Recommendation for Z4 rear and front camera kit

J

johnbirt

Member
 Blackpool, Lancashire
Have looked at previous threads and also all over the Internet etc. for a camera system for 2012 E89 Z4 sDrive28i M Sport with BMW Prof Satnav, iDrive, etc.. I haven't come across any camera system which mentions E89 Z4 as being compatible with it.

Links provided on forum posts here and elsewhere all seem to lead to non Z4 BMW kit which it is not clear would be compatible. One US link implies that it has Z4 camera equipment but when you search for E89 Z4 kit it shows nothing available. It looks to me as though the only possibility for siting the camera would be one of the 2 number plate lights in the M Sport bumper.

Could anyone advise precisely what i would need to provide a rear view and possibly a front view camera.

I am having a SmartTop and a couple of other jobs done next week so it would be good to get this sorted then.

I have read the posts that say why do you need one if you have PDC? I don't fully trust the system. Nothing seems to warn me adequately of my gate posts looming when reversing off my driveway when i can physically see I'm inches away! Maybe it needs checking out as I've not had the car long. Anyway was used to front and rear cameras in previous car.

Would be grateful for direction to appropriate kit UK based if possible.

Thanks.

John B
 
Let us know how you get on.

I was looking when I got the Z, but there was very little information, and everything seemed to be a 'bits' and not a complete kit, and I wouldn't want to break anything. Having seen the pictures on that link, I reckon I'd have bits left over, and nothing would ever work again :?
 
Had little luck in finding ready made kit for Z4 2012. The Nav Tv unit which provides DVD in motion and a TV tuner as well as a camera doesn't work in a late Z4 , only some Z4's as of now.

Have now found a local ICE expert who can do it (not sure what kit yet) but involves adding a tuner module as well and possibly too pricey. I am waiting for him to find out more about module to switch between 2 cameras front and rear. Should know next week but fancy it will be very pricey even just for the 1 camera.

Have today just ordered a Contour +2 camcorder for dash mounting for filming the scenery when I go touring soon - if the snow will ever allow me to get out! 21% off on Ebay as I think there is a new model coming soon. Provides wifi and GPS so can move video files of nice scenery and driving record to laptop or tablet via the wifi. Neat link to Google mapping via the GPS on playback. Far too wrinkly now to use it doing extreme sports but should be good in the car which is my main exercise and excitement these days. I got this because it doesn't rely on a permanent power connection so no cable needed all the time, just a few batteries and a charger. Other camcorders need permanent connection to function as a security device. Don't need that and the hardwiring in a BMW Z4 is not simple as tapping into the fuse box is NOT recommended and a direct connect to battery is needed so big length of cable running to dash is not my idea of fun! Will need it if I get the rear camera though but i won't be doing it.

A front camera linked to iDrive might be helpful at junctions where the long Z4 nose ain't the best visual aid. RHS of the road is bad enough without additional hazards!
 
johnbirt said:
Had little luck in finding ready made kit for Z4 2012. The Nav Tv unit which provides DVD in motion and a TV tuner as well as a camera doesn't work in a late Z4 , only some Z4's as of now.

Have now found a local ICE expert who can do it (not sure what kit yet) but involves adding a tuner module as well and possibly too pricey. I am waiting for him to find out more about module to switch between 2 cameras front and rear. Should know next week but fancy it will be very pricey even just for the 1 camera.

Have today just ordered a Contour +2 camcorder for dash mounting for filming the scenery when I go touring soon - if the snow will ever allow me to get out! 21% off on Ebay as I think there is a new model coming soon. Provides wifi and GPS so can move video files of nice scenery and driving record to laptop or tablet via the wifi. Neat link to Google mapping via the GPS on playback. Far too wrinkly now to use it doing extreme sports but should be good in the car which is my main exercise and excitement these days. I got this because it doesn't rely on a permanent power connection so no cable needed all the time, just a few batteries and a charger. Other camcorders need permanent connection to function as a security device. Don't need that and the hardwiring in a BMW Z4 is not simple as tapping into the fuse box is NOT recommended and a direct connect to battery is needed so big length of cable running to dash is not my idea of fun! Will need it if I get the rear camera though but i won't be doing it.

A front camera linked to iDrive might be helpful at junctions where the long Z4 nose ain't the best visual aid. RHS of the road is bad enough without additional hazards!
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Interested to know how you get on with the contour 2 cam, I've just bought a Smartcam 2 after wasting money on the cheaper ebay cams :roll:

http://www.actioncameras.co.uk/smartcam-2-hd-car-camera

Done a few runs in the Z3 and the quality is good, I was planning on mounting it on the glass wind deflector on the Z4 :)

Tim.
 
Interested to know how you get on with the contour 2 cam, I've just bought a Smartcam 2 after wasting money on the cheaper ebay cams

http://www.actioncameras.co.uk/smartcam-2-hd-car-camera

Done a few runs in the Z3 and the quality is good, I was planning on mounting it on the glass wind deflector on the Z4

Tim.
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Should arrive later in the week Tim. Will report back when I've given it a go.
John
 
John, any details of the ICE expert that thinks he can make this work ?

I would really like a rear camera on my Zed, I think this should be possible by finding a TV tuner that has AV input, only issue I can see would be that the camera isn't triggered off reverse being selected...however could always Program a radio key to switch to AV input on TV...
 
Been doing some research on options and I have found this:

There is a site in spain that seems to offer modules that provide the option for a Reverseing Camera and a TV tuner built in

http://translate.google.com/transla...&hl=es&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=/language_tools

Serach for "c.LOGiC" in the search box and 60 odd results come up

Looking at the compatibility guide, it would appear they work with the E89:

http://www.vag-navisystems.com/docs/productos/389/C2-LR_COMPATIBILITY.pdf

I dont know spanish but from what I can gather on google translate the kit should be in that first link

Also found this link - which might be of use http://www.parkmyauto.co.uk/bmw-pro...de-conversion-oem-style-system-kit-1115-p.asp
 
John, any details of the ICE expert that thinks he can make this work ?
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Heard today his supplier has ceased trading and he can't get the 'plug' he needed so can't proceed. My normal ICE man also drew a blank with all his contacts.

There are a number of suppliers that provide a digital TV module that supports a camera input. Unfortunately all the ones I have found for example http://www.vag-navisystems.com/docs/productos/389/C2-LR_COMPATIBILITY.pdf although they seem to be compatible with Z4 E89 in fact aren't. I enquired and was told it does not currently support 2012 Z2 E89.

The Nav TV module from a firm in Wales also does not support late model E89's as I spoke to their sales dept last week.

Several US firms advertise BMW modules for retrofit TV and camera but when you look into it further my 2012 E89 isn't on the list.

Bimmertech (Poland) also advertise a module but again not for 2012 Z4 E89.

So currently no go. Interestingly factory ordered 2013 Z4's don't have a camera option as far as I can see.

Maybe something will be out soon after the new 2013's appear.
 
Have you looked at the BMW ACM (Accessory Control Module) this shows that it's compatible with the E89 and looks to provide what you need.

http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E89/R ... o_fur_acm/

Not cheap though.
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Don't think it does. I have iDrive and this looks to be for retrofit for portable screen but couldn't honestly say as I had no real idea what it does or claims to do. With iDrive I already have a control module I think?. For example on startup the logo for a camera briefly appears in yellow so obviously looks for one and indicates non there. Car internals not my bag so I'm probably talking nonsense!

Also although it says E89 it is for earlier Z4's than mine. When you drill down into the Z4 menu for compatibility it does not list sDrive28i which is a later model than 2009.

Looks like a lot of kit advertised for Z4 E89 only is compatible with early versions and not with 2012 models.

I advise anyone who contemplates ordering any kit for a Z4 E89 to check very carefully it is actually compatible as it could be an expensive mistake. Just about everything I have looked at is NOT compatible with a 2012 model.

The search continues.
 
Had SmartTop fitted today. My local ICE expert confirms there is nothing currently on the market which will allow rear (or front) camera under control of iDrive for a 2012 Z4.
There will be, but not now.
 
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