Back up sensors

[Wabasha]

My car did not come with the four back up sensors in the bumper. Two can be added by the license plate for $225.00. It will help for things right behind but not at the sides where there are sensors on the bumper. Has anyone done this? Is it worthwhile? I am surprised the are not standard equipment.

[mryakan]

They are not standard equipment because most people know how to park without yet another annoying beeping ;). Just a joke, don't take it personally.

[Wabasha]

I have them on my truck and it has saved me several times in grocery store parking lots. Its a lot easier to see behind the BMW.

[mryakan]

I have them on my truck and it has saved me several times in grocery store parking lots. Its a lot easier to see behind the BMW.
Exactly, that is the key. On a Van, SUV or truck they are probably a lot more useful. In any case, once you get used to your cars dimensions, you should be able to park within inches of the car behind or in front of you without the assistance of technology, but mistakes can definitely happen :embarrasm. To be honest, how many people have PDC and still hit cars behind and in front of them, I bet a lot.

[Takashi]

They are very useful on a X3 as I had them on the X3 loner car.

They are, however, useless if the objects are small enough that is not detected by the sensor or if the object is placed at a corner (e.g., curbs).

There was one time I saw a woman driver backing into a stall and touched the corner of the cement bench leaving a small dent on the bumper. When the woman got out of her car and I told her what happened, her response was "Well, how am I suppose to know if the sensor didn't go off?". My response was "Well, you are suppose to look backward to check for foreign objects and use your side mirrors to determine if foreign objects are present. The sensors can't help you if you don't pay attention to the surroundings". I wonder what her husband did when he finds out.