[Tonyrec]

Is park distance control a popular/worthwhile option or not.

Im considering going for this with the money that ive saved in going back to Pepper White.

[GarryThomas]

Worth every penny as a new car seems to attract accidents with me.
Ive escaped so far.
Garry

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

It doesn't matter that the car is short, it's still worth its weight in gold!

A few years ago I was backing out of a parking space in a supermarket car park in an estate car fitted with reversing sensors. I could see clearly in my inside and outside mirrors and by looking behind me that nothing was there. I started to reverse when, all of a sudden, the sensors came on full time (as if something was just inches away). I slammed the brakes on and could see nothing. Then a group of 3 very small children, who had been walking along behind the cars came into sight in my outside mirror I hadn't seen them because they were under rear window height!

It just doesn't bear thinking about

Would I recommend them? You bet I would!

Tigger.

[Jeff Spangle]

How on earth did we manage before them?

Did we take extra care? Did we look properly? Are they actually that reliable at indicating an obstacle?

Plus, do you really need such a device on a flat backed small car?

On a larger, 3 box saloon car it can be an advantage. Someone I know has PDC on a Micra - now that is completely unnecessary.

I have front and rear PDC on my 530, it was specced by the original purchaser, not by me. It really is a boon to parking, you cannot see where the back of the car is as modern cars have a high glass line.

On a Mini, the glass IS the back of the car. I'm sorry, but if you have difficulty in parking a MIni, there really is no hope.

[popey]

There for women!!! (oops there on mine, only for the mrs you understand)

[Tonyrec]

Quote: Originally Posted by popey (original)

There for women!!! (oops there on mine, only for the mrs you understand)

I know exactly what you mean

[Rakey]

Before owning the convertible I would have said I have no need for these things, but they are essential in the convertible, and I have grown used to having them, so will order them again.

The price of them is far less than a new bumper

But the other reason I'd order them is that I would have sat nav so combined with this option you get a nice display thing come up on the R56 to show anything your car is approaching whilst reversing

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jeff Spangle (original)

Plus, do you really need such a device on a flat backed small car?

On a larger, 3 box saloon car it can be an advantage. Someone I know has PDC on a Micra - now that is completely unnecessary.

I have front and rear PDC on my 530, it was specced by the original purchaser, not by me. It really is a boon to parking, you cannot see where the back of the car is as modern cars have a high glass line.

On a Mini, the glass IS the back of the car. I'm sorry, but if you have difficulty in parking a MIni, there really is no hope.

Did no one read my post?

I usually drive a V70 and often drive hired Luton bodied Transits and have driven 7 1/2 tonne trucks. I'm very happy reversing and am a dab hand at using mirrors alone. It's not the size of the vehicle that counts, it's what can't be seen beneath the line of the rear window that is a serious problem.

The blind spot behind our R50 Cooper is 40" high (I've just measured it); the R56 will be even worse

In my reckoning, that's enough to hide small children (as I've found before), prams, push chairs, dogs, cats, children's toys & bicycles, low bollards, tow bars etc, etc.

£210 is a very small price to pay for avoiding that kind of accident and potentially utterly irrelevant in comparison to hurting a small child or animal, before even taking no claims bonuses and driving license consequences into account.

Tigger.

[red53mini]

I have reversing sencors on my Jag hit the garage door the other day in the lads car because i was witing for the beeps,
how did we manage before parking sencors sat nav radar detectors mobile phones the internet and the mini2 forum

[Stoney]

It is worth it. If you avoid one fender bender type of accident during the time you own it will have paid for itself. The insurance deductable probably exceeds the cost of the PDC (Rear Radar).
I ordered it on our 2002 Cooper. It saved me once from backing into a piece of low farm machinery that I could not see in the mirror.

[Tonyrec]

I certainly dont think it should be based on your driving skills/experience as to whether or not you get the PDC.
Im a Class 1 Police Driver, HGV and PCV................and im considering adding it to my new Mini.
(Hope that noone i know is reading this, lol. )

Seriously though, it is predominantly for my other half but it is one of those nice 'extras' to have and if it makes it safer and easier to reverse into small places then its got to be worth it. Now wheres my phone

[croyde]

I was going to say why have them on a small car. I have them on the Disco 3 as standard and they really help me getting into small spaces, especially as it spends most of its time in London. After parking it, I am always amazed as by mirrors alone it looks like I have gone over the bonnet of the car behind.

The Beemer catches me out because I am always waiting for the beeps then I hear the crunch.

The reason I probably would spec them for a small car is due to the considerable damage done by a 2 ft post directly behind a car borrowed from my Mother in Law that I did not see, as I was on a beach and the mirrors showed me a wide open space. I was reversing at about 10 mph and the post ended up in the middle of the car.

Rather expensive repair bill, gulp!

[red53mini]

I think anything that makes life easier or nicer got to be worth a couple of hundred quid punt, safety to others is priceless
Its not about any ones driving skills it about advancement in technology, bet none of you who say you don’t need them don’t get up to turn the Telly over even though you probably perfectly capable of doing it im sure you still use the remote control

[Tonyrec]

Quote: Originally Posted by red53mini (original)

I
Its not about any ones driving skills it about advancement in technology, bet none of you who say you don’t need them don’t get up to turn the Telly over even though you probably perfectly capable of doing it im sure you still use the remote control

Top Class

[mini_moto]

I've ordered it on my R56S, along with the folding mirror option, to aid putting it in the garage. All I need now is door protectors to stop me taking the paint off, on the garage wall (garages in new houses are always so small).

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by mini_moto (original)

I've ordered it on my R56S, along with the folding mirror option, to aid putting it in the garage. All I need now is door protectors to stop me taking the paint off, on the garage wall (garages in new houses are always so small).

Stick soft carpet on the garage wall in the impact area. That should help.

Tigger.

[mini_moto]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

Stick soft carpet on the garage wall in the impact area. That should help.

Tigger.

I painted the garage walls white in my last house, and people thought I was mad....carpetting would confirm it! But thats a great idea.....Cheers.

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by mini_moto (original)

I painted the garage walls white in my last house, and people thought I was mad....carpetting would confirm it! But thats a great idea.....Cheers.

dont forget to hang the pictures too


I always said i'd have them on this car, as i was speccing it myself, but never did. Cope perfectly well without them. Infact i've reversed a car with them and it put me off!

I can see the sense on a convertible though.

[MoMiniDK]

I've also followed the "cheaper than a small dent" rationale and opted for the PDC. Plus (as other users have noted), the PDC is supposed to be quite cool with the Factory Nav.

Does anyone have some pics showing this feature?

[Tonyrec]

Quote: Originally Posted by MoMiniDK (original)

I've also followed the "cheaper than a small dent" rationale and opted for the PDC. Plus (as other users have noted), the PDC is supposed to be quite cool with the Factory Nav.

Does anyone have some pics showing this feature?

I bet it does look cool. I havent gone with the Nav because i love the BIG centre speedo and to do without that would be a crime.

Each to their own but rest assured, either way will be cool.