Retro-fit parking sensors

[Silverghost]

Hello everyone, for a 2.5 Jan 2010 car, for the kit and fitting by a (friendly) garage, what's a ball park cost for this?

The car doesn't have a screen, and don't need a reversing camera anyway - just the basic beeps.

Also, is fitting a bluetooth adaptor pretty easy?

With thanks in advance and patience for a Z newbie.

 

[Zed Baron]

Hi AnubisZed is the go-to man on anything like this, I'm sure he will be along later

 

[Silverghost]

Thanks, I've just realised this is probably in the wrong section. I read it as "how to?"

 

[AnubisZed]

OK, sit down, strap in, helmet and gloves on, here we go........
:rofl: only kidding

PDC, right I've no idea on a ball-park figure to have this done, especially if it was for OEM parts, apart from probably bloody expensive.
I'd imagine that most mechanics will try to steer you in the direction of an aftermarket bit of kit, as it's far easier for them to get and fit (ie; no integration with existing equipment or any coding involved). Still won't be cheap though as they'd still need to remove the bumpers and various interior panels etc (read time consuming = ££).
So that's why I made a video on the subject.....

https://youtu.be/j-I2KSQxYb8?si=5RNk9mk0dLAUs2Ap

Now that video includes the reverse camera as well, but you'd just need to extrapolate the required parts.
That was my car and a good learning curve.
I later decided, as I had the retrofitted OE iDrive that I wanted OE PDC instead of the aftermarket version, so I made a video on that as well....

https://youtu.be/l866Wneykws?si=wnj5Y2tM3LgOG6O2

It's a worthwhile retrofit to do yourself, but it is very time consuming, and to this I've turned this down when owners have asked me to do it for them. The best I've done was to make the looms up for an owner, sent them back to him, he then fitted them and the sensors in the bumpers, then came to me and I wired them in and coded them. Even this way it's still not a quick job.

But if you want to talk about any part of this then send me a message and I'll happily talk about it.

 

[AnubisZed]

Bluetooth adaptor.

What sort were you thinking?

Do you have the combined factory USB & AUX socket in the centre console?
If you do then you could have one of these Tune2air adaptors for music streaming (any thing playing on your phone will come out of the car speakers). On the radio screen it'll show as iPod (photos attached)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00TFIPX82/?coliid=I3NQEB4VU06SY3&colid=SHM7HC8GH0OG&psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_lstpd_PK5R6A4KNF6V6QEZJFQG&language=en_US

 

[Silverghost]

Thanks Dave/Anubis,

that's plenty of detail re the parking sensors. The better options seem to be, find a car with them fitted, or don't hit anything. Nonetheless, that's really useful information.

Since my second question, I did find the video on Youtube from the lady with the red nail varnish that also follows the steps. That and your advice have now given me confidence.

I'm looking at a well-kept E89 with 17 inch wheels and non-run-flats which rides comfortably. Thought I wanted a E86 but they're a bit firm and raw for me in my dotage. May do the deal tonight.

 

[flybobbie]

I bought basic reverse sensors for berlingo about 15 quid.
Did the job.
Chinese site had some colour coded sensors.

 

[peter2704]

on my to do list front and rear,got the kits ebay £14 coloured white,will try fit the rear first have seen videos where the rear lights stay in for bumper removal,is this wise or easier way?

 

[DonDon]

on my to do list front and rear,got the kits ebay £14 coloured white,will try fit the rear first have seen videos where the rear lights stay in for bumper removal,is this wise or easier way?

See Dave's (AnubisZed) video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-I2KSQxYb8

 

[AnubisZed]

Leave the rear lights in place, unlike my video (that was the first time I did it). You can remove them if you want, but can be done without.

Also, if you buy the PDC module that works for both front and rear, then I highly suggest fitting both at the same time, because if you fit it and then only fit the rear sensors it's have a permanent fault on the system that cannot be removed!!

 

[peter2704]

I have bought 2 separate units so should be ok one has a little screen for the rear front just sensors and beeps
That’s great news that the rear lights don’t need to come out

 

[simnew]

Leave the rear lights in place, unlike my video (that was the first time I did it). You can remove them if you want, but can be done without.

Also, if you buy the PDC module that works for both front and rear, then I highly suggest fitting both at the same time, because if you fit it and then only fit the rear sensors it's have a permanent fault on the system that cannot be removed!!

Ouch!

Hi Dave,
I was hoping to install PDC OE system (all parts purchase including loom) and fit it in two stages. Rear including camera, then front.

Are you saying you MUST install both at the same time and do all coding or you get an error that cannot be removed ?
If so you have me worried as I have Protool for coding but not the laptop based system you use….. hoping I can still do this over the winter

 

[AnubisZed]

Ouch!

Hi Dave,
I was hoping to install PDC OE system (all parts purchase including loom) and fit it in two stages. Rear including camera, then front.

Are you saying you MUST install both at the same time and do all coding or you get an error that cannot be removed ?
If so you have me worried as I have Protool for coding but not the laptop based system you use….. hoping I can still do this over the winter

I think it's because you'd be using the front/rear module, so as it won't be getting a signal from the front it'll flag a fault. If you installed a rear only module for stage 1 then you'd be fine, then when you fit the front sensors change the module for the front/rear version and code it accordingly it'll all work, but that is a bit of a waste.
Personally if it's that you won't havevthe time all in one go then I'd just not do the coding, wait until you've then fitted the front and code in one go.

 

[ibroker]

I dont understand why anyone would go to the trouble of installing oem sensors on a 15 year old car at massive expense. Tech has moved so quickly since the Z4 came out in 2009 that £150 from Amazon will give you an easy install rear view camera revering kit with none of the fault codes and coding requirements??

 

[AnubisZed]

I dont understand why anyone would go to the trouble of installing oem sensors on a 15 year old car at massive expense. Tech has moved so quickly since the Z4 came out in 2009 that £150 from Amazon will give you an easy install rear view camera revering kit with none of the fault codes and coding requirements??

Good point, but tech hasn't moved on, parking sensors are just the same now as before. A camera is only a minor addition, and although was never an option on the E89 it was available on other models at the time back in 2009.
My camera and OE PDC sensors both integrate with either my OE CIC system or the Mr12volt (or any other mmi or Android screen). So I have a visual for the camera, a visual for PDC sensor indication and turning guide bars as well as the audio coming from the appropriate speaker (depending on obstacle position).
To me it's well worth the work involved and the small outlay involved (if I remember correctly the PDC retrofit cost me less than £100 all in).
But we're all different, and personally I'd prefer to have mine as OE as I can, but that's just how I am

 

[peter2704]

On the rears am I right in thinking just fire a relay off the reverse light wire

 

[AnubisZed]

On the rears am I right in thinking just fire a relay off the reverse light wire

For what? OE PDC? Aftermarket PDC? Or a camera?

 

[peter2704]

Aftermarket sensors I thought of just powering the unit direct from reverse light but may put through a relay

 

[AnubisZed]

Aftermarket sensors I thought of just powering the unit direct from reverse light but may put through a relay

In that case, yes you can do it that way, using the reverse light to activate the relay would work perfectly

 

[peter2704]

Is there a knack to removing the bumper ? On your video it looks like the out clip has broken on it