What E53 Aftermarket Rear Camera are you guys using?
 

Hi Everyone,
New E53 owner here. I plan to install an Android headunit with a rear camera. For those that have installed one, what brand/model are you using? I want one that looks factory w/ at least 720i definition. Thanks!

Pic of the new sled:

Avin Avant 4. Number of us on here have installed them. I think they look the most "factory". I've had people comment after riding with me after the swap they didn't realize it was different until the back up camera came on. It comes with a canbus adapter so things on the wheel work. You'll also want the IBUS adapter so you have access on screen to all of the data you would have with an original NAV unit. If you have DSP stereo you will also need the IBUS adapter for that to work as well. This one: https://avinusa.com/avant-4-multimed...mw-x5-e53.html

Get the P6. More memory is better/faster. If you have factory NAV you will need the extended quad lock connector cable to run to the rear.

This head unit is some of the best money I've spent on my ride. Gets used every time I drive it. The things it offers are so far and away better than the factory stuff that it's almost like driving a newer car.

Don't waste your money on the GPS. Just download Waze and tether your phone to the unit for wifi. The real time traffic data makes it much more useful.

No drilling or cutting required.

https://www.amazon.com/Reversing-Cam...09081577&psc=1

Or if you just want to replace the license plate light with a camera.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/15282920673...EaAmDqEALw_wcB

I'm definitely going with the Avin Avant - full ibus & DSP setup. I was looking at that Amazon camera, but wasn't sure if it fit the E53. Do you have one of those 2 cameras installed?

The handle replacement says it works for the E53. It doesn't. At least on my 2006.

D'oh! That's what I suspected. Did you end up with some other camera that fit better?

I ended up with one that I mounted on the underside of the grip that houses the hatch release and license plate lights. Had to drill holes for the wire and two screws. Could have used one that only required one hole but it isn't as adjustable.

Bump

No one's got a preferred brand/model of back-up camera that's an OEM-looking fit? :stickpoke

This is what I installed and looks very OEM and great video quality even at night:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

See this thread.
https://xoutpost.com/1201728-post115.html

As indicated in the above post, the camera requires drilling in two spots. If you can shorten the stem of the camera (carefully using a dremel), then you can avoid drilling the second hole which on the car body. They're both very small holes (for the camera stem to pass through) but the end result is perfect and OEM appearance. Place the camera a little further inside to prevent it from catching road dirt.

Perfect! I'll give that one a shot. I'm pretty handy with a Dremel, so I should be able to make this work. I'll post pics when I finish the project. Thanks for the pointers.