[irondog168]

Hi guys

I just got the 2016 M235i CV about a week ago and the bumper looks pretty low and a few time i was close to bump in or scrap with head in parking stopper or curbs in the plaza that you park head in . In Los Angeles, i would usually park rear in but sometime situation not allowed due to crowed parking lot.

What do you guys do to protect your bumper in terms of protect against curb or parking stopper ?

I was thinking if M235i would be able to add a front camera with original Navi system but did a research and come out nothing. I already have tech package with rear view camera and front + rear sensor.

Or is there anyway i could adjust the sensitivity of the front sensor to actualy detect the concrete curb or stopper ?

Please let me know, thanks for the help

[1LegitM235i]

I believe someone here, has installed an aftermarket front camera which can help along with the front sensor. You'll need to search it.

Your front sensor when "on" should detect parking stopper or curb. I think it is defaulted on "off" when not in reverse.

I also used some line of sight measurement using my side mirrors. When I see the curb just below the driver side mirror, I stop and get out to see how far or close I am. Once you've done this two or three times, you'll get the right stopping clearance.

[Outrun]

When I purchased by M235 I didn't get the parking package. I ended up purchasing the front view camera (in addition to the rear view camera) from Bimmertech. It was pricey, but definitely comes in handy when parking and in parking lots and has thus far kept my bumper looking like new. I'm assuming the PDC sensors with the Parking Package should also serve a similar function when parking though?

[irondog168]

Originally Posted by 1LegitM235i

I believe someone here, has installed an aftermarket front camera which can help along with the front sensor. You'll need to search it.

Your front sensor when "on" should detect parking stopper or curb. I think it is defaulted on "off" when not in reverse.

I also used some line of sight measurement using my side mirrors. When I see the curb just below the driver side mirror, I stop and get out to see how far or close I am. Once you've done this two or three times, you'll get the right stopping clearance.

I found someone did installed a front camera but was with bimmertech system that for cars don't have back up camera and the front camera is a plus to it.

I know we can activate the sensor by pressing the parking sensor button and see how close we are in the front, but almost all the time the sensor missed the concrete stopper and went over it, lucky i didn't bump into it but just milometer away over it on top. drives me crazy that the sensor don't really work unless its a car or a solid wall in the front.

[irondog168]

Originally Posted by Outrun

When I purchased by M235 I didn't get the parking package. I ended up purchasing the front view camera (in addition to the rear view camera) from Bimmertech. It was pricey, but definitely comes in handy when parking and in parking lots and has thus far kept my bumper looking like new. I'm assuming the PDC sensors with the Parking Package should also serve a similar function when parking though?

Quick question to you, i assum you dont have tech package that why you don't have the sensor and back up camera ?

If i already have tech package, is there any way i can add on a front camera to the factory unit ? it would be super great!!!!

[Outrun]

Originally Posted by irondog168

Quick question to you, i assum you dont have tech package that why you don't have the sensor and back up camera ?

If i already have tech package, is there any way i can add on a front camera to the factory unit ? it would be super great!!!!

No I don't have the tech package...I don't know about whether you can add on the front camera with the tech package, but I'm sure if you email bimmertech they'll be able to tell you.

[irondog168]

Originally Posted by Outrun

No I don't have the tech package...I don't know about whether you can add on the front camera with the tech package, but I'm sure if you email bimmertech they'll be able to tell you.

Thanks, i just e-mailed them because i do see a "Front View Camera Retrofit" on their website under 2 series but not sure if it will work with factory unit or only bimmertech unit.... finger cross.

[chemh0ser]

Originally Posted by irondog168

Thanks, i just e-mailed them because i do see a "Front View Camera Retrofit" on their website under 2 series but not sure if it will work with factory unit or only bimmertech unit.... finger cross.

Please let us know what you find out regarding this. I am interested as well. Also, for those don't know, if you have the M Performance Front Splitter/Lip you lose another 3-4 inches of clearance.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

I just short park it...

[AlpsRider]

Originally Posted by Midwest M235i

I just short park it...

This is the safest method. My car has sensors but you can't really trust them in the front. As far as a dropped car goes, they are going to get scraped on dips anyway, no getting around it. My stock 235 scrapes sometimes even when I'm ultra careful...I just cringe.

[MikeT]

I have a phobia of curb rash and bumper scrapes. If there's a wheel stop in front, I will usually turn on the parking assist (driver's assistance package). As indicated above, you have to manually turn it on if you're going forward, as it only kicks on automatically when you're in reverse. It does a fairly good job of detecting wheel stops, in my experience anyway. I also go into such spaces super-slowly in case I or the system misjudge it. I usually end up about a foot short of the wheel stop, which is fine since this is a fairly small car and is unlikely to be sticking out too far in the rear.

A front camera would be cool, though.

[pz619]

Originally Posted by Midwest M235i

I just short park it...

Completely agree. I rather leave it short and have the rear end hang out a bit. The car is pretty short so it really doesn't stick out any further than your average SUV.

[scrape1]

1. Stay away from curbs
2. Accept that it's a car, and it's inevitably going to get chipped and scraped here and there if it is regularly used for its intended purpose.

[sputman]

After driving the car for a month you'll be able to judge the nose of the vehicle pretty well... Hopefully :-) otherwise the front sensors detect parking curbs.

[MrBucket]

Originally Posted by Midwest M235i

I just short park it...

I throw mine into reverse and check to see if the lines are sticking out behind the car, far enough in usually doing that.

[Zooks527]

Originally Posted by MikeT

... I will usually turn on the parking assist (driver's assistance package). As indicated above, you have to manually turn it on if you're going forward, as it only kicks on automatically when you're in reverse.

Not on mine. The front sensors come on if I'm moving at 5 mph or slower. They don't seem to display until something's solidly in the yellow zone, though.

[an4691]

Originally Posted by Zooks527

Not on mine. The front sensors come on if I'm moving at 5 mph or slower. They don't seem to display until something's solidly in the yellow zone, though.

I've never noticed this! Will try it out today.

[jtzako]

I scrapped my lower front splitter (msport front) on some snow/ice build up in a parking spot the other day. The sensors did not even see it as it was only barely high enough to hit the splitter. It did ,unfortunately scrape some paint off since the paint on this car is complete crap.

[MikeT]

Originally Posted by Zooks527

Not on mine. The front sensors come on if I'm moving at 5 mph or slower. They don't seem to display until something's solidly in the yellow zone, though.

Hmm. Interesting. I'm nearly positive that my sensors don't come on automatically when driving forward < 5mph. I notice, though, that your signature indicates that you have ZDB (Driver Assistance Plus). I only have the basic ZDA. Perhaps what you've described is a little-known feature of ZDB?

[Zooks527]

Originally Posted by MikeT

Hmm. Interesting. I'm nearly positive that my sensors don't come on automatically when driving forward < 5mph. I notice, though, that your signature indicates that you have ZDB (Driver Assistance Plus). I only have the basic ZDA. Perhaps what you've described is a little-known feature of ZDB?

I hadn't thought of that. It could well be. The sensors are continually looking ahead of me to note if I'm following the car in front too closely or to fire the brakes before a low speed collision.

Now that's an interesting test. I suppose I can turn the system off on my way home tonight and see if it warns me that I'm about to run into my wife's car in our driveway.

[jtzako]

Originally Posted by Zooks527

I hadn't thought of that. It could well be. The sensors are continually looking ahead of me to note if I'm following the car in front too closely or to fire the brakes before a low speed collision.

Now that's an interesting test. I suppose I can turn the system off on my way home tonight and see if it warns me that I'm about to run into my wife's car in our driveway.

On mine they definitely do not turn on for forward parking unless I hit the button. If I am pulling into a spot with a curb, parking block etc I push the button. Sadly, the lower edge of the car is lower than what the sensors seem to pick up.

[Zooks527]

Originally Posted by jtzako

On mine they definitely do not turn on for forward parking unless I hit the button. If I am pulling into a spot with a curb, parking block etc I push the button. Sadly, the lower edge of the car is lower than what the sensors seem to pick up.

Tried it tonight on the way home. Turned the driver assist function off about a mile from home. Pulled into the driveway and advanced on my wife's car. Front sensors tripped about 2 feet from her bumper, just as it began to tickle the red zone on the display.

From that, I'd guess the ZDB option leaves them on all the time, regardless of how you have the auto-braking function set.