Poll: Which looks better - 9 slats or 13?

When an F01/F02 is equipped with the optional Night Vision with Pedestrian Detection system, the twin-kidney grille is slightly modified. Using nine vertical slats instead of the standard 13 provides an unobstructed view for the infrared camera’s lens.

Which looks better?

I have to assume the design folks think 13 are better since nearly all offical photos show the 13.




vs.

I'll take 13 please.

I haven't seen the 9-slat grille in person, so I will qualify my statement accordingly. I worry that the 9-slat would look too "black" overall, though, like the black slat grilles on the 6 cyl. X5 and X6. I'll end up with the 13-slat anyway, because I skipped NV. I had it on my '07 750i and thought it was one of the single biggest wastes of money I'd experienced in a long time. And that's saying something.

9 slats, I kinda like the "blacker" look, not too much chrome but just enough.

oh and I got 2 horns in my grill lol they would be more visible with the 9

Where is the night vision display? On the new Benz E class it shows on the navigation screen, which is kind of dumb, I'm not going to have my eyes on my center console instead of the road while driving.

Originally Posted by BnWBMW

Where is the night vision display? On the new Benz E class it shows on the navigation screen, which is kind of dumb, I'm not going to have my eyes on my center console instead of the road while driving.

That was one of my main issues with NV on my '07 750i. If you have to take your eyes off the road to look at it, I'm just not sure that it's helpful.

Originally Posted by XZLR8

That was one of my main issues with NV on my '07 750i. If you have to take your eyes off the road to look at it, I'm just not sure that it's helpful.

It's not. The only reason BMW has a NV offering is because it was easy to utilize the iDrive screen. Howver, the display should be on the windshield (headup) or dash gauge area (Mercedes).

Originally Posted by NetSpySD

It's not. The only reason BMW has a NV offering is because it was easy to utilize the iDrive screen. Howver, the display should be on the windshield (headup) or dash gauge area (Mercedes).

You do get a warning on the head-up display if its sees anything.

Random thought...

I bet the grilles would be easily swapped out if you wanted to switch. I know for my wife's 328 wagon, we swapped the grilles since she wanted chrome, not black. It was easily popped in/out by the dealership and cost under $100, if I recall. I wouldn't know why the same couldn't be done for the new 7er.

Originally Posted by XZLR8

Random thought...

I bet the grilles would be easily swapped out if you wanted to switch. I know for my wife's 328 wagon, we swapped the grilles since she wanted chrome, not black. It was easily popped in/out by the dealership and cost under $100, if I recall. I wouldn't know why the same couldn't be done for the new 7er.

I'm sure thats true. (13 to 9) The 9 slat grill probably has the camera housing built-in...

Originally Posted by NetSpySD

It's not. The only reason BMW has a NV offering is because it was easy to utilize the iDrive screen. Howver, the display should be on the windshield (headup) or dash gauge area (Mercedes).

I think the ads for it are a bit misleading, too. It would be most helpful, I would think, in locating deer at night by the side of the road, which are usually moving rather rapidly and unpredictably, unlike the lone jogger you see in the ads.

I thought it would be the coolest thing when I ordered it on my last 7, but after messing around with it in the first week of ownership, I'm not sure I ever used it.

Originally Posted by XZLR8

I thought it would be the coolest thing when I ordered it on my last 7, but after messing around with it in the first week of ownership, I'm not sure I ever used it.

I'm fairly confident I will have the same experience.

I am hopeful, however, that it might be of some use when driving home at night. I go through a few streets prior to reaching my house where I often find kids playing outside after sunset...

Originally Posted by XZLR8

I think the ads for it are a bit misleading, too. It would be most helpful, I would think, in locating deer at night by the side of the road, which are usually moving rather rapidly and unpredictably, unlike the lone jogger you see in the ads.

I thought it would be the coolest thing when I ordered it on my last 7, but after messing around with it in the first week of ownership, I'm not sure I ever used it.

Yeah those deers can **** your **** up pretty bad. My poor car.

Originally Posted by NetSpySD

It's not. The only reason BMW has a NV offering is because it was easy to utilize the iDrive screen. Howver, the display should be on the windshield (headup) or dash gauge area (Mercedes).

Mercedes S class has it on dashboard

Mercedes E class has it on the navi

MERCEDES FAIL.

Originally Posted by XZLR8

Random thought...

I bet the grilles would be easily swapped out if you wanted to switch. I know for my wife's 328 wagon, we swapped the grilles since she wanted chrome, not black. It was easily popped in/out by the dealership and cost under $100, if I recall. I wouldn't know why the same couldn't be done for the new 7er.

You can easily swap out the 9 for 13 or vice versa but you gonna lose the camera function since the housing is build into the 9.

Definitely 13! They look much better and together especially when you pull-up in front of a place that has a mirror or a reflective wall and you can see yourself checking out yourself in a 7er :-)

Originally Posted by asaseaban

Definitely 13! They look much better and together especially when you pull-up in front of a place that has a mirror or a reflective wall and you can see yourself checking out yourself in a 7er :-)

Don't let anyone else catch you doing that.

Originally Posted by hayden

Don't let anyone else catch you doing that.

Point taken.

so where are the pics of your new ride?

Nine

13 is better, keeps with the tradition of the bmw slat grills

Originally Posted by john5

13 is better, keeps with the tradition of the bmw slat grills

What tradition? The last 7 had 14 on each kidney...

Seen this thing in person and loved it, but even after that I still hate it in pictures. Don't know why.

And 13.

I'd think that BMW would mount it low with the ACC dome like on the older 7's to make it look more symmetrical... I'd go with the 9 since I'd have nightvision then!

The 9 slat grille reminds me of my 7. I like it. It changes the whole front end's appearance.