[Edrin55]

Hello Everyone,

I just had a backup camera system pfofessionally installed on my 2013 328i M Sport. The price of the kit is $495, plus labor, and state taxes. About $800 o.t.d.


The name of the shop is AlekShop. They are located in Fremont, CA.
It is a high end shop. All I saw in their workbays were very nice and expensive BMW's that made me droll. Alek, the owner, is very friendly and knowledgeable. He knows his stuff. Thank You Alek!!!

I currently live in San Diego, CA. However I had to be in the bay area for a family function. So this installation worked out. For those of you that want a professional installation and a great price, it is worth the 450 mile drive up from San Diego. Make a vacation out of it.

Here is a link to their website:

http://alekshop.com/products/multime...2012_2013_bmws



Pics:








Contact info:

AlekShop
4390 Technology Drive
Fremont, CA 94538
(905)609-4559
Tell Alek, Ron from San Diego sent you.

P.S. A special Thank You to Kent11202, a member of this forum who told me about AlekShop and also had the kit installed first.

[Bluesmansr]

Do you have a pic of the rear of the car where the camera is installed?

[TBLM235X]

Fantastic! This is the one option I wish came on my 435! I wish this place wasn't on the other side of the county…I would take mine there to get it installed in a heartbeat!

[Edrin55]

Originally Posted by Bluesmansr

Do you have a pic of the rear of the car where the camera is installed?

The camera is mounted where the left license plate light is. I was hesitant at first about loosing a light. However the camera bracket has an LED light also that replaces the one taken out. It is just as bright.

Here is picture. Sorry its not that great of a shot. You can see the camera on the upper left.

[IMG][/IMG]

[Bluesmansr]

Wow. I'm impressed, it's a very clean design.

[OC40]

How is the quality of the camera?

[Edrin55]

Originally Posted by OC40

How is the quality of the camera?

The picture quality of the camera is crystal clear. The day that I had this installed, it was pouring rain and I was very well impressed with the images and had no qualms about the picture quality. Even at night the quality is just as clear as in the daylight.
The brand of the camera is Sony. If you click on the link above, you can find all the specs listed there.

[therealm3]

Nice! I wonder how hard this would be to DIY? looks like it might be plug and play, though could be frustrating work if you have to run cables the length of the car to the head unit or something.

[kent11202]

Originally Posted by therealm3

Nice! I wonder how hard this would be to DIY? looks like it might be plug and play, though could be frustrating work if you have to run cables the length of the car to the head unit or something.

I watched Alek do most of the install and it "looks" pretty straight-forward but routing the cables requires some effort. I think you can do it yourself but, for me, it was easier to pay him than get to some part in the install that tripped me up big time.

[Edrin55]

Originally Posted by therealm3

Nice! I wonder how hard this would be to DIY? looks like it might be plug and play, though could be frustrating work if you have to run cables the length of the car to the head unit or something.

Originally Posted by kent11202

I watched Alek do most of the install and it "looks" pretty straight-forward but routing the cables requires some effort. I think you can do it yourself but, for me, it was easier to pay him than get to some part in the install that tripped me up big time.

I agree with Kent. For less than $300, it is much easier to have a true BMW professional do the work. He has done this install numerous times and knows the ins and outs of it. BTW, I forgot to mention in my original post, the installation only took 2 hours. Also, I am very anal about all the details on my car. After installation, you could not even tell anywhere on the car that it was taken apart. Not one scratch, dent, or nick.

[alienranch]

Very impressed. Great route for those that didn't opt for this at time of purchase.

[OC40]

Has anyone been to the dealer since having this installed? Is so, did they notice it or care about it?

[kent11202]

Originally Posted by OC40

Has anyone been to the dealer since having this installed? Is so, did they notice it or care about it?

Took mine for a software update after the camera was installed. I told them about the after-market camera install and that I had some "concerns" that the update might cause a problem. They assured me all would be fine and it was.

[OC40]

Originally Posted by kent11202

Took mine for a software update after the camera was installed. I told them about the after-market camera install and that I had some "concerns" that the update might cause a problem. They assured me all would be fine and it was.

Thanks!

[thephantastic]

I live just north of fremont and have been wanting to do this. i feel a lot more confident about it now. thanks

[Edrin55]

Originally Posted by thephantastic

I live just north of fremont and have been wanting to do this. i feel a lot more confident about it now. thanks

Good Luck Bud.... Relax... You will not regret it. It is well worth it.

[OC40]

I may do this after my PPK install. My local audio installer (25 years of experience) said that he could do this without a problem.

Thanks again for sharing. Before this thread, I was aware of a similar product from a company in Europe.

[Edrin55]

Originally Posted by OC40

I may do this after my PPK install. My local audio installer (25 years of experience) said that he could do this without a problem.

Thanks again for sharing. Before this thread, I was aware of a similar product from a company in Europe.

You're welcome.
Let us know how it turns out, if you order a kit and have it installed.

[OC40]

Originally Posted by Minty415

I'm just trying to understand why one would go this route and not just opt for the factory backup camera option, which is also cheaper?

I opted to buy a car that was already on a boat versus a custom order so I did not have to wait. It had every option that I wanted sans HK and backup camera.

[Edrin55]

Originally Posted by Minty415

I'm just trying to understand why one would go this route and not just opt for the factory backup camera option, which is also cheaper?

This option is for those vehicle owners who either bought a car on the lot without a backup camera OR didn't order the factory backup camera when building their vehicle. After the car is built without one, it CANNOT be added at a BMW dealership.
Lastly, this route is still less expensive then at the dealer when order/building your car. I believe the backup camera package is $950 from BMW. This aftermarket option is about $800 installed.

[Edrin55]

Just curious if anyone else has done this yet or contacted Alekshop???

[Edrin55]

Originally Posted by Edrin55

Just curious if anyone else has done this yet or contacted Alekshop???

"ttt"