Reversing camera Retrofit
 

Hi guys.. Had X5's for 5 years, got an Msport 4.8 57 plate now, bought it with most of the spec I wanted but no reversing cam , can I get an oem retrofit ?

Why would you want it? The OEM camera sucks, especially at night. The daytime performance is marginal the night time performance is horrid. You get a blob of red if the brakes are applied. It is the poorest feature to ever appear on a BMW.

I'd skip thinking about the OEM camera system and see if I could find an aftermarket system.

Mostly because I tow .. and hooking up to a trailer should be much easier with it, rather than cracking my rear bumper

2 kits
 

There are 2 kits available (both assume media pack/pro Nav) :-


The Factory fit retrofit kit, as per the X5 brochure, that utilises the blank to the right of the number plate lamp. This kit will need calibrating and coding and supplies the coloured graphic overlays on the camera image. Part No 66 21 0 417 969

Instructions :-

http://www.xoutpost.com/pdf/e70/e70rearcam417969.pdf


The Dealer fit kit, where the camera is combined with a replacement tailgate release. This kit does not need coding or calibrating and does not have the graphic overlays. Part No 66 21 0 417 170 plus 66 21 0 417 943


Instructions :-

http://www.xoutpost.com/pdf/e70/Rear%...0E70%20E71.pdf

Lovely stuff .. thanks :thumbup:

Retrofit Reversing Camera
 

I know there has been lots of talk around the X5 reversing camera, anyway I have just fitted the dealer retrofit option and it works really well.

Comes on straight away when reverse is selected and is a great image, all I need to do is check out the night vision tonight. Its an easy fit only took about 2.5 hrs (including a teabreak).

I will post some photo's next week.

Regards

Ste

Snap! But I fitted the "Factory" retrofit kit (as if that isn't an oxymoron!)

Didn't take any pictures as it's all in the instructions posted elsewhere on this site, but suffice to say it only took me a couple of hours and you don't need to remove anywhere near the amount of trim that the instructions list - the wire to the front is so thin that it easily just tucks under the door trim, and can be fished through the rest of the way with a wire coathanger (perhaps this should be a BMW special tool?)

Still have to pay the dealer for coding, but that's my choice. I've saved 4 hours at UKP£108 per hour after all!!

how long does it take the dealer to do this ? and what did they charge ?

Hasn'n done yet as they need to get some calibration tool from another branch, but I'm expecting 2 or 3 hours labour charge for a progman update (whole car) camera calibraion and and coding for the camera....

Coding can take 4-6 hours. It's because the whole car gets recoded not just the accessory. If it all goes well then 2 hours is doable I believe. You don't get charged for all of the time though as the technician isn't watching the car the whole time.