BMW Advanced Car eye Camera (Dash Cam)

[jwzimm]

Originally Posted by paliknight

If you dont mind, can you post how everything went with the dealer and how much they charged you? I am interested in this option but need to know the dealers in the US would install and warranty the install.

Sure. It is likely going to be after the new year though. I am going to have them install when I bring it in for my 1200 mile service.

My SA said they should be able to do it just fine though. He said their hourly rate is $140 per hour and the instructions say it should take about 1.5 hours.

[VinnyA320]

Hey guys! I ordered the BMW dash cam from ECS and will hopefully get it delivered this week. I'll try and do a DIY guide and take pics when I do the installation. Called my local dealership and also getbmwparts.c#m and was told the BMW dash cam is not available for purchase via US BMW parts dealers right now. It is up to each individual service mgr. to make the call if they would like to cover the install. I have no gotten a call back saying if they would do it yet but the install seems pretty straightforward with the BMW installation instructions. I'll follow up later this week. I need something to keep me occupied with the car in PA during the winter! LCI taillights are in, Bavsound subs are in, next is this!
Vinny

[Mantii]

Originally Posted by VinnyA320

Hey guys! I ordered the BMW dash cam from ECS and will hopefully get it delivered this week. I'll try and do a DIY guide and take pics when I do the installation. Called my local dealership and also getbmwparts.c#m and was told the BMW dash cam is not available for purchase via US BMW parts dealers right now. It is up to each individual service mgr. to make the call if they would like to cover the install. I have no gotten a call back saying if they would do it yet but the install seems pretty straightforward with the BMW installation instructions. I'll follow up later this week. I need something to keep me occupied with the car in PA during the winter! LCI taillights are in, Bavsound subs are in, next is this!
Vinny

Please keep us updated. I've got the BMW cam as well....dealer said they would install it but want an arm and leg to do it. If you can do a DIY and let us know how it went with the install, I think a lot of people would find it quite helpful!

[VinnyA320]

Originally Posted by Mantii

Please keep us updated. I've got the BMW cam as well....dealer said they would install it but want an arm and leg to do it. If you can do a DIY and let us know how it went with the install, I think a lot of people would find it quite helpful!

Will do!

[Sterrico]

So the instructions say 1.5 hours for both front and rear camera install. What's the going rate at BMW dealers now a days? $150/hr? So around 225 correct? I'm curious if it truly takes 1/5 hours. Keep up posted on DIY. I'm VERY interested in this!

[VinnyA320]

Originally Posted by Sterrico

So the instructions say 1.5 hours for both front and rear camera install. What's the going rate at BMW dealers now a days? $150/hr? So around 225 correct? I'm curious if it truly takes 1/5 hours. Keep up posted on DIY. I'm VERY interested in this!

My local bmw dealerships rate is $115/hr. Still expensive for what i think will be an easy install. I'll try and put together a good DIY with pics when i do the install.

[jwzimm]

Originally Posted by VinnyA320

My local bmw dealerships rate is $115/hr. Still expensive for what i think will be an easy install. I'll try and put together a good DIY with pics when i do the install.

I would attempt the install myself honestly if I wasn't so freakin scared of routing the wire for the rear camera. So many panel removals and potentials for broken clips and added rattles.

[VinnyA320]

Installed this today! I'll try and get the DIY guide started this week.

[jwzimm]

Originally Posted by VinnyA320

Installed this today! I'll try and get the DIY guide started this week.

Congrats. I will be getting mine installed on the 1st when the car goes in for the 1200 mile service.

By the way, did you install the rear camera too? How did you route the wire?

[VinnyA320]

Originally Posted by jwzimm

Congrats. I will be getting mine installed on the 1st when the car goes in for the 1200 mile service.

By the way, did you install the rear camera too? How did you route the wire?

I did install the rear camera. I followed the official BMW installation instructions and routed the wire along the bottom side along the passenger doors. I took lots of pictures. Taking my time, i'd say the install took me 3-4 hours. I had most of the panels removed before the cameras arrived. The bmw install instructions say 1.5 hrs, but i would say that would have to be a pretty good tech who knows right where to place everything. I'm going to put together a detailed DIY this week when i get some time. My local dealership wanted 2 hours for the job which would have been around $230+ AND they wouldnt warranty anything since they were euro bmw parts so to me it was pointless without that.

[milk242]

Originally Posted by VinnyA320

I did install the rear camera. I followed the official BMW installation instructions and routed the wire along the bottom side along the passenger doors. I took lots of pictures. Taking my time, i'd say the install took me 3-4 hours. I had most of the panels removed before the cameras arrived. The bmw install instructions say 1.5 hrs, but i would say that would have to be a pretty good tech who knows right where to place everything. I'm going to put together a detailed DIY this week when i get some time. My local dealership wanted 2 hours for the job which would have been around $230+ AND they wouldnt warranty anything since they were euro bmw parts so to me it was pointless without that.

What panels did you remove? Did you by chance remove the back seats to route the wire?

[VinnyA320]

Originally Posted by milk242

What panels did you remove? Did you by chance remove the back seats to route the wire?

I did remove the lower part of the back seats which are extremely easy. They are only held in by 2 clips on the bottom. I will have pictures in the DIY. The only other issue is just pushing the seat belt buckles through and the back seat comes right out. I would also advise getting some spare plastic fasteners which cost me around $5 at my local bmw parts shop which are used for the other panels you run the wires under. (50 Cents each) i'll detail that as well.

[milk242]

Originally Posted by VinnyA320

I did remove the lower part of the back seats which are extremely easy. They are only held in by 2 clips on the bottom. I will have pictures in the DIY. The only other issue is just pushing the seat belt buckles through and the back seat comes right out. I would also advise getting some spare plastic fasteners which cost me around $5 at my local bmw parts shop which are used for the other panels you run the wires under. (50 Cents each) i'll detail that as well.

Awesome!, can't wait for the DIY

[jwzimm]

Originally Posted by VinnyA320

I did install the rear camera. I followed the official BMW installation instructions and routed the wire along the bottom side along the passenger doors. I took lots of pictures. Taking my time, i'd say the install took me 3-4 hours. I had most of the panels removed before the cameras arrived. The bmw install instructions say 1.5 hrs, but i would say that would have to be a pretty good tech who knows right where to place everything. I'm going to put together a detailed DIY this week when i get some time. My local dealership wanted 2 hours for the job which would have been around $230+ AND they wouldnt warranty anything since they were euro bmw parts so to me it was pointless without that.

Excellent. Normally I am all DIY but I just can't bring myself to tear apart my brand-spankin new BMW M3. My dealer said that they will go by the BMW estimate and they charge $150/hr. We shall see.

[VinnyA320]

Originally Posted by jwzimm

Excellent. Normally I am all DIY but I just can't bring myself to tear apart my brand-spankin new BMW M3. My dealer said that they will go by the BMW estimate and they charge $150/hr. We shall see.

I understand. I felt the same way taking the panels off. My only peace of mind is that i know who did the work and how it was done.

[farbmw]

Bump for updates.

[Sterrico]

Bump again.

[VinnyA320]

Originally Posted by Sterrico

Bump again.

Im starting the DIY this evening and should have a good deal of it done tonight. Took a ride a few days ago and the device works great!

[VinnyA320]

DIY is up!
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1220468

[jwzimm]

Originally Posted by paliknight

If you dont mind, can you post how everything went with the dealer and how much they charged you? I am interested in this option but need to know the dealers in the US would install and warranty the install.

I just got my car back from having the 1200 mile service done. I had them do the camera install at the same time. It went great. They did break a clip on the A-pillar trim but they ordered a replacement part and will install once it comes in. The charged me $190 plus tax ($208 total). I think this is a great deal to avoid the headache of tearing the car up.

[Mrklaw]

if only the front cam was the size of the rear cam, and it had a little head unit you could stash in the glovebox. I'd happily use my phone to access it. It just seems like having a screen on the back makes it
- bigger
- more noticable/less discreet
- more likely to have your car broken into because some idiot thinks its a satnav.

[jwzimm]

FYI to anyone looking at this. I was originally dismayed that the BMW software would not run on my Mac. Well I found a freeware (restricted) software that will read the files!! Check out http://dashcamviewer.com/