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PDC front and rear

Specific discussion about the E89 2009 Z4 (sDrive35is, sDrive35i, sDrive30i, sDrive23i)
Z450
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PDC front and rear

Post by Z450 » Sun Apr 04, 2021 5:51 pm

Happy Easter 🙂

Question, I have an E89 with I-drive, and an apple/ android auto play. I would like to have front and rear PDC fitted so it works in the same manner as it would from the factory.

Has anyone had this done recently? If so what was the rough cost, and who did it? We are looking ideally for someone around Northamptonshire / Milton Keynes area.

Any help much appreciated 👍

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PDC front and rear

Post by Busterboo » Sun Apr 04, 2021 8:18 pm

What's a PDC?
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Ole gits rule
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PDC front and rear

Post by Ole gits rule » Sun Apr 04, 2021 8:19 pm

Busterboo wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 8:18 pm What's a PDC?
Park distance control :thumbsup:
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PDC front and rear

Post by Silverstar » Sun Apr 04, 2021 8:38 pm

When I was searching for my E89 I came across a car which had everything except the PDC, so I enquired with BMW about retrofitting them they quoted me silly money around 3 to 4k from memory so needless to say I just looked for a car with it already fitted.

Saying that I think it might be possible to do this much cheaper using second hand components and doing it yourself or using an independent garage. If I remember correctly there is a member Anubiszed who has either already done this or is going to be doing this soon. Maybe he can shed some light on this topic.
2009 sdrive30i auto Sapphire Black / Coral Red

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PDC front and rear

Post by AnubisZed » Tue Apr 06, 2021 3:21 pm

Silverstar wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 8:38 pm ....
Saying that I think it might be possible to do this much cheaper using second hand components and doing it yourself or using an independent garage. If I remember correctly there is a member Anubiszed who has either already done this or is going to be doing this soon. Maybe he can shed some light on this topic.
:D Oh yes, I can shed a ton of light on it :rofl:

Not only is it do'able, it is very easy (relatively speaking) if you buy the OE retrofit kit.

Retrofit kit - 66 20 2 157 297 - this includes all the wiring, the sensor brackets for the rear, clips and bits n pieces.
Module - 66209252638 - Front & rear
Sensors - 66 20 2 180 146 - 8 in total
4 x sensor brackets for the front - 51117844395
Switch unit - 61 31 9 146 642 - No Seat Heating and No Stop/Start
or
Switch unit - 61 31 9 146 645 - With Seat Heating.


Now the route I went was the unconventional one :?
I bought 2 used E9x rear PDC looms from eBay
A cheap used E9x front/rear module from eBay
8 new non-genuine sensors from eBay
2 packs of new (cheap) genuine E9x sensor brackets
And a bargain priced mint used switch unit from eBay
To this I added some extra wire and a waterproof automotive plug coupler.

Buying all new genuine is going to set you back about £400 - 500
I got my parts for only £130 all in (a lot of shopping around and a lot of waiting!)

Both bumpers have to come off and a fair few panels on the inside and in the boot, then it'll need coding to the car. I filmed all of my install when I did lt last year but haven't got around to producing the finished version as of yet, and to be fair it won't be ready for a few more months yet.
Like I say it is a do'able job if you don't mind getting in there to take things apart, but to get someone to fit it all for you isn't going to be cheap. I've done a lot of retrofit work for members but have just stopped doing it all, and even I wouldn't have taken this on for someone else due to it's lengthy aspect in completing it, I did the rear first, then came back to it at a later date and did the front and then at an even later date finished off the wiring fully into the cars loom and coded it. It can be easily done in one day though.

I've attached a photo of the parts (not my photo, someone else who has also done this just recently)...
On the far left is the module, the middle left is the retrofit kit, middle right is the sensors (only four are shown), then on the right is the official instructions and a hole punch for the bumpers, although I used a step bit for my drill which I find is perfect. So to add to this photo are 4 more sensors, 4 more brackets and the switch unit.
Attachments
142479367_10104172968754089_2227868453846757392_o.jpg
142479367_10104172968754089_2227868453846757392_o.jpg (138.73 KiB) Viewed 1856 times
Dave
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Z450
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PDC front and rear

Post by Z450 » Wed Apr 07, 2021 8:50 am

Thank you for the replies and thank you AnubisZed for the details. I will be honest I am not hands on at all. I am surprised I cannot find any companies that will do this, I know in the VAG world there are plenty but I am really struggling to find a company who can do this!

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PDC front and rear

Post by Deepseaskateboard » Fri Apr 09, 2021 3:36 pm

Do the sensors need to be sprayed to body colour, or can you get them pre done?

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Post by AnubisZed » Fri Apr 09, 2021 5:03 pm

Deepseaskateboard wrote: Fri Apr 09, 2021 3:36 pm Do the sensors need to be sprayed to body colour, or can you get them pre done?
They are available pre-painted .....
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E89/E ... ic_sensor/
Dave
2011, 23i, Grey with Red leather. 8)

My E89 YouTube channel - BMW Z4 Mods
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCttNBt ... UQnoEvKB2Q

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Deepseaskateboard
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PDC front and rear

Post by Deepseaskateboard » Fri Apr 09, 2021 7:17 pm

AnubisZed wrote: Fri Apr 09, 2021 5:03 pm
Deepseaskateboard wrote: Fri Apr 09, 2021 3:36 pm Do the sensors need to be sprayed to body colour, or can you get them pre done?
They are available pre-painted .....
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E89/E ... ic_sensor/
Cool, amazing you got the whole kit for £130!

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Post by AnubisZed » Fri Apr 09, 2021 10:13 pm

Deepseaskateboard wrote: Fri Apr 09, 2021 7:17 pm
AnubisZed wrote: Fri Apr 09, 2021 5:03 pm
Deepseaskateboard wrote: Fri Apr 09, 2021 3:36 pm Do the sensors need to be sprayed to body colour, or can you get them pre done?
They are available pre-painted .....
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E89/E ... ic_sensor/
Cool, amazing you got the whole kit for £130!
Yeah I picked up the switch init for £45 (mint condition), module was £38 and the rest was the two used looms, brackets (old new stock, dirt cheap) and the aftermarket sensors. Bargains are out there if you're prepared to wait, research and put the effort in. Oh yeah and a bit of time soldering, heatshrinking and loom wrapping :thumbsup:
Dave
2011, 23i, Grey with Red leather. 8)

My E89 YouTube channel - BMW Z4 Mods
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCttNBt ... UQnoEvKB2Q

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PDC front and rear

Post by Silverstar » Sat Apr 10, 2021 1:43 am

AnubisZed wrote: Fri Apr 09, 2021 10:13 pm Yeah I picked up the switch init for £45 (mint condition),
You got very lucky with that one, usually when they come up sellers ask silly money for them and usually they aren't in mint condition.
2009 sdrive30i auto Sapphire Black / Coral Red

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PDC front and rear

Post by AnubisZed » Sat Apr 10, 2021 8:18 am

Silverstar wrote: Sat Apr 10, 2021 1:43 am
AnubisZed wrote: Fri Apr 09, 2021 10:13 pm Yeah I picked up the switch init for £45 (mint condition),
You got very lucky with that one, usually when they come up sellers ask silly money for them and usually they aren't in mint condition.
It came up on my saved searches list as soon as it was posted, it was even from a main supplier who normallycharges high prices, so I snapped it up immediately. Best price I'd seen previouslywas £57 + shipping from Australia. Otherwise they are normally £100+
Dave
2011, 23i, Grey with Red leather. 8)

My E89 YouTube channel - BMW Z4 Mods
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCttNBt ... UQnoEvKB2Q

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Christopher72
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PDC front and rear

Post by Christopher72 » Sat Jan 21, 2023 5:21 pm

AnubisZed wrote: Tue Apr 06, 2021 3:21 pm Not only is it do'able, it is very easy (relatively speaking) if you buy the OE retrofit kit.

Retrofit kit - 66 20 2 157 297 - this includes all the wiring, the sensor brackets for the rear, clips and bits n pieces.
Module - 66209252638 - Front & rear
Sensors - 66 20 2 180 146 - 8 in total
4 x sensor brackets for the front - 51117844395
Switch unit - 61 31 9 146 642 - No Seat Heating and No Stop/Start
or
Switch unit - 61 31 9 146 645 - With Seat Heating.


Now the route I went was the unconventional one :?
I bought 2 used E9x rear PDC looms from eBay
A cheap used E9x front/rear module from eBay
8 new non-genuine sensors from eBay
2 packs of new (cheap) genuine E9x sensor brackets
And a bargain priced mint used switch unit from eBay
To this I added some extra wire and a waterproof automotive plug coupler.


Resurrecting this one... Dave, why did you go the unconventional route on the wiring, and is there any instruction out there on doing the whole pdc retrofit front and back with the oem parts and looms? Additionally -- Why go back to the expensive OEM sensors from the cheaper ones? That had to blow your £130 budget just on the sensors... :erm:
Christopher
2011 E89 Sdrive35i - Deep Sea Blue, Beige Kansas Leather
'fits in progress - PDC, Cameras, Comfort Access, Respray/Correction - all queued for poor weather.
(9) E46 convertibles; (1) E39 540i; (2) E36 Z3 roadsters; (1) Pre-prod E36 Z3- all gone

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PDC front and rear

Post by AnubisZed » Sun Jan 22, 2023 1:17 am

Christopher72 wrote: Sat Jan 21, 2023 5:21 pm
AnubisZed wrote: Tue Apr 06, 2021 3:21 pm Not only is it do'able, it is very easy (relatively speaking) if you buy the OE retrofit kit.

Retrofit kit - 66 20 2 157 297 - this includes all the wiring, the sensor brackets for the rear, clips and bits n pieces.
Module - 66209252638 - Front & rear
Sensors - 66 20 2 180 146 - 8 in total
4 x sensor brackets for the front - 51117844395
Switch unit - 61 31 9 146 642 - No Seat Heating and No Stop/Start
or
Switch unit - 61 31 9 146 645 - With Seat Heating.


Now the route I went was the unconventional one :?
I bought 2 used E9x rear PDC looms from eBay
A cheap used E9x front/rear module from eBay
8 new non-genuine sensors from eBay
2 packs of new (cheap) genuine E9x sensor brackets
And a bargain priced mint used switch unit from eBay
To this I added some extra wire and a waterproof automotive plug coupler.


Resurrecting this one... Dave, why did you go the unconventional route on the wiring, and is there any instruction out there on doing the whole pdc retrofit front and back with the oem parts and looms? Additionally -- Why go back to the expensive OEM sensors from the cheaper ones? That had to blow your £130 budget just on the sensors... :erm:
Well, i not only like to save money I also like a challenge, hence why i bought the used E9x looms. A little bit of modding and hey-presto youve got perfectly good looms for the E89.
As for the sensors, although i originally bought new non-genuine ones from ebay, after fitting them I'd sometimes have a fault come up while using them, so I took a gamble and found someone selling a full set of used OE ones dirt cheap. So I bought them, sprayed them my colour and fitted the rears (not got around to fitting the front ones yet as I'm waiting to change the front bumper and can't be bothered to take it off again at the moment :rofl: ) but since fitting the genuine rear ones I've not had the fault come back (and for the record, I did do a fault code check and it was random as to which one was faulty, so basically all of them!).

As for the full retrofit......
https://youtu.be/l866Wneykws
Dave
2011, 23i, Grey with Red leather. 8)

My E89 YouTube channel - BMW Z4 Mods
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCttNBt ... UQnoEvKB2Q

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PDC front and rear

Post by Christopher72 » Sun Jan 22, 2023 1:46 am

Appreciate the response! Ol right then. I've put in an order for the retrofit kit, front retrofit wires, and front brackets from a German e-tailer and well see what that looks like. I'm curious to how the looms get plugged and routed -- It lists included instructions. The used PDC controllers seem easy to find ~£80, but the switch unit is a proper bastard in pricing, even used.

As for sensors, the Chinese replicas are less than £10 each... while the used Bosch are 3x or more. New is horrible. Are they worth the cost?
Christopher
2011 E89 Sdrive35i - Deep Sea Blue, Beige Kansas Leather
'fits in progress - PDC, Cameras, Comfort Access, Respray/Correction - all queued for poor weather.
(9) E46 convertibles; (1) E39 540i; (2) E36 Z3 roadsters; (1) Pre-prod E36 Z3- all gone

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