Let’s say you missed the boat on ordering park distance control or bought your MINI used without it and suddenly realize it’s a must have. While it can be retro-fitted, it’s not easy. Luckily MINI has a solution. It’s the new license plate based PDC. And as you can guess, installation is a little simpler.
[ Rear Plate PDC ] Official MINI PDF
Related:
[ Official Rear Parking Distance Retrolfit ] MotoringFile
pretty cool. dare i ask how much?
hmmm… /me strokes evil beard…
It’s quite easy to fit a full PDC system instead of the numberplate jobbie, I did one on my R53 works in about 3 hours from start to finish. I now have 4 bumper mounted, flush installed sensors, and a distance display between the downtubes up at the Dashboard.
I considered the numberplate retrofit kit, but I prefer the bumper mounted option, it looks a little better when installed correctly.
the ‘decider’ for me b/n the two would be pricing. how much was ur kit, owen?
anyone have numbers on the plate pdc?
MSRP on the MINI PDC plate frame kit is $299.
so, prob shipped from motoring file sponsors for ~$250? that’s not too bad, imo.
My kit was about 70 Euro from Maplins, they’re a UK electronics chain
@ owen:
ahh–so, not a MINI factory part. that brings up an interesting question, are there a lot aftermarket options?
A must-have accessory for Convertibles. I have a factory fitted system and it works well. Limiting the sensors to the license plate area may not give enough lateral scope range.
@ zm … for sure there is, and most are superior to MINI’s own kit. PDC is a very simple electronic circuit, and while I’m a nutcase for installing original equipment to my R53 works, the PDC was the one thing I didn’t mind installing that wasn’t made by MINI, as it was a superior product. Here’s my finished install :
<a href="http://miniclub.ie/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=17854#17854" rel="nofollow ugc">http://miniclub.ie/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=17854#17854</a>
Never understood this. Its a MINI for crying out loud. Why is this option needed, if you can’t succesfully back a MINI up without running into something, you shouldn’t be driving.
@brice, of course you don’t understand 🙂 It has nothing to do with being able to park. It’s about getting as close to 100% factory options as you can. I’ve nearly got every single factory option installed into my car now, the PDC was one step closer. Also, I have a tiny garage, with a pristine Ducati 916, and no outside light, so it’s impossible for me to judge the distance when reversing in. The PDC eliminates the possibility of me scratching either my car, or my bike.
Wow Owen, your car must owe you something like US $50,000 or more by now? And I agree, trying to see out the back of my convertible in the dark is like russian roulette.
Cheers Gregw 🙂 I work for a Dealership, and it’s been my goal to have such a car for a long time. Don’t fret though, even working for a Dealership doesn’t mean huge discounts, even for me I’m afraid!
My partner’s One Cabrio has PDC naturally too, and due to the very limited visibility, she’s reassured by having PDC much like yourself I’d imagine.