[ando]

Can anyone who has their X1 comment on this feature?

[bmtespar]

I have it. It's an ok concept but really never that useful in real like applications. I guess if you were absolutely awful at parking it would be of more benefit. I have it in my other BMW and I like the way it works because it is more automated. It will steer, brake and accelerate for you. In the X1, you have to use the pedals yourself.

[ando]

Originally Posted by bmtespar

I have it. It's an ok concept but really never that useful in real like applications. I guess if you were absolutely awful at parking it would be of more benefit. I have it in my other BMW and I like the way it works because it is more automated. It will steer, brake and accelerate for you. In the X1, you have to use the pedals yourself.

Okay. Thanks for letting me know.

[pbjjj]

In real life I have not had a chance to use it... When I did the Encore session with BMW Genius, that is one thing I asked the guy to show me, and he did a fantastic job to set it up in their lot so that I can give it a try. The system works very well. The only thing I needed to do was to control the parking speed with the brake. Everything else was automatic. Well, you do need to follow the instruction on the iDrive screen on when to change between Drive and Reverse.

In real life, there really isn't much time to let the system to find the space for you without the impatient drivers behind you honking at you. If the system does not recognize a space that is big enough for your car, the system does not engage. I have tried in few occasions on local streets but was never successful to engage the system before some cars come right behind me...

I am pretty comfortable with parallel parking, so under normal circumstances it would be quicker and more convenient if I just do it myself.

[nickrice20]

It works great in Germany where parking is very hard or impossible to come by. I am really good at parallel parking but the automated system has taken the stress out of it. Not sure how useful it will be back in the USA with the vast amount of parking, minus big central city areas. Guess I will see when I head back to the USA.

[Shubha29]

Originally Posted by nickrice20

It works great in Germany where parking is very hard or impossible to come by. I am really good at parallel parking but the automated system has taken the stress out of it. Not sure how useful it will be back in the USA with the vast amount of parking, minus big central city areas. Guess I will see when I head back to the USA.

It works absolutely fine in US as well. I've done automated parallel parking on multiple occasions and it had no issue at all, actually it can fit you into much smaller space than normally we would think needed to park the car, it's that much efficient.

[Bluezed]

I have not used this other than to 'play' and even then it's difficult finding a quiet place to practice.
It does take a while to follow the instructions and I agree with ppjjj that anyone behind you would normally get really impatient so for a quick park, I would rather just do it all myself.
Having said all that, the space it got me into was really tight and I don't think I would have even tried with the space available.
Of course, the ability to park in a tight space is good if you are struggling to find a space but then you are at the mercy of the cars front and behind getting out!

[ando]

Great feedback. In Chicago some people don't really care and use backing into bumpers as park distance control.

[ShinySteelRobot]

Originally Posted by ando

Great feedback. In Chicago some people don't really care and use backing into bumpers as park distance control.

Sadly, "parking by feel" is all to common all over the country (and likely around the world).

Don't mean to stereotype, but soccer moms in their big SUVs and minivans seem particularly prone to it, have personally witnessed this several times.

[ttimbo]

Standard practice in certain Euro cities, from my observation.
Makes you think about any gap you leave when parking.

[LSU Tiger Wes]

I used it over the weekend. Really cool feature! It did get very close to the curb. Strange feeling giving control over to the car.