When I test drove the mini with the salesman in the back seat, I found that his head, and the rear headrests made it hard to gauge the distance behind the mini when backing up, and when parallel parking. I wonder if this would be a good feature to get-- especially when needing to quickly parallel park, or when backing into an angled parking space. Does anyone else have experience with this option? Is is useful, or do you get used to the car and get capable at judging the distance with time (and a fender or two...)

 

After driving the Mini for a week or two, you should be able to get the hang of how long the bonnet is, along with the cut off back. You may have had trouble witht he test drive, but if you have it some time, i'm sure you'd get the hang of it quickly... However, if you want to shed the $300, and put up with another flashing light/beep, then go for it!

 

I have a similer system in my van in the front and the back. It works perfect for me and I ordered it on my S also. But it doesn't stop other people from hitting it. If you are gone us it for daily drive might as well skip the thing caus al the damage you get is probably throu other cars just tapping it. "Sorry I thought I just made it!!" But for me it's my third baby next to my '53 chevy pickup and my three classic mini's so she will be baby sat for with bumper sencors. I have to say that when I drove the cooper for the test drive for a weekend, you get the feeling of the car really quick so you should get used to parking it in two weeks or so!!

 

After learning to park my F-250 crewcab 4x4 I figured the Mini would be a piece of cake. Besides, I plan to park a long way from swinging car doors at the mall.

 

>>After learning to park my F-250 crewcab 4x4 I figured the Mini would be a piece of cake. Besides, I plan to park a long way from swinging car doors at the mall.
Ya right, we used to just park so close to the guys porsche all the way in the back of the parking lot that he had to get in on the other side, just for fun, so that doesn't work.

 

Thanks for all you help. I test drove it again, and decided to get the park distance sensor. I found the mirrors a little small (altho I always buy the little rectangular adhesive mirrors to expand the side view mirrors), and it was hard to gauge the distance in the back, while in reverse. I'll tell you how it works when I get the car. Again, thanks for your ideas!

 

I personally think getting the Park Distance Sensor is over kill on a car that measures 142.8 inches in length. I drive a 2001 Chevy Impala sedan that is 200.0 inches long and 73 inches wide. The back end of the car is raised making regular reverse manuvers for first timers a bit of a chore. Once you back out of a parking space 3 or 4 times in the Impala, you get used to it. I don't see how the MINI would be more difficult overtime. Hey, not even GM offers parking sonars in my Impala!.