retrofitting rear view camera into e53 x5 without oe nav or tv

[longassname]

Hello all,

I'm a new X5 owner who just joined the forums. This is my first post. I bought an 06 X5 4.4i 2 days ago which I will be using to tow a boat daily. I hook up a trailer by myself a couple times a day so I really want a backup camera. I need to get this retrofit done yesterday.

I've been furiously searching and reading the howto's, faqs, threads, etc and have started formulating some ideas on how I should do this but I still have some unanswered questions.

My x5 originally came with the high level on board computer, dsp, business cd, cd disc changer, bmw assist with bluetooth, full phone preparation, and park assist. My owner's manuals also include manuals and paperwork for Sirius satellite radio which I assume the owner added later but it looks like he took it and the cd changer with him. I still have a button on the roof of the truck for satellite but I don't have an option for sat listed under the modes on my head unit and it looks like the whole "rack" in the back where the cd changer would be is missing.

Here's a picture of the empty space where I believe there is supposed to be a rack to put equipment above the dsp:

I have not yet determined if the harnesses necessary to install a bmw nav system already exist in my x5 or not. Anyone know?

Does anyone have a Dynavin N6 - E53 BMW series 7" Touch Screen LCD Multimedia Navigation System? I found this unit which says it supports BMW DSP and also looks like it integrates the park assist which my x5 has and a rearview camera very nicely. The product information and instructions for it are terrible though.

Does anyone know if the bmw display with the bmw retrofit camera kit installed with either the bmw tv module or nav system will integrate the park assist and rearview camera like the Dynavin n6 does?

I sent an email to dynavin asking for clarification on whether the unit is plug and play in my dsp equipped x5 or not and whether my park assist is a "supported pdc system" and whether pdc+cam mode works if I connect an aftermarket camera directly to the n6.

I've been looking at the bmw retrofit camera kit options. The instructions seem to indicate you need to either have the oem navigation or a tv module but then bmw would assume you have one or the other if you have a display up front wouldn't they. Has anyone used the bmw retrofit camera without the tv module or nav system or have any insight here?

[longassname]

Well, I found the prop rod on the bottom of the rolling cargo tray. For some reason last time I looked under there I couldn't find it. I think I was looking in the tire well for it instead of looking at the bottom of the cargo tray. So anyway I got the spare tire out, then the pump, then the brackets, then the plastic cover so I could see where the Sirius satellite unit was installed.

The bracket is there and the antenna is there but the Sirius unit itself is gone.

I had just spoken with someone at J&T distributing about the Dynavin N6-E53. They are a Dynavin reseller I found online. Their website was a little more informative at least for me then the Dynavin website was. Whoever I spoke with there seemed knowledgeable. He was able to tell me that it is plug and play in my x5 and directed me to a pdf document with instructions for setting up the volumes for the dsp. He was also able to tell me that it does support my park assist and that it will overlay with an aftermarket backup camera connected directly to the n6. He was also able to tell me that the Dynavin n6 doesn't have support for Sirius but now I know I don't have Sirius. This is looking like the way to go to me.

Anyone using the Dynavin n6 on a car with dsp?

[BMWX5CHI]

Take a look here for lots of info on the Dynavin N6 - http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...tall-pics.html

Long thread, hope you like to read.

[longassname]

Thanks for the link,

That was a lot of reading. It sounds pretty good. It's a shame Dynavin doesn't do a better job of putting out model specific instructions. They would probably sell a lot more units if someone like me didn't have to stay up all night picking through forum threads to figure out what they are getting if they order one.

[longassname]

I won at least half the battle yesterday. After much searching I found, purchased, and installed a nice, complete genuine BMW hitch kit. South Florida Import Auto Parts had a car with one on it. I was able to go there in person with a copy of the BMW installation instructions to make sure I got all the parts. I finished the install around 10 last night.