Notes on a 2012 E92 M3 with a BimmerTech rear camera kit install

[Technic]

Called BimmerTech and told him to get me his OEM-grade rear camera kit for my E92 M3. The major difference between BimmerTech camera kit and the Chinese cam modules is that the actual camera display in the iDrive screen uses the OEM interface.

So if the idea is to have the look of OEM =and with the PDC- then there is nothing else out there. That's what I was looking for...

Camera -in OEM-like trunk release mount- installed:


CIC removed; the camera video (yellow RCA) and camera power jack exposed:


Custom harness with premade connections amd camera emulator ready to go in:




Harness plugged in, iDrive coded for rear camera, OEM screen enabled:


Notes:

- Hardware is PnP; coding required for the OEM camera screen.
- PDC integrated with OEM camera screen
- No other modifications/hardware required. Kit includes camera, harness and coding.

[Mike Benvo]

That's very cool.

What is the relay for in the picture?

[Technic]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

That's very cool.

What is the relay for in the picture?

... it turns the camera on and off. No battery drain while the car is off.

[THE TECH]

I like.

[marius76]

Technic,
Can you add in your display Obstacle Marking and Parking aid lines?

This is how it looks in my E90 (this is not Bimmertech nor Bimmerretrofit kit)

Rearview camera


Parking aid lines


Parking aid lines when front wheels are turned



Obstacle marking


Parking aid lines and Obstacle marking together

[ILSMKU]

^^^What solution is this? Do like!

[Technic]

That is not an OEM rear camera emulator, that is the OEM module. That's next...

Originally Posted by marius76

Technic,
Can you add in your display Obstacle Marking and Parking aid lines?

This is how it looks in my E90 (this is not Bimmertech nor Bimmerretrofit kit)

Rearview camera
Attachment 752526

Parking aid lines
Attachment 752527

Parking aid lines when front wheels are turned

Attachment 752529

Obstacle marking
Attachment 752530

Parking aid lines and Obstacle marking together
Attachment 752528

[marius76]

Originally Posted by ILSMKU

^^^What solution is this? Do like!

As Technic said, I used OEM module to enable parking aid lines and obstacle marking.

[Johndong888]

Originally Posted by marius76

As Technic said, I used OEM module to enable parking aid lines and obstacle marking.

How and where can one buy the OEM module?!

[Patrys@BimmerTech]

Thanks Technic for your review
The BimmerTech rear view camera solution for the 3-series is the best one on the market

The OEM option mentioned above is not a dedicated 3-series solution.
Since parts come from other BMW model you need to cut the trunk lid to fit the camera and installation is definitely not PnP.
If someone if interested in doing it this way to gain the guide lines and obstacles marking we would be happy to offer it.

[Johndong888]

It is true. Patryk is the BEST!!! Here's his backup camera on my old 335i. I will be doing the backup camera on my m3 soon as well. Go team Patryk!

Please don't hate on my lawn, I killed that patch of grass there with some dirty car water

[marius76]

Originally Posted by Johndong888

How and where can one buy the OEM module?!

Please sent me PM if you are interested in details.

[marius76]

Originally Posted by Patrys@BimmerTech

The OEM option mentioned above is not a dedicated 3-series solution.
Since parts come from other BMW model you need to cut the trunk lid to fit the camera and installation is definitely not PnP.

That is truth that you need to cut trunk lid to fit wider trunk opener which accomodates camera. Installation in my case was PnP.





I think installation of any camera is not a dedicated 3-series (E9x) solution because BMW has never relased any rearview camera retrofit kit for E9x series (Im not taking about kits which have separate display).

Yes, I used OEM parts from different BMW model. In the same way, you use Mini Cooper AV in socket in BMW E9x , E8x, E70 or E6x series to play Video from your Iphone/IPod or use CIC Idrive frame from 6 series to accomodate new Idrive in 5 (E6x) series.

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by marius76

That is truth that you need to cut trunk lid to fit wider trunk opener which accomodates camera. Installation in my case was PnP.

Attachment 753399

Attachment 753400

I think installation of any camera is not a dedicated 3-series (E9x) solution because BMW has never relased any rearview camera retrofit kit for E9x series (Im not taking about kits which have separate display).

Yes, I used OEM parts from different BMW model. In the same way, you use Mini Cooper AV in socket in BMW E9x , E8x, E70 or E6x series to play Video from your Iphone/IPod or use CIC Idrive frame from 6 series to accomodate new Idrive in 5 (E6x) series.

You have some part information on the OEM parts you used?

[tico1028]

Is this kit then available for sale?

[Technic]

Originally Posted by tico1028

Is this kit then available for sale?

Of course, otherwise there will be no thread...

Please contact forum vendor BimmerTech for details.

[hpc3]

Originally Posted by Technic

Called BimmerTech and told him to get me his OEM-grade rear camera kit for my E92 M3. The major difference between BimmerTech camera kit and the Chinese cam modules is that the actual camera display in the iDrive screen uses the OEM interface.

So if the idea is to have the look of OEM =and with the PDC- then there is nothing else out there. That's what I was looking for...

Camera -in OEM-like trunk release mount- installed:


CIC removed; the camera video (yellow RCA) and camera power jack exposed:


Custom harness with premade connections amd camera emulator ready to go in:




Harness plugged in, iDrive coded for rear camera, OEM screen enabled:


Notes:

- Hardware is PnP; coding required for the OEM camera screen.
- PDC integrated with OEM camera screen
- No other modifications/hardware required. Kit includes camera, harness and coding.

you can easily access it? I installed/coded mine Friday and I don't think I'm getting power to the camera. I'm working with Patryk on this but know its likely going to be a challenge to diagnose between continents... I'm curious what you get with the camera unplugged, understand if its buried and you can't get to it easily.




I have everything coded, CIC looks like yours however there is no picture. I can adjust the contrast and brightness in the display so this has me a little baffled. I would assume the picture would remain black with no video signal... maybe thats a CIC display function though. I plan on hitting RadioShack to make a jumper to test for power back at the camera plug. I'm betting its up in the harness somewhere though.

Any thoughts/help appreciated.

[Technic]

If you stay in the car for awhile (3-5 minutes) with the doors closed and the car off, then the relay must click if it is wired/working correctly once you open a door, turn the car on or the iDrive on (press volume button with car off). The relay provides the 12V to the camera itself.

So if you hear the click then the relay is wired correctly and working. That's takes care of the relay test.

To determine if the camera is actually receiving 12V then you must test the camera power jack (at its cable) itself or the relay terminal 87 for 12V.

The OEM cam emulator is wired/working properly because you do see the the OEM rear camera screen but no video. So your problem is the power to the camera.

Originally Posted by hpc3

you can easily access it? I installed/coded mine Friday and I don't think I'm getting power to the camera. I'm working with Patryk on this but know its likely going to be a challenge to diagnose between continents... I'm curious what you get with the camera unplugged, understand if its buried and you can't get to it easily.




I have everything coded, CIC looks like yours however there is no picture. I can adjust the contrast and brightness in the display so this has me a little baffled. I would assume the picture would remain black with no video signal... maybe thats a CIC display function though. I plan on hitting RadioShack to make a jumper to test for power back at the camera plug. I'm betting its up in the harness somewhere though.

Any thoughts/help appreciated.

[hpc3]

Originally Posted by Technic

If you stay in the car for awhile (3-5 minutes) with the doors closed and the car off, then the relay must click if it is wired/working correctly once you open a door, turn the car on or the iDrive on (press volume button with car off). The relay provides the 12V to the camera itself.

So if you hear the click then the relay is wired correctly and working. That's takes care of the relay test.

To determine if the camera is actually receiving 12V then you must test the camera power jack (at its cable) itself or the relay terminal 87 for 12V.

The OEM cam emulator is wired/working properly because you do see the the OEM rear camera screen but no video. So your problem is the power to the camera.

I'll try the sleep-then-wake from within the car this afternoon and see if I can get a click/sound. It was not making any audiable noise that I could determine yesterday with going into reverse then neutral then back again. I was guessing the relay only activated when the reverse signal came on... that would explain that aspect then if the relay is hot while the car is on. Thanks for the help.

Hal.

[e90m3japan]

Is there something like it for the ccc?

[hpc3]

Originally Posted by hpc3

I'll try the sleep-then-wake from within the car this afternoon and see if I can get a click/sound. It was not making any audiable noise that I could determine yesterday with going into reverse then neutral then back again. I was guessing the relay only activated when the reverse signal came on... that would explain that aspect then if the relay is hot while the car is on. Thanks for the help.

Hal.

Had a bad harness apparently, camera was not getting power. Replaced with one Patryk sent and its up and running. Nice OEM-quality mod.

[bmw0bsession]

Originally Posted by hpc3

you can easily access it? I installed/coded mine Friday and I don't think I'm getting power to the camera. I'm working with Patryk on this but know its likely going to be a challenge to diagnose between continents... I'm curious what you get with the camera unplugged, understand if its buried and you can't get to it easily.




I have everything coded, CIC looks like yours however there is no picture. I can adjust the contrast and brightness in the display so this has me a little baffled. I would assume the picture would remain black with no video signal... maybe thats a CIC display function though. I plan on hitting RadioShack to make a jumper to test for power back at the camera plug. I'm betting its up in the harness somewhere though.

Any thoughts/help appreciated.

Where did you go to have this coded? Or did you do it yourself? I thought it would be simply a PNP but I have no idea how to go about coding