[mlebeau]

In ordering my new Cooper S I couldn't decide on Park Distance Control. I was unaware that it was visible from the outside (I thought that was just when the technology first came out), and it's only a minor convenience to me so if I don't like the way it looks I'd just as soon take it off. Does anyone have a picture of it I could see?

Also, can you turn off the beep if/when you don't want it?

Thanks!

Mike

[stryder]

You can't turn off the beep (unless they change it for '05)

It is visible if you know what you're looking for (check out the pictures in the news section from the motor shows especially)

With that said, I put it on my spec, because I do do a fair amount of parallel parking, its a lot less visible on the '05s, and $350 is less then it'd cost to get the bumper repaired after once brush with a pole or anything else, so why run the risk?

Also, I have yet to see cars with PDC that don't have the sensors, but they've gotten more integreated, some of GM's SUVs you can barely notice it.

[stryder]

Here's a good set of pictures showing the sensors: http://www.mini2.com/news/news221.html about halfway down you start to get rear shots that show them.

[mlebeau]

Thanks for the pics stryder. It's definitely noticeable, I'm going to take a while before I decide. It used to be even more visible than that?

-mike

[stryder]

Yeah it was more obvious on '02-'04s, they looked about the same, but they protruded more, so you could see it better. I tried to find a picture, but couldn't seem to find one. In any event, that gives you an idea, so you can search for it.

I also forgot to mention, its another gadget, which for me is a benefit.

[charlief1975]

I got this in my car because I do lots of parallel parking and backing up at my condo's garage. I don't think the 4 dots detract from the look.

If you are debating it because it looks ugly, then you probably don't think its esential.

[mlebeau]

Yeah I like the gadget factor but I think I've decided it's not necessary for me. I wouldn't get *that* much use out of it, and it's not like it's hard to know the limits of a car that size anyway. I figured I'll go ahead and save the $350, I think. Thanks for the help folks.

-mike

[Adrian]

I got everything BUT Park Distance Control on my MCS.

Stupid circles and silly beeping..

No PDC is a good decision to me- keep the bumper clean and keep the car quiet.

[razorbackmini]

I have ordered the PDC. I have also had the misfortune of backing into a concrete post that was just bumper high, therefore not readily visible. One such incident will cost you the cost of the device. It also gives you peace of mind that you will likely avoid objects protruding from the ground.

[usaminicooper]

Sometimes I listen and keep my mouth shut.. Not this time. Who cares........................................ I looked at the photo's and unless your looking within a meter you wouldn't notice..
That right you are showing off your new Cabrio, and somebody tells you your bumper looks ugly..
\Don't worry about these small details LOOK at the BIG picture.
Mini Cooper S Cabrio or not FUN is the word.

[BuzzBomb]

I've got PDC on MCS as I love as many extras as possible!!!! IT IS HOWEVER A VERY USEFUL EXTRA....

[Electric Sheep]

You can't turn the whole system off but you can get the "system active" beep turned on and off. I had mine turned on, so when I stick the car in reverse, it beeps at me to let me know that the system is active. If you don't want to hear the beep, just turn the radio up......

PDC only cost me £200 when I got my MINI in October 2002 and to be quite honest it's been a godsend when reversing out of tight spaces, or when you're reversing and there's something parked behind you. Previous to owning my MINI, I managed to reverse three different cars into three different things (a wall, a lamp post (it was dark and the light was poor!) and another car). As of yet, I've not reversed into anything (and long may it stay that way - touch wood).

Personally, I don't find it ugly - I'm quite used to it. Frankly, I think it's such a valuable thing to have, even on a small car like a MINI, that I'll have it on all my cars from now on. People might think it's a strange thing to have on a small car, but it's worth it for peace of mind. I'd rather spend £200 on something that I might not really need than have to spend hundreds more on repairs after an unfortunate reversing accident.

There are a couple of pics in my gallery:

[Keevan]

on the cooper it looks .. "ok" .. on the S it looks horrible

nice option which i'd take, BUT i really really dont like the look ... and now I am at 60,000 .. and never bumped into something ( although being in brussels 3 days a week.. and it's a pain to find parking places there)

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

I used to have a Citroen C5 estate (don't laugh, it was horrible..) that had parking sensors as standard. I never ordered them.

One day I had to reverse out of a parking space into the isle of a supermarket car park. I could see that nothing was coming from either direction and that there was nothing behind me. I put it into reverse and backed... All of a sudden the reversing sensors burst into life (continuous tone - about to hit something!) for no apparent reason. I slammed on the brakes and stopped. 2 or 3 small children (I can't remember how many for sure, but they were each about 4 years old) had been running along behind the parked cars and had run behind mine - and they had been completely out of sight (and would have been out of sight in the MINI as well).

Just think of how I would have felt having reversed into, or over, 2 or 3 children . £200 or so for parking sensors and a few slightly odd looking rings on the back bumper? For me; a small price to pay... Needless to say, MC has them.

Tigger

[charlief1975]

All it takes is one time for you to wish you had it.