[vasillalov]

Hi folks,

I will be ordering a new G80 soon and I have a question related to the Parking Assistant PLUS option.

From the BMW site, I get the following description of what Parking Assistant Plus does:

No need to fear parallel parking. Simply drive at a slow speed and the Parking Assistant Plus feature can find parking spaces on the right or left side. It offers a camera system that provides an aerial view of your vehicle, and also operates for perpendicular or parallel parking spaces. This semi-autonomous driving feature will take care of steering your car into a parking space, and the Back-up Assistant function will steer you out, while you control the speed and braking.

The ONLY reason why I would consider Park Assistant is for the backup camera functionality. Basically, I want to park my car on my own but I want to be able to see what's behind me on a camera.

My questions:
1. Can the semi-autonomous driving feature be turned off?
2. Can Back-up assistant feature be turned off?

Basically, I want to do my own steering and driving. I do not wish any for any interference on the steering and brakes from the car. I just want to have the backup camera.

Thanks in advance.

[RM73]

I haven't tried it in the my G82 but I had it in my G30 5 series and you had to keep pressing the parking button for it to engage, it would activate automatically or by accident.

The camera on the other hand will activate anytime you reverse.

[astroricardo]

There's a section for these types of questions, but the answer is you don't have to use the parking assistance. In fact, you have to go out of your way to use it. But the 360/3d cameras are always available. To use the parking assistant you have to select the parking spot.

[LuvMyE92]

What astroricardo said. But you realize, don't you, that all cars now come with a backup camera, right? All the package gets you is the other cameras, in front and on the sides for that 3D "looking at it from a drone" perspective.

It's a gimmick for those who can't park.

[MichaelB1969]

Originally Posted by vasillalov

Basically, I want to park my car on my own but I want to be able to see what's behind me on a camera.

I believe all cars comes with the backup camera, even without the Park Assistant Plus package. The package adds additional cameras for the sides and front so you can get the 360 degree view.

I personally ordered the Parking Assistance Package/Park Assistant Plus solely for the additional camera views. Especially with the manual transmission, I don't see the automatic parking function being very useful.

[vasillalov]

Thank you so much for answering my questions.

I've not bought a new car in close to 2 decades, so thank you for your patience with my questions.

From what I am gathering, I don't need the Park Assist Plus package at all and I don't care for the driver recorder anyway. This allows me to spend my money on something else.

[astroricardo]

Originally Posted by LuvMyE92

All the package gets you is the other cameras, in front and on the sides for that 3D "looking at it from a drone" perspective.

It's a gimmick for those who can't park.

It's not just that, they are useful for small garages and precise parking without curbing your wheels, etc. Plus you can capture pictures of the vehicle surroundings remotely.

FYI Drive Recorder is now an add-on to the Parking Package.

[MichaelB1969]

Originally Posted by vasillalov

Thank you so much for answering my questions.

I've not bought a new car in close to 2 decades, so thank you for your patience with my questions.

From what I am gathering, I don't need the Park Assist Plus package at all and I don't care for the driver recorder anyway. This allows me to spend my money on something else.

I've run the front spoiler of my cars into quite a few parking blocks in the past. Especially in a new car I don't yet have a good feel for. For this reason, the front camera alone is worth it for me. To be able to pull forward into a parking spot with zero stress must be a nice feeling. Without the front camera, you are guessing, or bracing for impact.

With the standard reverse camera and the tilting mirrors, your rear-end and wheels "should" be okay.

Also, will probably be a good feature to add for resale. If you keep cars for a long time, this doesn't matter much.

[jimbethesda]

By law, all new cars sold in the US must have a backup camera.

[spridge]

The front camera is the reason you’ll want this feature. Especially so when you’ve either lowered the vehicle or added a front spoiler, or both.

[vasillalov]

Thank you again for providing feedback. I am buying an M3 for long term use as a secondary weekend fun car. I have a 27ft wide garage in Chicago (rare) where I keep only 2 cars. I can open all 8 doors at the same time and still have space to walk around. I think I will be fine with just the standard backup camera feature.

[Jim B]

Originally Posted by vasillalov

Thank you again for providing feedback. I am buying an M3 for long term use as a secondary weekend fun car. I have a 27ft wide garage in Chicago (rare) where I keep only 2 cars. I can open all 8 doors at the same time and still have space to walk around. I think I will be fine with just the standard backup camera feature.

I wish I had a garage like yours. I would not only have my M4 but also a C8 Corvette, and room for both as well as my Gold Wing. My real garage is a "two car garage" if one car is a Mini and the other is a Fiat 500. I have room for my M4 and my Wing and little bit of storage but NOT 2 cars.

[Limegrntaln]

Originally Posted by vasillalov

Thank you again for providing feedback. I am buying an M3 for long term use as a secondary weekend fun car. I have a 27ft wide garage in Chicago (rare) where I keep only 2 cars. I can open all 8 doors at the same time and still have space to walk around. I think I will be fine with just the standard backup camera feature.

So, you only plan on opening the car doors, in the garage? I second the 360 cameras. One touch button helps give you an idea of what's around the vehicle, and to not curb a wheel.

My front camera also comes on, everytime I enter the garage, then it switches to the backup camera, where I can see the car is all the way in the garage.

[astroricardo]

Good point, I always use the front camera when pulling in the garage

[Limegrntaln]

Originally Posted by astroricardo

Good point, I always use the front camera when pulling in the garage

When the front camera comes on, or you trigger the front camera, by obstacle, there is a button, that comes up on the top right of the screen, allowing you to save the location, so the camera comes on, everytime you get to that location.

[MichaelB1969]

Originally Posted by vasillalov

Thank you again for providing feedback. I am buying an M3 for long term use as a secondary weekend fun car. I have a 27ft wide garage in Chicago (rare) where I keep only 2 cars. I can open all 8 doors at the same time and still have space to walk around. I think I will be fine with just the standard backup camera feature.

If you leave your garage, take a fun drive, then return to your garage without ever stopping and parking anywhere, ever ... you'll be fine with just the rear camera.

[Jim B]

Originally Posted by astroricardo

Good point, I always use the front camera when pulling in the garage

So do I. I also use the back camera to see where I am in relation to the garage door