I managed to accidentally build my 2014 F56 with Nav Professional, PDC, Park Assist and iDrive, but somehow still failed to get the back-up camera that I was expecting to get.

This is the one sore-spot for me, in an otherwise awesome build and car.

I've been hoping to add the camera and searched for an outfit that does retrofits of OEM systems, and I found Bimmer-Tech. They do this very thing for all BMW models. I wrote them, but unfortunately, they don't do it for MINIs. However, they said they would consider it, if there were "at least three people interested." I am definitely one of the three.

Do we have any other seriously interested parties on here, besides myself?

Here's a copy of the exchange:

Hi David,

We do not have such a camera for your Mini. If we had at least 3 people interested we might be able to work on a retrofit kit.

Kind regards,
Patryk Matysiak
info@bimmer-tech.net

On Tuesday 10 February 2015 at 19:14, David A. Rechtschaffen wrote:
This is an enquiry e-mail via http://www.bimmer-tech.net/ from: David A. Rechtschaffen <darex@comcast.net>

Any possibility of releasing an OEM Reversing Camera Retrofit Kit for the F56 MINI Cooper? I have PDC, Park Assist, iDrive and NAV Professional installed already.

Thank you.
David

 

How much we talking? I can't imagine this not being very expensive. What impact will this have on the warrenty components effected in the car? This will be the biggest hurdle if something in the future needs repair and can be tied to the camera installation. Frankly, I would live with it....It's a short car.

 

Not sure how much, but they use exclusively BMW OEM parts, and as I said, on their website, it's clear that they know their BMWs, and offer it on every current model. As we know, MINI F56/F55 now shares many, if not most of the wiring and electronics with F-series BMWs. I'm not concerned about supposed risks to my warranty with these people. Once completed, it should be identical to a factory build.

 

What would be the pre-reqs needed for this retrofit? That would impact my decision significantly.

 

My question as well, I have Connected w/Visual Boost XL, so Nav + iDrive, etc. But I don't have PDC or Park Assist.

 

I think everything that's BMW-specific would apply to our F56/F55 too, as the packages correspond, and are analogous.

Per their website (http://www.bimmer-tech.net/blog/item...mertech-blog):

Your BMW needs iDrive with Navigational Professional and a Parking Distance Control (PDC) system for it to take advantage of all of this kit&rsquo;s features, which include the ability to add on such options as side-view and top-view cameras as well as trailer hitch mode. Once this BMW


OEM camera is installed, we help you activate the factory coding remotely, free of charge. If you have a BMW without the features mentioned above, your best bet is to choose the BimmerTech Rear-View Camera Kit below.

 

Correction:

There are three ways to do the back-up camera. One is factory identical and requires PDC and iDrive and Nav Professional, but the other two can be achieved without those.

See table under this blog article:
http://www.bimmer-tech.net/blog/item/1-bimmertech-blog

 

So, nobody else except me seriously interested in adding the OEM back-up camera to their F56? 😞

Bimmer-tech will create a kit, if only two others show a serious interest in their doing so.

My not having a back-up camera was due to an ordering error on my part, but it's one that I can undo! I really want a camera again. Once you've had one, it sucks not having one.

 

I'm interested, but it would be for my Countryman S. It would be helpful to know the prerequisite for the kit to work.

 

See link two messages up. For BMW models, they have three variations, depending on your installed equipment. I have PDC and Nav Pro (aka Visual Boost XL), so I'm good for the BMW OEM kit.

 

I'd be interested in the equivalent of the BimmerTech Rear View Camera Kit. I have Nav Pro, but no PDC.

 

Selshan & CptSilver, can I report your interest to Bimmer-Tech along with my own?

I want them to start working on this, because I know they can do so easily, if they decide they want to.

 

I'd be interested in this too, if the price was right and installation wouldn't void the warranty on my car.

I have Nav XL, no PDC.

 

Ditto

 

Go for it. Sounds like we've got 5 total interested, including yourself. Any idea what pricing would be? I'm assuming similar to the BMW versions.

 

Not sure, but I agree with you that it would most likely be similar in price, since the components are similar (if not the identical ones). Waiting to hear back from them.

 

Same here. Justa.

 

Interested as well depending on price

 

I wish they would make one for the countryman.

 

Any update?

 

I wrote Patryk a few weeks ago, but didn't hear back since my first discussions with him. I will write him again and let you guys know what he says. I still want my back-up camera!!

 

Any reply from Bimmer? I have a new R59 MCS that really needs a backup camera with the top up, so you can add me to the number of interested parties.

 

My goodness yes! Check out the following thread:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...arman-nbt.html

Now, I have an F56, and I know that helped me achieve it, because they're so similar to the other F-series BMW models.

Still, I'm sure they can help you. They're really good!

Try writing Patryk directly.
patryk@bimmer-tech.net

 

That's awesome. I'll get in contact with them an DC see what they can do.

 

you now have one more interested party!