[welkerbrads]

Does anyone know if the backup view camera can be installed at the dealer after the fact. I just got my X3 didn't order this option. I wish I had.

[colton_matthias]

Originally Posted by welkerbrads

Does anyone know if the backup view camera can be installed at the dealer after the fact. I just got my X3 didn't order this option. I wish I had.

Same here!!!

[Steven40]

Same here but with topview, I tried the demo of the garage for a day end october last year and it was very easy to park.
I didn't take it on my car and regret it, it was extra assistance with PDC !

[Santa69]

I asked my CA and he did not know if the cameras could be installed post production.

Topview is well worth it if you are parking in a small garage (like mine).

[Harplayr]

I thought top view was a silly gimmick and wasn’t going to get it.
I ended ordering the tech package because of the delays for cars without Nav.
After using it, I’m amazed how helpful it is in tight spaces and parallel parking.
The backup camera view is excellent too.

[Beyu]

The rear-view camera and top view are nice but I wish they would show proximity/distance a little better. It works fine in most situations and normal parking spots but doesn't do very well in cramped quarters where every inch means the difference between hitting a wall or not.

[clarence]

Top view cannot be retrofitted for the time being, whereas reverse cam is available as a retrofit kit (in Europe at least).

[Sabian]

Bummer if that is the case... Having the top view was really helpful for me just yesterday when I was backing out of a very crowded newly constructed driveway that had basically a cliff off the edge ( the area was sill under construction). Using the backup camera I couldn't quite see the edge, but going to top down view it was a breeze since I could see the border. Love having this feature now.

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by clarence

Top view cannot be retrofitted for the time being, whereas reverse cam is available as a retrofit kit (in Europe at least).

Is it a dealer retrofit or after-market part? Would you need need the parking sensors for it to work?

[clarence]

Originally Posted by inamik75

Is it a dealer retrofit or after-market part? Would you need need the parking sensors for it to work?

Dealer retrofit. U must have PDC in order to have reverse cam. PDC is also available as retrofit.

[F25TURBO]

I love the rear view camera feature, it leaves my buddies with their mouth open when they see it.

[smoothmoka]

Originally Posted by clarence

Dealer retrofit. U must have PDC in order to have reverse cam. PDC is also available as retrofit.

Anybody know how much to retrofit?

[shaikh_sakib]

I am also looking for a retrofit for PDC and back up camera. Anyone do this in Toronto or New Jersey area and know where to go and how much. (live in Toronto but frequently travel to NJ/NYC)

[greg2step]

Originally Posted by Harplayr

I thought top view was a silly gimmick and wasn’t going to get it.
I ended ordering the tech package because of the delays for cars without Nav.
After using it, I’m amazed how helpful it is in tight spaces and parallel parking.
The backup camera view is excellent too.

I didn't realize the X3 had it on first test drive - I test drove an Infiniti EX35 and the salesman was really pushing the top view - then I discovered the X3 has it w/ tech package - its an amazing feature - as someone said especially for parking in a small garage spot

[powertech83]

I would love to have topview camera too if it's possible, or just rearview would be fine for me i guess.
I wonder if the wiring is already in place for rearview camera (not topview) retrofit or they have to tear apart the interior for that. I already have PDC.
Should have asked the dealer when I have my sunroof fixed.

[MAKE]

My X3 has rear view camera, but I was too late to update the order for the topview mirror mounted cameras. Does anyone know if they can be retrofitted in my case...is the wiring already in place in the wing mirrors and what will the hardware cost?

[ricardoyak]

Originally Posted by MAKE

My X3 has rear view camera, but I was too late to update the order for the topview mirror mounted cameras. Does anyone know if they can be retrofitted in my case...is the wiring already in place in the wing mirrors and what will the hardware cost?

Reversing camera is in the UK accessories brochure so looks like it can be fitted. No mention of top view so I would assume that it can't be fitted. I would imagine that the mirror housings are different as well as the possible lack of wiring.

I sympathise - it was the first thing I added after testing an XC60 (that didn't) and then an X3 that had the feature. Made it much easier to park in a tight space.

[MAKE]

Thanks for the update, wish I had read all the positive feedback before ordering

[arod]

What does PDC stand for? What does retrofit mean? I have a 2012 X3 without the reverse/backup camera, but I have the BMW Navigation. What camera/camera's will work with my Navigation system and when I go into reverse, automatically switch to the camera?

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by arod

What does PDC stand for? What does retrofit mean? I have a 2012 X3 without the reverse/backup camera, but I have the BMW Navigation. What camera/camera's will work with my Navigation system and when I go into reverse, automatically switch to the camera?

PDC = Park Distance Control. *
PDC includes (8) Ultrasonic sensors (4 in each bumper cover) and the electronics to support their function. See your owners manual for more details. It's listed in the index as "PDC"

"Retrofit" means having an option installed after the car has left the factory (usually by a dealer). The cost of such an installation, if you can find a dealer who is willing to do it, is MANY times the cost of the option when ordered before the car is built.

The only back-up camera that will reasonably integrate with your existing display screen and work automatically is the BMW factory system (which requires that the car is equipped with PDC).

All of the aftermarket systems either use a separate display screen (so are complete "stand-alone" devices) or will require extensive physical and software "hacking" to attempt to use the existing display screen, which would almost certainly cause many potential problems.

I have the back-up camera option on our X3 and can't imagine driving (really parking) the car without it. For a vehicle with such a high rear window and limited rear visibility, it should be "standard equipment" on every one sold.

*You may also see "PCD" used on this Forum. It's not a typo. PCD means "Performance Center Delivery" which means you go to the factory to pick up your car and get to drive around on their track in a factory supplied vehicle. PCD is NOT required for the back-up camera.

[tank531]

In additon to Lotus notes above (no pun intended) I can add: physically installing the OEM camera above the license plate in the tailgate is the easy part. I dont have a rear camera, nor care for one myself but I did look into it for the wife as a retrofit. I never established if the standard wire loom installed for F25 built without the camera option allow for video feed if a retrofit camera is installed later. In addition to the actual camera you must buy a video interface (box) but I am not sure if you need to rip out the trim to get a new cable from the back to front of the car. If someone can establish if the stnadard built cars (without factory fit camera) come with wire loom for the camera then retrofit installation could become a DIY job!!!! The other detail I am not sure of is the iDrive program - would that need a patch to 'see' the camera even when cabled correctly?

[Lotus7]

Have no idea if the rear camera cabling is installed on every vehicle, but it could probably be checked by digging around in the tailgate.

I'd be more concerned about getting into the video monitor and being accessible via iDrive. The display is fully integrated and combined with the PDC sensor display, which is obviously why PDC is a prerequisite of the camera installation.

It's a pretty sophisticated combined display with the rear view image, the various distance warning bands that appear , and the "object" warning "blocks", and the moving steering path projection arcs. It has to be a "bunch" of code (highly technical programming term) to do what it does. Since BMW is not going to supply access to the display system source code, it's extremely unlikely that anyone (independently) could develop a patch to get a camera to integrate into the display or get past the secure access to the system.

Certainly, if a dealer installed the hardware, they would probably have to do a complete "install" of the BMW code that included the [program] modules that support the PDC and back up camera.

Considering the cost, time and effort involved, a stand-alone, RF-linked system for a few hundred bucks looks a lot more practical. Of course, you have to find a place for the little monitor screen.