BMW 2017 7 Series Remote Control Parking

Originally Posted by dbs600

Hilarious that BMWNA restricts many features available to the rest of the word, which we in the US need to have 'coded' to unlock, such as remote closing trunk, remote folding side view mirrors, auto express power windows when door open and rear fog lamps to name a few, yet they allow THIS!? This is BY FAR more dangerous. Very frustrating!!

And what is the real world practicality of remote parking versus the features you mention? Remote parking just seems gimmicky to me. Speaking as someone who has owned six of them, the appeal of BMWs is how the cars are engineered for people who like driving. If you wanted a vehicle that provided handling and performance aspects of performance cars and one that also was safe and comfortable with a touch of lux, you didn't have to compromise...you got a BMW. Now, at least to me, it seems like BMW is eschewing some of its brand heritage to be less niche...ultimate driving machine...and more global in its market share. Strictly speaking not necessarily a bad thing, but not by promoting useless tech. Right now, the 7 Series is one of four German luxury sedans; the others being the S Class, A8, and the Panamera. [Yes, BMW and VW own RR and Bentley respectively, but I don't consider those cars German.] There should be no disagreement that among this group the S Class is at the top in terms of luxury and technology...it's not necessarily "sports" measured against the Pana and the 7 but the MB lineage is apparent throughout and you arrive in style. The Panamera is the answer to 911 drivers who wanted a family car without letting go of the driving aspects of their 911. The 7 was always kind of the wolf in sheep's clothing...strictly German in elegance, great stance, and able to be as mean as Medusa on the rag. The 7 was the car you got when you really wanted the best of both worlds...an exciting sports sedan that wasn't too stuffy or too noticed. Nothing against the A8, but I would prefer to spend extra to have the S8. OK, so that's the quick and dirty for my assessment of these cars and where I'm going with this is to suggest that BMW seems to be giving up the niche I feel it had with those versions that preceded the G 11 and 12 cars, and gimmicks like remote parking are more of an insult than an attraction to the people who love these cars.

Originally Posted by Leslierc

And what is the real world practicality of remote parking versus the features you mention? Remote parking just seems gimmicky to me. Speaking as someone who has owned six of them, the appeal of BMWs is how the cars are engineered for people who like driving. If you wanted a vehicle that provided handling and performance aspects of performance cars and one that also was safe and comfortable with a touch of lux, you didn't have to compromise...you got a BMW. Now, at least to me, it seems like BMW is eschewing some of its brand heritage to be less niche...ultimate driving machine...and more global in its market share. Strictly speaking not necessarily a bad thing, but not by promoting useless tech. Right now, the 7 Series is one of four German luxury sedans; the others being the S Class, A8, and the Panamera. [Yes, BMW and VW own RR and Bentley respectively, but I don't consider those cars German.] There should be no disagreement that among this group the S Class is at the top in terms of luxury and technology...it's not necessarily "sports" measured against the Pana and the 7 but the MB lineage is apparent throughout and you arrive in style. The Panamera is the answer to 911 drivers who wanted a family car without letting go of the driving aspects of their 911. The 7 was always kind of the wolf in sheep's clothing...strictly German in elegance, great stance, and able to be as mean as Medusa on the rag. The 7 was the car you got when you really wanted the best of both worlds...an exciting sports sedan that wasn't too stuffy or too noticed. Nothing against the A8, but I would prefer to spend extra to have the S8. OK, so that's the quick and dirty for my assessment of these cars and where I'm going with this is to suggest that BMW seems to be giving up the niche I feel it had with those versions that preceded the G 11 and 12 cars, and gimmicks like remote parking are more of an insult than an attraction to the people who love these cars.

I agree with a lot of what you've said here, but I'm not sure I would consider the S-Class to be a leader on the tech front. Yes, they have some of the safety systems, but the U/I is horrendous to the extent that it remains pretty much a deal-breaker for me until they improve it.

And OH MY GOD, the new Pan is seriously gorgeous.

I ordered it for narrow garages, there more for my wife than I. But also for the times when some moron in a parking lot leaves not enough room for you to open a door. It's happened a couple of times and it requires climbing in on the passenger side and contorting your way in. I'm not that nimble any more. If it saves me from that once or twice I will be happy.

Originally Posted by XZLR8

And OH MY GOD, the new Pan is seriously gorgeous.

Yes, it is! I drove alongside one with manufacturer's tags on the PCH a few weeks ago...thought is was a new Cayman from behind. The roofline and rear are perfect!

Originally Posted by Leslierc

Yes, it is! I drove alongside one with manufacturer's tags on the PCH a few weeks ago...thought is was a new Cayman from behind. The roofline and rear are perfect!

I can't wait to see one in person. The old model grew on me over the years, to the point that I really loved it. I drove one for a week a couple years ago, too, which did nothing but make me fall in love even more. But this new one looks fantastic, right out of the gate. And the interior, too!

If I ever bolt from BMW, I have a feeling that will be the direction I go.

Originally Posted by XZLR8

I can't wait to see one in person. The old model grew on me over the years, to the point that I really loved it. I drove one for a week a couple years ago, too, which did nothing but make me fall in love even more. But this new one looks fantastic, right out of the gate. And the interior, too!

If I ever bolt from BMW, I have a feeling that will be the direction I go.

That's my story. I went from the 7 Series to a Panamera 4S, and so on with Porsche cars. In between a Boxster S and Carrera 4, I held onto the P4S until last year when I sold it and got the GTS. Still have great feelings for the Panamera.

I assumed that you have been in Europe and saw the small parking spaces and I think that this is what it was designed for.
After my ED pick up, I was constantly worried about getting the doors dinged in the German garages.
The reason to own the 7 series is the great combination of luxury and sport that it gives.

Originally Posted by Gary J

It looked FAR safer to me. The car even made a mid course correction to get centered. Better than a panicky driver in a space challenged garage hitting the wrong pedal.

You're completely missing the point; remote parking is more dangerous than remote folding of side view mirrors.

Originally Posted by TJH750i

After my ED pick up, I was constantly worried about getting the doors dinged in the German garages.

This is just it; I'd never park my car so close to another to make it impossible for me to open my door; doing so would mean the person you're parked next to will be in the same position to damage your door either when getting into their car or pulling out of their spot!

Yes, new Panamera looks great!

That said, last real 7 was the E38.

750iL Michael Douglas drove in The Game always comes to mind as perfection.

His character also drove his ex-wife's 5 Series Touring.

I just Googled images for E38 Alpina...

Originally Posted by TJH750i

I assumed that you have been in Europe and saw the small parking spaces and I think that this is what it was designed for.
After my ED pick up, I was constantly worried about getting the doors dinged in the German garages.
The reason to own the 7 series is the great combination of luxury and sport that it gives.

Yes I agree on all points and think it applies for the U.S. also.

Originally Posted by TJH750i

I assumed that you have been in Europe and saw the small parking spaces and I think that this is what it was designed for.
After my ED pick up, I was constantly worried about getting the doors dinged in the German garages.
The reason to own the 7 series is the great combination of luxury and sport that it gives.

I remember seeing a 6 Series navigate a street in Rome with side mirrors retracted...and barely at that. So, yes, I figured the remote parking would be more useful in Europe.

So why are other VERY USEFUL [and far less risky] features [the competition has had for some time] still restricted?

This would be awesome if this option could be added to the 2016 with the useless 350.00 key option? Along with the system that Mercedes Benz and Jaguar offer.

BMW is refusing to retro fit the 7 series mfg. before March 2016 with this feature. I was told by BMW NA when I bought the car, that when they got approval from the US that the upgrade would be added to the cars. I purchased the Display Key for this reason alone.They are saying now that is a hardware issue and are not going to do it. This is like the list of features that were advertised on the BMW NA website for the car that were not available on the US cars. I have filed a complaint with BMW NA on Sept. 16th and am waiting a response. If BMW can do a recall for the airbag module then they can do a recall for this also. If enough G12 owners who bought the Display Key complain to BMW just maybe we can get this done. The Tesla Version 7.1 software update, was automatically sent out wirelessly to all Model S vehicles this spring. DUH!! This may be the last BMW that I buy, if this is how BMW treat their customers.

Originally Posted by Jflint47

BMW is refusing to retro fit the 7 series mfg. before March 2016 with this feature. I was told by BMW NA when I bought the car, that when they got approval from the US that the upgrade would be added to the cars. I purchased the Display Key for this reason alone.They are saying now that is a hardware issue and are not going to do it. This is like the list of features that were advertised on the BMW NA website for the car that were not available on the US cars. I have filed a complaint with BMW NA on Sept. 16th and am waiting a response. If BMW can do a recall for the airbag module then they can do a recall for this also. If enough G12 owners who bought the Display Key complain to BMW just maybe we can get this done. The Tesla Version 7.1 software update, was automatically sent out wirelessly to all Model S vehicles this spring. DUH!! This may be the last BMW that I buy, if this is how BMW treat their customers.

Yeah - that is a pitta since it was part of the early 'featured' tech that the 7 would include. I for 1 think the feature that will see more use than one might initially expect.

Originally Posted by Jflint47

BMW is refusing to retro fit the 7 series mfg. before March 2016 with this feature. I was told by BMW NA when I bought the car, that when they got approval from the US that the upgrade would be added to the cars. I purchased the Display Key for this reason alone.They are saying now that is a hardware issue and are not going to do it. This is like the list of features that were advertised on the BMW NA website for the car that were not available on the US cars. I have filed a complaint with BMW NA on Sept. 16th and am waiting a response. If BMW can do a recall for the airbag module then they can do a recall for this also. If enough G12 owners who bought the Display Key complain to BMW just maybe we can get this done. The Tesla Version 7.1 software update, was automatically sent out wirelessly to all Model S vehicles this spring. DUH!! This may be the last BMW that I buy, if this is how BMW treat their customers.

Is there someone specifically that you contacted? If so, then we can direct our complaints to the same person for greater impact.

I should here from them today. I'll post the name and any other information available.

Any update?

Yes. BMW WILL NOT RETRO THE G12's mfg. Before March 2016. We are SOL. Guess we can always use the Display Key for a trotline weight. I suggested BMW NA give us a refund for the $250.00 or a gift certificate for BMW products. The rep said he would present my idea to management and should have a response this week. If enough of call BMW NA it could help our case.

You are entitled to your opinion. Since neither are available in the US what difference does it make. I really don't want either one. I am trying to get BMW to give us a refund or credit for misrepresenting the car for features not Available in North America. This isn't my first 7 series, but I may be my last.

Originally Posted by Jflint47

I am trying to get BMW to give us a refund or credit for misrepresenting the car for features not Available in North America. This isn't my first 7 series, but I may be my last.

I'm not trying to be argumentative, but was it misrepresented, though? I knew when I ordered my (February build) car that remote parking wasn't available in NA. Nobody at BMW, corporate or dealership, tried to tell me otherwise. I've never purchased a car with the expectation that something would later be made available and retrofitted.

That is understandable in February. I ordered mine on July 17, 2015 after a private showing of the car by BMW NA to select buyers in Dallas. I took delivery Nov. 2, 2015. I was told it would be made available in the spring of 2016. So BMW promised something that they cannot deliver. My point is this. They played me and I want some kind of satisfaction from BMW.

Originally Posted by Jflint47

That is understandable in February. I ordered mine on July 17, 2015 after a private showing of the car by BMW NA to select buyers in Dallas. I took delivery Nov. 2, 2015. I was told it would be made available in the spring of 2016. So BMW promised something that they cannot deliver. My point is this. They played me and I want some kind of satisfaction from BMW.

They told you the feature would be retrofitted? If so, I can understand your point.

That is exactly what they told me. Since they did these previews in major cities (LA, DAL, NYC, ATL) I am sure that I'm not the only one. Hopefully others will join me and press BMW for restitution for a useless Display Key.