diy Front facing camera on a f06 6 series

aibtus

New member
How easy is to add the Surround view camera on a 2016 F06 640D grand coupè. Well, if surround view is a mission impossible, how about just a front view camera at least?


I think that long car needs a front camera as a parking aid, at the very least
 

TurboLlew

Honorary ///Member
I looked into this as a retrofit on my F10 M5. It isn't an easy retrofit. The availability of all the parts used at the time wasn't great and astronomical from the dealer. Not sure it has improved much now.

You will need different mirrors, the cameras that go into them, the wiring from the mirrors to the control unit at the back, the line from the module to the front head unit, rear view cam (which you should already have - the module replaces that unit), centre console buttons, and the two bumper cameras and brackets for the front (plus wiring of course).

I never got around to doing it despite collecting most of the parts. Current owner of the car may still have some of it (I can check if you're going ahead with it).

You can look into adding an android 'piggyback' for your head unit as well which may be able to work with an aftermarket front camera.

You may find PDC is good enough vs. going with either of these options.
 

aibtus

New member
I looked into this as a retrofit on my F10 M5. It isn't an easy retrofit. The availability of all the parts used at the time wasn't great and astronomical from the dealer. Not sure it has improved much now.

You will need different mirrors, the cameras that go into them, the wiring from the mirrors to the control unit at the back, the line from the module to the front head unit, rear view cam (which you should already have - the module replaces that unit), centre console buttons, and the two bumper cameras and brackets for the front (plus wiring of course).

I never got around to doing it despite collecting most of the parts. Current owner of the car may still have some of it (I can check if you're going ahead with it).

You can look into adding an android 'piggyback' for your head unit as well which may be able to work with an aftermarket front camera.

You may find PDC is good enough vs. going with either of these options.
If parts are there, and the walk through is available, I will make the time to through with it. Stock standard all the way!
 

Pisancho

Active member
If parts are there, and the walk through is available, I will make the time to through with it. Stock standard all the way!
Car play solutions i think can do it for you. They sell kits for 360 cameras etc. I personally have a 640i GC with rear only. Did consider a front camera but after 9 months of ownership i got used to the long bonnet and rely on the sensors for most things. Reverse parking with the rear camera is what i do 90% of the time. Its a 2013 so doesnt have the 360 camera etc.

I think the whole kit is 15k btw. Maybe 20 if you want the cameras plus the infotainment upgrade.
 

aibtus

New member
Car play solutions i think can do it for you. They sell kits for 360 cameras etc. I personally have a 640i GC with rear only. Did consider a front camera but after 9 months of ownership i got used to the long bonnet and rely on the sensors for most things. Reverse parking with the rear camera is what i do 90% of the time. Its a 2013 so doesnt have the 360 camera etc.

I think the whole kit is 15k btw. Maybe 20 if you want the cameras plus the infotainment upgrade.
Carplay seems overwhelmed with business or something. I have reached out on numerous times without success. On one time they said that they would get back to me, 😞 sadly, I am still waiting
 

Pisancho

Active member
Carplay seems overwhelmed with business or something. I have reached out on numerous times without success. On one time they said that they would get back to me, 😞 sadly, I am still waiting
Damn, If the customer service is that bad on call then I would not take chances. Imagine you have to do a warranty with them on something that fails in a month or whatever and you can't get a hold of them. I didn't know this about them, best to avoid.
 

aibtus

New member
Car Play has come through with a solution. Andre has been so helpful in remotely assistang me even on a non working day (like a weekend). So far so good.

I may post photos soon.
 

Pisancho

Active member
Good to hear. I am so used to my cars bonnet etc now that its something I wont do personally. The sensors on the front are good enough for me.
 
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