[winther1]

One of the things I missed a lot was the ability to have a fully functional spotify app and waze on my idrive screen - and a front facing camera to protect my splitter when parking. 2 years on, and I still can't judge the kerb distance over the bonnet (unlike my 330i E90).
I dipped into the main MMI thread and got some good tips, but it's so busy that questions get lost quickly.

I already ordered this camera

And planning to get this MMI (NBT version). I guess there will be customs charges, but still a good price.

I want to see the front splitter, so thinking of placing the camera here - screwed into the top of the front bumper with the splitter just beneath. 170 degree angle should capture that.



What do you think of my choice of hardware? I'm a bit worried about audio quality as it seems some people experience poor audio from bluetooth. I want to retain the same quality as I have currently with my idrive.

Chasing installation quotes now, but most companies supply their own equipment and charge around 1k - according to them, the biggest challenge is routing/fitting the camera.
Do you know any installers around London who will allow customers to source their own equipment and not charging a fortune?

[Abzynthe]

I have mine here and pointed so that the bottom of the screen it right where the end of the splitter is.


Fitting the camera was easy. Took me about an hour. I have routed the wires fairly well so you wouldn't see them unless you were specifically looking for them.

[winther1]

Brilliant, thanks a lot! What camera/MMI did you go for?

[Abzynthe]

It was a box from Car Solutions. They don't sell it anymore looking on their site, but it was about £300 including taxes etc. It's just a hdmi and camera input box as I already have CarPlay etc.
The camera is just a £15 one from Amazon.

[winther1]

Originally Posted by Abzynthe

It was a box from Car Solutions. It's just a hdmi and camera input box as I already have CarPlay etc.
The camera is just a £15 one from Amazon.

Ah - is the camera attached to the grille or screwed into the bumper? The one I got is a reverse camera-style

[Abzynthe]

It's this one.

Universal Car Rear... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B082X1P7...p_mob_ap_share

It's screwed into the top of the bumper but it has a moveable bracket so I guess you could put a plate behind the grill and mount it that way to not cause any permanent holes

[winther1]

Originally Posted by Abzynthe

It's this one.

Universal Car Rear... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B082X1P7...p_mob_ap_share

It's screwed into the top of the bumper but it has a moveable bracket so I guess you could put a plate behind the grill and mount it that way to not cause any permanent holes

The wire is on top of this camera, so will need to drill a hole. Will be a permanent addition though, so not too bothered

[Abzynthe]

Originally Posted by winther1

The wire is on top of this camera, so will need to drill a hole. Will be a permanent addition though, so not too bothered

I hope it goes well
I definitely couldn't do without mine lol

[gameson]

I am curious if there is a camera i can install at the front bumper but without using mmi? Possibly something like cctv at home? A camera and an ios/android app? If it’s wireless, possibly connected via bluetooth between the phone and camera? So when i am parking the car with front first, i will just open my phone and launch the app?

Something like this could work?

https://www.amazon.com/70mai-Dashboa...dp/B07F245PS1/
Or this

https://www.amazon.com/Casoda-Wirele...dp/B08N9QY6NL/

Thanks.

[Abzynthe]

Originally Posted by gameson

I am curious if there is a camera i can install at the front bumper but without using mmi? Possibly something like cctv at home? A camera and an ios/android app? If it's wireless, possibly connected via bluetooth between the phone and camera? So when i am parking the car with front first, i will just open my phone and launch the app?

Something like this could work?

https://www.amazon.com/70mai-Dashboa...dp/B07F245PS1/
Or this

https://www.amazon.com/Casoda-Wirele...dp/B08N9QY6NL/

Thanks.

Seems a bit long winded to me tbh.

[WillLowe]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Way-Car...-127635-2958-0

I just use one of them. Works perfectly

[ade555]

Have a look this below, UK Base company

https://droiduk.com/product/mmi-box/

[klepic]

Hey all,

sorry for bumping this one, but I cannot seemt to find front camera for my f30 that will be connected to CarPlay. I want to avoid grill camera since it is ugly for me, I would rather place it bellow grills on M sport bumper, like Brian did in this video:

https://youtu.be/SksfQZnKILg?si=6ebZqClUprUVCDe5

However, I do not know what to write in order to find this type of camera on AliExpress as every camers that is shown is for grill only.

Thanks!

[winther1]

Not sure about the specific camera. However, i could have placed mine between the splitter and bumper but would be more hassle - and the point was to get a better view of the front splitter when parking close to the kerb. Perfect view where it is now.
I really don't think anyone would notice unless you look for it