Park Assist?

[Mark V GTD]

Re alloys - you are in charge of the brake and gas pedals and need to keep a look out when using the system. I have not used the version 2 of this but on the Mk.6 Golf (first version) it had no ability to detect a kerb as such but worked on the principal of aligning your car with the car already parked in front. Looking at the location of the sensors I would suspect this is still the case.

[monkeyhanger]

Re alloys - you are in charge of the brake and gas pedals and need to keep a look out when using the system. I have not used the version 2 of this but on the Mk.6 Golf (first version) it had no ability to detect a kerb as such but worked on the principal of aligning your car with the car already parked in front. Looking at the location of the sensors I would suspect this is still the case.

It does look like the car in front is the alignment reference, and if that car has kerbed its alloys or mounted the kerb to park, your alloys are likely to be kerbed if you don't see the situation coming and intervene. Seems then that the tech is pointless (seeing as you have to operate the pedals and also be ready to intervene with the steering to avoid kerbed alloys) unless you really can't parallel park but are required to on a regular basis.

With a short bonnet at the front and a very predictable ending to the rear (sticking out about 6 inches past the rear window), not to mention the auto-dipping passenger mirror and sensors at the front and back, I can't see how most competent drivers couldn't easily parallel-park within a space that was no more than 5 feet longer than the car itself. Complete gimmick for most.

[stiggy786]

^ +1

Irrespective of how cheap it is, it's still money! (in this case an expensive party trick). At least burning the money will keep you warm.

[Gordor]

I have it, but won't spec again, I can park quicker than the system and have taken over a few times to save the embarrassment of keeping other drivers waiting.

[Mr Savage]

Definitely worth it and the people who say it's a gimmick ignore them. Version 2 what we have enables you to get out of tight spaces in case someone else probably without park assist blocks you in. £150 well worth it in my opinion.

I don't see how you would need it to help you get out of tight spaces when you have reverse camera & parking sensors. If the system can get you out of a tight space then so can a human using the other driving aids makes it simple.

It's just a feature for showing off a few times to friends and family because it's cool. I've never once thought "I really wish I spec'd Park Assist because then I could have got in that gap." Then again I Parallel Park on a daily basis for the last 5 years.

[monkeyhanger]

I have it, but won't spec again, I can park quicker than the system and have taken over a few times to save the embarrassment of keeping other drivers waiting.

Exactly why I wouldn't have it. If you're worried about kerbing your wheels or hitting the car in front or behind then it doesn't make the job require any less of your attention, and it does the job more slowly than you could do it yourself.

OK for the poorly driven cars of the "school run" that you see, mostly Nissan Quashqai around my neck of the woods, including my next-door but one (who is a nursery teacher) who comes crashing up the kerb as she parks up every day.

It's only £150ish, but for most it'd be £150ish wasted. You'd get better value with the rear view camera, but again i'd give that a miss as I find the parking sensors more than adequate for squeezing into a tight spot. I know i've got a good 6" of leeway within the 12" gap that is left when the sensor beams turn red in the display.

[mcmaddy]

it's not about being competent at parking! I've got no problem parking my car at all and can parallel and bay park with ease but it's useful if say you aren't quite sure if you'll fit into a space. same as getting out of a space if some useless t4at can't park properly next to you. it's no more of a gimmick than keyless entry or performance pack and a lot cheaper than both. most people say it's a waste and they've never even used it! very handy for people with back and or neck problems but then again if you don't suffer from back or neck problems you'll still say it's a waste of money.

[Mark V GTD]

It gives you an extra button next to the gear stick - worth it for that alone!

[Mr Savage]

it's not about being competent at parking! I've got no problem parking my car at all and can parallel and bay park with ease but it's useful if say you aren't quite sure if you'll fit into a space. same as getting out of a space if some useless t4at can't park properly next to you. it's no more of a gimmick than keyless entry or performance pack and a lot cheaper than both. most people say it's a waste and they've never even used it! very handy for people with back and or neck problems but then again if you don't suffer from back or neck problems you'll still say it's a waste of money.

I can see where it's useful in telling you if you're car can fit in a space that otherwise you might think is impossible but I don't think it does anything a human can't in regards to the actual parking manoeuvre. If you have back or neck problems then wouldn't you just be looking at your mirrors, camera and parking sensor bars? I do that when reversing and I don't have any back or neck problems myself.

Have to disagree with you saying the Performance Pack is a gimmick. It certainly isn't. As bigger brakes & more power & the limited slip differential is something you benefit from on a daily basis without even having to do anything. It affects the way your car drives and handles.

Keyless Entry is perhaps a gimmick, more of a convenience, I can agree with you on that one but not PP.

[watson]

Dan will obviously make his own mind up whether he finds Park Assist 2 useful.

I doubt he has specified it to 'impress friends and family' and I am sure that like most people on here he can parallel park be it doing it once a week or ' daily for five years '

Options are just that at the end of the day be it PP, keyless etc.