Blind Spot?

[handymanuk]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum. I ordered my M40i in Frozen Grey last week so waiting for that to turn up (end of March I hope). I've been reading through the reviews and also comments on forums and one thing that stuck out to me on one review was mention of a big blind spot when changing lanes. The review mentioned that when the roof is up, the roof line blocks any rear quarter view and makes it difficult to see when changing lanes. I can't say that I noticed it when I test drove the car, but I didn't spend a lot of time on dual carriageways.

Have other owners found this to be an issue?

[Jim S]

I have not noticed any excessive restricted view in my car when while driving with the roof up. However, when reversing the car the view is quite restricted. If you have the reversing camera in your car this should not pose much of a problem.
Enjoy your new car when it arrives.

[Z4monster]

Much like any other two seat convertible, the roof does have a bit of a blind spot over the shoulder. However, I don't find it a problem 99% of the time. There is just one junction that means I have to lean forward to see backwards over my shoulder but that is more to do with the oblique angle of the junction than any blind spot.

The one issue I do have with blind spots is forwards over the drivers mirror and A pillar area. This causes a massive blind spot at junctions and you can easily hide large vehicles there if you're not being attentive. I've not had any serious issues but you do have to check around the pillar/mirror before puling out.

[buzyg]

Welcome to the forum. Which Z4 do you have?

Can't say I have ever noticed a blind spot on the E85, but I usually have the roof down.

[dr_john]

I’ve not noticed any problems in my G29, and the reversing camera is great when backing up.

I previously had a Porsche Boxster, that really did have blind spot problem especially when reversing with roof up.

[handymanuk]

Thanks all. I think I'm a bit worried about changing lanes where I have to look over my left shoulder. I guess I'll just have to see what it's like. Glad to hear that it's not an issue for others though.

Welcome to the forum. Which Z4 do you have?

Thank you. I have a G29 M40i on order. Hoping that it will arrive before the end of March.

[buzyg]

Thanks all. I think I'm a bit worried about changing lanes where I have to look over my left shoulder. I guess I'll just have to see what it's like. Glad to hear that it's not an issue for others though.

Welcome to the forum. Which Z4 do you have?

Thank you. I have a G29 M40i on order. Hoping that it will arrive before the end of March.

I should have worked that out really.

[ronk]

Thanks all. I think I'm a bit worried about changing lanes where I have to look over my left shoulder.

Do you mean after you've overtaken and going back into lane?

[handymanuk]

Yes, on a dual carriageway or motorway.

[ronk]

I think you’ll not find any problems in that scenario - I find I have a problem joining a main road from an oblique angled side road with the roof up. I find I’m forced to approach the main road in a forced perpendicular attitude as the heavies do!

Of course it’s worse when I take the car to Europe!

[blaird03]

I also came from a TTS to M40i (same spec as your order).
No need to worry about the blind spot , not any worse than it is in the TTS.

[German1967]

There is a significant blind spot with the roof up (like with most soft tops I presume) Fix is to adjust the side mirrors accordingly and/or order the blind spot detection nanny. Regarding backing out of parking slots: yes, the rear view camera and cross traffic warning help, but I have made a habit to park into spots rear first whenever possible.

[handymanuk]

Thanks for all of your replies. I feel a bit more reassured now.

I also came from a TTS to M40i (same spec as your order).

Cool, I might start a separate thread to get your thoughts!

[raven]

With the roof up there is a big blind spot when looking over your shoulders
but it is manageable
The rear view camera works really well, you just have to remember to keep it clean when driving on wet road surfaces.
Also the reversing / parking assistant works really well.
In normal traffic its not really an issue, using the mirrors in the car you can see everything around it really well, blind spot monitoring is available, and you sit so close to the rear of the car that once you passed a car and its no longer in your side view its safe to go back to your previous lane

[ronk]

The roof up blind spot is bad when driving in Europe with the roof on. Especially so when turning right at an angled junction- it’s either drop the roof or trust the passenger.