top up compared to your E36 - thanks to the lined top and glass rear window. The tradeoff is slightly less visibility which (as others have said) can be mitigated by proper side mirror adjustment. Also, I'd strongly recommend the PDC (rear sensor) option.
Tom

shodanusmc · 08-08-2009, 10:46 AM

Have the 135 Vert, and while it take a little getting used to, after a while, you do not even think about it as you learn to use the side and rear view mirror. Have not had a problem. Now with the top down, different story.

oneintheory · 08-08-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zuzu

NO blindspots if you have the side mirrors adjusted correctly..

And if I adjust them so there are no blindspots, they're in uncomfortable positions for the way I drive. I'd rather just be aware of my surroundings.

JimD · 08-08-2009, 04:07 PM

My view (after less than a month) is the blind spot for lane changing to the right is a bit big but can be managed. I have to do it every time I take my e88 to work and I don't love it. It helps to start looking before your actual lane change (so you kind of know what is over there).

There is no problem with the top down, of course, which is my favorite way to drive.

warmtoes · 08-08-2009, 04:30 PM

It took some getting used to for me but once I set my mirrors up correctly I have no blind spots and I actually change lanes better now with the side mirrors adjusted to compensate for the big blind spot.

I am totally comfortable with it now when driving. I do recommend the PDC though for backing up at slow speeds.

Tom K. · 08-08-2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warmtoes

I do recommend the PDC though for backing up at slow speeds.

It's even more important if you back up at high speeds!!
Tom

Zuzu · 08-08-2009, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneintheory

And if I adjust them so there are no blindspots, they're in uncomfortable positions for the way I drive. I'd rather just be aware of my surroundings.

Fair enough.. But that is what I thought at first, then realised it was far better side/rear vision with the passenger side mirror adjusted out way further than normal..

Your rear vision mirror is adequate to monitor what is behind, so the passenger side rear mirror should be adjusted so that you have to lean virtually over the center arm rest to actually see the rear fender of your car..

So when in the normal seated front facing position you have clear view of the traffic in the lane alongside your passenger side..

Hope that makes sense..

MOCKBA · 08-09-2009, 12:48 AM

No problem with visibility at all. I owned Chrysler LHS with a similar small back window and visibility was terrific. So 1ser convert has avisibility not an inch worser than any other cars. Belive me. If not, then go to a dealer and check.

BaNaNaBoy69 · 08-09-2009, 01:09 AM

I've had a Mazda Miata prior to the 1er vert. Most soft top verts have a smaller glass or vinyl rear window when compared to a hard top vert, due to structural integrity issues. Common sense would suggest the smaller the window, the less the visibility. Even with all your mirrors adjusted properly, even if you shoulder check, there will always be blind spots, especially with a smaller back window, the rear pillar becomes larger. Otherwise, convex mirrors wouldn't have been invented. Don't forget the 1er sideview mirrors are on the smaller side when compared to other vehicles, thereby reducing the visible area. Unfortunately, I have opted not to put convex mirrors on my 1er because it wouldn't look good in proportion to the sideview mirror, taking up almost 1/3 of the area.

Backing up is fine, especially with PDC. Although looking out the driver side left is ok, it's the lane change or highway merging to the right that has the most blind spots.

Hard top vert windows and visibility are comparable to most non-vert vehicles. Although, like with any vert, with the vert top down, visibility is the best of any car.

Why don't you just go test drive one at the BMW dealership and find out for yourself? Opinions are subjective.

nordique14 · 08-10-2009, 12:06 AM

I went from an E36 328i convertible to an E88 135i convertible. The E88 has much worse visibility. The E36 had a big plastic window and the side mirrors (on the non-M) were square and had great visibility. The E88 has a much smaller rear window and the side mirrors are round with a lot less glass.

But the E88 has rear glass which is a big plus in my book. It is always clear unlike the E36 plastic which scratched easily no matter how well you took care of it. Although I am not 100% positive, I think the 2010 1-series may have bigger (square) side mirrors. Although they did not look as sleek, they would certainly help with visibility.

You eventually get used to the poor visibility. Extra checks have to be performed. Of course if you want great visibility, just lower the top.

JayM · 08-23-2009, 11:26 PM

I had a chance to drive a 1-series vert along with a 3 series hardtop vert. From a driving standpoint visibility in the 1 appeared okay once the mirrors were adjusted correctly (the no blindspot method). One thing that surprised me is that it appeared the 1-series had better visibility out the rear window than the 3 - the rear headrests took up a lot of the window area.

The one thing I did not try was to back out of a parking stall - this is usually where I have problems in my car trying to see cars coming from the sides in either direction. Any thoughts on this and any advice (other than putting the top down)?

BrokenVert · 08-23-2009, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayM

I had a chance to drive a 1-series vert along with a 3 series hardtop vert. From a driving standpoint visibility in the 1 appeared okay once the mirrors were adjusted correctly (the no blindspot method). One thing that surprised me is that it appeared the 1-series had better visibility out the rear window than the 3 - the rear headrests took up a lot of the window area.

The one thing I did not try was to back out of a parking stall - this is usually where I have problems in my car trying to see cars coming from the sides in either direction. Any thoughts on this and any advice (other than putting the top down)?

Back into the parking spot. Its a very slow pull out.

smpeck · 08-24-2009, 07:34 AM

I've never even thought about it, so it must not be an issue for me. As previously suggested, just keep the top down. I've seen much worse visibility in a convertible (VW Beetle comes to mind).

BMW86 · 08-24-2009, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneintheory

Just leave the top down.

warmtoes · 08-24-2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayM

The one thing I did not try was to back out of a parking stall - this is usually where I have problems in my car trying to see cars coming from the sides in either direction. Any thoughts on this and any advice (other than putting the top down)?

I've never really had a problem with this. I have PDC so you can hear it when they get close but that may be too late.

Angry3 · 08-24-2009, 12:33 PM

Visibility leaves a bit to be desired, but it's not appreciably worse than any other convertible I've owned. Convertibles = worse rear visibility period, you get use to using a bit more care when backing and changing lanes and it becomes second nature. One thing I would say is to take the suggestions to get the rear PDC (if you're ordering) to heart. I kind of scoffed at the idea of ordering it on such a small car, but having had mine for 6 months now I would have definitely preferred to have it as backup insurance of sorts even though I don't like the bumper circles.

08-07-2009, 10:53 PM	#1
JayM Enlisted Member 9 Rep 46 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jul 2007 iTrader: (0)	How is the rear visibility in the vert I tried searching for the answer and did not really find it so I thought I would ask. Looking at a 1 series vert but the rear window really looks small. I was wondering how the rear visibility is with the top up. I came across a post somewhere that said if the side mirrors are adjusted correctly it helps with rear visibility. I currently have an E36 M3 vert that has a much larger rear window and I wish it was a bit larger. I am planning on driving one shortly but would like to hear from those that have lived with the vert for a while to see if it just takes time to get adjusted. Thanks Jay
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08-07-2009, 11:06 PM	#2
No234 Private 0 Rep 87 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Personally I got used to it. I think its fine and you see enough out of it, and as you said if the side mirrors are adjusted you'll be fine the only time it plays a factor is when i back up out of places its a little harder because that big blind spot but its not a big deal, when you get used to it anything bigger seems weird. For instance when i drive my dads 7 series the window is so big that i actually think its weird.
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08-07-2009, 11:06 PM	#3
oneintheory no longer a BMW owner 152 Rep 1,463 Posts Drives: 2011 Ford Edge Sport Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Suffolk/Chesapeake, VA iTrader: (0)	Shit. The blindspots are huge.
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08-07-2009, 11:06 PM	#4
oneintheory no longer a BMW owner 152 Rep 1,463 Posts Drives: 2011 Ford Edge Sport Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Suffolk/Chesapeake, VA iTrader: (0)	Just leave the top down.
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08-07-2009, 11:22 PM	#5
darkphantom Banned 595 Rep 5,946 Posts Drives: E93 335i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The place for Bimmers iTrader: (4)	go test drive one, blind spots look ridiculous...luckily the E93 has almost none since the back windows go down as well
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08-08-2009, 09:30 AM	#7
Tom K. Major General 124 Rep 5,627 Posts Drives: '07 328iT, '13 Boxster Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	I had the large plastic window in a Z3 and the smaller glass windows in a Z4 and 128i 'vert. There is no scratching or yellowing with glass! And you will be amazed at how quite and refined the car is with the top up compared to your E36 - thanks to the lined top and glass rear window. The tradeoff is slightly less visibility which (as others have said) can be mitigated by proper side mirror adjustment. Also, I'd strongly recommend the PDC (rear sensor) option. Tom
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08-08-2009, 10:46 AM	#8
shodanusmc Captain 20 Rep 774 Posts Drives: 09 135 Vert Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago burb iTrader: (0)	Have the 135 Vert, and while it take a little getting used to, after a while, you do not even think about it as you learn to use the side and rear view mirror. Have not had a problem. Now with the top down, different story.
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08-08-2009, 04:07 PM	#10
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	My view (after less than a month) is the blind spot for lane changing to the right is a bit big but can be managed. I have to do it every time I take my e88 to work and I don't love it. It helps to start looking before your actual lane change (so you kind of know what is over there). There is no problem with the top down, of course, which is my favorite way to drive. __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
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08-08-2009, 04:30 PM	#11
warmtoes Lieutenant Colonel 31 Rep 1,917 Posts Drives: EBII 435i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1)	It took some getting used to for me but once I set my mirrors up correctly I have no blind spots and I actually change lanes better now with the side mirrors adjusted to compensate for the big blind spot. I am totally comfortable with it now when driving. I do recommend the PDC though for backing up at slow speeds. __________________ *2014 EBII 435i xDrive M-sport* Gone: 2011 TiAg F25 X3 xDrive35i M-sport Gone: 2008 TiAg w/Coral Red E88 135i Cab M-sport
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08-09-2009, 12:48 AM	#14
MOCKBA Captain 54 Rep 870 Posts Drives: 135 convertible Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SFBA iTrader: (0)	No problem with visibility at all. I owned Chrysler LHS with a similar small back window and visibility was terrific. So 1ser convert has avisibility not an inch worser than any other cars. Belive me. If not, then go to a dealer and check. __________________ 535i/HUD Kamerton brings me true sound fidelity Last edited by MOCKBA; 08-09-2009 at 01:29 AM..
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08-09-2009, 01:09 AM	#15
BaNaNaBoy69 ****** 10 Rep 207 Posts Drives: E88 Join Date: May 2009 Location: BC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 E88 128i Cabri ... [0.00]	I've had a Mazda Miata prior to the 1er vert. Most soft top verts have a smaller glass or vinyl rear window when compared to a hard top vert, due to structural integrity issues. Common sense would suggest the smaller the window, the less the visibility. Even with all your mirrors adjusted properly, even if you shoulder check, there will always be blind spots, especially with a smaller back window, the rear pillar becomes larger. Otherwise, convex mirrors wouldn't have been invented. Don't forget the 1er sideview mirrors are on the smaller side when compared to other vehicles, thereby reducing the visible area. Unfortunately, I have opted not to put convex mirrors on my 1er because it wouldn't look good in proportion to the sideview mirror, taking up almost 1/3 of the area. Backing up is fine, especially with PDC. Although looking out the driver side left is ok, it's the lane change or highway merging to the right that has the most blind spots. Hard top vert windows and visibility are comparable to most non-vert vehicles. Although, like with any vert, with the vert top down, visibility is the best of any car. Why don't you just go test drive one at the BMW dealership and find out for yourself? Opinions are subjective. __________________ 2005 BMW X3 30i [E83] Retired 2009 BMW X6 xDrive35i [E71] Retired 2009 BMW 128i Cabriolet [E88] Alpine White / Coral Red Boston Leather / Moonlight Black Softtop / High-Gloss Black Trim / 18" W Spoke Wheels / Navigation / Premium / Premium Sound / Sport / PDC
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08-10-2009, 12:06 AM	#16
nordique14 Major 53 Rep 1,477 Posts Drives: SGM 135i 'vert Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sharks Territory iTrader: (5)	I went from an E36 328i convertible to an E88 135i convertible. The E88 has much worse visibility. The E36 had a big plastic window and the side mirrors (on the non-M) were square and had great visibility. The E88 has a much smaller rear window and the side mirrors are round with a lot less glass. But the E88 has rear glass which is a big plus in my book. It is always clear unlike the E36 plastic which scratched easily no matter how well you took care of it. Although I am not 100% positive, I think the 2010 1-series may have bigger (square) side mirrors. Although they did not look as sleek, they would certainly help with visibility. You eventually get used to the poor visibility. Extra checks have to be performed. Of course if you want great visibility, just lower the top.
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08-23-2009, 11:26 PM	#17
JayM Enlisted Member 9 Rep 46 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jul 2007 iTrader: (0)	I had a chance to drive a 1-series vert along with a 3 series hardtop vert. From a driving standpoint visibility in the 1 appeared okay once the mirrors were adjusted correctly (the no blindspot method). One thing that surprised me is that it appeared the 1-series had better visibility out the rear window than the 3 - the rear headrests took up a lot of the window area. The one thing I did not try was to back out of a parking stall - this is usually where I have problems in my car trying to see cars coming from the sides in either direction. Any thoughts on this and any advice (other than putting the top down)?
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08-24-2009, 07:34 AM	#19
smpeck Private First Class 14 Rep 160 Posts Drives: 2012 328i Coupe (E92) Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	I've never even thought about it, so it must not be an issue for me. As previously suggested, just keep the top down. I've seen much worse visibility in a convertible (VW Beetle comes to mind).
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08-24-2009, 12:33 PM	#22
Angry3 All your 1 are belong to us!!! 20 Rep 658 Posts Drives: '08 135i 'Vert Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	Visibility leaves a bit to be desired, but it's not appreciably worse than any other convertible I've owned. Convertibles = worse rear visibility period, you get use to using a bit more care when backing and changing lanes and it becomes second nature. One thing I would say is to take the suggestions to get the rear PDC (if you're ordering) to heart. I kind of scoffed at the idea of ordering it on such a small car, but having had mine for 6 months now I would have definitely preferred to have it as backup insurance of sorts even though I don't like the bumper circles.
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