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Hi all! It's been a long time since I have posted anything. I still have my 2005 Cabrio, and at 90K +. miles, she is still going strong! For 20 years now I've put up with the poor rearward visibility, having to tentatively inch my way back out of parking spaces because I couldn't see what was coming up. I know that aftermarket solutions exist, and I'd love to hear if anyone has installed one, what make, etc.
Thanks!!
Yes, I did! I have a 2006 R52 S.
I bought one of the cheap Ebay backup cameras that replaces one of your license plate lights and replaces it with the camera and an LED light. I then put an LED bulb in the other license plate light so the light difference wouldn't be weird on the plate.
Here's what I found on Amazon, same thing:
Don't be afraid of a cheap camera. The image at night isn't even terrible - it beats my 2017 JCW Clubman factory backup camera by a mile.
I was originally going to do a 3.5" or 4"" LCD screen that I was going to 3D print a recessed sun visor mount for, so I could flip it down and see the screen.
But I ended up buying an Android Auto head unit that has a touchscreen and decent size:
Thanks for this info. I am in the market for exactly the same thing, so wanted to comment to stay in the loop. I have the 2007 R52 S Convertible and want the stereo upgrade.
Wondering if you know if this thing can get a front mounted camera? I have one of those cheap ones that is standalone, but attaches to the windshield via a suction cup. I'd love to get an additional camera that I can send the wiring through the posts and into the stereo system. If I could get something that has the ability to record onto a stereo replacement, along with the rear dash cam, I'd be one of the happiest MINI drivers there is.
Just checked the links on this that @geolemon posted. If you click over to the stereo, in the description, Amazon states there is a new upgrade that goes for $35.00 versus the $51.00 in the original link: Here's the new link
I edited my original post to fix the camera link. $35, replaces the license light, has an LED built in.
Doesn't look bad.
Here's mine, you can see I needed to make a spacer, but that was easy. Don't be brave like I was and sand the back of the screen housing like I did, just make a 3/4" spacer. 😎
I know nothing of that upgrade unit, but it makes sense since I bought mine in 2023. It was the unique form factor that I liked, to get a screen big enough for the camera. Works well for an Android head unit, too.
Wow, that is awesome, it looks great!! This is perfect timing, I just ordered a replacement chrome hatch handle (the original's chrome was getting wrinkly and my light doesn't work). Seems like the right time to attach the camera to the wiring (I hope I am brave enough to try!). Securing the wiring through the car might be tricky for me, I don't know. Years ago I did several "Girls Guide to..." that were made stickys, but I haven't tackled anything since, and I am 20 years older and now on Medicare LOL!! If it's straight forward tho I'd try it.
Now dumb question - but if I don't want to change the head unit, does any LCD screen work? Unfortunately I don't have a 3D printer, so I may just have to find a place to mount the screen. Dumb question, but if you had mounted it to the sun visor, how would you have routed the wire?
Thanks for helping me out, it's why I've always loved this site!!
The other thing I was looking at was this (I love the guides showing on the screen) - but on second thought, I don't know how I could run the cables to the interior...
I just clicked on the link to the upgraded head unit and I like that one much better! Dumb question, but what if I have an iPhone since this is an Android head unit?
That's exactly what I did, I bought a chrome replacement since my painted one was looking a little weathered.
It was easy wiring in the camera light at that time, and getting the interior panel off the backside of my tailgate was simple. There's a rubber fitting you see when you open your hatch tailgate there (R52, convertible, right?). They sell (I happened to have a little stash) rubber wiring looms pretty cheap, for situations like this. I poked a hole in the rubber boot and used another loom to run the wire to the other boot - I just didn't think I'd squeeze another wire through, but that might also be possible. Either way, pretty easy.
Routing wires through an interior is always an exercise in creativity, mixed with "the same old, same old" for a former mobile audio installer, like me. Usually it's easiest to run it down near the floor, by popping the door sills up, running the cable behind the carpeted panels - either bending them slightly , fishing them behind the panels, and routing them into the channels you'll expose by popping up the door sills.
You could run the RCA up toward the sun visor pretty easily - the interior sail panels on either side of the windshield pop off as well as the kick panels under the dash. In all cases, YouTube videos can show you the details for that, but it is pretty easy. To run a screen, you'll need to both find and tap power, and ground. That's not necessarily hard either, but you don't need to do that with the stereo - which even offers you Android Auto and Car Play, for a very easy head unit install (other than, as I mentioned, you want to create a 3/4" spacer, not that it's incredibly difficult either). Then you don't need a separate screen. But obviously, I'm biased, since that's exactly what I did.
Here is another option for how to mount the rearview camera. I like to use a license plate style mount, but with it tucked behind the plate for a cleaner appearance.
This is on my 350Z:
And this is on my Dodge Ram2500:
We don't have a backup camera on my daughter's R52S, but I like the headunit suggestions in this thread. Right now, we have a Pioneer Bluetooth single-DIN radio integrated with the HK audio system and using the steering wheel controls.
It’s more expensive, but I’d rather not be bothered with running wires. The kit came a couple of days ago, was very nicely boxed, with clear instructions that make sense (no “Thank you to buy this, good luck assembly”). I ordered the kit with the 5” monitor, which is plenty large enough for me to see what's going on. I charged the battery and will be trying it out tomorrow. It looks to be an easy install. Some users note a lag time in response, others don’t. I really hope it works!
For sure 5" will be fine. I installed a backup camera in my wife's Acura by installing a rear view mirror with a 3" screen hidden behind the mirror surface, and I wouldn't want to go smaller than that, but even that is fine. 5” will be plenty.
I'd only be concerned with two aspects (besides it costing more). Not to sound challenging, just for "food for thought" for future thread readers:
1) I personally like to have the screen integrated and/or hidden. But you know what - at least with a wired camera, you can send 12v to the trigger wire with a switch, and use the rear camera as a rear view screen at any time. So in that sense, having a screen on your dash full time could become useful rather than cause passenger question marks.
2) I can understand normal people being intimidated by running a wire, maybe afraid to pop panels off. Wireless makes sense in that aspect. However, I fear it does add a lot of complexity and expense - you are buying a transmitter and a receiver, both are radios that require power on both sides - I suspect the install is actually more difficult. There's also the risk of the signal arriving less than perfect, from poor reception.
Bear in mind, I'm not intimidated, but I have decades of tinkering experience, pro and hobbyist/enthusiast level.
Also, I'd think there's probably a way to activate the camera with a wireless setup, like the trigger wire on a wired setup, if you did want to go the route of allowing use as a rear-view screen.
I'm interested in the pics, when you get it and set it up.
Thanks for the follow up comments, appreciate those!
I just installed it today. I had to attach the backup camera to the bottom of the license plate rather than the top, because the chrome hatch handle (new, just installed as well!) prohibited the latter option (and it would not fit unless I ditched the plate frame). There is virtually no lag time with the Bluetooth signal when I press the switch to turn on the monitor, which is great. The image is clear and works well in day or night, and the monitor automatically comes on when I start the car. The only issue I have is that the longest time the camera will only stay on for a max of 2 minutes, which sounds like a long time but somehow goes by quickly. I did test the blind spot issue (which is huge in the cabrio) and it does image that area, which is great - though I'm still going to back up really slowly and carefully! Shockingly, the biggest issue I had was getting the monitor mounted on the dash! The sticky base that came with it was useless - as was double sided tape, Velcro stickies, and Gorilla tape. I cleaned the area with alcohol and finally got it to not fall over, but I fear a few good potholes and it will come flying off! I do like having it in that location, in my view field just to the left of top of the steering wheel.
The other issue with the loosey-goosey dash mount is that I have to reach up to restart the monitor after 2 minutes, so it needs to be more secure. The monitor is supposed to be able to be turned on and off with the button on the lighter plug, but it doesn't do that - it stays on as long as the ignition switch is on.
I'll post photos in a couple of days!
