Who has the Park Distance Control and what do you think of it?

 

I personally don't care much for the look of the sensors in the rear bumper. I'm not ordering it. The way I figure it if I can back a Suburban into a parking stall the MINI at half the size will be no problem.

 

Hi BJ (Pebbles)!

I have it and would get it again. It's not really needed on such a small car but there are major blind spots on any car when backing up (or going forward for that matter). It will alert you if there is something back there that you can’t see, like a small child or dog. $300.00 is a relatively cheap one time “insurance premium” to pay to save backing over someone you love, not to mention possible damage to your car if you hit an unseen inanimate object. It works in conjunction with the back-up light circuit as it is only activated when you are in reverse. The sensors on the rear bumper in my view are not too obtrusive but I can see how some may not like there appearance.

Jerry


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2003 Chili Red/White MCS, sport pack w/white wheels, cold weather pack, black leather w/anthracite dash, DVD-based Navigation w/OBC, HK sound, MFSW, PDC, rain sensing wipers & auto dim mirror.

 

IMO, pointless, and better to save the $300 for something else.

I'd be interested in hearing from someone who actually has it as to whether it's activated by something as small as a dog behind the car. Clearly it can sense another car...but it's not radar...how small an object can it sense?

 

It will sense something as small as a dog or child. Park Distance Control (PDC) senses objects by use of sonar sound waves and high-tech electronics and measures the distance from the ultrasonic sensors on the bumper to the object, it does not measure speed or direction like radar. Expense is a relative thing, what is expensive to some is affordable to another. I think $300 is a cheap one time payment to avail yourself of the latest in technology, especially if it saves you from grief.

 

Jerrygee, do you have PDC and have you tested it on small objects? I'm not doubting the specifications, but really just want to hear from someone who has tested it on their own car.

 

Got it. Love it.

 

I love the feature & think it is well worth the price (I am generally not a fan of such gadgets.)
-The device was sensitive enough to warn me that I was about to run over my wifes briefcase (which was full of electronics.)
-It also lets me know if the car is getting close to things like flowerpots, small planters and even the odd landscaping rock (small 12-14" high.)
-The problem is: Aa a habit you must back slowly because there is a short lapse in time from the initial "reading" to the first audable signal (not much of a gap but if you drive fast in reverse, forget it.)

 

>>Jerrygee, do you have PDC and have you tested it on small objects? I'm not doubting the specifications, but really just want to hear from someone who has tested it on their own car.

Yes I have PDC on both the MCS and our BMW X5. Like marksmith's post just above, mine too has warned of unseen small objects.

Jerry

 

Jsun I have the pdc, and it warns me when there are weeds on the ground behind me!

I really like haveing it, becuase in all honesty, I am not a good parker. I've backed into things in the past from recycling bins to garage side walls. Maybe I'm an idiot ops: . But the pdc without a doubt, stops me from doing this in the MINI. And being as that MINI bumpers are so notoriously expensive to repair, I thought( and still do) that the pdc was toally worth the money.

 

This is good to know. Many people where I work will back into parking spaces. Each time I've tried, I end up scraping my low Honda Accord back bumper on the cement wheel stops. I see these same wheel stops in most parking lots. I'd like to be able to back the MCS into those spots but I do not want to hit the cement with my aero kit.

and to top it off, I'm not great at backing up, so backing into parking spaces always has me nervous and I think I'd do it more often if I had the PDC. and Marksmith - don't worry I don't go fast in reverse! I don't do reverse with confidence. It's slow and straight!

Would the PDC help with not hitting those cement wheel stops ?

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"Madeline" - MCS CR/W, Stripes, White 16" X-Lites, Xenons, Fogs, DSC, Auto AC, MFSW, Aero Kit and Union Jack !

 

I would think it's a waste of money.
If you can't park a MINI you should take the bus.

 

I think it probably would Pebbles. The sensors have quite a large range. When I parallel park, they can sense the cement curb, and when I back out of a garage now, they beep at me to warn me of the side edges of the garage!
What's cool about the warning is that you have untill the beeping turns into a solid tone before you should stop backing up. Once the sound goes solid, you have 9 inches of space between your bumper and the offending object.

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Katiedid - You drive like I do! I too have backed into things. I hate reverse!

My 2 best : I backed out of my garage and just barely turned the wheel and bam, I hit the rearview mirror on the passenger side on the garage door frame and totally broke it off. Cha-ching! and I pushed the button for the garage door to go up. the door got half way up but it was old and started shaking and so it started down again, well I backed in to it ! yes, new back window and dented roof of the car, and totally new garage door. Cha-Ching.

-- so PDC at $300 seems a good deal to me!!

Thanks for your post!

 

>>I would think it's a waste of money.
>>If you can't park a MINI you should take the bus.

 

At the risk of offending, IMO anyone who needs PDS to park a car the size of a MINI should turn in their driver's license ASAP.
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[img]albums/album25/ama.gif[/img]VinceAndJessica.com
Alta pulley, Stebro exhaust, Pipercross intake, Progress rear anti-sway bar.

 

>>At the risk of offending, IMO anyone who needs PDS to park a car the size of a MINI should turn in their driver's license ASAP.
>>

I take no offense to your comment. That being said, until I develop X-ray vision like Superman, if having a relatively inexpensive and passive option like PDC will warn me of objects that can not be seen to the rear from the drivers seat then I say bring it on.

 

>> I'd like to be able to back the MCS into those spots but I do not want to hit the cement with my aero kit.
>>
>>Would the PDC help with not hitting those cement wheel stops ?
>>
Pebbles I'm not picking on you but the MINI is only 11.9 feet long. If you back into a space and bring your front bumper even with the car next to you you should still have at least 2 feet behind you.

If you get to reliant on the PDC instead of watching both mirrors you might just knock another one off. If the fuse blows you'll be going back.....back.....CRASH !! ops:

Technology is great, but lets not forget our basic driving skills.

My $.02
James

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Waiting to motor since 01/05/03

 

>>IMO, pointless, and better to save the $300 for something else.
>>
>>I'd be interested in hearing from someone who actually has it as to whether it's activated by something as small as a dog behind the car. Clearly it can sense another car...but it's not radar...how small an object can it sense?


Yes, it will sense things as small as a small dog. It will also sense things that are within about 24 inches to the SIDES of the back of the car, which I find to be very helpful when negotiating my way out of my alley spot.

A couple of times, it has let me know that someone is walking behind the car, as in the case of a grocery store lot.

I'd get it again without hesitation.

 

I don't go backwards.

 

I have it on my very large Ford van. It is great and works, but....
It is useless as **** on a bull for a small car with great visability. Heck, the back window is virtually the bumper anyway! Spend the $$$ on somthing else.

 

I'll chime in for the group that thinks it's rediculous on a car as small as the MINI. I have it on a larger vehicle and love it.

To each his own... If money is no object get the sensor (or send me the money!).

 

After driving a 200 inch long '01 Chevy Impala, I don't think I need a PDC in a MINI.

 

When I back up, I just lower my window and stick my hand back behind the bumper to check for obstacles.

To paraphrase those immortal lines penned by Mel Brookes,

"PDC? We don't need no stinkin' PDC."

Don't think its necessary on a car 12 feet long.

 

>>
>>When I back up, I just lower my window and stick my hand back behind the bumper to check for obstacles.
>>

>>
>>Don't think its necessary on a car 12 feet long.
>>

I was waiting to develop X-ray vision like Superman, I never thought of developing elasticity like Rubberman!

Do you need PDC on a 12 foot car? No, but it sure is nice once you have it.


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2003 Chili Red/White MCS, sport pack w/white wheels, cold weather pack, black leather w/anthracite dash, DVD-based Navigation w/OBC, HK sound, MFSW, PDC, rain sensing wipers & auto dim mirror.