[ezmaass]

Just curious how many of you have used (or use regularly) the Parking Assist feature for parallel parking? While not my favorite chore, I'm pretty decent at parallel parking - however, I can clearly see a use here, especially in tight spots and getting right in the least number of maneuvers.

Have you guys used this? Feedback? I saw in the manual that it warns of potentially hitting the curb, etc. Have you found this to be a problem?

[GXAlan]

It's mildly useful although top view solves most of your problems. It references everything relative to the vehicles that are currently parked rather than the curb which is why they have those warnings. I have used it twice in 3 months, both times because someone was in the car and wanted to see it.

That said, it provides a purpose to the side markers on the LCI (instead of being a useless chrome badge) and so I think it's worth the cost even if it's more of a parlor trick.

[ezmaass]

GXAlan - thanks for your feedback. I've watched a few videos of it in action (demonstration), and it seems ALMOST like more work than just doing it yourself, considering you still need to operate the brake and gear selection. I suppose it's most valuable to people who really don't have great experience parallel parking. I'm a bit weary of letting the car do it if it happens to hit the curb and scrape the rims, though.

[fseyyad]

i read in a few places that from Nov 13 onwards the system would be fully automatic i.e. control the gas, brake and gears. do you know if that is the case?

[ezmaass]

fseyyad - I recall reading the same thing. My car, unfortunately perhaps, was produced before November. I'm also not sure if this was, like Traffic Jam Assist, one of the options not available in the US? Our BMW NA legal guys are apparently concerned about some of the automation... stinks for us!

[nal13]

Originally Posted by ezmaass

My car, unfortunately perhaps, was produced before November.

Check the door sill at about shin height on the drivers door. It should give you your car's birth date. Mine was 11/13.

[ezmaass]

nal13 - have you played with the parking assist? Do you know if you have the new SW, in that case (with the November build), which also controls the gears/brake?

[nal13]

Originally Posted by ezmaass

nal13 - have you played with the parking assist? Do you know if you have the new SW, in that case (with the November build), which also controls the gears/brake?

Haven't played with it yet. Mastered the BMW apps and connect yesterday. I'll give it a try this weekends and let you know if and how it works.

[ezmaass]

Originally Posted by nal13

Haven't played with it yet. Mastered the BMW apps and connect yesterday. I'll give it a try this weekends and let you know if and how it works.

Still need to play with the ConnectedDrive stuff, myself. I played a little with the "Office" stuff - getting e-mails and such. I read through most of the manual (I know, nerdy but I enjoy that kind of stuff!), and there's just a TON of stuff there. I'll never remember it all, though.

How have you found the radio, BTW? My old 335i just allowed me to scan for new stations by long-pressing the Up / Down on the steering wheel. From what I've read (and tried), this is no longer the case. Do I really need to scroll station by station in the HUD - and/or is the scan < > buttons on the dash the only other option? Maybe I'm just slow at figuring this out, but it's a pet peeve at the moment.

[mrsmith]

I have parking assist in my 2011 520, I'm about to order a new one and don't think I'll bother with it. I would say I've used it maybe 8 times in the 3 years I've had the car and half of those was just showing someone ! I would park the car twice as quick without it.

[ezmaass]

Admittedly, I haven't figured out how to use this yet (although I haven't tried more than once!)... it's honestly not high on my to-do list with the car. I tend to agree that parking it yourself, with the aid of the cameras if need be, is probably quicker.

On feature I wish we got here in the US was the Traffic Jam Assist. I have the Stop & Go, but as I understand it Traffic Jam Assist actually steers the car, too! BMW legal is a bit too afraid, I guess, that us Americans will fall asleep at the wheel with this feature engaged. They're probably right...

[GXAlan]

Originally Posted by mrsmith

I have parking assist in my 2011 520, I'm about to order a new one and don't think I'll bother with it. I would say I've used it maybe 8 times in the 3 years I've had the car and half of those was just showing someone ! I would park the car twice as quick without it.

The same way people spend a few hundred on ceramic controls for the look, with the LCI setup the side markers are no longer lights. Therefore, the Parking Assist is the only way to switch the cosmetic chrome side badge with something functional like side parking sensors. Just my 2 cents though.

[fseyyad]

i have used Park Assist once so far. But it does do all the controls, you just have to keep the P button pressed down.