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.

Update - seems I fitted everything OK - dealer charged me just 2 hours labour, for a full Progman upgrade prior to fitting, and coding and calibration afterwards - result!

Picture quality is fine in daylight - haven't tried it in the dark yet but expectations aren't high....

Spoke to my stealer today and he quoted me £926+ VAT for the job :yikes: Thats a total of £1088:rippedoff

It really is an easy self install if you have a little mechanical aptitude (i.e. trim removal/replacement and plug and play wiring) and an ability to follow instructions. There's absolutely no need to remove as much trim as the instructions claim (just inside of tailgate and the bit of fixed back seat side on a 5 seat car - probably not even that on a 7 seater, and the centre vent and trim to get to the back of the computer) , and dealer will be quoting labour based on them.

I got the parts for the "factory retrofit kit" for UK£405 inc. VAT, and dealer charged me 2 hours labour for a full progman update prior to install, plus coding and calibration (special laser tool neededfor this) afterwards. Parts price was discounted, based on a comparison with Cotswold BMW who advertise on various owners sites....

Result is completely as per factory option, with full screen/PDC graphic split with camera view options, all graphic overlays, towbar zoom, etc.

I agree that the OEM camera is poor (and probably the worst feature on the X5) but I still find it useful in enough situations that I would purchase it again.

If there was a better aftermarket solution available, that would be an obvious choice but, as far as I know, there is not.

Ok so you rekon £600 ish all up jH?.. I am a plant fitter to trade, and I just didnt fancy pulling my baby to bits :( but if I could save that much its got to be an option. Thanks for the info anyways :thumbup:

Depends on dealer labour rate (mines is £108 plus VAT per hour!! :rippedoff ) but yes, that's a good ballpark figure....

I've always been curious as to how it could possible take so long to update the programming.

Are they using a 20 year old RS232-A serial interface at 300 baud? Do some motors or elecrical items have to physically cycle through moverments or something? is some of the memory really slow/large flash memory?

Does anyone know why it takes so long to update the programming?

Hopefully the day will come when people can update the programming themselves. The Micrsoft/Ford Sync voice control system for phone/media is perhaps a first step, as you can download updates from the internet onto a flash drive, plug the flash drive into the usb port in the car, and the system will update itself using the file on the flash drive.

:iagree: Its all complete dealer bluff .. and nothing else. There is no way they they can justify this nonsence. The rates they charge for mechanics is also false,.. all part of the captive market syndrome to boost the manufacturers/dealers income

Maybe you should consider the dealer fit option, its only £400 all in and doesn't need coding. If you ask for discount its even cheaper. I fitted this one and it was easy only took about 2hrs.