Retrofit OEM rear camera?

[WIKDF80]

I purchased pre-owned and it was everything I wanted to the T... except it didn't have the parking sensors, rearview camera option(s). Obviously not a deal breaker in my book. It doesn't have the HUD either but that I can live without.

When I stopped by the dealer recently to pick up a couple things, the guy behind the service counter said he didn't think it was possible to retrofit an OEM reverse cam to the vehicle. Obviously that didn't sound possible but I just thought I would check in with the forum.

So can it be done? Can I take it to BMW and have the OEM camera fitted and operational?

I really don't want some off the shelf setup. I won't do wires all over the place and extra crap sitting on the dash etc. Not to mention wireless flicker from some of these units. No thanks.

2017 F80 DCT Comp!

[SanchoDivine]

Yes, you can retrofit the OEM camera but I think without sensors you will have a nonfunctional portion of the screen. You can retrofit the sensors as well if OEM is important to you but that will require removing your bumpers and drilling holes.

bimmer-tech offers these kits.

IMO, you're better off buying one of their non-OEM kits. I got their MMI kit which enabled me to have both the front and rear view cameras which is ideal if you are lowered and have carbon fiber surrounding your car like I do.

There's no "wires all over the place" or anything "sitting on the dash".

Navtv also offers products as well and there's a couple threads discussing these things.

I'll probably do a review of my set up as I have done with some of the other extras that I have added to my car. For now all I have are a couple pictures:

[WIKDF80]

Thank you. That system looks awesome. I could really use that front camera as well!! I'll be checking it out soon.

[rexmoon6551]

I order the camera from Bimmer Retrofit for my 2015 m3 NBT. http://www.bimmerretrofit.com/store/...product_id=114

They said they will give me a code for my car, but I still need to get it done by bmw specialist. The bmw want 1000$ for install. If I have the code and I can install the camera into, do I really need to get it done by bmw specialist in order to not messing my car.

[SaMaster14]

Originally Posted by SanchoDivine

Yes, you can retrofit the OEM camera but I think without sensors you will have a nonfunctional portion of the screen. You can retrofit the sensors as well if OEM is important to you but that will require removing your bumpers and drilling holes.

bimmer-tech offers these kits.

IMO, you're better off buying one of their non-OEM kits. I got their MMI kit which enabled me to have both the front and rear view cameras which is ideal if you are lowered and have carbon fiber surrounding your car like I do.

There's no "wires all over the place" or anything "sitting on the dash".

Navtv also offers products as well and there's a couple threads discussing these things.

I'll probably do a review of my set up as I have done with some of the other extras that I have added to my car. For now all I have are a couple pictures:

I'm looking to do this for my '15 M3. I was wondering if you had a link to all of the products you purchased from bimmertech. Set-up looks like exactly what I need!

[cobbyy]

I have OEM integrated kit from bimmer-tech on my car. Looks like oem.

[SanchoDivine]

Originally Posted by SaMaster14

I'm looking to do this for my '15 M3. I was wondering if you had a link to all of the products you purchased from bimmertech. Set-up looks like exactly what I need!

Rear View Camera Retrofit (MMI)

Front View Camera Retrofit

https://www.bimmer-tech.net/shop/bmw...sist-retrofits

[BzsBimmer]

Send them a PM (look in vendor section) and ask for a discount.

[BzsBimmer]

I also ordered the flexview add on with mine but I’m on the fence on usability.
If I had to do it again, I’d just order the front and rear cameras.

[idrg2016]

Originally Posted by SanchoDivine

Yes, you can retrofit the OEM camera but I think without sensors you will have a nonfunctional portion of the screen. You can retrofit the sensors as well if OEM is important to you but that will require removing your bumpers and drilling holes.

bimmer-tech offers these kits.

IMO, you're better off buying one of their non-OEM kits. I got their MMI kit which enabled me to have both the front and rear view cameras which is ideal if you are lowered and have carbon fiber surrounding your car like I do.

There's no "wires all over the place" or anything "sitting on the dash".

Navtv also offers products as well and there's a couple threads discussing these things.

I'll probably do a review of my set up as I have done with some of the other extras that I have added to my car. For now all I have are a couple pictures:

Nice !!!!
Is it hard to do DIY?
Any links to follow?

[SanchoDivine]

Originally Posted by idrg2016

Nice !!!!
Is it hard to do DIY?
Any links to follow?

Rear view camera is pretty straight forward. More so if you have a DCT instead of 6MT. 6MT requires an extra wire to be run and tapped into the reverse lights and adjustments to the options in the software.

Instructions and video are provided. A little outdated but for the most part will help you complete the job.

Front camera was a little bit of a PITA.

[idrg2016]

Originally Posted by SanchoDivine

Rear view camera is pretty straight forward. More so if you have a DCT instead of 6MT. 6MT requires an extra wire to be run and tapped into the reverse lights and adjustments to the options in the software.

Instructions and video are provided. A little outdated but for the most part will help you complete the job.

Front camera was a little bit of a PITA.

Thanks

[Samf82m4]

Originally Posted by SanchoDivine

Rear view camera is pretty straight forward. More so if you have a DCT instead of 6MT. 6MT requires an extra wire to be run and tapped into the reverse lights and adjustments to the options in the software.

Instructions and video are provided. A little outdated but for the most part will help you complete the job.

Front camera was a little bit of a PITA.

Any update 3 years later? I'm looking to get this on my 6MT F82. I heard it's slightly harder on the manual versions.

[SanchoDivine]

Originally Posted by Samf82m4

Any update 3 years later? I'm looking to get this on my 6MT F82. I heard it's slightly harder on the manual versions.

Still working great, definitely a must have for anyone that likes to back into spaces or has a lowered car with a lip (front camera)!

Doing things the first time seem a little more challenging because of the learning/exploratory nature of DIY. It's just an extra wire that taps into the reverse lights. A wire tap is provided and should be used for this and the correct wire to tap into was identified in the instructions. The video was outdated with some craziness about the camera's power wire needing splicing or something like that but that was no longer the case, it was more plug and play.

If you want a front cam and rear cam, this is a nice solution. My only gripe is that I have broken the glass on the front camera a couple times by debris and wish it were stronger. The lens is replaceable at $30.

Edit: here's a non-professional video review I did

[BzsBimmer]

Another data point here.
Still love mine as well. I think we got ours done relatively around same time SanchoDivine..

I’ve integrated my cams now into my MMC unit so I now have CarPlay. The replacement camera’s are hard to source. I broke a lens on mine as well and didn’t know you could buy lenses! I ended up just getting another camera and swapping the lens assembly lol.

[SanchoDivine]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

Another data point here.
Still love mine as well. I think we got ours done relatively around same time SanchoDivine..

I’ve integrated my cams now into my MMC unit so I now have CarPlay. The replacement camera’s are hard to source. I broke a lens on mine as well and didn’t know you could buy lenses! I ended up just getting another camera and swapping the lens assembly lol.

Yeah you have to reach out to Bimmertech. I buy a couple at a time to have on hand because you dont want to get water in it when the lens is broken. Much cheaper than buying a new camera. I also had bought a new since I initially didn't know how to replace the lens and ended up taking the camera apart and dorking things up. The threaded sleeve screws off and that's how you replace the camera without having to take it apart! I asked them to make it possible to order the lenses on their site but it has yet to happen.

[PAVZ]

Originally Posted by SanchoDivine

Yeah you have to reach out to Bimmertech. I buy a couple at a time to have on hand because you dont want to get water in it when the lens is broken. Much cheaper than buying a new camera. I also had bought a new since I initially didn't know how to replace the lens and ended up taking the camera apart and dorking things up. The threaded sleeve screws off and that's how you replace the camera without having to take it apart! I asked them to make it possible to order the lenses on their site but it has yet to happen.

Is removing the front bumper required to install front camera? I wonder how much of work it is involved to get it done.
Thanks for the photos you provided, nice to see how it look fitted to the car.

[BzsBimmer]

It’s not “required” but it does make it easier to run wiring and remove the grill to make the hole.