OEM like front camera retrofit?

[yami sukehiro]

Is there no retrofit front camera that works like the OEM ones on newer models? Specifically, one that takes over the idrive screen automatically when it detects the car is getting close to something?

Software wise, I have no idea how the OEM ones work, but my best guess would be it uses the front PDC sensors to check if it should flip on the front camera view or not. Is that impossible to code or something by 3rd parties?

I was considering getting the one from bimmertech but it doesn't auto take over the screen, which really to me is the whole point

[hC1001]

Originally Posted by yami sukehiro

Is there no retrofit front camera that works like the OEM ones on newer models? Specifically, one that takes over the idrive screen automatically when it detects the car is getting close to something?

Software wise, I have no idea how the OEM ones work, but my best guess would be it uses the front PDC sensors to check if it should flip on the front camera view or not. Is that impossible to code or something by 3rd parties?

I was considering getting the one from bimmertech but it doesn't auto take over the screen, which really to me is the whole point

You are not gonna find anything that integrates with the idrive system... The stock system wasnt designed for a front camera and theres no way around that... I would love to have a front camera with 360 view though, not sure why BMW dropped the ball on it...

You could relocate the front side bumper cameras to the front but since it wasnt designed to be a single view, it wont really look that great.

[SanchoDivine]

I have the bimmertech front cam and even though it doesnt automatically turn on, it's pretty nice to use whenever I park forward since my car is both lowered and has a CF lip.

[lawnmower351]

I added an andream MMI, similar to Bimmertech, a front and rear camera. The front camera is triggered when on hold down the option button. I use it all the time when parking. The rear camera works when I shift into reverse. The system work well. Since I used andream MMI and amazon cameras the system was significantly cheaper them Bimmertech.

[White340]

How did you install the front cam? I want one!

[lawnmower351]

I did remove the front bumper when I installed the camera for the second time. The first time I just drilled a hole and mounted the amazon camera linked below.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1
The camera needs a 6mm or 1/4 hole. Removing the bumper is actually pretty easy, and I also remove and repainted all the lower grills black.
The andream for the F30/F80 radios is shown in the link below. It contains all the info, software and installation.
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1675929
If you are a DIY person, than it's not that hard to install. I found a grommet on the passenger side of the engine compartment, under the fuse box, to route the wiring. No drilling into metal was required. If you are interested, I can provided pictures. What makes BMW's great are the tons of info available on this forum and youtube.

[deeLow]

Originally Posted by lawnmower351

I did remove the front bumper when I installed the camera for the second time. The first time I just drilled a hole and mounted the amazon camera linked below.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1
The camera needs a 6mm or 1/4 hole. Removing the bumper is actually pretty easy, and I also remove and repainted all the lower grills black.
The andream for the F30/F80 radios is shown in the link below. It contains all the info, software and installation.
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1675929
If you are a DIY person, than it's not that hard to install. I found a grommet on the passenger side of the engine compartment, under the fuse box, to route the wiring. No drilling into metal was required. If you are interested, I can provided pictures. What makes BMW's great are the tons of info available on this forum and youtube.

What quikjack version do you have??? Sweet setup!

[lawnmower351]

Originally Posted by deeLow

What quikjack version do you have??? Sweet setup!

BL-5000SLX 5,000 lbs, works great for these cars.