Z4 Rear view camera retrofit

Originally Posted by kav

Alright both the module and camera are going to be here tomorrow. I was going to take this to a local install shop to do the work, since I prefer not to do it myself.

Does it come with installation info?

The wiring harness comes with what are supposed to be plug and play OEM harness.


There are 4 extra wires that need to be hooked up behind the OEM navigation unit (I'm guessing).
• (RED) 12V (accessory position) switched power
• (BLACK) Chassis Ground
• (BLUE) Parking Brake or Ground
• (GRAY) Reverse Light or 12V Signal To Activate Video1 Input For Camera

The Camera (license plate type VTL 420)


The wire going into the trunk splits into 3 wires:
• RCA - obviously just need to run this to the new GNET module
• 12 Switched power (need to find something close to the trunk/license plate area
• Ground (again will ground near where it comes into the trunk

I may not not need to even remove all the trunk lining but I'm wondering:
1) What are the best wires to tap into given the above
2) How to best access the harness at the back of the DVD/Navigation system

Originally Posted by kav

The wiring harness comes with what are supposed to be plug and play OEM harness.

There are 4 extra wires that need to be hooked up behind the OEM navigation unit (I'm guessing).
• (RED) 12V (accessory position) switched power
• (BLACK) Chassis Ground
• (BLUE) Parking Brake or Ground
• (GRAY) Reverse Light or 12V Signal To Activate Video1 Input For Camera

The wire going into the trunk splits into 3 wires:
• RCA - obviously just need to run this to the new GNET module
• 12 Switched power (need to find something close to the trunk/license plate area
• Ground (again will ground near where it comes into the trunk

I may not not need to even remove all the trunk lining but I'm wondering:
1) What are the best wires to tap into given the above
2) How to best access the harness at the back of the DVD/Navigation system

Do you have a schematic from them?
Look through the BMW instructions in post #1.
Not sure you can access the NAV connectors from behind. I can't since I have a CD changer under it.
Have to take it apart in the area between the seats.
BMW picks up the reverse at the passenger side rear light assembly at connector 318.
Blue connectors go in series with the NAV blue connectors.
You also have to remove the bumper and drill a hole.
There is an openning under the light assembly shown in the BMW instructions to get into the trunk.

Originally Posted by Ron Stygar

Do you have a schematic from them?
Look through the BMW instructions in post #1.
Not sure you can access the NAV connectors from behind. I can't since I have a CD changer under it.
Have to take it apart in the area between the seats.
BMW picks up the reverse at the passenger side rear light assembly at connector 318.
Blue connectors go in series with the NAV blue connectors.
You also have to remove the bumper and drill a hole.
There is an openning under the light assembly shown in the BMW instructions to get into the trunk.

Ron,
Which schematic are you refering to?

Are there instructions somewhere as to how to take aprat the waterfall console between the seats and pull out the DVD Navigation (I don't have the CD changer either).

Is there no either way to get into the trunk other than drilling??

Originally Posted by kav

Ron,
Which schematic are you refering to?

Are there instructions somewhere as to how to take aprat the waterfall console between the seats and pull out the DVD Navigation (I don't have the CD changer either).

Is there no either way to get into the trunk other than drilling??

The one for the unit you purchased which shows where things go.

Should be instruction here for that under roadster alarm instructions.
You can also log on to centernet for $30 per day.
http://www.bmwtechinfo.com/
Things you need (TIS #) are in the instructions posted in post #1:


You have to drill a hole in the bumper for the camera cable.
There are two holes in the body just under the taillights.
BMW cables come with a rubber gromment on the cable.

I got a great quote to have this installed at a shop in town so I'm just going to get them to do it on Saturday. I'll try to get them to take pictures but that may not be possible. I will keep this thread posted on the updates.

Originally Posted by kav

I got a great quote to have this installed at a shop in town so I'm just going to get them to do it on Saturday. I'll try to get them to take pictures but that may not be possible. I will keep this thread posted on the updates.

Good luck on your install tomorrow.

My parts should show up next week.
I'll talk with Alpina22 to see what cameras he is using on the X5's.
Will also check locally.

Install delayed till Thrusday afternoon.

Ordered the dual front camera kit today mentioned by Alpina22 in post #13.
66 21 0 301 009 $990r.

Dual front cameras?? Do you know where there are two?

Originally Posted by kav

Dual front cameras?? Do you know where there are two?

Not sure how it works. You can see from the pic that it angles towards each side.
Alpina22 says:
However, the front OEM camera is brilliant. People often ask what the point is but the beauty is that the monitor splits the screen showing you left and right at the same time. This is very useful when pulling out of driveways or blind intersections.

Originally Posted by Ron Stygar

Not sure how it works. You can see from the pic that it angles towards each side.
Alpina22 says:
However, the front OEM camera is brilliant. People often ask what the point is but the beauty is that the monitor splits the screen showing you left and right at the same time This is very useful when pulling out of driveways or blind intersections.

Very interesting!!

If the OEM setup were not so expensive, I would probably be waiting for your results instead of going ahead with the aftermarket route. Great information, please keep us posted...

Rear view camera NOT installed today!!!!

The whole process took about 2 hours, start to finish. This included installing the rear camera, routing all the wires, and hooking up the G-NET box to the DVD player. The harness just plugged in.

It took another 4 hours to figure out the box was faulty. The rear view camera would continue cutting in and out when the car was put in to reverse. We tried another camera and it did the exact same thing. I had in installed at a very good installer, so they triple check all the connections, grounds and wires. Tried a few different things but ultimately decided it was a defective GNET box. So I'll be trying to get a replacement shortly...

I'll get some pictures up of the rear camera so you can see the placement, it looks pretty slick.

So this project is going to have to wait till the new year.

Hey Ron,

Thanks for the posting and would you mind doing a DIY with pics. I have both z4 and x3 (wife's car) and plan to install the rearview camera on the x3.

Looks like the system is avtivated by tapping into the reverse light , please confirm that since you are getting the oem kit and if you mind some pic would be nice.

Also, I've found a member under the x3 forum(in bimmberfest) who's done this at dealership w pics , many thanks to bobotski.

Originally Posted by Ron Stygar

Ordered the dual front camera kit today mentioned by Alpina22 in post #13.
66 21 0 301 009 $990r.

NA would not allow front camera kit 009 into the USA.

X3 kit 639 shipped today.

Originally Posted by Ron Stygar

NA would not allow front camera kit 009 into the USA.
X3 kit 639 shipped today.

ebay dude has it for sale for 1,099.95 (search for 'bmw camera z4'). Ouch!

Any reason why they don't allow it? (e.g., safety)

Originally Posted by bobotski

ebay dude has it for sale for 1,099.95 (search for 'bmw camera z4'). Ouch!

Any reason why they don't allow it? (e.g., safety)

They said safety.

Talked with Alpina22 (post 13) and he's going to get back to me with some recommendations.
He also mentioned Eclipse and roveractive.

Eclipse:
I'm guessing if you purchase their module you wouldn't need the X3 kit.
Crutchfield is good since you can return with no issues.
Also has scratch and dent with no issues.

Front:

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...=detailed_info



Rear:

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...h=camera&tp=83



Module:

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...h=camera&tp=83




Roveractive:
http://search.stores.ebay.com/RoverA...cameraQQsofpZ0

Sorry for the terrible pictures. The camera looks much better in person and looks quite stock. I am going to add a black license plate frame and it will pretty much disappear then. Still waiting for the replacement AV module.

Originally Posted by kav

Sorry for the terrible pictures. The camera looks much better in person and looks quite stock. I am going to add a black license plate frame and it will pretty much disappear then. Still waiting for the replacement AV module.

Alpina22 mentioned that many of the cameras that they purchase don't work.

Originally Posted by Ron Stygar

Alpina22 mentioned that many of the cameras that they purchase don't work.

Really? Did he say why they didn't work? When the install shop did the install, the picture would come on when the car was put in reverse but it would only stay on for a seconds and kept cutting in and out. We checked a few things and decided it as the AV module, so we ordered a new one.

Hey Ron,

Are you still looking for the OEM front camera? I might be able to help.

There's this store in Germany that would ship to Canada, I bought the Navi, Hitch (Euro J Ver) and planning to buy the Z4 remote roof module from them.

Originally Posted by bmwpursuit

Hey Ron,

Are you still looking for the OEM front camera? I might be able to help.

There's this store in Germany that would ship to Canada, I bought the Navi, Hitch (Euro J Ver) and planning to buy the Z4 remote roof module from them.

Depends on the price. It retails for $990. $594 dealer net.
In the $650 area, I would, mainly to get the kit.

I was thinking of that remote too. Does it use a separate button pad or is it the same frequency as the one we have?
I'll look into that.

I am under the impression that the remote is a module that install ( wire ) into the the soft top buttons, just as the newer models, you hold down the key fob ( ur key ) and the top can be retracted.

Please let me know if otherwise

Originally Posted by bmwpursuit

I am under the impression that the remote is a module that install ( wire ) into the the soft top buttons, just as the newer models, you hold down the key fob ( ur key ) and the top can be retracted.

Please let me know if otherwise

We are talking about two different things.
I'm thinking about the Euro door, trunk remote lock and unlock.

Originally Posted by bmwpursuit

Hey Ron,

Are you still looking for the OEM front camera? I might be able to help.

There's this store in Germany that would ship to Canada, I bought the Navi, Hitch (Euro J Ver) and planning to buy the Z4 remote roof module from them.

Hi,
I am looking for a connnection to buby a Eurospec cluster, or Canadian cluster but at a good discount. Do you know anyone?