[sawyerthedog]

Hi all,

When we recently purchased our M3, we paid for the parking sensors, thinking they were front and rear. The parts were ordered and I got the email to schedule bringing the car in for installation. I admit I didn’t read closely enough to realize they were only rear sensors, and didn’t really check until going back over the paperwork after I got the email. I’ve inquired with the dealership, and they said front parking sensors are not available for the 2017. (Which makes me crazy.)

My question: with a rearview camera already installed, are rear sensors worth it?

I had really wanted front sensors, as we park on a narrow street here in DC, and having an indicator of how close the the front bumper is to that other guy’s door while swinging into a parallel space would’ve been enormously helpful. I fully admit to not reading closely enough, and so I don’t feel that I can push back too hard on the dealer. On the other hand, this is the third in a series of “misunderstandings” we’ve had, so I do feel justified in perhaps asking for the installation of another, more useful option.

Anyone with experience have an opinion? Feedback is much appreciated!

 

[jfong]

The sensor helps in the rain when the camera becomes blurry with water droplets. Aside from that I say the camera is much better than sensors.

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk

 

[Davidval18]

In my experience having rear sensors is worth it. Although, in Israel the rear parking sensors come included in any trim, addition of front sensors is at extra cost! You can be as careful and experience as you might think you are , but the rear sensors are a safety net that will help you avoid a big parking mistake or simply bumping into an object, vehicle, wall or person! The sensors have saved me so many times when reversing and out of nowhere a pedestrian shows in the rear of my car...

The normal rear view camera works just fine by itself, but imagine you are reverse parking and you have no indications if you are getting close enough to other vehicles, visual feedback is important but acoustic feedback is even better!

Finally, I think that parking sensors are a must have feature despite having to pay an additional cost.

In the end of the day do what you think is best for you!

 

[Road Trip]

Yes the parking sensors are worth it -- if nothing else to avoid messing up your car just once. And yet, it is one of the rare times when I voted for appearance over safe-functionality, as I do not like looking at the circles, specially when their edges get filled with yuk.

To compensate, I double and triple look into my mirrors and my rear camera, and also swivel my neck like a giraffe before backing up, also looking forward when moving forward into a space -- and deliberately leaving an extra foot to where I think the front of the car is.

I also live in a very isolated place and thus probably don't parallel parking into a space but once every three months, and most of the time I can drive straight forward into a space. Luckily, much of the time I can pull straight out forward to get out (double length, divided spaces where I am the only one).

 

[CJR238]

Rear is really unnecessary with the camera, but is another layer of protection. Front parking sensors are much more useful IMO, i have a duel set up front and a single rear.

 

[xep]

Have 'em on my 2014 and they're so worth it. I've had cars come from the side I couldn't see from my mirrors or camera that it still beeped at.

 

[johnykalbo]

Rear is really unnecessary with the camera, but is another layer of protection. Front parking sensors are much more useful IMO, i have a duel set up front and a single rear.

I would really like to get the front sensors. Can you tell me where to buy, and are they plug and play. I have a 2016 Mazda 3 with rear camera and sensors.

 

[CJR238]

I would really like to get the front sensors. Can you tell me where to buy, and are they plug and play. I have a 2016 Mazda 3 with rear camera and sensors.

The sensors i use also jam police laser, so it may be a bit much to pay for just parking sensors. $600+.

But i am sure there has got to be some aftermarket ones.

 

[johnykalbo]

The sensors i use also jam police laser, so it may be a bit much to pay for just parking sensors. $600+.

But i am sure there has got to be some aftermarket ones.

Thats ok with me. Do you have URL? Thanks

 

[CJR238]

Thats ok with me. Do you have URL? Thanks

The parking sensor feature works best with 2 heads and lighter reflective surfaces.

http://www.alpriorityusa.com/AL-Priority-Parking-System.html