M3 Backup + Front Camera install

[frankzlin79]

So I was just at Driver's Source this morning getting my low beams and fog light bulbs swapped out in my TL. A black E92 M3 with an older guy driving (maybe it was KIS?) parked behind me and i heard that he was getting the rear view camera kit installed . I didn't get a chance to talk to him.

Steve wasn't in the shop today. But a guy named Mark was. Mark said that Driver's Source has been doing a lot of the rear view camera kits lately.

Tinpot, you've started a new fad.

[tinpot]

Since I'm in the market for an ESS supercharger, maybe this will be the next avant-garde mod to hit the streets of Houston

Originally Posted by frankzlin79

So I was just at Driver's Source this morning getting my low beams and fog light bulbs swapped out in my TL. A black E92 M3 with an older guy driving (maybe it was KIS?) parked behind me and i heard that he was getting the rear view camera kit installed . I didn't get a chance to talk to him.

Steve wasn't in the shop today. But a guy named Mark was. Mark said that Driver's Source has been doing a lot of the rear view camera kits lately.

Tinpot, you've started a new fad.

[KIS]

Originally Posted by frankzlin79

So I was just at Driver's Source this morning getting my low beams and fog light bulbs swapped out in my TL. A black E92 M3 with an older guy driving (maybe it was KIS?) parked behind me and i heard that he was getting the rear view camera kit installed . I didn't get a chance to talk to him.

Steve wasn't in the shop today. But a guy named Mark was. Mark said that Driver's Source has been doing a lot of the rear view camera kits lately.

Tinpot, you've started a new fad.

Yes, it was me. They did a great job. When I picked my car up there was a Porsche GT and a Scuderia parked next to me. Very nice shop.

[frankzlin79]

Originally Posted by KIS

Yes, it was me. They did a great job. When I picked my car up there was a Porsche GT and a Scuderia parked next to me. Very nice shop.

I JUST got back from Driver Source myself to pick up my car. Yes, I also saw the white GT and red Scuderia. Very nice cars.

[frankzlin79]

Originally Posted by tinpot

Since I'm in the market for an ESS supercharger, maybe this will be the next avant-garde mod to hit the streets of Houston

Whoaa! Supercharger now! Sheesh, if you get that, you will have the most heavily modded and fastest M3 in Houston. But i highly doubt you're gonna start a supercharger fad in Houston heh.

[jphughan]

I bought the camera from ModMyNav.com (their kit allows for a rear camera, 3 other RCA AV inputs, and one RCA AV out, and they sell front cameras) and I'll be having mine installed by Flamingo Automotive in Austin. The guy who runs it is an instructor at Driver's Edge HPDEs held throughout Texas and a generally great guy.

[av071173]

Let us know how it goes. I am also in Austin and considering to install a front/rear camera kit.

Good luck with the install.

Originally Posted by jphughan

I bought the camera from ModMyNav.com (their kit allows for a rear camera, 3 other RCA AV inputs, and one RCA AV out, and they sell front cameras) and I'll be having mine installed by Flamingo Automotive in Austin. The guy who runs it is an instructor at Driver's Edge HPDEs held throughout Texas and a generally great guy.

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by av071173

Let us know how it goes. I am also in Austin and considering to install a front/rear camera kit.

Good luck with the install.

I will. Kris from ModMyNav has been super responsive to questions before and after purchase handling concerns and mentioning deviations from the instructions for 2010 and later cars, and the kit looks solid. I've seen it in action so I'm not worried. I considered doing the install myself because it looks pretty straightforward but I'd never forgive myself if I scratched my aluminum trim or broke something on my new baby, and Joe at Flamingo Automotive is top notch, HIGHLY recommended for maintenance, mods, etc. I should have my car with camera installed in the first week of May and I live in West Campus, let me know if you want to meet.

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by av071173

Let us know how it goes. I am also in Austin and considering to install a front/rear camera kit.

Good luck with the install.

Just got it done -- looks VERY OEM on the outside and works perfectly! In hindsight I might have just been happy with PDC (ordered the camera before I got the car and didn't realize how precise PDC was) but it's nice to have an actual visual -- I was spoiled by my last car. In a perfect world I'd have a car with no PDC and this camera to avoid the rear bumper dimples, but PDC is part of the Convenience Pkg now which is the only way to get Comfort Access -- oh well, at least the dimples are smaller than they used to be. But if you don't have PDC this is a great mod, helps you get into tighter spaces than you might attempt otherwise without risking a bumper ding.

[frankzlin79]

I have the convenience package (and comfort access), but my 2010 has no PDC...

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by frankzlin79

I have the convenience package (and comfort access), but my 2010 has no PDC...

You have the Technology Package. The Convenience Package replaced it for 2011.5 M3s (those produced September 2010 and later), which is also when Premium Package 2 was introduced (included power front seats since the base model was now available with weight-saving manual seats). At that time M Drive also became standard and Auto Start/Stop and Combox were added.

Technology Package (old):
M Drive
Nav
EDC
Comfort Access

Convenience Package:
Nav
Comfort Access
Alarm
PDC

Prior to 2011.5, Comfort Access was available as a standalone option but it's not anymore.

[frankzlin79]

Ah, thanks for the clarification.

[scomodare]

I know the topic is old but I was trying to do the same thing for my 2013 328i. Anybody have the backup + front camera and module installed anywhere in Houston or nearby? I want to get it done but have no clue who would do it around here. I would appreciate any help.

[03BeastCharmer]

I did the Alekshop rear camera myself, but really didn't need a front camera. I'm not too bad a job if you get some trim removal tools from Amazon. I'm not a real greasy monkey, but I was able to get it done myself with only one or two bruised knuckle. Drivers Source in Houston could probably do it if you don't want to do it yourself.

[TexasSpartan]

I did the install myself as well. Just takes patience and some tools. Info on this thread. I purchased from BimmerTech and they coded it as well.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=851828&page=2

[roddyc]

I did mine myself as well with the kit from modmynav. It was a little intimidating, but once I got started it wasn't too bad. Definitely not worth the $400+ local stereo shops were asking to install it...

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by TexasSpartan

I did the install myself as well. Just takes patience and some tools. Info on this thread. I purchased from BimmerTech and they coded it as well.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=851828&page=2

One of the guys at my office picked up a 335i and the Bimmertech rear kit, and he asked me to help him install it, as I've done mine. I left him to do everything in the trunk, advising him when necessary, and handled everything forward. Took us an hour for everything, minus the coding. I'd say you probably need an extra 45 mins or so for the front camera alone, primarily b/c you have to find the route through the firewall, remove the driver's side under dash panel, and make everything look clean in the engine compartment.

Originally Posted by roddyc

I did mine myself as well with the kit from modmynav. It was a little intimidating, but once I got started it wasn't too bad. Definitely not worth the $400+ local stereo shops were asking to install it...

Hell, I'll do it for $400 *lol*.

[TexasSpartan]

Personally, I don't see the need so much for the front camera but I use the rear cam every single day. I see it's an option on the new M4.