Opinions on Blind Spot Monitoring?

[jeru95]

Have it on my F150...regret not getting it on the M4...would never get another vehicle without it. Its a nice double check, especially when its raining and dark...

[BoxKing]

Originally Posted by jeru95

Have it on my F150...regret not getting it on the M4...would never get another vehicle without it. Its a nice double check, especially when its raining and dark...

Only reason why I'd like it is when it's raining. Otherwise maybe it's a good standard feature for those over 60.

How did everyone get by without this... oh shit mirrors

[boss2k]

Can u disable it completely?

[frankzlin79]

Originally Posted by boss2k

Can u disable it completely?

Of course. Just push the button to disable the Blind Spot Feature, located underneath the headlamp switch (just above your left knee on a left-hand drive car).

[ImGoingPlaces]

works for me about 80% of the time. I deff like it but i dont rely on it completely. Still look.

[boss2k]

I am pretty impressed with this feature and its very helpful other than the fact that it took away the storage space where the button is to activate or deactivate.

[NPuter]

Hi - considering an F80 here.

Will the triangle light up preemptively if a car is approaching at a much greater rate of speed, but hasn't necessarily reached your blind spot yet?

My Audi will warn when this occurs - car approaching that is still fairly far away, but when the speed difference will make the lane change unsafe. My Mercedes does not do this, and generally doesn't work nearly as well all around.

I've come to like it a lot more than I thought I would with the Audi implementation. Would be a bit upsetting if BMW's system is a substantial step down.

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by NPuter

Hi - considering an F80 here.

Will the triangle light up preemptively if a car is approaching at a much greater rate of speed, but hasn't necessarily reached your blind spot yet?

My Audi will warn when this occurs - car approaching that is still fairly far away, but when the speed difference will make the lane change unsafe. My Mercedes does not do this, and generally doesn't work nearly as well all around.

I've come to like it a lot more than I thought I would with the Audi implementation. Would be a bit upsetting if BMW's system is a substantial step down.

Don't think anyone here knows since M3 drivers would be the ones approaching another car at a high rate of speed and not the other way around

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Don't think anyone here knows since M3 drivers would be the ones approaching another car at a high rate of speed and not the other way around

core difference between BMW and Audi drivers

#doucheshavefeelingstoo

[backagain]

Originally Posted by NPuter

Hi - considering an F80 here.

Will the triangle light up preemptively if a car is approaching at a much greater rate of speed, but hasn't necessarily reached your blind spot yet?

My Audi will warn when this occurs - car approaching that is still fairly far away, but when the speed difference will make the lane change unsafe. My Mercedes does not do this, and generally doesn't work nearly as well all around.

I've come to like it a lot more than I thought I would with the Audi implementation. Would be a bit upsetting if BMW's system is a substantial step down.

This is to help someone who doesn't want to check his rear view or side view mirror before turning?

[NPuter]

Thanks for the "help" all...

Originally Posted by backagain

This is to help someone who doesn't want to check his rear view or side view mirror before turning?

No.
With Audi, the warning lights are very visible, so you can see them out of the corner of your eye, or with a very quick glance. When the light is lit, I don't have to consider checking my mirrors because I know a lane change likely isn't possible. It's when the light isn't lit, and I want to change lanes, that I then check the mirror.

Overall, it's just indicative how how well engineered Audi's blind spot monitors are. Rarely will I find the light lit and a lane change, without drastic maneuvers/acceleration, safely possible.
Additionally, the strength of Audi's system is clearly apparent to me driving it back-to-back with MB's all the time.

It would be nice to know how BMW's system compares, even though, of course, I'm not going to be completely relying on the system. From what I gather from this thread, it's not very good. Not a deal breaker, obviously, just looking for additional insight.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by NPuter

Thanks for the "help" all...

No.
With Audi, the warning lights are very visible, so you can see them out of the corner of your eye, or with a very quick glance. When the light is lit, I don't have to consider checking my mirrors because I know a lane change likely isn't possible. It's when the light isn't lit, and I want to change lanes, that I then check the mirror.

Overall, it's just indicative how how well engineered Audi's blind spot monitors are. Rarely will I find the light lit and a lane change, without drastic maneuvers/acceleration, safely possible.
Additionally, the strength of Audi's system is clearly apparent to me driving it back-to-back with MB's all the time.

It would be nice to know how BMW's system compares, even though, of course, I'm not going to be completely relying on the system. From what I gather from this thread, it's not very good. Not a deal breaker, obviously, just looking for additional insight.

Audi's version is easier to see and I much preferred it in my S4 to my M4. It's better than nothing as a safety check in the M4 but it doesn't catch your eye like it did in my S4. Location of light not as good and not as bright in the M4. I used it first to decide whether it was worth turning my head (or preemptively figuring out to just forget trying to change lanes) in the Audi. I check the mirrors and turn my head and then glance at it in my M4.

[backagain]

Originally Posted by NPuter

Thanks for the "help" all...



No.
With Audi, the warning lights are very visible, so you can see them out of the corner of your eye, or with a very quick glance. When the light is lit, I don't have to consider checking my mirrors because I know a lane change likely isn't possible. It's when the light isn't lit, and I want to change lanes, that I then check the mirror.

Overall, it's just indicative how how well engineered Audi's blind spot monitors are. Rarely will I find the light lit and a lane change, without drastic maneuvers/acceleration, safely possible.
Additionally, the strength of Audi's system is clearly apparent to me driving it back-to-back with MB's all the time.

It would be nice to know how BMW's system compares, even though, of course, I'm not going to be completely relying on the system. From what I gather from this thread, it's not very good. Not a deal breaker, obviously, just looking for additional insight.

If you are an alert driver, and check mirrors before lane changes, there would be no issue with how BMW implemented the blind spot detection. If you use the blinkers, the steering wheel will even vibrate if there is a car in the blind spot.

If you don't want to do any of that, the car is not built for your driving style.

[NPuter]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Audi's version is easier to see and I much preferred it in my S4 to my M4. It's better than nothing as a safety check in the M4 but it doesn't catch your eye like it did in my S4. Location of light not as good and not as bright in the M4. I used it first to decide whether it was worth turning my head (or preemptively figuring out to just forget trying to change lanes) in the Audi. I check the mirrors and turn my head and then glance at it in my M4.

Thanks! I have an S5, so your response is definitely very helpful

Originally Posted by backagain

If you are an alert driver, and check mirrors before lane changes, there would be no issue with how BMW implemented the blind spot detection. If you use the blinkers, the steering wheel will even vibrate if there is a car in the blind spot.

If you don't want to do any of that, the car is not built for your driving style.

Apparently you didn't read my response. I don't use the blind spot monitors as a substitute for checking the mirrors. Rather, if I see it lit in the Audi out of the corner of my eye, I can pretty much forget about changing lanes, like Rick mentioned. It's if the light is not lit that I then check mirrors/pretend the system doesn't exist.

All in saying is Audi has it pretty much perfectly engineered imo. I was just wondering how BMW's compares. It's now clear to me that it doesn't. Is that a big deal? Nope.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by NPuter

Apparently you didn't read my response. I don't use the blind spot monitors as a substitute for checking the mirrors. Rather, if I see it lit in the Audi out of the corner of my eye, I can pretty much forget about changing lanes, like Rick mentioned. It's if the light is not lit that I then check mirrors/pretend the system doesn't exist.

All in saying is Audi has it pretty much perfectly engineered imo. I was just wondering how BMW's compares. It's now clear to me that it doesn't. Is that a big deal? Nope.

That's about how I think of it. I really pretty much don't use/trust them at all. I hardly even notice them when they are lit. I think a better option is getting the convex European mirrors that totally eliminate the blind spot. I don't know why BMW thinks they need a technology solution when there is a much more simple physical solution. Once you get used to trusting the convex euro mirrors they are amazing and you CAN use them without turning around and looking because there is not more blind spot.

[Spike Spiegel]

Originally Posted by NPuter

Thanks! I have an S5, so your response is definitely very helpful



Apparently you didn't read my response. I don't use the blind spot monitors as a substitute for checking the mirrors. Rather, if I see it lit in the Audi out of the corner of my eye, I can pretty much forget about changing lanes, like Rick mentioned. It's if the light is not lit that I then check mirrors/pretend the system doesn't exist.

All in saying is Audi has it pretty much perfectly engineered imo. I was just wondering how BMW's compares. It's now clear to me that it doesn't. Is that a big deal? Nope.

Yea I have come to realize that I also prefer Audi's implementation. The surface area of the light or location of it and the brightness definitely are more eye catching to me which to me, makes it a more effective solution to me. If we're talking about strictly implementation, Acura might have everyone beat. Implementing it into the pillar is pretty slick and is even closer to your line of vision when driving. http://image.trucktrend.com/f/759135...nformation.jpg

"If you are an alert driver, and check mirrors before lane changes, there would be no issue with how BMW implemented the blind spot detection. If you use the blinkers, the steering wheel will even vibrate if there is a car in the blind spot."

I mean everyone should be an alert driver and companies like BMW, Audi,Lexus, etc all make some good driving aides. Doesn't mean that some aren't implemented better than others. And that doesn't make others an issue in terms of usefulness when compared to the others that might have a better setup in terms of placement.

[boss2k]

As the name of the feature suggests the yellow triangle in the mirror lights up only if there is a car in the blind spot? Meaning if a car is on the next lane but not on your blind spot the feature does not alert you?

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Wait...we have turn signals?

[Alpine300zhp]

OP. I have BSM on my M3 and don't have it on my M4. To me, it is a worthless option and I would never rely on it or pay for it if I was going a custom build. My M3 was a lot car hence why it has BSM and the M4 was a custom build hence why it does not have BSM.

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by boss2k

As the name of the feature suggests the yellow triangle in the mirror lights up only if there is a car in the blind spot? Meaning if a car is on the next lane but not on your blind spot the feature does not alert you?

Yes, the behavior you described is correct. If there is a car in either the lane to the left or right, as the traffic ebbs and flows and the car next to you moves forward or backward, you can see the triangle come on and go off as they move into and out of your blind spot.

[theoluv]

Yes, activates when other cars are approaching faster than you are traveling

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by theoluv

Yes, activates when other cars are approaching faster than you are traveling

The speed of a car in the next lane has no bearing on whether the triangle lights up or not. Either the car is in your blind spot or it isn't. The triangle lights up when a car is in the defined area (blind spot) and goes off when it isn't.