Are people happy with their PDC option? I am looking at it for my future MINI but don't know if it's worth the $300 for a beep-beep-beep when I'm backing up.

Does it actually help?

Also, is the volume adjustable or is that a dealer programming issue? I imagine the sound could be too loud or too soft depending on the situation, and that it might be annoying at times.

 

I have it, and the only reason I regret getting it are the four half dollar sized transponder spots on the bumper. I wish I'd kept the rear bumper smooth (except for the tow eye bolt hole cover).

Other than that, it's great. Not too loud, and it is kind of nice to be able to back up with just a glance, rather than a neck straining twist to get a good look out the back.

 

I didn't get it, mostly cuz it's SO easy to see the end of the rear-end, being a hatchback. I can understand how the audible notice would be nice for the "ouch my neck hurts" crowd otherwise, I can't see the point. On a big 760Li, however, it's a NEED!

Cheers,
Ryan

 

I agree with Minae - it is sorta cool - not the most useful on such a small vechile...but it is ugly...ruins the rear bumper - you would have hoped they could have made it a bit more subtle.

 

Get a better rear view mirror from AutoSport! I can see a lot better know. It's called a 20/20 panoramic mirror.

 

I got it and forgot about it until I backed up to park in a slot that had a pole in the back that I couldn't see. It started to beep and I was wondering what the heck it was and then remembered that I had it. It isn't really necessary but it is cool. If you are into gadgets, then yes. If you are a fast back-in type of person, then yes. If you are cautious and slow, then no.

2c

 

Beep

Beep

Beep Beep Beep

Weeeeeeeeeee, stop. Cool.

 

Hmmmm....wwebb..can I retrofit that???

 

IMHO it's usless. This is the easiest hartop to park in the world! Yes my miata with the top down in easier, but still. . .

However it did come with the car (used '02 MCS) and now I can realy get on the wife if she backs it into anything!

 

>> and now I can realy get on the wife if she backs it into anything!


*sexual innuendo* ?

 

does make you wonder how it ruins the look of the rear bumper....

 

I have it and love it. One day, I went to back out of a head-in spot at the store, looked behind me, saw nothing and began to back out when it started to beep like crazy. I stopped quickly, looked in the rear-view mirror, saw nothing, got out of the car, looked again and there was a 3 year old kid just standing there. In my truck, I would've run over him because I didn't see him at all. Without the PDC, I would've hit him too.

It also lets you know if you are backing near something slightly to the side of you.

And I don't mind the little circles on the bumper. When I tell people what they are, they're like, "Coooooooooool."

 

Needler, that is exactly why I was thinking of getting the PDC... for those times you just can't see what's behind you.


Does anybody have a pic posted of the rear bumper with the sensors? I'm curious to see just how it looks.

 

>>Needler, that is exactly why I was thinking of getting the PDC... for those times you just can't see what's behind you.
>>
>>
>>Does anybody have a pic posted of the rear bumper with the sensors? I'm curious to see just how it looks.

MCObsessed -

See below. To me it's subtle. As far as functionality goes, yes the car is small, yes it's easy to park, BUT in my garage, those darn kids are always leaving stuff out so it's easy to know how far I can go (in the dark) before I crunch a bike, skates, whatever.

Bill

 

I'm 17 and my friends are 17. The only time i've actually used my PDC is when I'm saying "check out how cool this is!" It makes them all think that My car was sent here from the future. :smile:

 

With time, all that have PDC will probably realize it's usefulness. I don't think that is seriously debatable, and more than is the passenger side view mirror (cars didn't used to have those either). But I think the side view mirror looks nicer.

On the MINI Cooper in white, with the chrome strip, they don't show up quite as much as on my DS MCS with no chrome strip.

 

Why sweat bullets over a $300 option. An automobile is a long term purchase, I hang onto mine two to three years, and many other people keep theirs a lot longer. I like lots of toys on a vehicle and if the PDC stops me from backing into something I didn’t see just one time it has paid for itself.