Why would BMW do this?
 

This is just something I've noticed. On the new E90 there's a wierd difference between some pictures I've seen. In pictures, in magazines and online, it has front and rear PDC, but according to the BMWUSA website, only rear PDC is available. Here's a picture of the E90 touring with front PDC, but I've seen it on the sedan, too. Why would they make a difference like this? It doesn't make sense.

It may be available in both F/R in Europe or other markets :dunno: The picture is of a non-US model.

Yeah that's what I mean... Why make it different? Wouldn't it be easier and cheaper to make it all the same?

It could have something to do with more stringent US bumper safety laws :dunno:

I guess.. But BMW has front PDC on practically every other model... It's on the 5, 6, 7, X3, X5.. It's just wierd. I guess its one of those many wierd things about BMW we'll never understand.

I don't think it's a US-spec problem. The Canadian BMWs have the same problem. You get front and rear PDC on EVERY model, but the 3-series.

Yeah, I think it is a $$$ issue. BMW NA wants to save a few bucks....Heck, the 3-series doesn't come with an alarm or at least it should with the premium package or the 330i and M3s.

Thats another thing that's wierd.. and kind of irritating. On a $45k car, why not include an alarm? My friend's RAV4 came with an alarm for crying out loud.

Ok, what is PDC please?

Linkage

Click on "Park Distance Control". All 2005 and up X5 4.4i models come with it. And it has been an option on many BMW models since the very late 90s, if I recall correctly.

I have it, and I swear by it! :thumbup:

It's a system the makes parking a heck of a lot easier. There are sensors mounted on the back (and sometimes front) that send out ultrasonic waves. The waves bounce back and inside the car a tone sounds. The beeping inside the car gets faster and faster as you get closer to the obstacle. I had it in the X5 and I have it in the 330xi, and like Bavarian, I swear by it.