Reverse Camera Retrofit

northernmonkey · 02-09-2011, 08:31 AM

I see this is available. its one of the options I didn't go for....good job as well as the list was getting ridiculous.

Anyway i'm now considering it as a retrofit but two things i'm unsure about:

1. is it exactly same system that would have been fitted in the factory?

2. does fitting it involve the local dealer techs removing a lot of trim OR is the wiring already there (or most of it) as part of the existing loom?

anyone know? had the work done? I don't really want to go for it if it involves the dealer removing too much trim as I just get the feeling it wouldn't get put back right...stupid i know.

ukgthor · 02-09-2011, 08:51 AM

I wasn't aware of this, like you I would be interested in a retrofit if/when available. What's the cost involved ?

kel3 · 02-09-2011, 12:02 PM

Its a great option to have I have top cam front cam and rear cam. Good luck with the retrofit!

nyranger74 · 02-09-2011, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northernmonkey

I see this is available. its one of the options I didn't go for....good job as well as the list was getting ridiculous.

Anyway i'm now considering it as a retrofit but two things i'm unsure about:

1. is it exactly same system that would have been fitted in the factory?

2. does fitting it involve the local dealer techs removing a lot of trim OR is the wiring already there (or most of it) as part of the existing loom?

anyone know? had the work done? I don't really want to go for it if it involves the dealer removing too much trim as I just get the feeling it wouldn't get put back right...stupid i know.

So you didn't want to spend $350 when you ordered the car and now you went to spend at least triple to retrofit it? Doesn't make sense.

Jon D · 02-09-2011, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northernmonkey

I see this is available. its one of the options I didn't go for....good job as well as the list was getting ridiculous.

Anyway i'm now considering it as a retrofit but two things i'm unsure about:

1. is it exactly same system that would have been fitted in the factory?

2. does fitting it involve the local dealer techs removing a lot of trim OR is the wiring already there (or most of it) as part of the existing loom?

anyone know? had the work done? I don't really want to go for it if it involves the dealer removing too much trim as I just get the feeling it wouldn't get put back right...stupid i know.

I'd recommend you trying it out on a demonstrater before you bother with it.
I have it on my car but, to be honest I don't really use it all that much, especially at the moment with all the winter road muck obscuring it very quickly. I much prefer to rely on the beeper and side mirrors.

northernmonkey · 02-09-2011, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyranger74

So you didn't want to spend $350 when you ordered the car and now you went to spend at least triple to retrofit it? Doesn't make sense.

my car was a cancelled order that was almost my ideal spec so i snapped it up and only had a 2 week wait from order to it being on my driveway. hence i didn't get to adjust the spec as when i put the deposit down the car was about to board a ferry bound for the UK

northernmonkey · 02-09-2011, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon D

I'd recommend you trying it out on a demonstrater before you bother with it.
I have it on my car but, to be honest I don't really use it all that much, especially at the moment with all the winter road muck obscuring it very quickly. I much prefer to rely on the beeper and side mirrors.

thanks for the feedback Jon. so the cameras become obscured pretty quickly then during the winter with all the road muck? might give it a miss then. I did try it on a demo and it worked well but that was ages ago in a clean car on a sunny day.

out of interest does the camera have a night mode? even my £150 video baby monitor has a night mode so i was hoping the reverse camera did as well.

nyranger74 · 02-09-2011, 02:44 PM

The camera is fantastic at night.

kel3 · 02-09-2011, 02:49 PM

I concur, works great at night and u can adjust contrast and brightness and you see fit...

ghueser · 02-09-2011, 04:29 PM

northernmonkey,

I would check with your dealer frist to see what they say. I suspect that adding the camera would be easy enough, but am not sure about the wiring and such. Normally, with most BMW's, all the main components or hardware for the stereo and such are located in the trunk, so if that is still the case, the camera wiring would likely stop there and not need to be routed all the way to the front of the car and to the screen. (That being said, there are a lot of dealers that just won't try a modification of this sort.)

Second, there are some aftermarket firms that are offering various upgrades and modules for our new car already. One is alekshop.com Look at their website and you will see that they have the backup camera. You will also see that their model fits in a section of one of the License plate lights, so no drilling or modification is required to install. I know nothing about them so you will need to investigate furhter if they are reputable or not. There is one other firm that I have seen with the light integrated as a part of trunk handle switch assembly as well. Cannot remember their name.

Either way, I really don't think you are stuck with not having the camera. BMW's are now modular and would guess that the only thing missing from your car that does not have it, to mine that does, is the camera assembly, the wiring that goes from it to the video module, and possibly a code that tells the system you have a camera.

As with anything, it will just cost some money and time, but would look at this from a standpoint of the incremental cost you would be paying over and above what it would have cost if you had been able to add this to your original spec sheet. I have to say that I do like mine a lot and along with the sensors, helps greatly on navigating the car whenever in reverse.

Good luck with the investigation.

Jon D · 02-09-2011, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyranger74

The camera is fantastic at night.

Yes it is, provided you deploy the lens cleaning device - otherwise known as getting out of the car in the snow/rain/hail and wiping the crud off it with a rag

That's why I prefer to stay dry and use the beepers/mirrors instead.

bfv · 02-09-2011, 06:05 PM

Northernmonkey,

Don't worry about cameras getting dirty...just try to get them on the car if you can. If dealers say NO, look at amazon.com...some DIY kits available if you are inclined.
BMW needs to put a camera on front bumper as well...helps me parking in tough NYC places! Best!

LACSTER · 02-09-2011, 08:03 PM

Here's my car with Alekshops retro kit. It's not three times what the dealer charges but with this option you also get the media player as well.

http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=447576

bfv · 02-09-2011, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LACSTER

Here's my car with Alekshops retro kit. It's not three times what the dealer charges but with this option you also get the media player as well.

http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=447576

AWESOME

02-09-2011, 08:31 AM	#1
northernmonkey Second Lieutenant 24 Rep 298 Posts Drives: F11 530d MSpt Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: SouthEast iTrader: (0)	Reverse Camera Retrofit I see this is available. its one of the options I didn't go for....good job as well as the list was getting ridiculous. Anyway i'm now considering it as a retrofit but two things i'm unsure about: 1. is it exactly same system that would have been fitted in the factory? 2. does fitting it involve the local dealer techs removing a lot of trim OR is the wiring already there (or most of it) as part of the existing loom? anyone know? had the work done? I don't really want to go for it if it involves the dealer removing too much trim as I just get the feeling it wouldn't get put back right...stupid i know.
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02-09-2011, 08:51 AM	#2
ukgthor New Member 5 Rep 15 Posts Drives: E61 525d Touring M Sport Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: London - UK iTrader: (0)	I wasn't aware of this, like you I would be interested in a retrofit if/when available. What's the cost involved ?
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02-09-2011, 12:02 PM	#3
kel3 Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 296 Posts Drives: 2011 f10 528i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Boston Ma iTrader: (0)	Its a great option to have I have top cam front cam and rear cam. Good luck with the retrofit!
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02-09-2011, 02:44 PM	#8
nyranger74 Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 220 Posts Drives: 2016 750i Sapphire Black Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (0)	The camera is fantastic at night.
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02-09-2011, 02:49 PM	#9
kel3 Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 296 Posts Drives: 2011 f10 528i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Boston Ma iTrader: (0)	I concur, works great at night and u can adjust contrast and brightness and you see fit...
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02-09-2011, 04:29 PM	#10
ghueser Lieutenant 36 Rep 519 Posts Drives: 2014 M5 Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Louis iTrader: (0)	northernmonkey, I would check with your dealer frist to see what they say. I suspect that adding the camera would be easy enough, but am not sure about the wiring and such. Normally, with most BMW's, all the main components or hardware for the stereo and such are located in the trunk, so if that is still the case, the camera wiring would likely stop there and not need to be routed all the way to the front of the car and to the screen. (That being said, there are a lot of dealers that just won't try a modification of this sort.) Second, there are some aftermarket firms that are offering various upgrades and modules for our new car already. One is alekshop.com Look at their website and you will see that they have the backup camera. You will also see that their model fits in a section of one of the License plate lights, so no drilling or modification is required to install. I know nothing about them so you will need to investigate furhter if they are reputable or not. There is one other firm that I have seen with the light integrated as a part of trunk handle switch assembly as well. Cannot remember their name. Either way, I really don't think you are stuck with not having the camera. BMW's are now modular and would guess that the only thing missing from your car that does not have it, to mine that does, is the camera assembly, the wiring that goes from it to the video module, and possibly a code that tells the system you have a camera. As with anything, it will just cost some money and time, but would look at this from a standpoint of the incremental cost you would be paying over and above what it would have cost if you had been able to add this to your original spec sheet. I have to say that I do like mine a lot and along with the sensors, helps greatly on navigating the car whenever in reverse. Good luck with the investigation.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-09-2011, 06:05 PM	#12
bfv Private First Class 10 Rep 139 Posts Drives: Bajaj Auto Rickshaw Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sky iTrader: (0)	Northernmonkey, Don't worry about cameras getting dirty...just try to get them on the car if you can. If dealers say NO, look at amazon.com...some DIY kits available if you are inclined. BMW needs to put a camera on front bumper as well...helps me parking in tough NYC places! Best! Last edited by bfv; 02-09-2011 at 06:42 PM..
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02-09-2011, 08:03 PM	#13
LACSTER Major General 755 Rep 8,279 Posts Drives: Hybrid Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: oc iTrader: (64)	Here's my car with Alekshops retro kit. It's not three times what the dealer charges but with this option you also get the media player as well. http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=447576
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