Bimmertech front & rear camera review

slats1279 · 03-23-2017, 06:10 AM

Ordered the BimmerTech MMI rear cam along with front cam for my '15 M3 last Fall. https://www.bimmer-tech.net/bmw-rear-view-cameras/

Order process was fine and product was delivered without issue. Ended up not being able to find the time or courage to try a self install, so finally made it over to the nearest authorized dealer/installer last month.

Picked the MMI over the other options since it produces a bigger screen and also has the ability to add on the front cam.

Quality of the picture is good and the dynamic parking lines are accurate and a great plus. My wife has a stock back up camera on her '15 and is now quite jealous of mine since the view is much larger.

Rear cam automatically turns on when car is put in reverse. When car is then put in drive it briefly switches to the front cam. I'm assuming this is to assist if you are veering to the side when pulling away so that you don't hit another parked car, but honestly I find I need my eyes on the road at that time so it's not that helpful, but may be for others.

Front cam wasn't exactly as advertised in terms of how to use, but works great. For my car the only option to turn it on and off is to push/shift the idrive dial, aka wheel, towards the front of the car (not push down on it, not rotate it). At first I found this odd as I was concerned that it would prevent me from using the dial for it's actual functions, but it doesn't. At least for me, I rotate it often, press it often,shift it left and right often, but almost never forward. The only exception I have found is when I'm in navigation and are moving the cursor around to a different part of the map ("interactive view" I think it's called). I rarely do this, but to get around this issue you just push and hold the dial to move the cursor, vs just push and release to turn on and off the front cam. Took a little getting use to, as for a day or so I had a tendency to accidentally rotate the dial when moved it forward. This user error resolved after a few days once muscle memory kicked in. Overall very happy I purchased the front cam as well. It's a huge help when pulling up to potential hazards such as curbs or parking blocks. While I don't have parking distance control sensors, it's easy to quickly tell visually how far away you are from something. I can easily stop within 2 inches of the hazard without hesitation.

Though little to do with BimmerTech, the installation experience at the installer I went to was less than stellar. It took them hours longer than expected and upon completion essentially handed me my credit card receipt and keys and said have a nice day. No offer to show me the product. It really seemed like they didn't have the time or care to do what most would consider standard after spending hundreds of dollars. I asked them if everything had been tested and worked as described online and they said yes, so I just left as I was really hoping to get on the road for my 3+hr drive home. Sure enough the front cam didn't work. Obviously in hindsight I made the mistake of not testing it out right there. 20 minutes later was back at the installer. They showed me how the front cam works via the method I described above, despite saying to use the methods advertised online, then I was off and headed home.

Customer support with BimmerTech was great. Nelson, Patryk and Maciej were all very helpful and very quick to respond, despite some significant time zone differences. A mild language barrier on occasion, but I'm sure their English is waaay better than my Polish, so no complaints. The installer had incorrectly configured one of the settings and also claimed something that wasn't correct as outlined above. Bimmer Tech was able to provide me clear directions to quickly solve the issue.

Overall very happy with my purchase and would highly recommend this product to anyone like me who didn't want to spend thousands purchasing the executive package and all the fluff that came with it, but that still wanted a back up cam as an option.

NorCal f80 · 03-23-2017, 10:53 AM

i was excited when i stumbled upon bimmertech but after reading it seems like there is no push to get mmi working on 2016+ . Im now looking into other sources .

katit · 03-23-2017, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCal f80

i was excited when i stumbled upon bimmertech but after reading it seems like there is no push to get mmi working on 2016+ . Im now looking into other sources .

Let me know what you find. I need one for my 17' M3

katit · 03-23-2017, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCal f80

i was excited when i stumbled upon bimmertech but after reading it seems like there is no push to get mmi working on 2016+ . Im now looking into other sources .

Let me know what you find. I need one for my 17' M3

Nelson@BimmerTech · 03-24-2017, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCal f80

i was excited when i stumbled upon bimmertech but after reading it seems like there is no push to get mmi working on 2016+ . Im now looking into other sources .

We've actually been working on the MMI kit for over 6 months. I don't think you wants us to release a product that's not 100 % ready.

NorCal f80 · 03-24-2017, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nelson@BimmerTech

We've actually been working on the MMI kit for over 6 months. I don't think you wants us to release a product that's not 100 % ready.

you are correct we wouldnt want that . but your email to another member here just made it seem like it was on the back burner . hoping you have yours out soon as I will be needing

BzsBimmer · 05-23-2018, 04:57 PM

Bumping this old thread up because I’m going through the install right now. I have a 2015 with no PDC and I’ve already hit a curb with my front bumper so I went with the MMI with front and rear camera and the SVHD Flex.

As I wait here for the DHL driver, I’m prepping the car for the hardware.

For the front camera, I ended up removing the small plastic grommet on the passenger firewall and punching a hole through the insulation and feeding a heavy gage wire through.

The instructions appear to be from a F30 and the firewall layout is quite different than what’s pictured.

Other than that, I’m ready to go... wish the DHL guy would hurry up so I won’t have to finish this in the dark.

SanchoDivine · 05-23-2018, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

Bumping this old thread up because I'm going through the install right now. I have a 2015 with no PDC and I've already hit a curb with my front bumper so I went with the MMI with front and rear camera and the SVHD Flex.

As I wait here for the DHL driver, I'm prepping the car for the hardware.

For the front camera, I ended up removing the small plastic grommet on the passenger firewall and punching a hole through the insulation and feeding a heavy gage wire through.

The instructions appear to be from a F30 and the firewall layout is quite different than what's pictured.

Other than that, I'm ready to go... wish the DHL guy would hurry up so I won't have to finish this in the dark.

I installed mine a few months ago and have been meaning to do a review on here.

For now here is a video review that will be a part of my write up. There were some nuances that caused me hours of frustration with the front camera install that you need to be aware of so that you don't have the same issue.

Also, the front camera has a replaceable lens which I had to replace already for $25 which provides some peace of mind for longevity!

BzsBimmer · 05-23-2018, 11:33 PM

Yeah I just finished up the install of the main stuff. Still need to reconnect all the parts back inside. Had to make sure everything was working first.

My quips...
1. The front camera doesn’t have anything to tell you which way is UP. I thought the wire facing up was “up” but it wasn’t.
2. The front grill (at least on my 15 M3) was a pain in the arse. You can’t center it and by the time you figure that out, you’ve already mangled the honeycomb insert. The reason is the piece is too thick for the locking piece. Has to be installed one row offset from center and even that is thick.
3. There is an air damn blocking the ability to tighten or reach the camera from the grill. I ended up loosening the oil cooler (2 bolts on passenger side and 1 bolt on drivers). That gave me full access to the camera and was able to run the wire. I didn’t have to remove the bumper but had to loosen both side pieces under the bumper and remove the center oil cooler guard.

Other than those frustrations, install went well.

BzsBimmer · 05-23-2018, 11:49 PM

SanchoDivine your front camera is installed incorrectly.
The front lens piece and one rubber washer sits in front of the mesh grill. The second washer and large retaining circle piece goes behind the mesh grill, basically creating a sandwich. The camera then threads into the back.

SanchoDivine · 05-24-2018, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

SanchoDivine your front camera is installed incorrectly.
The front lens piece and one rubber washer sits in front of the mesh grill. The second washer and large retaining circle piece goes behind the mesh grill, basically creating a sandwich. The camera then threads into the back.

I don't really think you are correct. There are 2 rubber washers and the decorative top cap is small and probably barely big enough to hold the camera in place. Also, it's pretty difficult to torque that thin cap to make the camera secure even if it was big enough to hold the mesh in place. You will need to trim the mesh to get the barrel of the camera to go through the mesh and this is coming from someone who had the bumper already off. There is also an Alan wrench bolt used to lock the bigger part from turning. You wouldn't be able to access it if it were behind the grill making it a PITA to change out the lens which btw would be impossible if you install it the way you think it should be. It makes much more sense for the big ring and the camera itself to sandwich the grill. The rubber washer that you see behind the top cap is only there to keep it from turning and eventually falling off.

My camera is in the center column of the honeycomb. I also placed my camera lower so that I could see my front carbon fiber lip. Placing the camera too high will make it difficult to see how far your bumper is from curbs.

BzsBimmer · 05-24-2018, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SanchoDivine

I don't really think you are correct. There are 2 rubber washers and the decorative top cap is small and probably barely big enough to hold the camera in place. Also, it's pretty difficult to torque that thin cap to make the camera secure even if it was big enough to hold the mesh in place. You will need to trim the mesh to get the barrel of the camera to go through the mesh and this is coming from someone who had the bumper already off. There is also an Alan wrench bolt used to lock the bigger part from turning. You wouldn't be able to access it if it were behind the grill making it a PITA to change out the lens which btw would be impossible if you install it the way you think it should be. It makes much more sense for the big ring and the camera itself to sandwich the grill. The rubber washer that you see behind the top cap is only there to keep it from turning and eventually falling off.

My camera is in the center column of the honeycomb. I also placed my camera lower so that I could see my front carbon fiber lip. Placing the camera too high will make it difficult to see how far your bumper is from curbs.

According to their YouTube install video, you’ve got it installed wrong.
I guess if it works for you, it’s fine.
Here’s their vid
Installation Instructions - BMW F30 & F80

Installing the Front View Camera (FVC)
Once again the F30 video installation guide will offer you invaluable information on the front camera installation process:

BzsBimmer · 05-24-2018, 01:44 AM

Also if you go to their website and do a closeup of the X5 front camera, you’ll notice that the large ring is behind the grill.

SanchoDivine · 05-24-2018, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

Also if you go to their website and do a closeup of the X5 front camera, you'll notice that the large ring is behind the grill.

The X5 picture helps, the F30 video had a few things that were outdated like tapping wires and using the menu button or the number 8 button to activate the camera. The way they explain the sport grill install wasn't accurate either and they used a bracket and no ring on the F30. This video was why led me to a lot of wasted time.

It does look better with the ring behind but I had to cut the mesh to get the camera to go through and wonder if the top cap will cover that.

When I was researching the camera I had seen these:

I may change because it would look better it it will work for my install but my concern would be that it won't be as easy to replace the protective lens. I'll probably just leave it this way.

Did you force your camera through the mesh without widening a hole?

BzsBimmer · 05-24-2018, 07:52 AM

No, I had to widen the hole, which was my gripe. You can’t use the center grill hole because it’s too thick (depth). You actually need to grind down the surrounding area as well since the large round piece is so big. I didn’t find this out until AFTER I filed the area get the camera cover in. I now have a mangled mess next to where the camera sits.

If you look at your mesh closely, you’ll see the middle mesh depth and the adjacent mesh depth is different.

The large knurled piece will not engage with the depth the way it is. IMHO I would keep yours the way it is.

If you really want to do this right, snap that grill out and mill down the thickness.

03-23-2017, 06:10 AM	#1
slats1279 Enlisted Member 5 Rep 38 Posts Drives: '15 M3, '15 X3-x35i, '10 FJ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NC iTrader: (1)	Bimmertech front & rear camera review Ordered the BimmerTech MMI rear cam along with front cam for my '15 M3 last Fall. https://www.bimmer-tech.net/bmw-rear-view-cameras/ Order process was fine and product was delivered without issue. Ended up not being able to find the time or courage to try a self install, so finally made it over to the nearest authorized dealer/installer last month. Picked the MMI over the other options since it produces a bigger screen and also has the ability to add on the front cam. Quality of the picture is good and the dynamic parking lines are accurate and a great plus. My wife has a stock back up camera on her '15 and is now quite jealous of mine since the view is much larger. Rear cam automatically turns on when car is put in reverse. When car is then put in drive it briefly switches to the front cam. I'm assuming this is to assist if you are veering to the side when pulling away so that you don't hit another parked car, but honestly I find I need my eyes on the road at that time so it's not that helpful, but may be for others. Front cam wasn't exactly as advertised in terms of how to use, but works great. For my car the only option to turn it on and off is to push/shift the idrive dial, aka wheel, towards the front of the car (not push down on it, not rotate it). At first I found this odd as I was concerned that it would prevent me from using the dial for it's actual functions, but it doesn't. At least for me, I rotate it often, press it often,shift it left and right often, but almost never forward. The only exception I have found is when I'm in navigation and are moving the cursor around to a different part of the map ("interactive view" I think it's called). I rarely do this, but to get around this issue you just push and hold the dial to move the cursor, vs just push and release to turn on and off the front cam. Took a little getting use to, as for a day or so I had a tendency to accidentally rotate the dial when moved it forward. This user error resolved after a few days once muscle memory kicked in. Overall very happy I purchased the front cam as well. It's a huge help when pulling up to potential hazards such as curbs or parking blocks. While I don't have parking distance control sensors, it's easy to quickly tell visually how far away you are from something. I can easily stop within 2 inches of the hazard without hesitation. Though little to do with BimmerTech, the installation experience at the installer I went to was less than stellar. It took them hours longer than expected and upon completion essentially handed me my credit card receipt and keys and said have a nice day. No offer to show me the product. It really seemed like they didn't have the time or care to do what most would consider standard after spending hundreds of dollars. I asked them if everything had been tested and worked as described online and they said yes, so I just left as I was really hoping to get on the road for my 3+hr drive home. Sure enough the front cam didn't work. Obviously in hindsight I made the mistake of not testing it out right there. 20 minutes later was back at the installer. They showed me how the front cam works via the method I described above, despite saying to use the methods advertised online, then I was off and headed home. Customer support with BimmerTech was great. Nelson, Patryk and Maciej were all very helpful and very quick to respond, despite some significant time zone differences. A mild language barrier on occasion, but I'm sure their English is waaay better than my Polish, so no complaints. The installer had incorrectly configured one of the settings and also claimed something that wasn't correct as outlined above. Bimmer Tech was able to provide me clear directions to quickly solve the issue. Overall very happy with my purchase and would highly recommend this product to anyone like me who didn't want to spend thousands purchasing the executive package and all the fluff that came with it, but that still wanted a back up cam as an option.
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03-23-2017, 10:53 AM	#2
NorCal f80 Lieutenant Colonel 352 Rep 1,656 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Nor Cal iTrader: (0)	i was excited when i stumbled upon bimmertech but after reading it seems like there is no push to get mmi working on 2016+ . Im now looking into other sources .
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05-23-2018, 04:57 PM	#7
BzsBimmer Major General 3813 Rep 7,084 Posts Drives: '23 G80 FO M3 & '23 G05 X5 M50 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nor. Cal iTrader: (32)	Bumping this old thread up because I’m going through the install right now. I have a 2015 with no PDC and I’ve already hit a curb with my front bumper so I went with the MMI with front and rear camera and the SVHD Flex. As I wait here for the DHL driver, I’m prepping the car for the hardware. For the front camera, I ended up removing the small plastic grommet on the passenger firewall and punching a hole through the insulation and feeding a heavy gage wire through. The instructions appear to be from a F30 and the firewall layout is quite different than what’s pictured. Other than that, I’m ready to go... wish the DHL guy would hurry up so I won’t have to finish this in the dark.
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05-23-2018, 11:33 PM	#9
BzsBimmer Major General 3813 Rep 7,084 Posts Drives: '23 G80 FO M3 & '23 G05 X5 M50 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nor. Cal iTrader: (32)	Yeah I just finished up the install of the main stuff. Still need to reconnect all the parts back inside. Had to make sure everything was working first. My quips... 1. The front camera doesn’t have anything to tell you which way is UP. I thought the wire facing up was “up” but it wasn’t. 2. The front grill (at least on my 15 M3) was a pain in the arse. You can’t center it and by the time you figure that out, you’ve already mangled the honeycomb insert. The reason is the piece is too thick for the locking piece. Has to be installed one row offset from center and even that is thick. 3. There is an air damn blocking the ability to tighten or reach the camera from the grill. I ended up loosening the oil cooler (2 bolts on passenger side and 1 bolt on drivers). That gave me full access to the camera and was able to run the wire. I didn’t have to remove the bumper but had to loosen both side pieces under the bumper and remove the center oil cooler guard. Other than those frustrations, install went well.
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05-23-2018, 11:49 PM	#10
BzsBimmer Major General 3813 Rep 7,084 Posts Drives: '23 G80 FO M3 & '23 G05 X5 M50 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nor. Cal iTrader: (32)	SanchoDivine your front camera is installed incorrectly. The front lens piece and one rubber washer sits in front of the mesh grill. The second washer and large retaining circle piece goes behind the mesh grill, basically creating a sandwich. The camera then threads into the back.
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05-24-2018, 01:44 AM	#13
BzsBimmer Major General 3813 Rep 7,084 Posts Drives: '23 G80 FO M3 & '23 G05 X5 M50 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nor. Cal iTrader: (32)	Also if you go to their website and do a closeup of the X5 front camera, you’ll notice that the large ring is behind the grill.
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05-24-2018, 07:52 AM	#15
BzsBimmer Major General 3813 Rep 7,084 Posts Drives: '23 G80 FO M3 & '23 G05 X5 M50 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nor. Cal iTrader: (32)	No, I had to widen the hole, which was my gripe. You can’t use the center grill hole because it’s too thick (depth). You actually need to grind down the surrounding area as well since the large round piece is so big. I didn’t find this out until AFTER I filed the area get the camera cover in. I now have a mangled mess next to where the camera sits. If you look at your mesh closely, you’ll see the middle mesh depth and the adjacent mesh depth is different. The large knurled piece will not engage with the depth the way it is. IMHO I would keep yours the way it is. If you really want to do this right, snap that grill out and mill down the thickness.
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