OEM PDC Installation

[cdnalpina]

Happy New Year Everyone!

I have a complete OEM E31 PDC kit that I am contemplating installing in my 8. I did some searching on the web and did find a link someone posted almost 10 years ago... and of course it was broken.

Would anyone happen to have a copy of the instructions they could kindly post or send me?

Cheers,

Rob

[Ahmed303]

Are you sure you want to do this? IMHO, the OEM PDC for E31 is much less than attractive and takes away from the smooth look.

[duje]

I have PDF, but I don't know how to post it.
PM me your mail.
I also have a complete OEM kit that I didn't get around to install because it involves cutting holes in metal carrier behind the bumper and drilling the hole under the rear shelf (taking out rear seats, C pillars, rear shelf with sun shade,...) so beside taking of the bumper, drilling and repainting it, the carrier also needs corrosion resistance paint. Too much work for ruining the clean look of the car, although I like all the extra options just to tell that all these late goodies I have on 91' car.

[ukzero]

My '97 had OEM PDC - but just look at it



OEM spoiler, OEM diffuser position and OEM PDC.
Now, lots of folks don't like my non-OEM spoiler, a few won't like my non-OEM diffuser mod, but I can't imagine anyone liking the OEM PDC more than my updated version......

[duje]

I was thinking of something like that, I would mount them completaly flush with the bumper (like on new cars), no way I would ruin the bumper like Bmw originaly did!
I also tampered with diffuser.

[Timm]

My '97 had OEM PDC - but just look at it

Your one's not bad being silver, but on other colours it's pretty noticeable:

[Winks]

Are you sure you want to put them in? I have them on one of my cars and the beeping drives me nuts.

[revtor]

cdnalpina: Installation instructions park distance control (PDC) (1.51 MB). However I would not recommend to install the OEM system... Ugly is too nice a word to describe it.

[cdnalpina]

Thanks for the replies and opinions everyone. The set I have looks more like the second picture in ukzero's post. The sensors very shallow in depth, in terms of protrusion from the bumper face, and I don't have the big square things with the kit either. Perhaps someone added different sensors to the kit that are not so ugly?

I am still undecided about mounting them, but having the instructions is good in case I do or if I end up selling it.

Many thanks for the download link Revtor, much appreciate it!

I think the best place to mount this system would be the front so I don't damage the CSI nose when I don't have the option of backing in....

[CaifanSC]

so the OEM PDC system only has audible beeps to tell you when you are near an object? No visual component to the PDC? Was it only installed in the rear and no front?

Just curious, thanks guys.

[revtor]

CaifanSC: Only rear PDC and only beeps. There is however a Spanish guy who built a front and rear PDC system with distance indication on the MID: XE31 PDC.

[CaifanSC]

CaifanSC: Only rear PDC and only beeps. There is however a Spanish guy who built a front and rear PDC system with distance indication on the MID: XE31 PDC.

I wonder if he finished the product! According to the text, the person is presenting his ideas but the write up doesn't appear to be complete. You wouldn't happen to know, do ya Revtor?

It may be time to visit e31.es I haven't visited that site in some time.

On a nother note, I was surpriced to see a console-mounted PDC switch in the link above...the e31 parts diagram for the PDC doesn't show a switch.

[clockwork]

Rob, don't do it!!!

[mjrgroup]

...my updated version......

ukzero, that looks fantastic versus the original version. Please give some details on what sensors and outside pads you used! Also did you retain the stock control module and stock wiring?

[CaifanSC]

ukzero, that looks fantastic versus the original version. Please give some details on what sensors and outside pads you used! Also did you retain the stock control module and stock wiring?

Hey Mike, I asked UK zero about this a while ago at 8er.org. He replaced the OEM system with an aftermarket unit purchased from ebay. He did not retain any of the stock components.

I've been browsing a lot of pix from 8ers around the world and I must say, a BUNCH of cars that went to the middle east came equiped with the OEM PDC system. While it does definitely stick out....it grows on ya. Specially, if like me, it's more important to have the OEM feature. I think the rest of the awesome lines of the 8 make up for that bit of eye sore.

The key is painting the sensors and base in body color. If you're lucky and have a dark color....it will be almost seemless.

[mjrgroup]

For some other models there's an optional BMW rear license plate bracket with integrated PDC sensors and I'm wondering if they would work mounted on the 8's rear trunk lid. Do you know if the sensitivity of PDC sensors is adjustable to accommodate different bumper sizes and mounting setups? Does the OEM PDC system have any adjustability on sensitivity? The OEM system looks like the bumper is suffering from some horrible skin disease and has pitted wounds in its poor skin.

[CaifanSC]

no adjustments on the OEM PDC kit. There is a difference in the sensors. The numbers escape me but the two larger sensors in the center have a longer range than the two side ones.

[olinjohnston]

Sorry if this has been covered, but is there any way that more modern sensors can be used with the OEM wiring/controller?

[wokke]

are you sure you want to do this? Imho, the oem pdc for e31 is much less than attractive and takes away from the smooth look.

+1
+1
+1
don't !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CaifanSC]

Sorry if this has been covered, but is there any way that more modern sensors can be used with the OEM wiring/controller?

Not sure. When the time comes and I gather all the components I have planned to test a few other smaller OEM and aftermarket sensors to see if they work.

+1
+1
+1
don't !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think i'm willing to compromise just an itsy bit of sexy from my 8 to have the functionality of the PDC . I'm not too concerned...the rest of the gorgeous lines of the 8 will make up for the small shortcomings of those hideous and humongous PDC sensors. I'm sure after a while I'll get used to them.

[4drian]

There are sensors out there that mount behind the bumper too. Worth a look?