This message is marked as Important.

Subject: Genuine BMW Rear View Camera Retrofit (Part 1) Author: farnarkler : member since February, 2004 : 1367 posts Posted on: 2006-10-01 09:11:36

I decided to fit a reversing camera to my '97 E38 but unlike others here, I wanted to use the genuine BMW camera in the belief that it would give me the neatest finish. The jury is still out on the result. In fact the install is not yet finished but I have done enough to tell you about some of the issues I came across. The camera kit itself (Part 8421 0 300 908) is expensive (around US$500) and in reality, probably not worth it. I got mine through ebay but I would instead recommend using a similar setup to Brian. Here are his excellent installation instructions:
here.

I tried to buy the camera that Brian used but had trouble with the Taiwan supplier. They simply didn't want to deal with one off sales it seems. Hope you have more luck.

Regardless, like Brian, I wanted a high mounted camera. In my case because I often haul a little trailer and want to be able to check on it. I suspect though that I will have to modify the lens angle to be able to see my trailer properly.

Apart from the rear view kit kit and a comprehensive range of tools (mainly cutting implements), you will find it useful to have BMW's fitting instructions. These did not come with my kit as promised but were sourced from another member on this board. I will send anyone here a copy that needs it.

Remove the interior liner from the trunk including the drop down tool box. It is held on by some clips and screws. You should have no difficulty. Refer to Brian's post for fuller instructions.

Remove the rubber trim around the bottom of the trunk lid. Then remove the number plate lights, and the number plate itself. Remove the two number plate support plugs by leveraging them up and out.


Then remove the rear lower trunk panel.

I was shocked to discover that this part was PLASTIC! Easy to work with I guess but I wasn't impressed.

A rectangular hole has to be cut to accept the camera module. Dimensions are provided in the instructions so I won't bother with them here. I marked it out and cut it using a "circular saw" bit on my dremel.

Mounting holes had to be drilled but it was impossible to get a drill close enough so I heated a small nail with my blow torch and pressed the hot nail through the plastic. A big time saver and it did a great job.


A rectangular hole also has to be cut in the metal section of the truck lid. After marking this out I cut it using a nibbler. It attaches to my drill and is a very handy tool for cutting metal plate.

but the millions of little moon shaped offcuts it generates are VERY sharp.


The camera fits onto a small mounting plate which also allows for a button to be fitted. In fact the instructions say to mount the button (presumably to stop moisture entering through the hole) but not use it! I guess the kit fits other model cars. I decided to wire the button up as a second trunk lid opener - may as well use it. All I needed to do was extend the wires which was easily handled with a soldering iron and some heat shrink.

With the holes cut and the edges cleaned and sealed (I used some spray paint) I fitted the camera plate to the plastic trim.


Here it is from the other side:


Then fitted the plastic trim back on to the trunk. After re-fitting the number plate lights, this is what it looked like:


I then wired the new button across the top contacts - as shown:


The relay still needs to be fitted to the trunk lid plus I now have the awful task of getting the huge bundle of wires down through that tiny rubber tube from the trunk lid to the trunk proper. Then I have to connect it to the electronics. I will try and get it working with my older version TV module but may not succeed. Regardless, I will need to upgrade at some stage as I have a wide screen 16:9 display in the car but the video module only paints a small picture.

Hope you found the above of interest. I'll post Part 2 as soon as possible.

Farnarkler - '97 740iL Tow Hitch, UGDO, Always on TV, NAV, Tiptronic, Ultrasonic Alarm

• Genuine BMW Rear View Camera Retrofit (Part 1) (pic) (url) - farnarkler 2006-10-01 09:11:36 (2086 views)
  • Nice install Farnarkler , is this colour camera ? - mharv 2006-10-01 15:04:41 (210 views)
    • I believe it is colour - farnarkler 2006-10-01 15:54:34 (199 views)
  • What does the button to the right of the camera do? (nt) - Brian 2006-10-01 13:41:24 (200 views)
    • It is for the Opening the Boot.... (nt) - mharv 2006-10-01 15:01:18 (180 views)
      • Sweeeeet. Now I'm really jealous! - Brian 2006-10-01 17:22:41 (179 views)
  • Re: Genuine BMW Rear View Camera Retrofit (Part 1) - tanev 2006-10-01 13:31:19 (268 views)
  • Re: Genuine BMW Rear View Camera Retrofit (Part 1) - tanev 2006-10-01 13:27:33 (245 views)
    • I going aftermarket reverse camera like Brian used... - mharv 2006-10-04 08:00:29 (210 views)
    • Re: Genuine BMW Rear View Camera Retrofit (Part 1) - apw2607 2006-10-04 02:20:28 (263 views)
      • Re: Genuine BMW Rear View Camera Retrofit (Part 1) - tanev 2006-10-04 08:36:31 (209 views)