[BMW335iOn18s]

Originally Posted by Mark's M

Now that is interesting and I'll try it, always game for something new. But tell that to the MTO (DL Bureau) when my 16 year old goes for her test lol.

I was actually taught that at BMW CCA/Tire rack's street survival class when I was 16. The problem is, we don't have aspherical mirrors (google it) which are standard EVERYWHERE (they curve so you can see your blind spot without fancy electronics), but are illegal in north america because we have a stupid group of politicians who make it more costly to develop cars for the US market for foreign automakers.

Wheres sportstick? I'm sure he can tell us why we have this idiotic law.

[Mark's M]

Originally Posted by BMW335iOn18s

I was actually taught that at BMW CCA/Tire rack's street survival class when I was 16. The problem is, we don't have aspherical mirrors (google it) which are standard EVERYWHERE (they curve so you can see your blind spot without fancy electronics), but are illegal in north america because we have a stupid group of politicians who make it more costly to develop cars for the US market for foreign automakers.

Wheres sportstick? I'm sure he can tell us why we have this idiotic law.

Lol, he's over on the MBenz boards trying to keep the peace. Anyways, I'm gonna give this a shot, we'll see if it'll be uncomfortable as the article suggests. Nothing ventured...

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by BMW335iOn18s

Yes it should be a direct replacement

I was actually calling up this thread because I realize I have the chrome trim around the two lower sections, just gloss black around the vents on top. Mine was built last July.

Originally Posted by BMW335iOn18s

I was actually taught that at BMW CCA/Tire rack's street survival class when I was 16. The problem is, we don't have aspherical mirrors (google it) which are standard EVERYWHERE (they curve so you can see your blind spot without fancy electronics), but are illegal in north america because we have a stupid group of politicians who make it more costly to develop cars for the US market for foreign automakers.

Wheres sportstick? I'm sure he can tell us why we have this idiotic law.

Then, I saw this! It's not the "politicians"....it's the working staff at NHTSA who are career employees, not political appointees. This may be a matter of low priority, as in no one has pushed enough to make changing the FMVSS an assignment to research, or secondly, no one has the data or the data didn't turn out to support making the change. Could be any of those. The underlying base standard is quite old and something would need to happen to cause a change...it doesn't just happen on its own, and it has nothing to do with the costs of development for US vs non-US manufacturers. The GAO would also need to support the cost/benefit analysis for making the change once NHTSA started considering new rulemaking.

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by BMW335iOn18s

Shoulder check? You shouldn't check over your shoulder if you have your mirrors set properly....

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...id-blind-spots

Maybe the case for the coupe, but the ragtop with its oversized headrests are going to be a bit more problematic when it comes to blind spots.

[Mark's M]

Originally Posted by bimmerfile

Maybe the case for the coupe, but the ragtop with its oversized headrests are going to be a bit more problematic when it comes to blind spots.

And the roof with it's diminished rear window size...if you're looking over your shoulders lol.

[chaswyck1]

Originally Posted by nike001

Why? Who cares..?

I got 0 driving assist on my car because I see it as worthless. The 2 series is such a small car. It's not a gigantic 5 series that can be said to have a larger blind spot, it's a little 2-door coupe. Shouldn't be that hard to do a quick shoulder check before crossing into a new lane..

You guys know you can eliminate the blind spot by adjusting your mirrors properly, right?

[BMW335iOn18s]

Originally Posted by chaswyck1

You guys know you can eliminate the blind spot by adjusting your mirrors properly, right?

check my posts above lol

[BMW335iOn18s]

Originally Posted by bimmerfile

Maybe the case for the coupe, but the ragtop with its oversized headrests are going to be a bit more problematic when it comes to blind spots.

If your mirrors are set properly, you don't have blind spots!

[chaswyck1]

Originally Posted by BMW335iOn18s

check my posts above lol

Sorry I missed that one. You and the article you cited are right though. Paying for blind spot protection or whatever it's called, is silly. It isn't all that hard to get used to the mirrors being adjusted properly but it may take a week or so. I'm so comfortable with it now (and uncomfortable with my mirrors adjusted any other way) that as soon as I get into a loaner or rental car, the first thing I do is set up the mirrors as described in the article.

[nike001]

Originally Posted by chaswyck1

You guys know you can eliminate the blind spot by adjusting your mirrors properly, right?

Yeah I know, and my mirrors are adjusted properly.

I sometimes look over my shoulder just to be double-sure. Never hurts.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

ok, seriously - WTH does this mean?

I want to try it..Its from the C&D Article:

The paper advocates adjusting the mirrors so far outward that the viewing angle of the side mirrors just overlaps that of the cabin’s rearview mirror.

[BMW335iOn18s]

Originally Posted by Midwest M235i

ok, seriously - WTH does this mean?

I want to try it..Its from the C&D Article:

The paper advocates adjusting the mirrors so far outward that the viewing angle of the side mirrors just overlaps that of the cabin’s rearview mirror.

This means your side mirror continues the picture where your rearview mirror ends the picture!

[BMW335iOn18s]

Here's an easy way to do this...

1. get comfy in your seat
2. put your head against the driver side window and adjust the mirror so you can just barely see the door/door handle
3. lean over and put your head over the center console, adjusting the passenger side mirror the same way


Get on a multi-lane road and watch cars pass you, they should leave your rearview mirror and simultaneously show up in your side view mirror.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by BMW335iOn18s

Here's an easy way to do this...

1. get comfy in your seat
2. put your head against the driver side window and adjust the mirror so you can just barely see the door/door handle
3. lean over and put your head over the center console, adjusting the passenger side mirror the same way


Get on a multi-lane road and watch cars pass you, they should leave your rearview mirror and simultaneously show up in your side view mirror.

Alright my man -- I'll try it out. I'm sure my mirrors are not adjusted all the way out as they should be...

Sorry for the thread jack op!!

[MikeT]

Originally Posted by nike001

Yeah I know, and my mirrors are adjusted properly.

I sometimes look over my shoulder just to be double-sure. Never hurts.

I look over my shoulder, as well. Even with properly adjusted mirrors, you can still sometimes benefit from looking over. For example, on a freeway with three or four or five lanes, there may be a vehicle slightly behind you that's not in the lane next to you but rather in a parallel lane two or three or four over. If that car is cutting across lanes left as you're changing to the right, you might not be able to see that in your side mirror.

[TBro2002]

I adjusted my mirrors as was suggested in the C&D article today. Works great. Thanks for the info.

If I were driving a large vehicle/SUV, blind spot assistance and back-up camera/assistance would make sense. But in a car the size of the 2er, it seems like a waste of money. I'd rather put the money into things that improve performance and comfort.

[angelbones]

Okay everyone raise their hand when they were switching lanes and NEVER had to make a quick correction because someone was in that lane. What? Silence? Yes, C&D offers a good alternative for us in cars such as the 2 that don't even offer it as an option. That said, this is not about being lazy, because even when I had it, I always checked. It's also really not about cost, as they are becoming so ubiquitous that I'm sure the price to add is in the singles to tens of dollars per vehicle. So if BMW wants to raise the price of a car by $10 to avoid me having to pay $500 on my insurance deductible, I'll take that deal any day. Finally, don't say this is a nanny feature, because unlike some nanny features that effect steering dynamics, for example, this has NO effect on our ability to drive, merely adding a safety layer. Further, unlike airbags, which I don't think anyone really argues against, this doesn't even add weight.

[hyperzulu]

Oh man. Mirrors. I get in my girlfriend's Prius and want to punch every single mirror in there when she asks me to drive. I change them to appropriate angles and then she changes them back when she gets in to drive. I really cannot for the life of me figure out why this woman wants to see the rear corner of her car with her side mirrors!

Anyway, yes... properly positioned mirrors and all you need is a quick glance to your left or right and you're set. I've never had blind spot assist, but if it simply adds a little more aiding to my normal routine, then why not? I have a backup camera but still look all around me when reversing. I use it mostly to guide me into tight spots with the guide line markers.

[Supernaut]

I know I want everyone else to have blind spot warning. I'm astonished at how often someone else tries to occupy the same space as my bright yellow Mazda.

I taught my 3 kids to adjust the mirrors that way and I'm happy to say, when I get in their cars, they seem to have stuck to it. Keeping the mirrors angled in is useful if you think you forgot to close the gas cap or if you want to know if there are geckos on your car.

[Mark's M]

Ok, tried the C&D setting that 335on18,s suggested during a 2 day trip to the U.S. Works, thanks. Still getting used to the difference but I like it. I'd still like to see the option offered on the 2er lineup including the M. Hard to teach an old dog new tricks...and I mean my wife, not me lol.

[AFineMan]

Hey All

I was taught as a young driver to look over my shoulder, now that I'm older and drive a lot of convertibles (some have bad blind spots that you can't adjust out), I just use one of these.

I have these on every car I drive and it works great. One of the first thing I'll be putting on my 228Ix controvertible (when I get it in ~3 weeks) is one of these fish eye mirrors, from a single head position, the regular mirror can be adjusted for "Down the road" and the fish eye for the blind spot. you just have to remind your self to look at both.

AFM

[Kiwi]

The over the shoulder looking is from the driving of old cars as their was no side mirrors as standard and what their was were small. I've found the rear camera is great as long as I remember to look at the screen. Those who have driven more than just cars will have used mirrors.

It's easy to learn and surprises me some just complain instead of learning.