When I bought my MINI, I didn't want to spend the money on a back-up camera. I mean, the car is tiny! How can you not see everything behind you?

Well, I've since backed into things twice that I easily would have seen in a camera. Both items were below the rear window level. The cost of repairs will easily exceed the cost of the camera.

For me a back-up camera is now a no-brainer. I hope others can learn from my mistake.

Note I'm posting this not knowing if the camera is now standard equipment in a MINI.

 

I have small children, which was the impetus for getting first the back up sensors in the previous Countryman, and now the backup camera in the current F56S. I've yet to have a child run behind the car (thankfully) but it's helped out in many other ways, including avoiding being hit, or hitting, the jerks that fly past you when you are backing out of a space (perpendicular) and also, with curb lineup on parallel parking. Great feature.

My coworker just took possession of parking assist, BTW, which I have yet to witness. Nuts!

 

We have it with our F56 Cooper HT. Costly but worth it

 

I just looked at the F57. $1500 for the backup camera which requires the Parking Assistant. $1150 on a BMW X1 requiring the Parking Assistant and Park Distance Control. $950 on a Sport Wagon requiring Park Distance Control.

Standard on an $18,640 Honda Civic.

 

Not interested! A car as small as a MINI doesn't need back up assist....plus, it's just something else to go wrong. If buyers could resist all the bells & whistles they can actually get alot of car for the cost (but MINI obviously likes it when you buy packages & lots of add-ons).

John (Curmudgeon) :-)

I'm kidding of course....but really, most buyers can get by just fine without back up cameras....put the money in your childrens' college funds instead.

 

If you get the wider NAV screen get the backup camera , i liked using it. Wish I had it on my old R52,, before the NLA the old kit.

 

I decided against it because the Mini is small and I figured I wouldn't need it. NOT! Now I am really sorry I didn't. IMO every car should come with a backup camera as standard equipment. It really does help you see what is behind you as you back up. Especially when you have blocked vision like being between two cars. I'll never buy another car without a backup camera!

 

I don't want one, but it is just two years away from mandatory as I recall.

 

I love it in my either cars but do fine without it in the Mini. I just rely on the good old fashioned approach of backing into parking spaces.

 

The most useful part of having the backup camera in the MINI/BMW is those wonderful steering guides that are overlaid on the camera image - I have used them on other cars but I have to tell you these are the first that I really trust.

 

Just an FYI....The F57 does not require Parking Assistant to get the back up camera ($500). You are required to have the back up sensors ($500) however. Total cost for the backup camera added to the F57 is $1000. I only know because I have one on order...

 

If you don't run over them before they get to college

 

I had the B/U camera on the F55 loaner I had for a couple weeks. It was nice enough, but I don't miss it now that I'm back in my F56. I do fine with the three mirrors.

 

Yes, mandatory on new cars built after May 1, 2018. Used cars without them will be harder to sell.

Took my '14 F56 (w/ a camera) to be serviced for ball joints, some oil related recall and other stuff and the nearly new F55 loaner lacks the camera. Surprising, penny wise & pound foolish.

 

It's fine to have or not have the things....sad when such things become mandatory though! I think it's silly to make such a big deal out of it! And guess why cars cost so much these days? Just throw practicality out the window. It's a nice safety feature sure, but using good sense & mirrors is totally fine! We have a company suv with backup camera & I find them very distracting personally....I always turn my head the old fashion way & carefully backup...really quite easy! ;-)

 

[QUOTE=torpeau;4190624
Took my '14 F56 (w/ a camera) to be serviced for ball joints, some oil related recall and other stuff and the nearly new F55 loaner lacks the camera. [/QUOTE]

Just returned the F55 loaner and got my '14 repaired MCS back -- bushings, oil filter housing, side impact recall, etc. Being used to the backup camera in my car made me a little uncomfortable backing up the loaner that lacked the camera. That F55 did seem a little more stable on the road than my F56, I liked it.

 

If toddlers are directly behind your MINI, you will not see them without a backup camera. They appear and disappear as if by magic, along with their toys and pets.

This is why I spent $100 for a wireless camera for my F56 hardtop, and another $100 for my wife's R55.

 

Agreed. Mirrors don't see behind your bumper.

 

Not running over kids is not silly. But it is very practical.

 

Ok, I get it! Jeeez..........

 

Actually, I think there are a few cars already out there or coming soon that use 4 cameras to give you a complete 360° view around your car.

 

Here's a tip. If you see three children around the back of your car when you get in your car and only see two of them as you prepare to back up, that should be a red flag. If there are no children in the area when you get in your car to back up that also can be considered a clue. Being aware of what's going on is a big help.

 

Yes, it is a big help. Just don't blink.

 

Well if so many want to play "what if?"... How about if you check your backup camera and you don't see anything, but run over little Timmy anyway because he was crawling under the back to get his ball? Sue the car company because you couldn't see under the car? Damned camera wasn't good enough!
If you feel you must have a camera, then great, go for it! But quit trying to act like if someone declines the option they don't care about "The Children"! Pay attention to your surroundings, before and after you get in the damned car!

 

Being more aware (or further alerted) to your surroundings, especially while backing-up or parking, is not a bad thing. Yeah, I'm an awesome parallel parker too -- I'd wager better than most people here. I still love my back-up camera. This is not a competition. I feel that those who feel that they're too good for a back-up camera, or that "this car" doesn't benefit from one, are silly, or simply don't know any better. I'm glad I have front and rear sonar and my back-up camera. I wish there were a forward camera too.

My car's bumpers are still pristine, as I approach two years. Are yours?