Opinions on Blind Spot Monitoring?

[kitesurfer]

In MY2018 the blind spot monitoring is now a standalone option. I am thinking of checking the box, I was wondering those of you that have it do you feel its worth while? Do you find the system always works properly? any issues?

Yes I also understand the importance of properly adjusted mirrors

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by kitesurfer

In MY2018 the blind spot monitoring is now a standalone option. I am thinking of checking the box, I was wondering those of you that have it do you feel its worth while? Do you find the system always works properly? any issues?

Yes I also understand the importance of properly adjusted mirrors

I have it and it's awesome, works everytime, if I was even about to turn and there is a car in my blindspot area, the steering wheel vibrates to alert you to not to turn at that moment.

[gatorfast]

Worthless IMO. The indicator light is built into the mirror housing instead of the mirror itself like other manufacturers do. This makes it difficult to see on bright days. The wheel will vibrate if you indicate lane change and the blind spot detector senses a car there.

If you are an alert driver there is no need to pay for this feature.

[Brasko]

Not a bad feature. Just wouldn't solely rely on it. I find it most useful when driving on the interstate/expressway.

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Worthless IMO. The indicator light is built into the mirror housing instead of the mirror itself like other manufacturers do. This makes it difficult to see on bright days. The wheel will vibrate if you indicate lane change and the blind spot detector senses a car there.

If you are an alert driver there is no need to pay for this feature.

I never look at the little triangle in the mirror, the vibration by itself is enough to draw my attention not to turn. Mind you, I noticed one thing, on my previous 2017 M4, I would only get the vibration if I indicate left or right, now with the 2018, the moment I start tilting the steering wheel even with no indicator, the steering wheel would vibrate if there is someone in my blind spot. This is a small little change in the 2018 LCI I guess that's not mentioned anywhere.

[M4Now!]

Worthwhile, it's pretty effective

Cheers

[RickFLM4]

It's ok but not great. It was much more visible in my Audi that it is on my MY15 M4. You just can't see it that well. Maybe it is different in newer MYs.

Overall, these systems are useful as a filter to check before turning your head or as a final check after turning your head but not a replacement for mirrors and physically checking. So since I only glance at it, I'd like it to be much more visible than it is.

[Golfster]

I have it on all my cars and wouldn't buy another without it.

Different buyers prioritize features and functions differently, but I can't see buying a modern car and not ticking the boxes for modern safety and/or technology features when they add very little to the total and what they might save could be priceless.

[WillC310]

Its useful, works well, but don't forget its like any other piece of technology that can fail and does not make up for paying attention. My Macan had it and it would freak out every once in a while and have a false positive. I haven't had that problem with the M3.

I still got Euro mirrors to help with blind spots because even properly adjusted (US) mirrors have a small gap (IMO) and unless the mirror breaks, it won't fail.

[hinckley]

It's an inexpensive, but pretty worthwhile option imo. It's the sort of tech that you don't need, but once you have it, you'll like it a lot. As others have said, other manufacturers like Audi implement it a bit better than BMW, but it's effective nevertheless. If it was $1 or $2k, I probably wouldn't buy it, but at $500 it's a no brainer I think.

[DPHTOY]

It works pretty well, but the yellow triangle is in the actual mirror housing and is difficult to see on sunny days when wearing sunglasses. Wish the indicator was in the actual mirror like in my Toyota.

[N54MPower]

As you can see the reviews are mixed. IMO it is almost worthless as used in this application because of it's location, it should be on the mirror itself. It's barely noticeable compared to others I've used.

I had it on my 2016 F80 as part of the Driver Assistance Package. I have a 2018 F80 ZCP on order and decided it wasn't worth the added expense which is minimal considering the overall cost of the car. I'm sure I won't miss it.

[BimmerBahn]

+1 -- just tick the box

[kitesurfer]

We'll shit my build went to 150 over night so no changes, oh well I never had it before on my cars so I guess I'm not gonna miss it.

[CanAutM3]

Never needed it in 28 years of driving.

[SD ///M4]

If I want to make a lane change, I start to rotate my head to check my blindspot but as I turn, I check the side view mirror and also look to see if the triangle is lit. If it is, I abort and wait to make my lane change. If not, I continue to rotate my head to check my blindspot and if it's clear, I turn on my turn signal and make the lane change.

It's the "trust, but verify" approach. I use it as the aid it's designed to be, but don't rely on it exclusively. If I'm paying attention and monitoring traffic all around me, I usually know if someone is there, but traffic ebbs and flows, and I may not have noticed that they fell farther back or changed lanes, so I glance at the triangle to determine if they're still there or not. It helps you monitor traffic around without taking your eyes off the road long enough to check your blind spot. You should always have a known "escape path" if someone around you starts to do something stupid and this helps with that, even if you're not making a lane change.

Even though it's now a standalone option and no longer part of the Driving Assistance Package we'll be ordering it on my wife's 2018 M3.

[bd307]

Learn how to use your mirrors correctly. Sadly 90% of people in the US are not setting up their mirrors correctly.

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by bd307

Learn how to use your mirrors correctly. Sadly 90% of people in the US are not setting up their mirrors correctly.

To be clear, my mirrors are set correctly, but this has nothing to do with whether Blind Spot Detection enhances the process of making a lane change, or just monitoring traffic around you. It does.

[tastes jigga]

I checked the box when I ordered my 2018 and don't have any regrets. It operates better than expected... although it doesn't work at slow speeds so be careful. When I drive my 2014 435i or loaners I feel naked without the safety tech. It will pay for itself if it prevents one accident. I personally really enjoy the safety tech, like the frontal collision warning, but some people find it annoying. On back hilly roads I sometimes turn off the lane departure warning because it is constantly going off.

[captainaudio]

I find it a very useful feature particularly since I have limited vision in my left eye after a retinal detachment a few years ago.

[M3Fahrer]

Just get the option. As good of drivers as we all say we are, the one time that you're distracted it might save you from an accident and a lot of headaches.

[ssuene93]

My wife has the Blind Spot Detection on her wife's 4GC, and she loves it. I also found it is useful when I driving her car around. But on my M3, I dont need it and I dont miss it.