No Front PDC for US delivered M3's

CiprianS · 02-11-2013, 07:51 AM

Why isn't the front PDC option available on the M3's that come to the US market? Maybe it was discussed before, I have tried to search but with no answers. Thank you.

Curt2000 · 02-11-2013, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedCap

Why isn't the front PDC option available on the M3's that come to the US market? Maybe it was discussed before, I have tried to search but with no answers. Thank you.

Not sure, but I had it on my M5 and never really used the front ones.

May be a US safety spec certification issue. The projected market/profit margin may have not outweighed the cost involved in getting two different types of front bumpers tested/certified for US markets.

Bel-Tirid · 02-11-2013, 09:32 AM

simple, because you buy cars 50% cheaper then us here in EU. So every car for US market has something less on it.

mdosu · 02-11-2013, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bel-Tirid

simple, because you buy cars 50% cheaper then us here in EU. So every car for US market has something less on it.

Uhhh, no we just pay less in vehicle related taxes, which doesn't affect vehicle features.

The only federal imposed vehicle tax I can think of is our measly by comparison gas guzzler tax, and the term "tax" on this is debatable.

If we do pay less for certain cars, that's because the US is one of the single largest markets in the world

jphughan · 02-11-2013, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bel-Tirid

simple, because you buy cars 50% cheaper then us here in EU. So every car for US market has something less on it.

That's typically not true. Most US-spec cars have a lot of features standard that are options (and often expensive options) on the same car in other markets, AND the US-spec version is still significantly cheaper.

But OP, I have no idea why front PDC isn't available here. I suspect it was a cost vs profit business decision -- but Mike Benvo on these boards has retrofitted front PDC to his M3 if you really want it and are prepared to pay for it.

koni_E90 · 02-11-2013, 10:52 AM

maybe because front PDC are not as much popular in the US market and dealers decided not to import such cars ...
As far as I recall in 2009 (first year at the US market) you couldnt order 335d with front PDC sensors, but later (2010 or 2011) they were available as a option.

Anyway, you can always retrofit front PDC sensors. You dont even have to buy new bumper, just drill 4 holes in your current bumper. Even points where to drill are marked in your existing bumper.

mdosu · 02-11-2013, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curt2000

Not sure, but I had it on my M5 and never really used the front ones.

May be a US safety spec certification issue. The projected market/profit margin may have not outweighed the cost involved in getting two different types of front bumpers tested/certified for US markets.

this makes sense. They likely would have to test both bumper versions for a $500 (or however much it costs these days) optional al-la carte upgrade. Likely not enough people would have bought it to justify the certification cost.

jphughan · 02-11-2013, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koni_E90

Anyway, you can always retrofit front PDC sensors. You dont even have to buy new bumper, just drill 4 holes in your current bumper. Even points where to drill are marked in your existing bumper.

True, but there's also a little bit of coding to be done. Not especially complicated, but required nonetheless.

24601 · 02-11-2013, 12:03 PM

I've always wondered this... would be nice to know the reason.

happos2 · 02-11-2013, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bel-Tirid

simple, because you buy cars 50% cheaper then us here in EU. So every car for US market has something less on it.

I gottcha, you were being sarcastic...

Likely cert costs on two different bumpers, business case issues.

1MtoM3 · 02-11-2013, 06:13 PM

Market study, much less cramped parallel spots than in Europe .
Unless you live in NY where people deliberately bump each others bumpers while parking, the majority of north america is fairly spacious, parking spot wise, compared to Europe.
Much like folding mirrors that are pretty much useless here ( rant on ) , but a must have in most Europe parking garages .

scm6079 · 02-12-2013, 12:33 AM

To throw a wrench in this debate a little - my 335is (e92, 2011) had front PDC -- I was surprised to find it not to be an option on my 2013 e92 M3...

If they took the time to certify it for the 335is with it's custom front bumper than.... Why not the m3?

Vic311 · 02-12-2013, 12:37 AM

Who needs 'front' PDC?..lol

py0413 · 02-12-2013, 03:46 AM

My guess is that BMW thinks if you are qualified to buy a M3, you won't need front PDC? And yes, USA is the cheapest place to buy car in the world now, but they don't necessarily having less standard features.

whats77inaname · 02-12-2013, 09:48 AM

Because everyone knows you should always back in your car for fear or scraping the front on the sidewark/parking block. BMW thought (incorrectly, obviously) that everyone knows this, and therefore only gave us what they thought we needed.

dmk08 · 02-12-2013, 10:08 AM

I have front PDC... it's called my eyes. I use this for my rear PDC too as the one built into the car annoys me.

4corners · 02-12-2013, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmk08

I have front PDC... it's called my eyes. I use this for my rear PDC too as the one built into the car annoys me.

ersin · 02-12-2013, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by py0413

My guess is that BMW thinks if you are qualified to buy a M3, you won't need front PDC? And yes, USA is the cheapest place to buy car in the world now, but they don't necessarily having less standard features.

I don't recall having to "qualify" to buy an M3. You learn something new every day.

I'm pretty sure it's a business issue. There's a lot less M3s around then 335s. I can almost hear BMW USA saying to themselves, "why bother certifying for two bumpers for something that probably won't be a big selling option on a (relatively) low selling car anyway?".

Cheers.

bsiciliano · 02-12-2013, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmk08

I have front PDC... it's called my eyes. I use this for my rear PDC too as the one built into the car annoys me.

Finally someone said it!

OldenburgerM3 · 02-12-2013, 04:04 PM

wow, so many answers and nobody this:

the front bumper has to meet different crash standards in the US than in Europe and because it's more costly to certify one with PDC they elected not to bother.

That's what I head/read somewhere. It's probably one of those take it or leave it answers but at least it's an answer.

osteome · 02-12-2013, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdosu

Uhhh, no we just pay less in vehicle related taxes...

Uhhh, no M3s are significantly more expensive in Germany before the taxes.

While I was getting mine delivered via military sales, the German dealer had a stripper E90 that was stickered for around 68,000 EURO before the VAT.

02-11-2013, 07:51 AM	#1
CiprianS M addicted 99 Rep 441 Posts Drives: G05 xDrive 40i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston, Texas iTrader: (0)	No Front PDC for US delivered M3's Why isn't the front PDC option available on the M3's that come to the US market? Maybe it was discussed before, I have tried to search but with no answers. Thank you.
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02-11-2013, 09:32 AM	#3
Bel-Tirid Private First Class 13 Rep 118 Posts Drives: M3 e92 Interlagos blue Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Slovenia iTrader: (0)	simple, because you buy cars 50% cheaper then us here in EU. So every car for US market has something less on it.
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02-11-2013, 10:52 AM	#6
koni_E90 Enlisted Member 3 Rep 49 Posts Drives: E90 LCI Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (3)	maybe because front PDC are not as much popular in the US market and dealers decided not to import such cars ... As far as I recall in 2009 (first year at the US market) you couldnt order 335d with front PDC sensors, but later (2010 or 2011) they were available as a option. Anyway, you can always retrofit front PDC sensors. You dont even have to buy new bumper, just drill 4 holes in your current bumper. Even points where to drill are marked in your existing bumper.
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02-11-2013, 12:03 PM	#9
24601 Major 95 Rep 1,318 Posts Drives: Toy Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Oahu, Hawaii iTrader: (5) Garage List 2015 Subaru Outback [0.00] 2015 Toyota Tacoma [0.00] 2013 BMW M3 [10.00]	I've always wondered this... would be nice to know the reason. __________________ Sold - 2014 F01 750Li xDrive CBM M-Sport Sold - 2013 E92 M3 SS w/ ZCP l ZPP l 2MK l 6NR l 752 Sold - 2009 E92 335i LMB M-Sport Sold - 2003 E46 M3 LSB SMG
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02-11-2013, 06:13 PM	#11
1MtoM3 HayZeus 17 Rep 302 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Brossard , Canada iTrader: (0)	Market study, much less cramped parallel spots than in Europe . Unless you live in NY where people deliberately bump each others bumpers while parking, the majority of north america is fairly spacious, parking spot wise, compared to Europe. Much like folding mirrors that are pretty much useless here ( rant on ) , but a must have in most Europe parking garages . __________________ BLOME !!! MW E92 , Turner test pipes , Vorsteiner Titanium catback, TMS spacers, ESS remap , KW sleeves.
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02-12-2013, 12:33 AM	#12
scm6079 First Lieutenant 118 Rep 390 Posts Drives: '16 M3, Lotus Exige S260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW M3 [0.00] 2011 Lotus Exige S260 [8.50]	To throw a wrench in this debate a little - my 335is (e92, 2011) had front PDC -- I was surprised to find it not to be an option on my 2013 e92 M3... If they took the time to certify it for the 335is with it's custom front bumper than.... Why not the m3?
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02-12-2013, 12:37 AM	#13
Vic311 Banned 42 Rep 1,463 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 M3 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Who needs 'front' PDC?..lol
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02-12-2013, 03:46 AM	#14
py0413 Major 110 Rep 1,291 Posts Drives: Slow Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: BC iTrader: (2)	My guess is that BMW thinks if you are qualified to buy a M3, you won't need front PDC? And yes, USA is the cheapest place to buy car in the world now, but they don't necessarily having less standard features. __________________ Must stop eating..............
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02-12-2013, 09:48 AM	#15
whats77inaname Banned 825 Rep 3,387 Posts Drives: when at all possible Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tx iTrader: (25)	Because everyone knows you should always back in your car for fear or scraping the front on the sidewark/parking block. BMW thought (incorrectly, obviously) that everyone knows this, and therefore only gave us what they thought we needed.
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02-12-2013, 10:08 AM	#16
dmk08 Gone Fishin’ 7316 Rep 12,125 Posts Drives: Walks Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (19)	I have front PDC... it's called my eyes. I use this for my rear PDC too as the one built into the car annoys me.
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02-12-2013, 04:04 PM	#20
OldenburgerM3 Private First Class 72 Rep 183 Posts Drives: 2011 Jet Black M3 Coupe Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	wow, so many answers and nobody this: the front bumper has to meet different crash standards in the US than in Europe and because it's more costly to certify one with PDC they elected not to bother. That's what I head/read somewhere. It's probably one of those take it or leave it answers but at least it's an answer.
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