[Mike_L]

Does it work well? The F34 is really hard to parallel park, at least for me. Not sure why, as I've been doing it for 19 years, with everything from small sub compacts, to 18 foot long sedans, to giant full size SUVs, but for whatever reason, I can't park this stupid hatchback, even with top view.

Wondering if its worth doing to research to attempt to do a retrofit of the assistant. Probably not, but maybe.

[Joelc]

Originally Posted by Mike_L

Does it work well? The F34 is really hard to parallel park, at least for me. Not sure why, as I've been doing it for 19 years, with everything from small sub compacts, to 18 foot long sedans, to giant full size SUVs, but for whatever reason, I can't park this stupid hatchback, even with top view.

Wondering if its worth doing to research to attempt to do a retrofit of the assistant. Probably not, but maybe.

Yes, I have it and actually used it for the first time tonight...it was a little strange but worked well...I don't know how it would work in a tight spot with lots of back and forth but for a medium sized spot, worked great!

Yup, I too am having a bit of a hard time getting use to parking the car...I think it is because of the long hood / front end and any window in the back, distorts everything...hopefully I will get used to it shortly as I have only had my car for a day!

[Mike_L]

I've had mine for 3 weeks, and still can't park it.

[carzaddict]

if you think the F34 is too long to park...you should try my long wheelbase jag :X its like parallel parking the intrepid!

never the less its interesting to see how low the numbers are for people who actually ordered it. especially considering its only a $500 option. Not once did i see it in dealerships

[Mike_L]

Originally Posted by carzaddict

if you think the F34 is too long to park...you should try my long wheelbase jag :X its like parallel parking the intrepid!

never the less its interesting to see how low the numbers are for people who actually ordered it. especially considering its only a $500 option. Not once did i see it in dealerships

Its not the length. My last car was a 750Li and I could park that no problem.

[Fronzdan]

It's the height of the hood and rear deck compared to seating position. It took me some getting used to on my car, especially the front end.

[ktula]

I have parking assistant in my F31. It works really well. In some rare instances when the sun casts a dark shadow on the curb, it would park the car further away from the curb than desired. I use it almost all the time. Once a while though, i would refresh my parallel parking skill by manually parking it.

[Ian_F30]

I have a Land Rover with steel bars front and back... I can make my own space if I need it. :-)

[Damon44]

Originally Posted by Mike_L

Does it work well? The F34 is really hard to parallel park, at least for me. Not sure why, as I've been doing it for 19 years, with everything from small sub compacts, to 18 foot long sedans, to giant full size SUVs, but for whatever reason, I can't park this stupid hatchback, even with top view.

Wondering if its worth doing to research to attempt to do a retrofit of the assistant. Probably not, but maybe.

The rear window makes perception very difficult. I have the cameras and sonar parking assist so I can hear the tones but not the self park option.
I do like the color and sound warnings if too close and it does help estimating distance. Luckily most spots are not parallel parking like in high school for driving test.

[Mike_L]

Originally Posted by Damon44

Luckily most spots are not parallel parking like in high school for driving test.

For me, just about all spots are. Unless I'm at a shopping center or doctor, I'm parallel parking on the street.

[ktula]

Originally Posted by Mike_L

Does it work well? The F34 is really hard to parallel park, at least for me. Not sure why, as I've been doing it for 19 years, with everything from small sub compacts, to 18 foot long sedans, to giant full size SUVs, but for whatever reason, I can't park this stupid hatchback, even with top view.

Wondering if its worth doing to research to attempt to do a retrofit of the assistant. Probably not, but maybe.

Assuming that you car is equipped with servotronic electric steering, if you already have all the parking sensors and sideview cameras, i think it's just a matter of coding your car to add the 5DP option to enable parking assistant.

[joewalton]

I have it, chicks dig it.

[Fronzdan]

Really? Parking assist is getting you a lot of action?

[Mike_L]

Originally Posted by ktula

Assuming that you car is equipped with servotronic electric steering, if you already have all the parking sensors and sideview cameras, i think it's just a matter of coding your car to add the 5DP option to enable parking assistant.

That would be awesome. Unfortunately, I have been able to confirm that theres an extra module, and possibly 2 extra radar units (not sure if I have them). Dealer is checking on the radar units and if the car is wired for the module.

Not sure on the servotronic. I have whatever steering came with the Dynamic Handling Package.

[roxxor]

Since the topic came up, I'll go ahead and "spill the beans". Parking Assistant has actually been the latest retrofit I've been working on. You are correct, it's 2 sensors plus the mount in the front, and the module which sits in the rear near the REM. Essentially, the connections are simple, you have to run the wiring from the 2 new sensors to the module, plus move the PDC sensors from the REM to the PDA module. Power and ground connections, plus 2 CAN wires to the REM, and that's it connection wise. As for the steering assembly itself, nothing I could find in either Rheingold or Realoem showed anything different parts-wise for vehicles with or without the Parking Assistant. The Steering Wheel Control Box is different for vehicles with Dynamic Handling Package(which is what I have as well), but it listed it all as being the electric steering.

I have run into a hiccup or two which is the point I'm at now. I was able to get everything connected and coded, parking and assistant sensors were working fine. The Assistant came up on screen, found the parking space, told me to put it in reverse, and as soon as I did that, it started to give me a Malfunction message. The odd thing is, now my PDC sensors are not being recognized, so even when I am just backing up, I am getting an error for those as well. One theory I have is a faulty module(which I bought on eBay used so I'm thinking that might be the problem), but between work and family I haven't had too much time to diagnose it. Once(or maybe it's "If") I get it working, I will post a write up.

Cost-wise however, it isn't much more than if you actually ordered it with the car. New module, sensors, and brackets, plus wiring, connectors, and stuff is only around $600.

[Mike_L]

Originally Posted by roxxor

Since the topic came up, I'll go ahead and "spill the beans". Parking Assistant has actually been the latest retrofit I've been working on. You are correct, it's 2 sensors plus the mount in the front, and the module which sits in the rear near the REM. Essentially, the connections are simple, you have to run the wiring from the 2 new sensors to the module, plus move the PDC sensors from the REM to the PDA module. Power and ground connections, plus 2 CAN wires to the REM, and that's it connection wise. As for the steering assembly itself, nothing I could find in either Rheingold or Realoem showed anything different parts-wise for vehicles with or without the Parking Assistant. The Steering Wheel Control Box is different for vehicles with Dynamic Handling Package(which is what I have as well), but it listed it all as being the electric steering.

I have run into a hiccup or two which is the point I'm at now. I was able to get everything connected and coded, parking and assistant sensors were working fine. The Assistant came up on screen, found the parking space, told me to put it in reverse, and as soon as I did that, it started to give me a Malfunction message. The odd thing is, now my PDC sensors are not being recognized, so even when I am just backing up, I am getting an error for those as well. One theory I have is a faulty module(which I bought on eBay used so I'm thinking that might be the problem), but between work and family I haven't had too much time to diagnose it. Once(or maybe it's "If") I get it working, I will post a write up.

Cost-wise however, it isn't much more than if you actually ordered it with the car. New module, sensors, and brackets, plus wiring, connectors, and stuff is only around $600.

Nice! Definitely interested if this ends up working.

[joewalton]

Originally Posted by Fronzdan

Really? Parking assist is getting you a lot of action?

Yup.

I bought this stripper out of the club the other night, and as we were driving to the motel I showed it to her and she was like "How did you do that? Did you use your mind?" And I said "Yes. I am not from your world and I have abilities you cannot possibly understand. Did you ever watch Heroes?"

[Fronzdan]

I would have thought the "I'm a secret agent and this parking thing was made by Q back in the Mi6 labs". But sure, the super powers/Heroes thing works too I guess.

[carzaddict]

Originally Posted by roxxor

Since the topic came up, I'll go ahead and "spill the beans". Parking Assistant has actually been the latest retrofit I've been working on. You are correct, it's 2 sensors plus the mount in the front, and the module which sits in the rear near the REM. Essentially, the connections are simple, you have to run the wiring from the 2 new sensors to the module, plus move the PDC sensors from the REM to the PDA module. Power and ground connections, plus 2 CAN wires to the REM, and that's it connection wise. As for the steering assembly itself, nothing I could find in either Rheingold or Realoem showed anything different parts-wise for vehicles with or without the Parking Assistant. The Steering Wheel Control Box is different for vehicles with Dynamic Handling Package(which is what I have as well), but it listed it all as being the electric steering.

I have run into a hiccup or two which is the point I'm at now. I was able to get everything connected and coded, parking and assistant sensors were working fine. The Assistant came up on screen, found the parking space, told me to put it in reverse, and as soon as I did that, it started to give me a Malfunction message. The odd thing is, now my PDC sensors are not being recognized, so even when I am just backing up, I am getting an error for those as well. One theory I have is a faulty module(which I bought on eBay used so I'm thinking that might be the problem), but between work and family I haven't had too much time to diagnose it. Once(or maybe it's "If") I get it working, I will post a write up.

Cost-wise however, it isn't much more than if you actually ordered it with the car. New module, sensors, and brackets, plus wiring, connectors, and stuff is only around $600.

nice! im definitely interested as well if you get it running. I started looking into it a while ago but got busy.

[fecurtis]

I thought about getting it but quickly realized that I have absolutely no trouble parallel parking.

[hrvojehk]

Originally Posted by roxxor

Since the topic came up, I'll go ahead and "spill the beans". Parking Assistant has actually been the latest retrofit I've been working on. You are correct, it's 2 sensors plus the mount in the front, and the module which sits in the rear near the REM. Essentially, the connections are simple, you have to run the wiring from the 2 new sensors to the module, plus move the PDC sensors from the REM to the PDA module. Power and ground connections, plus 2 CAN wires to the REM, and that's it connection wise. As for the steering assembly itself, nothing I could find in either Rheingold or Realoem showed anything different parts-wise for vehicles with or without the Parking Assistant. The Steering Wheel Control Box is different for vehicles with Dynamic Handling Package(which is what I have as well), but it listed it all as being the electric steering.

I have run into a hiccup or two which is the point I'm at now. I was able to get everything connected and coded, parking and assistant sensors were working fine. The Assistant came up on screen, found the parking space, told me to put it in reverse, and as soon as I did that, it started to give me a Malfunction message. The odd thing is, now my PDC sensors are not being recognized, so even when I am just backing up, I am getting an error for those as well. One theory I have is a faulty module(which I bought on eBay used so I'm thinking that might be the problem), but between work and family I haven't had too much time to diagnose it. Once(or maybe it's "If") I get it working, I will post a write up.

Cost-wise however, it isn't much more than if you actually ordered it with the car. New module, sensors, and brackets, plus wiring, connectors, and stuff is only around $600.

Great job!

I have a few questions about your retrofit, hope you don't mind answering

How did you drill the holes for the sensors? Are there any marks where to drill?
Are the park assistant sensors same as PDC sensors?

What does Rheingold say about the fault? Maybe the description could help you to diagnose the problem.

[JimCash]

Have a 2014 F31 with all the options including the parking assist.

It seems to work very well. First time I tried it I was thinking that it would not be able to get into that spot - because it was a smaller spot than I would have tried myself - but it did it in just 2 moves.

What helps is that it is able to judge how var the front side of your car is from the rear side of the other - much better than you can do when sitting in the driver's seat.

Looks like BMW is about to introduce the full park assist - where it also controls the brakes, engine, gearshift etc. The next 7 might also allow you to park using the key fob while standing near the car.

Cheers
Jim Cash