I just re-read your original post. Here is my advice and 0.02.

Since you already have a backup camera to install then take the other posters' advice and get an aftermarket solution. I don't see any huge advantage of using the BMW parts with an aftermarket camera. I'm sure the end result will be fine.

Having said that, I agree with rip222, I've heard good things about the E53 X5 backup camera. It's the E70 X5 backup camera that everyone complains about and that is a completely different animal.

If you do like the appearance of the Mini camera that you posted as a link then I suggest you buy the OE BMW camera kit and scrap the aftermarket camera. That is what rip222 did. See the link: http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/e...amera-kit.html

The design of the camera has actually been updated to look like the one for the Mini (see the small posted drawing; it is the handle strip with the integrated camera; so you end up replacing the entire handle strip with this mod and it insures that the camera is pointed properly) and no longer looks like the one posted on that link (see the large photo of an actual camera), but I believe all the rest of the displayed parts are the same. You can buy it from the ebay seller roveractive. Yes it's more expensive, but you'll have an OE part with a super-clean install that will look and work great.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-G...fAudioQ5fVideo

I have the bumble bee camera also but so far no time to install it. There is a good thread here about the bosch relay wiring in conjunction with aftermarket video modules. I'll post the link when I find it if your interested.

Zerochief,
Yes please post the information when you find it!

Mgruber,
Thanks for the link to Roveractive but I am finding better prices with a BMW dealer. Do you know that part number for the BMW Camera? The camera kit which is just the video module and all associated wiring is $280. The camera part number listed in the posting is no longer in production. The bumble bee camera was fairly cheap so I can do without it.

Good luck!

If you can get better prices with a BMW dealer then great, but this is usually a BMW euro part and lots of dealers don't want to or can't get it for whatever reason(s). (Nearly every BMW dealer I've ever spoken to has never heard of the front camera and it's in the ETK and Realoem! BTW, roveractive sells that one too!) As far as I know the 2 part numbers on Realoem are the same, IOW BMW just updated the camera and electronics in the kit and kept the p/n the same. If one or more of the part numbers is discontinued then I have no idea. I do know roveractive can get you the latest/current one (maybe he bought it before it was discontinuted?). Send him a note and maybe he can give you a few bucks off especially if you buy direct.

Found:

BUMBLE BEE THREAD


BOSCH RELAY


http://www.margraves.net/toys/x5/backup_cam/camwire.jpghttp://tworock.com/mjd/jeep/wiring/bosch_relay.jpg http://www.coolcatcorp.com/faqs/relay1.jpg

To answer an earlier question, the 639 kit should work for all I-Bus based vehicles (X3, X5, E38, E39, Z4, E46). That kit was paired w/ an aftermarket camera on an E38 in the write-up on bimmerboard.

If now you're considering going full OEM, just get the current kit that mgruber mentions: 66 21 0 397 648
It has the switchbox w/ multiple video inputs and the handle strip w/ integrated camera. Ask your BMW parts dept for the instructions from ASAP (AfterSales Assistance Portal). No reason they can't order it - is a US spec kit w/ the cheesy US warning label they want you to stick to your nav screen!

Thanks everyone. I have alot to think about. I will keep you posted about my final decision.
Thanks!

A few weeks ago I fitted an OEM camera to my E46 M3 with TV function, it is a very big job and literally took me all day to fit. There is a separate module for cars without TV and I think I have part of the loom left over for this.

I can't help you with an X5 installation but have you got the EBA instructions?

Nbtbrv8,
Thanks for the post. Sorry for the late response. What was the hardest part of the installation for you? The camera integrated into the handle is really slick. This bit looked very plug and play except for adding the 12v and tapping into the reverse lights. I went to the dealership today and got the instructions and the contents of each kit printed out. I now have a decision to be made. I hope to get this ordered within the next week. The dealer can get it in stock within a week.

Thanks!

The hardest part by far is fitting it in to the bootlid strip, This is very fiddly and takes a lot of time. The complete kit barely fits in to the strip and I would say this retrofit is the least "plug and play" I have had to do.
The wiring is the easy part and so long as you follow the instructions you will be fine.
Another difficult aspect for me (E46) was that you had to enlarge the hole in the bootlid where the loom comes through in to the back of the strip handle.

Here are some shots:

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...f/100_0072.jpg

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...f/100_0071.jpg

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...f/100_0074.jpg

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...f/100_0080.jpg