Rear view camera poor image quality

Oakleyguy · 08-27-2014, 08:25 PM

On the topic of the rear view camera: Does the 3/4 series have the reverse "path lines?" Mine didn't have it, but I wasn't sure the "path" was an option I had switched off.

SteveSpy · 08-27-2014, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lups

Candy does not help ever.

Hey. Leave my mistress out of this.

SteveSpy · 08-27-2014, 08:35 PM

Now to address the OP. I leave for work around 630am every morning and when I am backing out of my garage, I can't see dick in the rear view camera. It is true, it does suck in dark conditions but WHO CARES!!!!!!!!! WE HAVE AN F8x DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!! SCREEEEEW THE REAR VIEW CAMERA!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lups · 08-27-2014, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveSpy

Now to address the OP. I leave for work around 630am every morning and when I am backing out of my garage, I can't see dick in the rear view camera. It is true, it does suck in dark conditions but WHO CARES!!!!!!!!! WE HAVE AN F8x DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!! SCREEEEEW THE REAR VIEW CAMERA!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And that's the reason Spy is on my friend list!

04RC51 · 08-28-2014, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oakleyguy

On the topic of the rear view camera: Does the 3/4 series have the reverse "path lines?" Mine didn't have it, but I wasn't sure the "path" was an option I had switched off.

Mine has the path lines but I opted for the top/side camera option so I'm not sure if makes the difference.

So the bottom line is yes, it has the path lines, but I'm not sure if it's an option you or I did or didn't pay for.

Oakleyguy · 08-29-2014, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04RC51

Mine has the path lines but I opted for the top/side camera option so I'm not sure if makes the difference.

So the bottom line is yes, it has the path lines, but I'm not sure if it's an option you or I did or didn't pay for.

Indeed a mystery. I wonder if it's simply an idrive option, or if it can be coded on.

I only have exec pack, no top/side cams.

Sir Loin · 08-29-2014, 01:43 PM

So I did drive late last night, and in a dark area, the surround view cameras were just very dark, I couldn't see the ground until I drove close to something that would reflect light from my headlights to the ground.

Time to install some ground effects!

Sir Loin · 08-29-2014, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oakleyguy

On the topic of the rear view camera: Does the 3/4 series have the reverse "path lines?" Mine didn't have it, but I wasn't sure the "path" was an option I had switched off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04RC51

Mine has the path lines but I opted for the top/side camera option so I'm not sure if makes the difference.

So the bottom line is yes, it has the path lines, but I'm not sure if it's an option you or I did or didn't pay for.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oakleyguy

Indeed a mystery. I wonder if it's simply an idrive option, or if it can be coded on.

I only have exec pack, no top/side cams.

You can enable or disable the path lines in iDrive when the camera view is active. I just took the video below to demonstrate this:

M4oreign · 12-22-2014, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motex

Hey guys, just wanted to know if your rear view camera gives a decent image at night?
Mine is too dark, almost black....

UPDATE:
Here is a short (and poor) iPhone video I shut to demonstrate the problem with the rear view camera at night and low light conditions, on the first seconds the license plate lights are on, you can clearly see that everything behind the rear bumper almost disappears, then when I turn off the lights, you can see how image improves, definitely is a design mistake from BMW and mostly with light color cars like mine AW.

I've had this issue addressed to BMW North America, as I've been experiencing the same problem with my rear view camera with my Alpine White M4. When I took it in for service, they said "Due to the body structure of the vehicle and the reflection of the color - its obstructs the view of the rear view camera. No changes can be made."

I've been corresponding with Teresa from BMW North America Customer Relations. I would reach out to BMW Customer Relations with your claim that way we can build a case around this matter. Feel free to email me at naellsoroa@yahoo.com with any questions.

motex · 12-22-2014, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M4oreign

"Due to the body structure of the vehicle and the reflection of the color - its obstructs the view of the rear view camera. No changes can be made."

Pure BMW BS

tmdpo · 09-05-2015, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M4oreign

I've had this issue addressed to BMW North America, as I've been experiencing the same problem with my rear view camera with my Alpine White M4. When I took it in for service, they said "Due to the body structure of the vehicle and the reflection of the color - its obstructs the view of the rear view camera. No changes can be made."

I've been corresponding with Teresa from BMW North America Customer Relations. I would reach out to BMW Customer Relations with your claim that way we can build a case around this matter. Feel free to email me at naellsoroa@yahoo.com with any questions.

Did you ever find out anyting? I had the same issue with my 2015 AW M4...

F80///M3 · 09-05-2015, 11:23 PM

Same issue with AW F80. Guess no one has figured anything out?

dfwf80 · 09-06-2015, 12:21 PM

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...+up+camera+fix

motex · 09-08-2015, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F80///M3

Same issue with AW F80. Guess no one has figured anything out?

My car is at the dealership, they are replacing my camera with a new one (under warranty) can't wait for tomorrow to find if the problem is gone or not, will post my findings tomorrow night

mjcecil · 09-11-2015, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurnMeWallet

Haha, I don't think bmw ever had back up cameras! We've been eyeing bmw for the longest time, never bought one cause they never had back up camera as an option,,, finally this 2015 has it, and my wife puts a deposit on a m3 without hesitating...

Various models have had backup cams for a long time.

But, if you want something REALLY awesome, get the Top View and Side View cams.

I have these on both my M3 and my X5, and frigging LOVE them!

Mark

Relak · 01-21-2016, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motex

My car is at the dealership, they are replacing my camera with a new one (under warranty) can't wait for tomorrow to find if the problem is gone or not, will post my findings tomorrow night

Did you ever get the new camera? Did it make a difference? I'm running into the same issue and it's extremely annoying not being able to reverse into my garage in lowlight conditions

**nevermind, just saw on another thread that it didnt end up working for you

. I guess I'll try the electrical tape over the lens mod.. hopefully it adds some hp to the rear wheels too..**

TahoeM3 · 01-21-2016, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MKitSS

Did you ever get the new camera? Did it make a difference? I'm running into the same issue and it's extremely annoying not being able to reverse into my garage in lowlight conditions

**nevermind, just saw on another thread that it didnt end up working for you

. I guess I'll try the electrical tape over the lens mod.. hopefully it adds some hp to the rear wheels too..**

I did the electrical tape trick and it absolutely worked. It's just a matter of adjusting the tape so that it only covers the rear bumper. My rear camera works great at night now. I have no idea how BMW didn't catch this before releasing the car, but at least mine is working.

terahertz · 01-25-2016, 04:49 PM

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=836779

here's a coding fix I was going to try, but haven't had time.

jerivarola · 07-29-2018, 07:00 PM

I have an alpine white and at night the image from the camera is kind of yellowish and dark..... I am about to ask the dealer for a replacement

hlothery · 08-10-2018, 07:22 AM

My AW F83 had the same problem, and I tried the electrical tape and that solved the problem, but it kept falling off with washing, etc. I took some black paint and painted a very small strip where the electrical tape usually covered, just enough to obscure most of the rear bumper. This solved the problem. My backup camera now functions perfectly in all light (or total darkness). Simple fix which takes 5 minutes, and then you are done with it.

08-27-2014, 08:25 PM	#45
Oakleyguy Resident Engineer 135 Rep 748 Posts Drives: Land Cruiser Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Denver, CO / Tulsa, OK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 Toyota URJ200 [0.00] 2017 BMW M2 [0.00] 2015 BMW M4 [10.00] 2005 Toyota UZJ100 [0.00]	On the topic of the rear view camera: Does the 3/4 series have the reverse "path lines?" Mine didn't have it, but I wasn't sure the "path" was an option I had switched off. __________________ ///M4 (SO/BLK/BLK) Exec, LED, Blk 19s, HK, 6MT <- SOLD ///M2 (LBB), Exec, 6MT <- SOLD 2014 Land Cruiser, Slee Sliders, OME Lift, ARB Onboard Air European Delivery Journal & F8X Door Rattle Fix Machine Shop Directory - www.mfgcenter.com
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08-27-2014, 08:35 PM	#47
SteveSpy BMW Fanatic 374 Rep 1,413 Posts Drives: 2020 X3 M Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 X3 M40i [0.00]	Now to address the OP. I leave for work around 630am every morning and when I am backing out of my garage, I can't see dick in the rear view camera. It is true, it does suck in dark conditions but WHO CARES!!!!!!!!! WE HAVE AN F8x DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!! SCREEEEEW THE REAR VIEW CAMERA!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ SteveSpy Current Ride: 2020 X3 M
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08-29-2014, 01:43 PM	#51
Sir Loin M3AT LOVER 322 Rep 1,853 Posts Drives: Silverstone F80 M3 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	So I did drive late last night, and in a dark area, the surround view cameras were just very dark, I couldn't see the ground until I drove close to something that would reflect light from my headlights to the ground. Time to install some ground effects! __________________ 2015 F80 M3 \| SSII ext SO int \| M-DCT \| 19" Black Wheels
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09-05-2015, 11:23 PM	#56
F80///M3 Private 30 Rep 54 Posts Drives: F80 BMW M3 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	Same issue with AW F80. Guess no one has figured anything out?
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09-06-2015, 12:21 PM	#57
dfwf80 Private First Class 36 Rep 145 Posts Drives: 12 f30 335i and 12 x5d Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: dfw iTrader: (0)	http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...+up+camera+fix
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01-25-2016, 04:49 PM	#62
terahertz First Lieutenant 163 Rep 387 Posts Drives: 2016 F80 M3 AW Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0)	http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=836779 here's a coding fix I was going to try, but haven't had time.
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07-29-2018, 07:00 PM	#63
jerivarola New Member 2 Rep 10 Posts Drives: M3 F80 Alpine White DCT Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Lima, Peru iTrader: (0)	I have an alpine white and at night the image from the camera is kind of yellowish and dark..... I am about to ask the dealer for a replacement __________________ 2017 F80 M3 Alpine White DCT 2013 F30 335i M Estoril Blue II - SOLD 2010 E90 320i Alpine White - SOLD 1989 E30 318is Black - SOLD
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08-10-2018, 07:22 AM	#64
hlothery Seeking mental floss 482 Rep 806 Posts Drives: 2022 Mercedes EQS 450+ Join Date: May 2016 Location: San Antonio, Tx iTrader: (0)	My AW F83 had the same problem, and I tried the electrical tape and that solved the problem, but it kept falling off with washing, etc. I took some black paint and painted a very small strip where the electrical tape usually covered, just enough to obscure most of the rear bumper. This solved the problem. My backup camera now functions perfectly in all light (or total darkness). Simple fix which takes 5 minutes, and then you are done with it.
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