My 2005 X5 Aftermarket Radio Install Thread

[Crowz]

Its just not worth the effort in the matter to do again. So Im going with a different camera. Some X5's have the tag lights and the handle mounted into the hatch itself and do not have the bolt on lip. Im not sure which models. May be the e70 model that has that. These cameras will fit into the other design just fine. Just not the model I have.

[Crowz]

This it he kind I will be using on the X5. I have this one installed on my corvette.

Heck I may rob it off my vette just to get done with this install and order another one for the vette

[blakamin]

Thanks Crowz... My(and the Mrs) E53's both have factory cameras even though hers has nav and mine doesn't.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by blakamin

Thanks Crowz... My(and the Mrs) E53's both have factory cameras even though hers has nav and mine doesn't.

It seems BMW never installed rear view cameras at the factory on any E53 but that some local dealers fitted aftermarket cameras "as standard" at the dealerships.

[blakamin]

Originally Posted by wpoll

It seems BMW never installed rear view cameras at the factory on any E53 but that some local dealers fitted aftermarket cameras "as standard" at the dealerships.

That's strange.
Ours are both mounted exactly the same, in exactly the same position, and exactly the same camera. Hers is 2 years older and from another state.
Oh, and we both have the BMW camera book in our glove box.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by blakamin

That's strange.
Ours are both mounted exactly the same, in exactly the same position, and exactly the same camera. Hers is 2 years older and from another state.
Oh, and we both have the BMW camera book in our glove box.

No argument from me but no one can find any parts listed for BMW OEM cameras for E53 cars on any parts fiche (unlike for later models).

End result is the same - you have a rear-view camera!

[Crowz]

bmw retrofit camera

66-21-0-300-908

They were provided by bmw but none were installed on the assembly line. Dealers had to install them.

[blakamin]

Solved then!

RealOEM.com - Part Search

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by Crowz

Now place the gps antenna on the large metal bar that runs across the inside of the dash. I may move it later but I stuck it to the top of the bar for now.

Then slide the radio into the hole and put the two screws in the top. One on each side. This is as far as I got before the rain started pouring.

So the Seicane doesn't make use of the factory GPS antenna?

[Crowz]

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

So the Seicane doesn't make use of the factory GPS antenna?

It could but it would be more trouble than its worth and it probably wouldn't pickup as good.

The problem with the factory one is its the back of the vehicle and the radio is at the front of the vehicle.

Remember the factory gps antenna hooks to the nav unit that's in the side compartment at the back of the vehicle.

You would have to run a cable from the front to the back and come up with an adapter to plug into the factory gps antenna's plug. Its doable just more trouble than its worth to me.

Easier to just stick the included gps antenna up inside the dash somewhere. They pickup just fine thru the plastic dash pad.